Featured Photographer | Jim Catlin
I first became interested in marine photography over 18 years ago when working as a volunteer on a marine expedition to Fiji, over the last decade this passion has grown into a profession.
After completing an MSc in marine science in 2008 studying the endangered bumphead parrotfish, I worked in the Caribbean and Egypt for various marine conservation NGOs, carrying out marine surveys and training graduates and volunteers in marine flora and fauna identification. I soon began taking photos for ID purposes and in 2010, I set up www.freeunderwaterimages.com, a website promoting marine awareness and conservation through photography.
My introduction to professional underwater photography came in Thailand in 2012 working the dive and liveaboard boats on Koh Lipe. From 2013 I spent six years working as a photographer and photography instructor in the Cayman Islands. The majority of this time at Cathy Church's Photo Centre learning from one of the pioneers of underwater photography as well as honing my skills as a real estate photographer and drone pilot. After recently becoming a father I returned to the UK earlier this year.
A Struggle of Two Worlds - Green turtles mating in the shallow seas off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Arrow Eyes - The eyes of an arrowhead crabagainst an orange sponge. Shots with a wide aperture to create the shallow depth of field and capture only the eyes in focus
Gaudy Clown Crab - A colourful gaudy clown crab clings to the edge of a vase sponge
Golden Embrace - a gorgonian sea plume in a macro shot using a snoot
Fairy Basslet on Yellow - A grumpy looking fairy basslet shot in front of a yellow sponge
Making Waves - A windy day at Grand Cayman's Sting Ray City sandbar made for some great opportunities with waves and rays
Mantis - The elusive and colourful Havana mantis shrimp.
Mayan Skies - Swimming in a Mexican jungle cenote
Nassau Grouper in a Wreck - A Nassau grouper being cleaned inside the wreck on the Oro Verde, Grand Cayman
Open Wide - Feeding whale shark, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Flamingo Perspective - A close-focus wide-angle shot of a flamingo tongue sea snail
Sarah and the Starfish - Sunset starfish at Starfish Point, Grand Cayman
White Spotted Shrimp - A white-spotted shrimp hides in a purple-tipped anemone
Lumo Feathers - Social feather dusters photographed using a green backdrop
.Whale Shark Sunburst - A free diver swims alongside a feeding whale shark, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Find Jim on Instagram @jimcatlinphotography or on his website @ Jimcatlinphotography.com
If you'd like to see your underwater photography published in these pages and shared across our social media feed and weekly newsletter, why not drop us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Jake and his fellow #OriginalDIVEPhoto competition winners will feature in the Autumn issue of our art-quality glossy print magazine - get your orders or subscriptions placed in advance to make sure you don't miss out!
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