Bored Panda got in touch with Karim, who shared how underwater photography became a central focus of his work: “Like most photographers, I started off photographing on land. But I was also spending a lot of time in Hawaii as a kid because my parents were windsurfers. At our local surf beach, I noticed turtles diving under the waves. I wondered what they were doing down there, so I grabbed a mask and snorkel to try and see for myself while I was out surfing.
I loved photographing everything around me, and eventually, I got a housing to take my camera underwater. I started photographing these turtles going about their lives, eating algae off the rocks, completely undeterred by the storm clouds and surfers above them.”
The photographer elaborated, sharing more about his experiences from that time: “I was working on a whale watching boat. I would photograph whales from the surface, but I always wanted to see what they looked like below the waves. I spent so much time watching them from above while their entire lives were happening beneath the surface.
Eventually, I heard about a place where I could swim with whales, so I booked a trip, got on a plane, and flew to Tonga. And the more time I spent photographing underwater, the more I realized what a beautiful and hidden world it is. Most people’s interaction with the ocean is limited, either as a source of food, or for those who can access it recreationally, as time spent lying on a beach or snorkeling and looking at a few fish. But there’s so much more to this world.
I love being underwater because it feels like being on another planet. It’s a place where gravity seems to disappear and time slows down. I can hover and watch light beams move through the blue as fish swirl beneath them. Underwater, you can move in three dimensions. Animals fly by, often completely undisturbed by your presence. It’s peaceful, surreal, and full of surprises.”
When asked about his favorite species to photograph underwater, Karim shared his personal preference for larger marine animals. He explained: “They have so much personality and character, and they’re always surprising me. I also love photographing on coral reefs, where you get to witness a whole underwater city full of interactions and life.”
The photographer also highlighted a location that holds a special place in his heart: “It might be Swallow’s Cave in Tonga. It truly feels magical and otherworldly. Every time I go, I discover something new, like tiny fish that cling to the rocks just above the waterline, almost like some ancient species from our evolutionary past, or light beams that move through the water at a certain time of day, illuminating rivers of fish. It’s also one of the most challenging places to photograph, but equally one of the most rewarding. The more time I spend there, the more I discover new ways to capture photographs in it.”
We were curious whether any of the images Karim has captured to this day have changed the way he sees the ocean or a particular marine species. Here’s what he shared with us: “Yes, I have a photo of a striped marlin chasing after some mackerel, and that moment completely changed how I see life in the ocean. It made me realize just how fast-paced and chaotic things can be underwater. These fish move at lightning speed, and I had no way to react or get out of the way. I just had to hope this marlin, roughly the size of a person and with a sword on its face, was aware enough not to smash into me. It showed me how little control I really have in those moments, and how razor-thin the line between life and death is for many animals in the ocean. It also gave me a deeper respect for how incredibly coordinated and intelligent these animals are, especially when they hunt in groups.
That experience gave me a broader perspective, not just of predators like marlin, but of the entire marine ecosystem. It deepened my respect for everything from the tiniest plankton to the behemoths like blue whales.”
Lastly, Iliya revealed some facts about underwater photography that many people might not be aware of: “One of the hardest parts is simply getting to the place you want to be. You’re limited by your own body, your breath, and your ability. And you’re working in a three-dimensional space, which is totally different from land-based photography. On land, you’re mostly dealing with two dimensions. Underwater, you’re constantly adjusting, trying to position yourself for the best shot while also not disturbing the animal.
Light behaves completely differently underwater. The first time I shot underwater, it felt like I was starting photography all over again. Everything changes, white balance, color loss as you go deeper, water clarity, movement of the surface, depth, what’s on the seafloor, sand, coral, rock, and even the weather above the water. All of that affects your image.
But sometimes, you get these surreal moments, where the light looks like both sunset and twilight at the same time. It’s a fascinating, beautiful, strange place to photograph. But it’s also full of challenges. You have to be willing to learn. You have to be willing to put yourself in unfamiliar situations and step outside your comfort zone. It’s humbling, but it’s also what makes it so rewarding."
