Behind the Scenes: Don Choo

I was born and raised in Singapore and work as a multi-media producer. I learned to love the ocean at a young age as my father often brought me fishing and camping off the local islands. Having been exposed to watching wildlife documentaries throughout my childhood, I discovered my passion for nature, specifically my love for the ocean. I have always had an interest in photography and it was a no-brainer to merge the two loves together – diving and photography.

Where do you live?
Singapore.

How long have you been diving? Where did you start?
I took the plunge in 2007 at Perhentian Island, Malaysia. I have a slight regret that I put off taking my diving certification till this late in my life.

When did you start shooting underwater? What was your first camera setup?
I started a couple of months after my open water with a Canon G9. I love that camera.

What camera system do you use now?
I shoot a Canon 5Dmk2 in Nexus housing and Inon Z240 strobes.

What is your most memorable moment underwater?
This was in the Maldives and incidentally the first trip I brought the Canon G9 on. The dive was timed exactly when the tide was changing. We descended on the outside of the mouth of the atoll where the current was rushing into. The visibility was spectacular and right in front of me were massive congregations of sharks, jacks, barracudas, turtles, tunas, giant travellys, spotted eagle rays and a prehistoric looking giant grouper easily the size of a small car. I had only about 20 dives at this point; it was breathtaking. My shots came out terrible.

What type of photography do you prefer (wide-angle, macro, etc.)?
I like both wide-angle and macro; each style has its own challenges. I enjoy the challenges, it pushes me to improve myself, to learn and experiment more.

Any scary or funny moments underwater?
This would be the same Maldives dive. We were about 25m on the sea bed with heavy current when my BCD started to self inflate because of a faulty inflator. I kept dumping air out but it kept inflating and it was hard to hang on to the rock I was gripping on to. When the DM finally signaled us to ascend, I let go and shot up rapidly. The DM rushed after me and finally disconnected the hose from the inflator at about 10m. My nose was bleeding and my heart was pounding. That dive taught me a lot.

What are you proudest of?
I am glad that I have had many opportunities to share my love for underwater photography as well as celebrate the magnificence of the ocean with many great people and photographers from all over the world that I meet on my travels.

Are there any underwater photographers you admire and why?
Since my open water, I grew up (as a diver) reading the locally published magazines. I would ogle over and over again the pictures by various local and international contributors/photographers featured. Their eclectic mix of works helped lay the foundation in my approach to underwater photography. I greatly admire all the local photographers who have gone on to garner worldwide recognition. I enjoy their work and they deeply inspire me. William Tan needs special mention. You really have to have saint like patience and an intimate relationship with the ocean before she reveals herself that way to be photographed. Some of his shots are inconceivable; he’s got a special gift there.
**
What advice do you have for beginning photographers?**
Never stop learning and experimenting, it’s a lifelong process.
**
Where are you going next?**
I’m heading to Western Australia for a family vacation and am trying to sneak off a day to photograph the Leafy Seadragons.