There is some underwater imagery that is truly exceptional and the work of Diana Fernie rates high on the scale. I recently had the opportunity to spend a few weeks diving with the charming Diana Fernie, who goes by “Daisy” from Australia. She is an award winning photographer both above and below the waterline. Daisy has been practicing photography for most of her life and is well practiced at telling stories through her images. Usually, when I conduct an interview, I ask several questions and then write an article around the answers I get. This time I want to leave the interview intact to preserve Daisy’s personality.
Q: Where are you from? A: I was born in England but will probably die in Australia with dual nationality!
Q: How long have you been diving and shooting underwater?
A: When I was about 8 or 9 I lived in the Sultanate of Oman. My father, a WWII submariner, always fascinated by the underwater world, acquired an Air Buoy (hooker system). The only person that had the courage to go with him was me. An engine doesn’t run out of gas, right? There were no fins to fit such tiny feet, so he made me fins out of plywood and sand shoes (I do not recommend this). Anyway, armed with James Bond style weight belt, we went diving – every Friday. But we never went as far as shark point, for obvious reasons.
Q: How did you begin learning underwater photography and/or what made you pursue underwater photography?
A: My Dad was also a keen photographer, so around that same time he bought me my first camera, a Kodak Instamatic. I had one lesson in composition: don’t chop off people’s heads.
Many years, 3 children and a multitude of sins later, diving and photography came together.
…I was into technical diving, in Truk Lagoon at the time. I had been persuaded by the rep to buy the new and incredible 5 mega-pixel Ricoh point and shoot. As soon as I got back home, I dumped my tech gear and bought an Olympus SP-350, housing and a strobe. This was about 2005. ‘Learning’ U/W photography – this came years and 2 cameras later when I went on my first overseas UW Photo workshop. It also prompted me to do a Diploma in Photography & Photo Imaging so that I could learn and be inspired above the water.
Q: Do you have a location in the world where you prefer to go?
A: The Solomon Islands is probably right up there with favourite diving (especially for wide angle) but, being in Australia; Indonesia, Philippines, PNG are popular and easy to get to for me. I really want to get back to Cuba and explore other ‘Americas’ locations.
Q: Do you prefer macro or wide-angle photography? Why?
A: Hmmm… I probably prefer macro because it’s easier! I find wide angle more challenging but when you nail it, it’s more dramatic and really worth the effort. And, while I think about it, most awards that I have won have been wide angle!
Q: What camera setup do you use?
A: Nikon D850. Isotta housing, Retra ProX strobes, Backscatter Miniflash snoot, SMC1. And I love all new toys. Remember: she who has the most toys wins!
Q: What is something that made you a better underwater photographer?
A: Going on specific Underwater Photography dive trips, especially when there is a great pro leading thetrip. Being around a variety of different photographers is inspiring and educational. Diving with non-photographers is challenging and if I have to, I leave my camera at home.
Q: What is the most challenging thing you have ever photographed?
A: Cage diving with the GWS – I just can’t get it right and I don’t know why
Q: Do you have a local environment you dive in that has anything unique?
A: Oh YES! I live in Leafy Seadragon country. In South Australia we have lots of amazing and unique macro and it’s as easy to access as jetty shore diving. We also have the Giant Cuttlefish Migration in Whyalla from June-August every year. This is an incredible experience and is a shore dive in 3 metres of water.
Q: Do you have a favorite photography technique?
A: Does Photoshop count? Haha – no not really!
Q: Do you have a favorite piece of equipment? Why?
A: I have recently added a high speed sync gizmo to my housing which means that I can shoot really high shutter speeds and shallow depth of field. Love this!
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a new photographer, what would it be?
A: Work your subject!
Daisy also shared this story: I recently did a couple of black water dives in the Philippines with Brook Peterson and Mike Bartick. Actually, I really dislike night diving but was persuaded and this has brought a whole new world to me. I would describe it as if I were a brand new diver, seeing my first Leafy sea dragon and are suddenly realizing that I’m hooked!
Thank you, Daisy, for a delightful interview! It was a pleasure to spend time with you diving and chatting about underwater photography.
You can find Diana Fernie at www.oceanincolour.com.au
If you would like to be featured as an under water photographer, please email waterdogphotography@gmail.com and request more info. We are looking forward to seeing some great work on this page!
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The images on this page are copyright protected by the featured photographer and may not be copied or used without written permission. All other images and content are copyright protected by Brook Peterson and may only be used with written permission. Please do not copy or print them. To discuss terms for using these images, please contact Brook Peterson at waterdogphotography@gmail.com
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