Page 5 - Marco Heesbeen

Marco Heesbeen
Marco Heesbeen - Author
Founder & underwater photography specialist

Marco Heesbeen - underwater photography specialist

Marco Heesbeen started diving in 1999. After completing his CMAS 2* certification, he quickly developed a passion for underwater photography. Within a year he purchased his very first digital underwater camera and immediately became fascinated by capturing life below the surface.

Today, Marco rarely dives without a camera. As he often says:

“If I don’t take my camera underwater, I will definitely encounter something special and regret not being able to capture it.”

Over the years Marco has developed his own recognizable style of underwater photography. He is always searching for unique perspectives, powerful compositions and creative lighting techniques. His work often moves beyond traditional underwater photography, featuring abstract details, dramatic close focus wide angle images and artistic underwater scenes that make viewers wonder how the image was created.

International underwater photography awards

Marco enjoys participating in national and international underwater photography competitions, where he exchanges ideas and experiences with fellow photographers from around the world. Throughout his career he has won the Dutch National Championship three times and represented the Netherlands during multiple CMAS World Championships.

Some of his personal highlights include:

  • Silver medal (Wide Angle) - CMAS World Championship Cuba 2013
  • Gold medal - CMAS World Championship Netherlands 2015

His award-winning work and underwater images have been published in magazines, dive media and photography platforms worldwide.

Founder of Onderwaterhuis.NL and UWCameraStore

In 2002 Marco founded Onderwaterhuis.NL, which later expanded internationally into UWCameraStore.com. What started as a small underwater camera shop has grown into one of Europe’s leading specialists in underwater photography and underwater video equipment.

Today, nearly 25 years later, a passionate team of divers, underwater photographers and videographers helps customers from all over the world with:

  • underwater camera systems
  • underwater housings
  • strobes for underwater photography
  • video lights for underwater videography
  • lenses and ports
  • snorkeling and dive travel gear

Marco truly turned his hobby into his profession.

Equipment reviews and expertise

Besides photography, Marco frequently tests and reviews the latest underwater photography equipment. He writes in-depth articles, hands-on reviews and setup guides for cameras, underwater housings, strobes, lenses and accessories.

His work has been featured in leading Dutch diving magazines such as:

  • Duiken
  • Onderwatersport

He also publishes educational content and equipment reviews online for underwater photographers and videographers worldwide.

Follow Marco’s underwater photography work

On this page you can find underwater photography articles, equipment reviews, camera setup guides and underwater imaging tips written by Marco Heesbeen.

More about Marco Heesbeen

Besides his work for UWCameraStore and Onderwaterhuis, Marco also shares his award-winning underwater photography on his personal website. Visit www.marcoheesbeen.com to view his underwater photography portfolio, international awards and published work.

  1. The Best Nikon Lenses for Underwater Photography

    Best Nikon Lenses for Underwater Photography - A Guide for F and Z-Series Cameras

    When it comes to underwater photography, choosing the right lens is key to capturing stunning images.. For Nikon users, Z-series cameras offer incredible performance, but knowing which lenses to pair with them for underwater shooting can be a bit tricky.

    In this guide, we'll explore the best Nikon lenses for underwater photography. Including both legacy F-mount lenses and the newer Z-mount lenses. Whether you're upgrading your gear or just starting out, these options will help you make the most of your Nikon mirrorless system underwater.

    Read more »
  2. The Best Canon RF and EF Lenses for Underwater Photography

    Canon RF and EF lenses for underwater photography, showcasing the best lens options for capturing marine life and underwater scenes.

    If you're diving into underwater photography, choosing the right lens is just as important as selecting your camera body and housing. With Canon’s RF and EF lens lineup expanding, finding the perfect lens for the job can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’re breaking down our top Canon RF and EF lens choices for underwater photography to help you capture stunning images beneath the surface.

