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Two differently-colored painted anemones tickle tentacles, British Columbia, Canada
 

DPG’s latest Photographer of the Week, Henry Chism, is originally from the Bighorn Basin in north-central Wyoming—a long, long way from the ocean. Growing up surrounded by abundant wildlife and rugged landscapes fostered his deep interest in animals and nature, and although his interaction with the ocean was mostly limited to TV programs and photographs, he always felt drawn to the sea.

It took several years after a move to Seattle, Washington, before Henry realized there was world-class diving on his doorstep! After becoming certified, he stepped away from diving for a time, but eventually joined a local club dive after binge-watching Jonathan Bird’s Blue World on YouTube. During a dive shortly thereafter, gripping his inflator tightly out of concern for his buoyancy, Henry and his buddy were circled by a curious harbor seal. The experience overwhelmed him with emotion and wonder, reconnecting him to the feelings he had as a child growing up in Wyoming. That night, he realized he had finally found “the thing” he had been searching for his entire life.

As is often the case, Henry soon became interested in making pictures of what he was seeing underwater. His first camera was an Olympus Tough TG-6, and later he purchased a Sony a7R Mark III underwater rig from a local photographer who was selling gear. Much of his work has focused on macro photography, while wide-angle photography remains an area he continues to develop. More recently, he has started experimenting with shallow depth of field and slow shutter speeds.

For Henry, underwater photography is both a creative outlet and a way to share what he is most passionate about. The challenges of the craft, along with the occasional hard-earned success, create a rewarding sense of delayed satisfaction as he watches his skills gradually improve. With countless techniques still to master and many incredible animals left to encounter, he remains motivated to keep exploring and learning. Billy Ball was his first teacher, and Henry credits his guidance and knowledge as instrumental in helping him progress as far as he has.
 

A slow shutter take on Banggai cardinalfish, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
 

A black rockfish shelters among some shallow-water kelp, British Columbia, Canada
 

A beautiful brooding anemone, covered in its offspring, British Columbia, Canada
 

A copper rockfish hangs out with urchins on a pier piling, British Columbia, Canada
 

The world’s flashiest cuttlefish, the flamboyant, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
 

A pair of saddleback gunnels squished into the mouth of a bottle, Washington, USA
 

A comical-looking young Puget Sound king crab, British Columbia, Canada
 

The magnificent shrimpgoby is well-named, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
 

A small mosshead warbonnet hiding in a glass bottle, British Columbia, Canada
 

An adorable pygmy seahorse perfectly matched to its host sea fan, Bangka, Indonesia
 

A very textured red octopus moves across the mud, Washington, USA
 

A pretty female scalyhead sculpin perched on a colorful sponge, British Columbia, Canada
 

A closeup look at the face of a Puget Sound king crab, British Columbia, Canada
 

The details and textures of a sea star, British Columbia, Canada
 

To see more of Henry’s wonderful underwater work, please give him a follow on Instagram.