Exploring the Underwater world with Anuar Patjane Floriuk

Tell us a bit about how you became an underwater photographer?During a last-minute expedition to Galapagos 10 years ago… When I booked that trip, I didn't realise that most of the itinerary involved diving, so I bought housing for a small compact camera I had at the time, and I enjoyed so much the experience of it that I became hooked immediately. Nothing can compare to the creative freedom that you have when shooting underwater, you can compose in any possible direction

Describe to us the process of taking a photograph underwater?
It's all about getting the head empty from preconceptions and stress… when the mind is clear I can be very perceptive and find the potential and beauty of the scenes in front of me.

Please share with us your most memorable underwater experience?
Photographing humpback whales while scuba diving, that's it!

Describe to us the amount of human-induced destruction you see when you are underwater? And has it gotten worse over the years?
That is a very sad issue that needs our full attention and action. I've seen in most of the places I dive a constant deterioration of habitat, as a result of overfishing. If there is one thing we can do to protect our oceans is putting pressure, real pressure on our political leaders so they can regulate and put funds on tackling down the illegal fishing networks, and do a better job regulating fishing practices all around the world.

What would you like viewers to take away when they see your photographs?
I don't want to control or limit the interpretation of the image in any way… Many times I avoid captions on my photographs so they can be freely interpreted. But I do hope that underwater photography can help create a connection between the viewer and the ocean, so a sense of familiarity with that medium can at least grow a little. It is a fact that we only protect what we care for, so if we can shed some light and show the beauty of the underwater world, I believe it can have a positive impact.

If there is one action we can take to protect the ocean it is
To eat less marine food... I know it's so very hard to become vegan, but diminishing as much as possible the intake of meat and seafood is so good for the planet that this should be on top of our list of things to do.

Discover more about Anuar Patjane Floriuk's here