Photo / Video News & Reviews
Scubaverse Underwater Photographer Interview: Trevor Rees
In an ongoing series, Scubaverse’s Underwater Photography Editor Nick Robertson-Brown talks to underwater photographers from around the world that he admires. In this blog: Trevor Rees.
NRB: How did your underwater photography start?
I bought my first underwater camera in the early 1980’s. It was a second-hand Nikonos 111 film camera. Like a few other folk who have been diving for 40 odd years I was inspired by the early Jacques Cousteau films on TV and decided at that point I had to go diving. Even today I find myself imitating his French accent about the ‘mysteries of the deep’ and other such phrases I remember from that time.
NRB: What is your favourite u/w camera equipment (past & present) & why?
Undoubtedly, I fell in love with my early Nikonos 111 camera and used this particular model for 20 years before changing to digital. I had a series of digital compact cameras in cheap plastic housings but finaly went down the dSLR route in an aluminium housing. I also use an Olympus PEN camera in an Olympus housing which whilst not as enjoyable to use is a very capable camera. My latest camera is the Nikon d850 in a Nauticam housing which apart from the bulk and weight is hard to fault. Lately, I really been enjoying Nauticam’s WACP1 paired with a Nikkor 28-70mm zoom on my D850. It might all be different kit in a couple of years though.
NRB: What would be your advice to anyone new to underwater photography?
It’s all about dive time rather than the kit that counts. My top tip would be to really understand your camera to be able to exploit it properly. I like to get to know a subject and then stick at it. Therefore, I really subscribe to the mantra that effort in = equals results out. My other plea to other aspiring photographers is to have self-belief and do your own thing. You do not you have to join the merry- go-round of expensive overseas workshops to learn your craft. Finally, good dive technique, especially buoyancy control, can’t be underestimated in a successful photographer.
NRB: What, or who, has been your single biggest inspiration for your underwater photography?
No one and everyone can be my inspiration. I am not prepared to list any other top notch photographer as some kind of god. My inspiration is the love of diving, nature and all the subjects I try and shoot. Whilst I might copy techniques I seen others use, I try to do it my way and on my own trips.
NRB: What image are you most proud of and why?
This would probably be one of my latest shots. It’s hard to choose a single image so I’ll pick my last winning BSoUP plash in completion shot of a fireworks anemone and sunburst from a Scottish sea loch which was an in camera double exposure.
NRB: Where is your favourite dive location, and is it for the photography?
It’s the west coast of Scotland. I can’t say it’s necessarily world class diving but it’s a reliable destination where I can always dive, find interesting subjects and be on my own schedule to really spend time working my subjects.
NRB: What are you views on marine life manipulation, moving subjects?
As long as the critters are not suffering any harm I do not get too up-tight about this topic. My preference is not to be moving or interfering with subjects that result in a blatantly unnatural shot. I would rather mess about in photoshop to create something unreal than bully nature in some way.
NRB: What do you look for when you are making your images?
Common subjects done well is what I am all about. If I have a style, it is simplicity in composition and good lighting to try and make my subject have impact.
NRB: What motivates you to take u/w photos?
There is something addictive about pushing the shutter button – it’s as exciting today as when I first started. It might just be that I love diving and the underwater world so much that I don’t need much motivation to want to carry on shooting. I think growing and improving as a photographer is important and allowing my artistic nature to develop is all I can think of.
NRB: If you could photograph any one thing/place what or where would that be?
I’ve never seen a seahorse in British waters. Perhaps I could list that as the answer to this question. It’s a subject I feel I should have seen by now with the number of dives I’ve done around the British coast. To be honest though, if I was that motivated by this particular subject I would have put the time aside to go and do it. It’s on my list – but then so are quite a few other subjects I have not yet seen in British waters. All the overseas stuff would be nice, but no big deal if I run out of time to see it all.
To see more of Trevor’s work click here.
An emotive photograph showing a freediver examining the aftermath of whaling sees
Alex Dawson from Sweden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024. Dawson’s
photograph ‘Whale Bones’ triumphed over 6500 underwater pictures entered by underwater
photographers from around the world.
“Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions,” explains chair of judging
panel Alex Mustard, “as a breath-hold diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to bear
witness to the carcasses. The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great
creatures of this planet. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have declined by 85%. Today,
just 4% of mammals are wildlife, the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock. Our way
needs to change to find a balance with nature.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Whales dominated the winning pictures this year with Spanish photographer Rafael
Fernandez Caballero winning two categories with his revealing photos of these ocean giants:
a close up of a grey whale’s eye and an action shot of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait
ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Fernandez Caballero took ‘Grey
Whale Connection’ while drifting in a small boat, holding his camera over the side in the water
to photograph the curious whale. ‘The End Of A Baitball’ required Fernandez Caballero to dive
down and be in exactly the right place at the moment the whale lunged. “The photo shows
the high speed attack,” he said, “with the whale engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines
in one bite — simply unforgettable to see predation on such a scale.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Lisa Stengel from the United States was named Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine, in Mexico. Stengel used both a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to catch the moment. “If you listen there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean,” she explained. “The action was too fast to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.”
“It is such an exciting time in underwater photography because photographers are capturing such amazing new images, by visiting new locations and using the latest cameras,”
commented judge Alex Mustard. “Until this year I’d hardly ever see a photo of a mahi mahi,
now Lisa has photographed one hunting, action that plays out in the blink of an eye.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK, and Jenny Stock,
was named as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image “Star
Attraction”, which finds beauty in species of British wildlife that are often overlooked.
Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Stock explained “in the dark green depths my torch
picked out the vivid colours of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars, each with a
different pattern. I was happily snapping away, when I spotted this purple sea urchin and I
got really excited.”
Photo: Jenny Stock
In the same contest, Portuguese photographer, Nuno Sá, was named ‘Save Our Seas
Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo ‘Saving
Goliath’, taken in Portugal. Sá’s photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm
whale. The picture gives us hope that people do care and want to help the oceans, but also
warns us that bigger changes are needed. “The whale had been struck by a ship and its fate
was sealed,” explains Sá. “An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more
injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.”
Photo: Nuno Sá
More winning images can be found at www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.
About Underwater Photographer of the Year
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in Mayfair, London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s UPY judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.
Header image: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Alex Dawson
The winners of the prestigious World Shootout 2023 underwater photography competition were announced at this year’s BOOT Show, captivating audiences at the world’s largest diving and water sports exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hundreds of photographers from 54 countries competed across nine categories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill.
Grand Prize Winners
- Picture of the Year: Spanish photographer Eduardo Acevedo “secured” the top Honor with the prestigious prize the “boot Dusseldorf Director’s Prize, earning an Andromeda statuette and a €2,000 cash prize.
- Best 5 Images Portfolio: Luc Rooman from Belgium triumphed in this category, winning a dream 4-week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea, valued at $18,900.
- Amateur Photographer: Alexandra Ceurvorst from the USA impressed the judges with her talent, taking home the 1,000 € cash prize award.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
This year’s competition saw 11,680 entries from 964 photographers, showcasing a remarkable spectrum of skills and perspectives. From the intricate wonders of Macro photography to the beauty of “Black Water”, the “Underwater Fashion” category added a touch of artistry and innovation, while the ever-important ” Environmental & Conservation” category served as a powerful reminder of the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: AI and Ocean Conservation
World Shootout founder and producer David Pilosof unveiled an exciting addition for the 2024 competition: this year the Environmental category will be focusing on the impact of plastic on our oceans and future.
This category will embrace the potential of AI or other editing software as a tool to amplify the conservation message.
Entrants will submit campaigns of three original underwater photographs dealing with plastic pollution, along with their final AI assistance processing. This innovative approach encourages artistic expression while raising awareness about a critical environmental issue.
Explore the Stunning Collection
Discover the complete album of competition entries by clicking here.
For Low-resolution photos of finalist entries in eight categories, click here.
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