The only way is ethics

Gal Kahn · Issue 149, Mar/Apr 2026 · pp. 59–63

Underwater wildlife photography is a specific niche within wildlife photography therefore, most guidelines for wildlife photography apply for, and get amplified underwater. As a marine biologist, one of my leading principles when I pick up my camera is the “fly on the wall” concept- causing as little disturbance as possible. Following this guideline allows the animals around me to feel safe, and provide me with opportunities to capture natural behavior shots and get to know WHO they are rather than only WHAT they are. As a wildlife photographer both on land and underwater, I’ve learned that in the watery world we are presented with bigger challenges in terms of gear, skills and opportunities. In this environment, we are completely foreign, and subtle changes in our behavior can dramatically affect animals, and the photos we capture of them. However, the reward we get from an exciting und…