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Yellow black ribbon eel with yellow bubble bokeh, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Growing up in landlocked Cologne, Germany, our latest Photographer of the Week may not have had the ocean on his doorstep, but the mighty Rhine that runs through the city always pointed north towards the sea, guiding a young Patrick Neumann towards his destiny. Having started diving at just seven years old, he already has some four decades of dive experience, and 5,000-plus dives, behind him, and today works as Resort Manager and Photo Pro at Solitude Lembeh Resort.

So how did this award-winning underwater photographer go from Cologne to Critters? Well, after going to school and university in his home town, and then landing a well-paying job as a key account manager for a credit insurance company, Patrick made that big decision—he quit his job to follow his dreams. Moving to Asia, he first worked on a liveaboard as an instructor and guide. After a few years, he came back to Germany to start a photo business, then went on to doing magazine work, and leading underwater photography workshops. Eventually, he moved again, this time to Egypt, spending a few years leading safaris with Deep Blue Cruises, and working as an instructor, guide and photo pro.

Given this history, it will come as no surprise that Patrick’s portfolio is a wonderful mix of wide-angle wonders from the Red Sea (and just beyond the Sinai) and macro marvels from North Sulawesi and other parts of Indonesia. Years of refinement of myriad shooting techniques are also very much in evidence—from sublime depth-of-field experiments and creative bokeh backgrounds to stunning sunbursts. Who knows what this talented Kölner will do next, but whatever it is, we’re sure it’s going to result in some breataking photography.
 

Cardinalfish with eggs, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Yawing weedy scorpionfish with diver, Ambon, Maluku Islands, Indonesia
 

Jellyfish in the sun, Red Sea, Egypt
 

Whale shark party, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Sponge with diver, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Snooted tiger shrimp shot with narrow depth of field and bubble bokeh background, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Backlit, snooted juvenile hairy frogfish, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Backlit, snooted squid eggs, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Lionfish portrait, Serena Island, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Blenny with diver shot with Inon insect-eye lens, Eilat, Israel
 

Backlit Rhinopias, Makawidey, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi Indonesia
 

Snooted red Bargibanti pygmy seahorse, Nudi Falls, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Salvador Dali sponge with diver, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Oceanic whitetip shark, Brothers Islands, Red Sea, Egypt
 

Banded Sea Krait with diver, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
 

Flying angel, Satil Wreck, Eilat, Israel
 

Yellow gorgonian sea fan with diver, Kei Islands, Indonesia
 

Patrick Neumann
 

To see more of Patrick’s stunning captures, head over to his website, www.seathroughmyeyes.com.