OCEANOGRAPHIC (OM): WHEN DID YOU FIRST CONNECT WITH THE OCEAN? HOW DID YOUR PASSION WITH THE MARINE WORLD DEVELOP?

TOBIAS FRIEDRICH: “As a child, I was always drawn to the ocean. Watching shows about sea adventures was something I looked forward to. One show that left a big impression on me was Jacques Yves-Cousteau’s documentaries. His stories about deep-sea exploration and the colourful marine life fascinated me. I remember sitting glued to the TV, watching him glide through clear blue waters, describing strange creatures that I had never seen before. He made the ocean feel mysterious and exciting, sparking my earliest interest in the sea. Those TV moments created a sense of wonder and made me dream about swimming among coral reefs and exploring hidden underwater worlds one day. But it wasn’t until I reached my early 20s, that I really started to connect with my love for the ocean. I decided to get my scuba diving licence, and it opened a whole new world. From that moment on, I didn’t just dream about the sea — I was living it and I got really connected with it.”

OM: HOW DID YOU GET INTO UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY?

TOBIAS FRIEDRICH: “I started with underwater photography because I wanted to share the beauty of what lies beneath the waves with my family and friends. I was eager for them to see the colourful fish, strange rocks, and clear water that I saw every time I dived. For a long time, just capturing those moments on camera made me happy, and showing my loved ones my photos made me feel connected to them. Honestly, that feeling hasn’t changed. Over time, I realised how much fun I had when I was underwater trying to get the perfect shot. I remember my first big win in a photo contest – it was a clear sign I was onto something special. That moment gave me a real boost and made me want to get better, learn new tricks, and try more challenging shots.”

OM: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

TOBIAS FRIEDRICH: “Oh, that’s a great question! I don’t think I’ve ever thought about this before… I’d say my style of photography is very much classic underwater photography with a clean style. It captures the beauty of the ocean and its creatures in a straightforward way, showing the scene as it is. But I also love to add a few creative elements such as lighting, as well as different perspectives.”

OM: AND WHAT’S THE MAIN AIM BEHIND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

TOBIAS FRIEDRICH: “The main goal of my photography has always been the same from the very start. I’ve always wanted to show people how incredible and beautiful our oceans really are. My pictures aim to capture that beauty and bring it to life for anyone who looks at them. I hope that by sharing these images, I can inspire more people to care about the oceans like I do and see why they need so much better protection.”

OM: MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY OR WIDE-ANGLE PHOTOGRAPHY? WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER? 

TOBIAS FRIEDRICH: “Wide-angle photography, for sure! This is where my real passion lies. I love how a wide angle can capture a lot in a single shot. It gives me the chance to tell a big story with just one picture. However, I don’t just stick to wide angles. I also find shooting macro photography really fun. Macro is all about getting close and capturing tiny details that often go unnoticed.”

OM: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE OCEAN IMAGE TO DATE AND WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL TO YOU?

TOBIAS FRIEDRICH: “I usually tend to dislike my old images as I’m progressing with my underwater photography. I feel like I’ve improved over time, and those early shots just seem a bit rough compared to what I can do now. Still, there’s one picture that stands out as my favourite. If I had to pick one, it was, for sure, the humpback whale split shot I took in Oman. That picture has a lot of meaning for me because it was the first time I managed to capture a whale underwater. What makes it even more memorable is the fact that the whale accidentally hit me with its tail fin. That moment left a small scar on my skin.”