Featured Underwater Photographer – Mohamed Seeneen

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 Mohamed Seeneen!

About Mohamed

One of the most fondest memories of my childhood is, waiting for the weekend to watch the show “The undersea world of Jacques Cousteau ”. As a child, I was intrigued and inspired, and belonging to the underwater world became a dream of mine.

I started Scuba Diving at the age of Seventeen, and as I did not have access to a camera, I would use my thumbs and index finger to create an imaginary viewfinder and pretend to capture photos of all the magnificent creatures I came across.

I was able to buy my first camera during the year 2006, which was a Nikon d80. Since then I have been a macro addict, capturing expressive magical moments. I challenged myself with a 60mm lens and attempted to capture tiny marine life that wouldn’t stay still, which led me to learn and anticipate their movements. I found that best shots of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks and such were taken only when I waited for the subject to approach me.

I was appointed as the official underwater photographer for the 350 divers protest and the World’s First UnderWater Cabinet Dive meeting in 2007, in which President Mohamed Nasheed and his Cabinet signed a document calling for the Global reduction in Carbon Emission.

Mohamed‘s Gear

The first digital camera I used was a Kodak DX6490 and the first UnderWater camera I used was a rental camera at the dive shop which was an Olympus Stylus 600. The first camera I purchased was a Nikon80 with an Aquatica D80 housing, which changed me as a photographer. I developed a love for the lens sigma 10-20, which was great with Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. For macro I use a 105mm and a 60mm My all-time favorite is the Nikon 60mm which is great for macro and on larger fish, depending on how you use it.

Currently I am using a NikonD800 with Aquatica Digital housing with two Sea & Sea strobes. Something I like about the NikonD800 is the videography and photography option, which has led me to explore videography more than I had planned to. My dream camera gear is the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k, with an underwater housing choice of a Nauticam NA-BMPCCII.