Born Free

Tim Rock · Issue 60, May/Jun 2011 · pp. 36–40

Products mentioned: Nikon D200, Aquatica AD200 housing, Tokina 10-17mm lens, Ikelite strobes, Canon 20D, Aquatica housing, Ikelite DS125 strobes, Canon 10-22mm lens, Nikon D90, Aquatica AD90 housing, Sigma 8-16mm lens

Free diving and snorkeling are integral parts of underwater photography. In fact, you may be surprised at just how many photos are created without using any SCUBA gear at all. A couple of years ago I was talking with my longtime model Yoko Higashide. Although she is a dive guide and instructor, she told me she prefers free diving and snorkeling. So we planned a year of trips where SCUBA dive gear was not part of the kit we would pack. Armed with mask, long fins and snorkel and a few cameras, we went to Ogasawara for dolphins and whales, Bimini for spotted dolphins, sharks and stingrays, Mozambique for whale sharks, humpbacks and mantas, Tonga for humpbacks and Palau for dolphins and mantas. The results of these tankless trips very pleasantly surprised me. I came back not only with some compelling images of big fish and marine mammals, but also an array of varied shots we had taken in the…