English
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.
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:
His award-winning work and underwater images have been published in magazines, dive media and photography platforms worldwide.
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:
Marco truly turned his hobby into his profession.
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:
He also publishes educational content and equipment reviews online for underwater photographers and videographers worldwide.
On this page you can find underwater photography articles, equipment reviews, camera setup guides and underwater imaging tips written by 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.
Shooting a fish portrait is often a matter of patience. And arm cramps...
Location
This photo was taken at Swanee Rock in the sea of Cortez in Mexico, also called the Gulf of California. It was my entry for the fish portrait category in the CMAS world championship underwater photography 2017 in La Paz.
Of course you can use the program mode under water and for macro or wide angle, when diving or snorkeling with an Olympus Tough. You can also simply fine-tune the white balance yourself.
Set the camera to P or A to adjust the white balance yourself. With a click on OK you open the menu on the right and bottom. Then select the white balance icon. If you choose "white balance with one key", you can register a white balance yourself by pressing the INFO button.
Many underwater photographers use a wide-angle lens on their camera. There are wet wide-angle lenses that can be placed on an underwater housing. There are also wide-angle lenses for your camera. A different port on the underwater housing is required for these cameras. Why a wide-angle lens? Let's explain it.
A general rule for underwater photography is: "Get close to your subject!".
Back home and at the office after our visit to the DEMA show in Orlando, Florida. The DEMA show is the world's largest diving fair especially for suppliers of all kinds of diving equipment.
All major brands and suppliers that focus on underwater photography and video were represented. It was the 3rd time we visited this show now. And it was worth it!
Many new products! It was a pleasure meeting our contacts in business personally again. To review and discuss new products together.
Nederlands
