Featured Underwater Photographer – Cristina Fernández

One of the best ways to learn photography is to see other photographers’ work. We try to find 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 Cristina Fernández!

About Cristina

Hi Ocean Lovers!

My name is Cristina Fernández, I’m 48 years old and I live in Spain in a place far from the Sea and the Ocean. I’m a Primary School Teacher but my heart belongs to the Ocean. I only get, twice a year, the opportunity to dive and take pictures, so it’s a must to spend as much time as I can underwater when I’m on vacation.

Since I was a toddler, I was attracted to the sea, the documentary “The silent world” by Jacques-Yves Costeau helped me become the woman that I’m today. Bewildered by the astonishing beauty of the ocean I started my first diving course the moment I had earned enough money working as a teacher.

First, it was only the passion for diving. Next, the desire to share the beauty of the ocean. It was a long way until I developed the necessary skills to become the photographer that I’m today. In a world dominated by men, with the ocean far from my home, with no one ready to share his or her knowledge, I learned over my own mistakes and It wasn’t until later when the renowned macro photographer Dave Johnson recruited me as admin for Marine Pixels Underwater Photography, that I took off.

I started taking part in different international contests winnings some awards.

You can learn a lot looking other people pictures and sharing techniques and knowledge with them.

I love sharing my pictures and the beauty of the critters that inhabit this stunning underwater world, as a way to raise the people awareness that we need to protect our Oceans of the degradation in order to preserve their amazing biodiversity.

Cristina’s Gear

Camera: Canon 7D Mark II

Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC, Tokina 10-17 mm f:2.8 AT-X AF DX NH Fisheye

Diopters: Nauticam SMC-1, AOI UCL-900

Hugyfot housing, Macro Saga port, Hugyfot dome

Strobes: Sea&Sea YS-D1

Focus light: i-torch Venusian III

Other gear: BigBlue RGB White + Snoot (3)

Viewfinder: Inon 45 degrees

Cristina’s Work

Shyness – Hippocampus denise: Photo taken in Dauin (Philippines).

Hitchhiker – Hypselodoris tryoni – Zenopontonia rex: Photo taken in Tulamben (Bali). Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters. My first hitchhiker!

Storm – Sardine Run: Photo taken in Moalboal (Philippines). An amazing experience!

Stare – Sepioteuthis lessoniana – Big fin reef squid: Photo taken in Tulamben (Bali) One of my Black Water first shots.

Hymenocera picta – Harlequin shrimp: Photo taken in Anilao (Philippines). Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters.

Bed of roses – Hippocampus bargibanti: Photo taken in Anilao (Philippines). Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters.

Feeding time – Favorinus tsuruganus: Photo taken in Tulamben (Bali). Finalist Deep Visions 2019. Hall of fame Underwater Macro Photographers.

The beautiful butterfly – Cyerce kikutarobabai – Kikutaro’s Butterfly slug: Photo taken in Tulamben (Bali). Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters.

Dragon portrait – Cuthona sp.: Photo taken in Tulamben (Bali). Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters.

Yawning – Antennarius commerson – Giant frogfish: Photo taken in Moalboal (Philippines). Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters.

Fireworks – Amphypod – Orange lady bug on hydroids: Photo taken in Tulamben (Bali). Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters.

Close the door – Amphioctopus marginatus – Coconut octopus: Photo taken in Lembeh. Hall of fame in Underwater Macro Photographers.

Neopetrolisthes maculatus – Porcelain crab with eggs: Photo taken in Moalboal (Philippines) Hall of fame in Underwater Macro Photographers.

Loving eyes – Corythiichthys flavofasciatus – Network pipefish: Photo taken in Moalboal (Philippines) Selected as pic of the day in Scubashooters. Hall of fame in Underwater Macro Photographers.

Basking – Platax orbicularis – Batfish: Photo taken in Komodo National Park. 5^thplace International Festival of Diving Films and Photographs (Slovakia) – Finalist Deep Visions 2019

Fairy dust – Pontonides ankeri: Photo taken in Lembeh. 5^thplace International Festival of Diving Films and Photographs (Slovakia) – Nominee 5^th Fine Photography Awards.

Alien – Nautilus pompilus: Photo taken in New Caledonia. Awarded 1^st place (B&W) Salon de la plongée (Paris)

Lethal smile – Gymnothorax meleagris – White mouth moray: Photo taken in Mauritius Island. Awarded 3rd place (B&W) Salon de la plongée (Paris)

Jill B

Jill is an avid scuba diver based in the Philippines, with a strong passion for underwater photography.

2 comments

Eric LAMBERT March 26, 2020

Great pictures and composition. The moment are really captured. Great job.
Only one question : why so much post processing? Look like the saturation and dehaze/texture tools from Lightroom are heavily used. Right?
Cristina Fernández González May 10, 2020

Eric Lamber, thanks for your comment. Just tell you that it’s the way I like them. Texture is not used but dehaze/saturation is used on some of them. Thanks again

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