Featured Underwater Photographer – Julian Hsu

One of the best ways to learn photography is to see other photographers’ work. Mozaik looks for some of the best underwater photographers in the world, and showcase their work, along with the gear they use, to help other aspiring photographers improve, learn new skills and get inspired.

This week we will feature the talented Julian Hsu!

About Julian

I started scuba diving by 2009, and became a PADI instructor by 2013. But I actually spend most of my diving time on underwater photography. I started to use a Canon G15 compact camera for underwater photography by 2012, and moved to Nikon D500 by 2017.

I mostly dive at the northeast coast of Taiwan. The underwater visibility is usually not good there, but it also provides nice habitats for small critters. And I always carry macro photography gear every dive there.

In the dive sites I’m familiar with, I can revisit the same subject multiple times. So that I can shoot it with different methods, including changing composition, strobe and torch positions, combination with ambient lights. And sometimes I can wait for special behavior from the critter.

I usually test and practice my camera gear at home, especially the strobe with snoot, which requires more practice and experiment. I also simulate underwater backgrounds with critters on a table for my experiments. It helps a lot when I need to take photos quickly in difficult situations underwater.