Page 8 - 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. Which Nauticam port, gear system or extension ring do I need?

    Nauticam port charts

    Many Nauticam housings provide interchangeable ports, enabling the use of various lenses. However, different lenses may demand distinct ports and extension rings to maintain or correct for underwater optics. Certain lenses permit access to zoom and manual focus functions while inside the housing,

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  2. Ikelite Lens Port Charts: which Ikelite port do you need?

    Port Charts Ikelite housings

    Ikelite has evaluated most popular lenses, provided they are well suited for use underwater. Their recommendations for lens ports can be found in the lens port charts. First, you need to know which mount your underwater housing has.

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  3. Adjusting the buoyancy of your underwater camera

    Achieving-neutral-buoyancy-of-your-underwater-camera

    It is not very comfortable and not safe to dive with an underwater camera set that has a negative buoyancy. You will have to compensate the floating capacity of your trimvest or dry suit. Depending on your position it will also unbalance you.

    Read more »
  4. The perfect arms for your underwater camera

    What type of arms should you use to attach your strobes and lamps?

    When you purchase a new camera, strobe or lamp, you will choose this with care. Unfortunately less attention is given to choose the arms for the strobe or videolight. The choice of the right arm system is very important. We will explain why.

    Read more »
  5. Improve Your Underwater Photos and Videos with Ambient Filters

    Ambient blue filters

    Underwater photography is just amazing, but capturing its beauty requires more than just a camera and a housing. To truly improve your underwater shots, consider adding ambient filters to your strobes or videolight.

    Read more »
  6. Official Nauticam European Pro-Service Center

    Nauticam Certficate

    Nauticam has appointed UWCameraStore / Onderwaterhuis.NL as official European Pro-Service Center. We are proud to have achieved this certification! From now on we will not only perform service on Nauticam products for our own customers but also for other Nauticam dealers in Europe.

    Read more »
  7. AOI UH-GPx onderwaterhuis met monitor voor GoPro 12, 11, 10 en 9

    AOI onderwaterhusi voor Gopro

    Grote monitor, extra accuduur, grote knoppen, vacuümcontrole, handvatten en de mogelijkheid om extra lenzen te gebruiken bij je Gopro....dat is een nutshell wat dit onderwaterhuis allemaal toevoegt aan je GoPro! Deze behuizing maakt van de GoPro HERO 12, 11, 10 of 9 dus de ultieme onderwater videocamera.

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  8. Almost ready for the Underwater Photography World Championship in Tenerife

    Almost ready for the Underwater Photography World Championship in Tenerife

    I'm almost ready for it ... at least I think so. Tomorrow I am leaving to Tenerife with my buddy Ron Offermans to participate in the Underwater Photography World Championship. We first planned a few practice days to explore the conditions in Tenerife. The World Championship starts on Tuesday, September 17. Exciting again!

    Read more »
  9. Welcher Blitz passt am besten zu Ihrer Kamera?

    Welcher Blitz passt am besten zu Ihrer Kamera?

    Mit einem externen Blitz können Sie bessere Unterwasserfotos machen. Schönere Farben, mehr Kontrast, weniger Schwebstoffe. Sie haben wahrscheinlich bereits eine Unterwasserkamera und möchten ein Blitzgerät dazu haben. Aber ...für welchen Blitz soll man sich nun entscheiden? Marco Heesbeen von Onderwaterhuis.NL hilft Ihnen dabei, den richtigen Blitz zu finden.

    Read more »
  10. More beautiful photos with an external strobe on your underwater camera

    External strobe for underwater photography

    For well exposed underwater photos you need one or even two external strobe(s). Every advanced underwater photographer knows. But why? Let's explain.

    To begin with: the built-in flash of your underwater camera is just the wrong place for underwater photography. With the light from the built-in flash you not only illuminate your subject,  

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