Articles

Lemon goby and juvenile lionfish, Anilao, Philippines
 

There are many ways photographers can represent the underwater world, and image-makers normally have their preferred style depending on where they dive and what animals they encounter. Some focus on sharks and other marine megafauna, while others like searching for macro critters in the sand and on coral reefs. But one thing is certain, at a time when most divers carry some kind of underwater camera, it is likely that whatever you are shooting has been seen and photographed many times before!

So, what is an underwater photographer to do in order to capture familiar subjects in a different way? For Enrico Somogyi, our latest Photographer of the Week, the answer lies in using a multitude of creative techniques to achieve unusual backgrounds and effects. Regular DPG readers may remember Enrico’s fascinating feature, “Creative Underwater Photography with Swirls and Bubbles,” where he explains in detail his experimentation with a Trioplan lens and other custom-made kit, with stunning results.

It is clear, looking at the images below, that bubbly bokeh and swirl effects aren’t the only tricks Enrico has up his sleeve. Inspired by pros such as Alex Mustard, he also employs other creative techniques such as motion blur, over-unders and double (and even triple) in-camera exposures. The result is a remarkable portfolio of distinctive and memorable images with many different skills on display.

As well as providing new perspectives of the underwater environment, these types of images are also very successful in competition and Enrico has collected a number of awards, particularly in compact camera categories. Make no mistake, these images take time and patience to create, but I think you’ll agree the results are well worth the effort. Enrico’s work demonstrates that if you are willing to think outside the box and have time to experiment, it is possible to capture unique images that stand out from the crowd.
 

Garden eel, Anilao, Philippines
 

Juvenile Spanish dancer (double exposure in camera), Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
 

Water lily, Kirchbruch, Germany
 

Rhinopias (triple exposure in camera), Ambon, Indonesia
 

Hairy frogfish (double exposure in camera), Lembeh, Indonesia
 

Red grouper, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
 

Slow shutter reef squid, Anilao, Philippines
 

Jellyfish, Palau
 

Reefscape, Moalboal, Philippines
 

Reef shark and a shadow, Tiger Beach, Bahamas
 

Cargo room on the Liberty wreck, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
 

Harlequin shrimp (double exposure in camera), Ambon, Indonesia
 

Shaun the sheep (double exposure in camera), Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
 

Enrico Somogyi
 

For regular servings of Enrico’s exquisite photographic delicacies, be sure to follow him on Instagram.