Voice of The Ocean Panel Discussion

73

Speakers:

Scott Tuason [Philippines] Professional Underwater Photographer
Scott was first handed his underwater camera at the age of 16. Decades later, his passion for photography has brought him on amazing journeys. From throwing himself into a feeding frenzy to dangling off a line in open water at night, his photography has been recognised by the Palme D’or at Antibes festival for his book Anilao, which he co-authored in 2000. His latest books, Blackwater and Open Blue, have won awards and are sold out worldwide.

Renee Capozzola [USA] Professional Underwater Photographer
Renee Capozzola is an award-winning underwater photographer who specializes in wide angle and split-level images. Her work is an intriguing combination of artistic talent honed through oil painting during her youth and a professional background in biology. Renee believes that striking images help increase awareness of our fragile marine ecosystems and encourage others to help protect our oceans. Her images have appeared in leading dive publications and have won over fifty prestigious international accolades including “Underwater Photographer of the Year 2021” in the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition and the “Female Fifty Fathoms Award” from the 2021 Ocean Photography Awards.

Tobias Friedrich [Germany] Professional Underwater Photographer
Tobias Friedrich is an multi award winning and fulltime underwater photographer from Germany. Several underwater photographic competitions, have honoured his work, resulting in over 50 awards with nearly 30 1st places. In 2018 he has been named “Underwater Photographer of the Year 2018” in the prestigious UPY London competition and “German Photographer of the Year 2019” at the Worldshootout. He started taking images underwater with a DSRL in the year 2007 and since then his images have been published hundreds of times in prestigious scuba diving magazines and newspapers around the world.

Matthew Smith [Australia] Professional Underwater Photographer
Matty Smith is a UK photographer and ambassador for Nikon Australia & Aquatica Digital Water Housings. After emigrating down under in 2007 in pursuit of furthering his photography career, Matty fell in love with the Pacific Ocean and has now made it his permanent playground. He is an Ocean Geographic Magazine Master Photographer and contributor to the Magazine, and has won over 25 international photography awards including the National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award 2017. His works have been exhibited in museums all around the world including the London Natural History Museum and the Australian Museum, and have been used and published by National Geographic, The BBC’s Blue Planet 2 Documentary, The Washington Post, The Guardian and The Discovery Channel, amongst many others.

Imran Ahmad [Singapore] Professional Underwater Photographer
Imran Ahmad is one of Asia’s most internationally published underwater photographers. Capturing life above and below the water’s surface for over 25 years, Imran is best known for his experimental approaches to photography. He spends much of his time travelling the globe giving lectures and presentations, and promoting photography in all its aspects, both as an art form and documentation medium. He leads exclusive photography trips and runs workshops on wildlife, conservation, underwater and travel photography.