Articles

A comical, head-on view of a starry pufferfish on the grass flats, Israel
 

Gal Kahn, a scuba instructor, freediver, and marine biologist with a BSc in Marine Biology, is our newest DPG Photographer of the Week. Gal’s photography journey began during his divemaster course. As many an underwater shooter can attest to, Gal found himself wanting to share the beauty of the underwater realm with family and friends, so he picked up a Canon compact and was quickly hooked. Of course, as we all know, underwater photography is a slippery slope and eventually he upgraded to a Sony mirrorless camera and the 16–35mm and 50mm macro lenses have become his go-to tools for his imagery.

Interestingly, most of Gal’s photos are taken while freediving rather than scuba diving. He finds freediving more peaceful and natural—he says it allows him to feel more in tune with the ocean while making it easier to get close to marine life, since there's no heavy gear or loud bubbles to scare them off. That said, macro shots are much trickier on breath-hold, so he usually captures those during scuba dives. Whether he’s photographing a big stingray or a tiny nudibranch, Gal always tries to stay low-impact and respectful—aiming, as we all should, to be just an observer in the underwater world.

Gal’s love for the ocean and marine biology is pushing him toward a master’s degree, with hopes of getting more involved in conservation work down the line. Through his photography, Gal hopes to show people the beauty of marine life in its natural setting. He wants to help others—especially those who don’t have a direct connection to the sea—develop a deeper appreciation for the ocean and to understand why protecting it matters.
 

A rare sight in the Mediterranean, dusky sharks gather each winter off Israel’s coast
 

A skunk anemonefish shelters in its stinging home, Dumaguete, Philippines
 

The thresher shark, surely one of the world’s most beautiful sharks, Malapascua, Philippines
 

A flamboyant cuttlefish prepares to devour an unfortunate snack, Dumaguete, Philippines
 

The fantastically painted face of the Napoleon snake eel, Dumaguete, Philippines
 

A bottlenose dolphin cruises through the gorgeously blue waters of the Red Sea, Israel
 

An eagle ray snarfs around for food while a triggerfish waits to pick up the scraps, Israel
 

A stunning jellyfish floats along just beneath the surface of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel
 

A curious common octopus peers out of its den to get a better look at the photographer, Israel
 

Wonderfully diverse habitats, seagrass beds are often home to seahorses, Israel
 

To see more of Gal’s wildlife imagery, please give him a follow on Instagram.