FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER: DAVID DOUBILET

By: Rheyna Meeraiya & Carmen Cornejo

Early LifeUnderwater Photographer:

Where and when was he born?New York City on November 28th, 1946

What training did he get in photography?At a young age he began shooting underwater at the age of 12. As a teenager, he assumed he should be a marine biologist. He graduated from Boston University in 1970.

What was his family like?Not available.

Becoming Famous How did he become famous?

In 1971 he shot his first story for National Geographic. He then became a contract photographer for the magazine in 1976.

What was his big break?At the age of 15, he sold his image to a Brazilian magazine, later winning a photo competition with Mundo Submerso magazine where he won $1000 and a trip to Italy.

Was there one specific image or photo shoot that made him famous?While he was shooting for National Geographic magazine, he took more and more photos, where more people noticed his work.

Personal Style What makes him special?

He’s done 65 stories and 13 covers for National Geographic magazines. He also began shooting at age 13 and always enjoyed taking photos underwater. Other than his time with National Geographic, he’s always been a freelancer.

What sets him apart from other photographers?He’s an underwater photographer, and he mostly takes photos of marine life.

What techniques does he use? What equipment? What lighting? He uses a range of Nikon cameras, including the D3, D3S, D700, and the D2X. He wraps the cameras in SeaCam housings. He uses a variety of Nikkor lenses, along with a few specialty lenses such as a custom endoscope. He has been using a wide-angle rectilinear zoom lenses, specifically the 17-35mm and the 14-24mm. He uses the lenses with a 55mm extension tube and 10in SeaCam Superdome. He uses light with Sea & Sea YS-250 strobes and carry YS-110 for extra light. He typically uses up to four strobes on one housing. For large scale subjects, he uses 1200W HMI surface supplied lights with 90m of cable. As an underwater photographer, he doesn’t focus much on scuba gear. He uses a mask, fins and snorkel, a regulator, suits, boots and gloves, a watch, as well as a buoyancy compensators.

Timeline 1965- Doubilet began studying film and journalism at Boston University’s

College of Communication. He majored in still photography 1970- he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree 1975- he was named “Diver of the Year” by the Boston Sea Rovers which is

one of the diving world’s most honorable organizations 1988- he received a Distinguished Alumni of the Year award 1989- Doubilet’s first book, “Light in the Sea” was published 1992- his second book, “Pacific: An Undersea Journey” was published 1994-1996- he was the author of a popular monthly feature called

“Magnificent Moments”, including text and photography, in Japan’s SINRA Magazine

2001- named a National Geographic Contributing Photographer-in-Residence

Accomplishments & AwardsBooks:

Pacific; An Undersea Journey Water Light Time Face to Face With Sharks- by David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes (wife) Light in the Sea Great Barrier Reef (National Geographic Insight)

Awards:

The Explorers Club’s Lowell Thomas Awards The Lennart Nilsson Award for scientific photography

Famous Photos

A three spot damselfish swims near a trio of pink anemone fish. This photo was taken in Papua New Guinea’s Kimbe Bay.

The hawksbill flippers spread like wings, the sea turtle flies past batfish and barracuda. Submerged peaks attract many species from the open ocean and makes Kimbe Bay a perfect example of biodiversity.

A pink anemone fish fans the eggs his mate has laid, keeping the nest free of sediment. Anemone fish are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female tissue found in the West of the Pacific Ocean.

A huge tower of barracuda rises past photographer Doubilet’s wife Jennifer Hayes. Many of Kimbe’s coral pinnacles host a resident school of barracuda.

The big nose unicorn fish lacks a horn, but this photo displays its two bony plates on its tail that can cut predators found in the Great Barrier Reef.

Photographer David Doubilet’s first cover for national geographic.

Blending in with the ocean is a Denise’s pygmy seahorse that measures less than an inch long found in Northern Australia

Among the reefs’ tiniest residents is the pagurid hermit crab, which lives in coral burrows which is made by tube worms and eats plankton with its antennae.

Moon jellyfish rise at nightfall off the island of Raja Ampat Indonesia.

Anthias fish on coral at Pixie Pinnacle on the Great Barrier Reef.

Bibliography www.daviddoubilet.com www.daviddoubilet.com/portfolio.asp http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/gear_features/590602/my_favourite_k

it_david_doubilet.html http://www.alertdiver.com/David_Doubilet