FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER MAXWEL HOHN

What is your most memorable moment in the field?

I was photographing salmon with the top half of my body submerged underwater, breathing through a snorkel. I was so immersed in watching the fish that I didn’t notice a black bear fishing beside me. We took our heads out of the water at the same time. The bear, its mouth full of salmon, looked at me with confusion. I slowly reached for my camera. Before I could set up my shot, the bear ran off. It could have been the best split shot of my life, but at least the salmon were photogenic!

What is your favourite subject to photograph and why?

Kelp forests. Why walk through a forest, when you could swim? Being immersed in the beauty of a kelp forest feels like being on an alien planet. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing light rays dance through a kelp forest canopy.

What is the best advice you’ve received?

Shoot with what you’ve got! Many divers assume that they need the fanciest camera equipment to capture good photos. This is false. Use what you have and be creative. Some of my personal favourite photos were captured with a GoPro. Also, during a dive, always know which direction the sun is coming from and try moving around your subject to maximize the use of ambient light.

What is your most important piece of equipment?

My camera housing. One drop of water and my camera can be ruined: for an underwater photographer, having a reliable housing that can withstand pressure to depths of at least 50 metres is essential. My go-to underwater housings of choice are designed by Aquatica Digital in Quebec.

Maxwel Hohn is based in Courtenay, B.C. He was a category winner in the 2019 Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year competition. His video footage and images have been published by BBC, National Geographic, DIVER Magazine, DIVE, and Wetpixel. maxwelhohn.com

Clockwise from top left: Giant kelp near Metlakatla, B.C.; Red octopus at night in Campbell River, B.C.; Giant green anemones near Tofino, B.C.; Salmon run in Campbell River, B.C.; Steller sea lions at Hornby Island, B.C.; Starfish, urchins and anemone at Discovery Passage, Campbell River, B.C.