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Eye to eye with a green sea turtle, Apo Island, Philippines
 

This week’s Photographer of the Week Vijay Raman is currently based in Southern California, but a quick glance through his website or Instagram page will show that he has seemingly dived and photographed just about every corner of the world! Destinations include all over the Caribbean, California, Baja, Indian Ocean locales, and his favorite area of all, the tropical Indo-Pacific.

Vijay says as early as the age of five, he remembers being drawn to the adventures of explorers like Jacques Cousteau, and envisioned joining the Father of Diving aboard the Calypso. He finally began embarking on his own adventures after getting certified at the age of 21. In 1995, Vijay bought his first underwater camera, a Sea&Sea Motormarine II EX, and traveled to the tropical Pacific for the first time, specifically to the spectacular island of Sipadan in Borneo. He says that trip sparked his passion to film and photograph the beauty and wonders of the underwater world.

Underwater photography requires the honing of multiple skills. Photographers need to learn how to control light, motion, perfect their buoyancy skills, and be aware of their surroundings. Knowledge of habitat and behavior, and a healthy dose of patience make all the difference. Vijay enjoys the challenge that underwater photography brings and continually strives to master those skills when creating his images.

Vijay says it is his hope that by sharing his unique view of the ocean, he may inspire others to explore and discover, in their own ways, the beauty under the sea. He hopes his images will help others see the importance and urgency of protecting the ocean and its spectacular diversity. Beyond making images, Vijay enjoys sharing his passion and experience with other underwater photographers. He is an educator and expedition trip leader, leading groups to exotic places to help his students create beautiful images—so they may further inspire others to protect our oceans.
 

A larval octopus photographed on a blackwater dive off Komodo, Indonesia
 

California sea lions frolicking among a baitball in the Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Baja, Mexico
 

A pixie hawkfish posing in the spotlight, Sogod Bay, Leyte, Philippines
 

A pair of bottlenose dolphins, Socorro Islands, Baja, Mexico
 

A Napoleon snake eel photographed with dual snoots, Dumaguete, Philippines
 

California’s charistmatic state fish, the garibaldi, Catalina Island, California, USA
 

Coral catfish forming a massive school off Apo Island, Philippines
 

A common octopus peering out of its den in the Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Baja, Mexico
 

A spotlit clown anemonefish, Sogod Bay, Leyte, Philippines
 

Silky sharks destroying a baitball, Socorro Islands, Baja, Mexico
 

A massive moon jelly smack in Port Fidalgo, Alaska, USA
 

A beautiful Armina nudibranch, Dauin, Philippines
 

Saddleback anemonefish eggs, soon to be hatchlings, Dauin, Philippines
 

To see more of Vijay’s work, visit his website, www.vijayraman.com, head over to his Instagram page, or consider joining him on a trip.