Where are you from?
I am from Egypt, residing in Hurghada, Egypt
How long have you been practicing photography?
7 Years
How long have you been diving?
I have been diving for 20 years, I am a PADI MSDT
Is photography your full-time job?
I am a full-time underwater photographer, and I also operate a dive travel business
What’s your favorite camera?
Canon R5 Mark II
Have you won any awards before?
This is my first!
How did you get started in underwater photography?
I was working as a dive guide on a liveaboard that needed a photographer. I gave it a try and quickly realized it was my passion.
Favorite place to shoot underwater?
Maldives, the diversity in the marine life always provides something new each dive.
What's your most unforgettable moment underwater?
In Oman, we were on a rather unremarkable reef dive - when suddenly a humpback whale appeared from the blue. It was a moment I will never forget.
Related Reading: In Search of Leafy Sea Dragons
What inspires your photography?
Being able to bring the underwater world to the surface through photographs. Many people will never get to see below the surface, and I hope my photography can bring a deeper appreciation to our oceans.
How would you describe your photography style?
I gravitate towards vibrant shots that highlight the beauty and personality of marine life.
What's your #1 bucket-list dive destination?
I have always wanted to visit Galapagos.
What's your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?
Don't overthink it. Choose a shot that means something to you and reflects you as a photographer. It doesn't have to be a shark or a whale to win. Sometimes it is the emotion, composition, or perspective that makes a simple moment unforgettable.
Where can we follow your work?
Instagram blue.shutter
Related Reading: 3 Advanced Underwater Photo Composition Tips to Master
Shaker MohamedLocation: Malé, Maldives
Behind the Shot This shot was taken in the Maldives at a dive site called Fish Tank, a unique reef beside a fish factory that attracts an array of marine life. As I was surrounded by a school of bannerfish, a massive Napoleon wrasse emerged from the blue and swam straight through the crowd. I waited for the perfect moment, wanting to frame the scene to capture the wrasse’s bold patterns against the chaotic beauty of the schooling fish. The dive site’s unique conditions may not sound idyllic, but they create one of the most vibrant underwater spectacles I’ve ever witnessed and created the perfect opportunity for this shot.
Location of Photo Malé, Maldives
Camera Gear Canon R7; Canon 8–15mm USM F4 fisheye lens; Nimar underwater camera housing and 8-inch dome port; Sea\&Sea YS-D3 Mark II strobe
Settings f/4; 1/250; ISO 200
Prize Bahamas Aggressor II
