AD 2016 Q4

IMAGING
SHOOTER
adventures in the Azores. At the
time Ocean Realm was the most
prestigious dive journal, and having
his images prominently displayed
was momentous. He followed that
article with one about manatees and
dugongs, which was the cover story
for the journal’s issue that debuted
at the 1996 Diving Equipment and
Marketing Association (DEMA)
Show. The underwater photo
industry noticed those images in
particular, and that marked Seifert’s
induction into the fraternity of
underwater photojournalism. Also
in 1996 Seifert began writing articles
for Dive International, a British
dive publication (now called DIVE).
Today he is DIVE’s World Editor
and the writer of a monthly feature
called “Water Column.” He has
written and photographed roughly
100 features articles.
A hallmark of Seifert’s
photography and writing is the
exacting research that goes into
his projects well in advance of
travel. “If I didn’t read and research,
I wouldn’t know what I should
photograph or recognize the
significance of behaviors I might capture,” he said. “I go
into the sea thinking I know something about what might
happen, but nature consistently delights and delivers much
beyond my imagination. I could no more dive without my
camera than I could write a worthwhile article without the
extensive research I do each time.”
When asked about his favorite camera for underwater
use, Seifert replied, “I think of my camera gear like a toolbox.
Sometimes I need a Phillip’s head, other times a claw hammer.
There is a right tool for each job, and unfortunately there is no
photographic Swiss Army knife. It would be more convenient
if one manufacturer did everything, but I love the 50-megapixel
files of my Canon DSLR, with the beautiful density and ability
to crop. They also have my favorite telephotos for topside
use. Nikon has a brilliant 60mm macro lens, which is fast and
very sharp. Plus, I can use my trusty, 20-year-old Nikonos RS
13mm lens on my Nikon digital camera body by means of a
clever adaptation on my Seacam housing. This is my single
favorite tool for underwater photography, particularly since
I have an overwhelming preference for photographing large
marine life such as sharks, whales and manta rays.”
Seifert spends as many as 40 weeks per year on the road
these days in pursuit of underwater images. He is usually
accompanied by his wife, Emily, who was not a diver when
they met but now has logged more than 1,600 dives. Much
of this time is spent in support of conservation groups such
as Shark Savers, Manta Trust and Global Shark Diving.
“I enjoy what I do, and with every dive I gain greater
appreciation for my mentors, who taught me so much about
the sea in general, and underwater photography specifically,”
he explained. “Chris Newbert, Doug Perrine, Jim Watt, Avi
Klapfer and Howard Hall have all been so gracious to me.
Ron and Valerie Taylor, Stan Waterman and Eugenie Clark
took me in and brought me to another level of adventure and
technique in our decades of diving around the world. I hope
I can give some back to the next generation.” Despite having
had a long and successful career, Seifert has no plans to
slow down any time soon. When asked if he ever plans to
dial back the travel a little, he readily replied, “I consider
Stan Waterman my touchstone, so that means I should
have at least another 40 good years in me.”
Read along as Seifert describes some of his favorite images.
94 | FALL 2016