Featured Photographer – Michelle Scamahorn

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I grew-up in the American Midwest, in Wisconsin (cows and farms) on the shores of Lake Michigan. It might be difficult for one to understand how a scuba instructor gets her start in a place known for ice-cold lakes and brutal winters or perhaps it is perfectly understandable as a way to make a break for it. In 1991, I made that escape to Hawaii where I taught scuba and later, managed a dive shop. Picking up an underwater camera seemed the natural progression and a way to share my zeal for life underwater with family and friends.
I am currently shooting a Nikon D-7200 in an Aquatica housing with two Ikelite DS-161 strobes. I shoot wide angle as well as macro but really love super macro, which I shoot with a Subsee wet diopter.
www.underwaterwoman.com

Anemone:  My love of macro is apparent in this close-up of an anemone taken in Wananavu, Fiji

Banded coral shrimp: My first day out with my new super macro setup, I encountered this little guy. I fell in love when I noticed he was missing an eye. Kauai, Hawaii

Crown of thorns: Sometimes when a dive is just not producing, I stop moving around and look for the unusual in one small spot. Kauai, Hawaii

Daisies: It’s difficult to resist this pulsing soft coral. Wananavu, Fiji

Chromodoris: Anyone who loves macro, loves nudis. Wakatobi, Indonesia

Sputnik: We like to joke around about how easy it is to shoot the slowest critters on the reef, but really, it’s not always that easy. Roatan, Honduras

Persian magic carpet: This amazing flatworm was found on the house reef at Wakatobi, Indonesia. A very easy shore dive with incredible and abundant life.

Purple: This anemone seemed to be without an anemone fish but it was so beautiful, I cannot imagine why. Komodo, Indonesia

Sea squirt: Taking the time to look closely at a sea squirt, one finds that they are so very detailed. Manado, Indonesia

Sea spider: Very creepy to find in the bathroom, lovely to behold underwater. Wananavu, Fiji

Shrimp with eggs: This very curious anemone shrimp not only posed nicely but also jumped onto my camera! Wakatobi, Indonesia

Baby monk seal: The Hawaiian monk seal has been under the protection of both the Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts since 1979. Despite those efforts, their numbers continue to decline. This juvenile seemed to enjoy sneaking up on me. Niihau, Hawaii

Chuuk : After 73 years underwater, the Fujikawa Maru is a truly beautiful display of what the ocean can do to a warship

Green sea turtle:  When it comes to sea turtles, Kauai, Hawaii seems to have the corner on the market

Hungry green sea turtle: Sheraton Caverns on the island of Kauai is the place to see sea turtles. They are so used to divers, photos like this can happen on any day. Kauai, Hawaii

Night octopus:  If this dive were a movie, it would have been called, Night of the Octopus, because we saw so many. Roatan, Honduras

El Aguila: The beautiful colours in the warm waters of the wreck of the El Aguila, Roatan, Honduras

Sandbar shark: Ever get that feeling that someone/thing is behind you? I turned to find this sandbar shark over my shoulder, Niihau, Hawaii

Sea snake: As it became known on our boat, Snee Snake! Puerto Galera, Philippines

Fish market: The amazing colours of Fish Market Pinnacle, Wakatobi,Indonesia

More of Michelle's work, contact details and online store can be found at www.underwaterwoman.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 iThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.