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Batfish in the Mangroves, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
 

Call her the Star of the Sphere, the Ruler of the Round, or the Overseer of the Oval—Beth Watson’s stunning images taken with a circular fisheye lens have transformed the way we look at, and photograph, underwater landscapes.

True, Beth’s most iconic images—and certainly those who have won her prestigious awards—highlight her wide-angle passion. But it’s her drive to constantly try to push the boundaries that makes her images refreshing. Beth has been known to stay up all night and tinker with different light filters, homemade snoots, and other optical accessories—all in pursuit of the perfect picture.

Such images have appeared in almost every format, from magazines and books to art exhibitions and even postcards. Recently, she has added another title to her impressive resume: judge. Beth has begun judging and presenting at prestigious dive events and underwater photo shootouts around the world, presumably in the hopes that her creativity is contagious. We think it is. 
 

Reef scene off Komodo, Indonesia, shot with the 8–15mm fisheye at 8mm
 

Chain moray eel, Bonaire
 

Mantis shrimp, Puerto Galera, Philippines
 

Schooling fusiliers, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
 

Frogfish, Anilao, Philippines
 

Anemonefish in its host anemone, Dumaguete, Philippines
 

Spinyhead blenny, Bonaire
 

Needlefish, Anilao, Philippines
 

Backlit seahorse, Puerto Galera, Philippines
 

Whip coral and juvenile fish, Lembeh, Indonesia
 

Blue-ring octopus, Lembeh, Indonesia
 

Buttercup coral, Puerto Galera, Philippines
 

Diver dwarfed by Sardines, Moalboal, Philippines, shot with the 8–15mm fisheye at 8mm
 

Beth Watson
 

Catch more of Beth’s stunning pictures on her website, www.bethwatsonimages.com.