    Read more »
  3. The Best Full Frame Sony Lenses for Underwater Photography

    Best Sony Lenses for Underwater Photography – Wide-Angle and Macro Shots

    In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the best Sony lenses for underwater photography, focusing on Sony’s FE lens lineup. Designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, these lenses offer outstanding image quality and versatility. From wide-angle to macro, we’ll explore the best choices to help you get the perfect underwater shots.

    Read more »
  4. The Best Micro Four-Thirds Lenses for Underwater Photography

    Underwater photography lenses for Micro Four-Thirds cameras, showcasing wide-angle, mid-range, and macro options for capturing marine life, reefs, and detailed underwater shots.

    If you're into underwater photography and own a Micro Four-Thirds camera like the Olympus OM1, E-M10 Mark IV, or Panasonic GH6 or GH7, you know that the right lens is crucial to getting stunning shots. So, let’s dive in and take a look at some of the best MFT lenses for underwater photography what works, what doesn’t, and why these lenses have become popular for many underwater photographers.

    Read more »
  5. Lighting with Strobes for Underwater Photography: A Guide

    Underwater strobe lighting setup for photography

    Underwater photography often involves the use of strobes (also known as flashes or flashguns) to illuminate subjects. These strobes are crucial in overcoming the challenges of underwater light absorption and can help produce sharp, vibrant photos with well-defined colors and details. Here's a detailed guide to help you understand how strobes work and how to effectively use them in underwater settings.

    Read more »
  6. Mastering Underwater Macro with the Nauticam MFO-1

    Underwater macro photography with Nauticam MFO-1 lens

    As underwater photographers, we know how tricky it can be to capture those perfect close-up shots beneath the waves. The underwater world is constantly moving, and even the slightest change in distance or lighting can throw off your focus. But fear not, because the Nauticam Mid-range Focus Optimizer 1 (MFO-1) is here to make your life much easier.

    Read more »
  7. The Ultimate Underwater Light for Perfect Macro Shots!

    Weefine Ring Light 3000 CCW for underwater macro photography

    The Weefine Ring Light 3000 CCW could be exactly what you're looking for. It provides even lighting for the tiniest details, perfect for tricky compositions where external flashes just can’t reach. In this blog, we’ll go over the benefits and features of the Weefine Ring Light 3000 CCW so you can see if it's the right fit for your macro photography and videos.

    Read more »
  8. How to Choose the Right Dome Port for Your Camera and Lenses: Glass vs. Acrylic and Dome Size Guide

    Underwater photographer comparing glass and acrylic dome ports.

    When choosing the right dome port for your camera and lenses, there are many factors to consider. Is a glass dome better than an acrylic dome? What size dome is best for a specific lens? In this blog, we’ll answer these questions and explain how to use port charts to make an informed decision.

    Read more »
  9. AOI UH-A7IV: Affordable & High-Performance Underwater Housing for Sony A7IV

    AOI UH-A7IV underwater housing for Sony A7IV, offering high-performance and affordable underwater photography solutions.

    If you're a photographer or videographer who loves underwater photography, you probably know how expensive the right gear can get. From high-performance cameras to specialized underwater housings, the costs can quickly spiral out of control, often making enthusiasts settle for less-than-ideal setups. That's where AOI comes in, offering an affordable yet high-performance solution with their new AOI UH-A7IV Underwater Housing designed specifically for the Sony A7IV.

    Read more »
  10. The AOI UIS-P1: The Ultimate Strobe for Underwater Photography

    AOI UIS-P1 Ultra InTeLi flitser

    If you're an underwater photographer looking to take your shots to the next level, the AOI UIS-P1 strobe might just be your new best friend. This innovative strobe is packed with powerful features, making it the perfect choice for those looking to combine professional-grade performance with an easy-to-use design. All at a mid-range price point.

    Ready to dive into the world of advanced underwater strobes? Let’s explore why the AOI UIS-P1 is the strobe you’ve been waiting for!

    Read more »
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