FREQUENT FLYER
Imran Ahman’s job requires him to literally immerse himself into the ocean. The Blancpain Ocean Ambassador shares with Jessica Chan the travel destinations that inspire him, including his experience diving the depths of the Great Wall of China.
Imran Ahmad, Blancpain ocean ambassador
Imran Ahmad’s first foray into underwater photography was every parents’ worst nightmare. Incredibly inspired by what he had seen on the National Geographic network, the six-year-old took his father’s then-brand new SLR for a swim in the ocean. “My father was incredibly tan. It was the first time I had ever seen him turn as white as a ghost,” chuckled Ahmad at the memory. Five years later, his father bought him a Nikonos, Nikon’s 35mm format camera built specifically for underwater photography.
Decades on, Ahmad is now the proud owner and principal photographer of ESCAPEINC ASIA, a Kuala Lumpur-based showroom catering to professional underwater photography, education and excursions. The 41-year-old is also an accomplished author of several photobooks, including Seychelles Unexpected Treasures which documented two UNESCO World Heritage sites. He is also an ambassador of scuba equipment Mares, not-forprofit organisation Divers Alert Network, diving app Deepblu, and SEACAM Pro. Nothing, however, complements him more than his role as Blancpain Ocean Ambassador. He was recently gifted with the Fifty Fathoms timepiece for his contribution to the Ocean Commitment Exhibition, which sole purpose was to raise awareness on the environmental impact humans can have on the ocean – a cause he spent his entire career advocating for. Of the many destinations you’ve travelled to, which one left a deep impression on you?
Útila, one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, comes to mind immediately. Its mayor, Troy Bodden had commissioned me to do a book showcasing the sun-soaked beaches, azure waters and, of course, prolific marine life. Somehow, I got to pilot a Cessna into a storm (and survived). Everyone knows everybody on the island. I love the regional delicacy of lionfish ceviche. It’s an invasive species known for its poisonous spikes, but it’s been made into a refreshing snack with a simple combination of mayonnaise, tomatoes and potatoes. Oh, and rum. Lots of rum.
What are some nearby spots for an exhilarating dive?
Right in Singapore’s backyard is Pulau Hantu (translating to Ghost Island). Despite its ominous name, it’s got an ethereal collection of macro critters, from a vibrant Spanish Dancer to seahorses. Nearby is Indonesia’s Raja Ampat. Do you know that the team there – famed underwater photographers Burt Jones and Maurine Shimrock plus Dr. Gerry Allen – continues to discover new species, be it on land or in the waters, every day? Finally, we have The Coral Triangle. It has the highest coral reef diversity in the world (15 of which are endemic), six of the seven known marine turtle species, and is frequented by blue whales.
Blancpain pulled out all the stops for their Edition Fifty Fathoms promotion with a dive around the Great Wall of China. What was it like?
My Beijing-based guide, Steven Schwankert, puts it best, “There’s probably been more men in space than diving the Great Wall of China.” Think of it as an eerie version of Atlantis that’s 300 kilometres northeast of Beijing, at a place known as Panjiakou Reservoir. Intentionally flooded in 1978 to provide drinking water, it’s an obscure diving site requiring advanced dive qualifications. Marine life was scarce, but I saw architectural masterpieces in the form of the wall, giant archways and remains of a watchtower.
There’s also a sunken village nearby (at a dangerous depth of 80 metres). The conditions were extreme; visibility was so low it was pretty much pitch black, with temperatures dropping to 10 degrees Celsius at 30 metres. Equipped with an ultra-wide fisheye lens, a tiny dome and a sense of adventure, I got the winning shot with the timepiece. It’s a true achievement in my books.
Words of advice to aspiring underwater photographers?
What drives me is the hope that my work will inspire fellow photographers, divers as well as the public on the grandeur of what lies beneath the surface. It’s akin to an exclusive gallery, curated by Earth itself. We have the access and, therefore, responsibility to educate and, subsequently, protect this gift for generations to come. I’ll never forget watching my daughter, who was then two years old, jump off the boat in Gorontalo Indonesia to swim alongside 14 whale sharks; I want her, her children and so on to enjoy these majestic experiences. My advice is simple. Practice responsible tourism, respect nature and educate.