Interview with Suliman Alatiqi

Suliman recently had great success in both the DPG Master’s Underwater Imaging Competition 2023 and Ocean Art 2023 with his unique images of macaque’s in and around the water. We recently sat down with Suliman to learn more about his approach to underwater photography.

IS: Please tell us a little about your diving and underwater photography journey. Where did the passion come from and how did you get to this point?

SA: My love and passion for diving started during my teenage years when I signed up for a diving course in the Red Sea. Having a few more days of vacation I subsequently enrolled in PADI’s underwater photography specialty which introduced me to taking photos underwater. Back then, the world was still using film cameras. After processing the film I remember how having a print photo in my hands of butterflyfish made a big impact on me. After that, I gradually progressed into more advanced photo equipment and training, and in the process completing my scuba diving instructor course which also feeds into my underwater photography instruction.

IS: What skillsets do you emphasize when teaching underwater photography?

SA: I like to think of underwater photography as half problem solving skills and half artistic vision (between compositional techniques and imagination). Problem solving includes logistical issues - everything that can prevent you from being at the right place at the right time with the relevant gear (travel weight restrictions, weather, dive skills, etc.) and technical issues such as camera and lighting limitations. I think that problem solving skills is one of the best assets a wildlife (and especially underwater) photographer can have. The better you are at problem solving, the more likely you are to succeed in realizing the artistic vision.

IS: What current camera system are you using?

SA: I currently use a Nikon D850 in a Nauticam housing with Seacam strobes. Occasionally I also carry an Olympus TG-6 as a macro backup when shooting wide-angle with my main system.

IS: Have you been considering the switch to mirrorless?

SA: I don’t consider “switching” to mirrorless but rather supplementing my current setup with a mirrorless system. I see no great advantages in the current mirrorless cameras that are very relevant to underwater photography. However, the mirrorless market does come with slightly different lens selections which, combined with my DSLR can offer me more lens configurations. As I also enjoy other forms of wildlife photography, having a mirrorless also offers noticeable improvements in that arena. So it is probably only a matter of time before I supplement my current system with a mirrorless. Being able to carry with me most F-mount lenses to a prospective Nikon mirrorless setup is the biggest encouragement.

IS: Your images of the macaques have engaged views from both the dive and non-dive world. What led you to capture these creatures underwater and can you tell us anything about them from behind the scenes?

SA: When I read about these animals and their ability to swim for food, I was curious about the prospect of documenting this behavior from an underwater perspective. I quickly realized that there was very little photographic work on this subject matter so I initially committed a week to this endeavor to assess the potential. Unlike most photo trips, there was no guide for this activity or expertise to rely on so I basically started from scratch and spent long hours in the field trying to see what I can learn. After the first week I became optimistic about my chances with all that I learned and I decided to extend my stay. The most interesting behind the scenes experience was when I clicked with one clan in particular toward the end of my trip. I think having seen me more than once they became very relaxed around me which I think gave me the greatest success photographically. In the image below you can see how the clan was going about their business while I was right next to them in their spot.

IS: Where are your current favorite places to shoot underwater photography and where still remains high on your bucket list?

SA: One of my favorite places to shoot is my home country of Kuwait. Because we lack any blockbuster species, this gives me a chance to explore the mundane which I think is the most challenging photographically. When we travel to the Socorro’s of the world, it is easy to fixate on the imposing life such as the mantas and the sharks. But diving in a place where you are used to seeing the same things allows you to dig deeper into the behavior and ecology of these species and bring new perspectives on them. What remains high on my list is spending time with whales. I have not yet had any encounter with them and I am looking forward to doing so soon.