RICHARD SMITH combines an in-depth academic knowledge of the marine environment with a unique skill for capturing stunning images. The result is a wide and varied portfolio documenting this seldom-seen habitat

Richard Smith has an innate and contagious passion for natural history, in particular marine biology. The amazing images captured by Richard are possible due to his unique knowledge of the marine habitats which he photographs.

Richard, a Dive Master, has a BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology from the University of Southampton, England, and an MSc in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Queensland, Australia. Combining this academic knowledge of the ocean's environments with his photogaphic skills, Richard is able to document the marine habitats with unique and stunning images.

Richard uses a 35mm and digital SLR Nikon sytem, combined with a variety of Nikkor lenses from fisheye to telephoto and macro along with Sea&Sea underwater housing equipment. Fuji Velvia and Provia are his films of choice. Latterly, however, Richard has been experimenting with Nikon's digital SLR's underwater.

Richard dives regularly with his father Trevor Smith, who is also a successful underwater photographer. Together the father and son diving duo publishes the Portraits of the Ocean Realm wall calendar which is also available through Ocean Realm Images here. Former Rally Champion Trevor Smith is no stranger to sport but is used to spending most of his time in front of the lens rather than behind it. However, Trevor gave underwater photography his full attention in 1996 having had his interest rekindled by Richard.

Diving allows Richard to indulge his love of natural history and through his skills as a photographer, he is able to communicate his love to a wider audience.

Locations Richard has dived and photographed include: Australia (Tropical Western and tropical/subtropical Eastern), Indonesia (Papua, Sulawesi, Komodo and Bali), Papua New Guinea (Milne bay, New Britain and New Hanover), Maldives, Micronesia (Palau and Yap), Galapagos, Cocos Island, Caribbean (Cayman Brac, Turks and Caicos), French Polynesia and the Red Sea.

Forthcomming shooting locations that Richard has planned include Guadaloupe Island off Baja California Mexico to photograph Great White Sharks and the Carribean coast of Mexico plus a return visit to the Galapagos Islands.

All photogaphs featured on this website are available to buy as stock for editorial or advertising purposes on a worldwide basis. Richard is also available for commisions. Please contact Richard to discuss your requirements.

OceanRealmImages.com is owned and operated by Richard Smith Photography. An online searchable archive and stock image library is currently being built and will be added to OceanRealmImages.com soon. In the meantime, please contact Richard for further details.