Oceanographic Magazine (OM): You won second place in the 2022 overall Ocean Photographer of the Year category. Tell us a bit more about the background of the winning shot. How did it come to life? What planning was involved?

Katherine Lu (KL): I travelled to Anilao in the Philippines specifically to do blackwater diving with the goal of seeing the blanket octopus among other target species. After the Taal volcano eruption, the marine life seemed to disappear and the visibility dropped due to ash in the water. The eerie rumbling sound of earthquakes could be heard every night underwater during the dives. The water was cold and I had the flu. I spent a lot of time trying to equalize near the surface when suddenly my dive guide began to frantically signal me to come down. I hesitated for moment on what he might have found. I decided to go for it and pushed myself down. Luckily, my ears equalized and there before my eyes, was the beautiful blanket octopus. We swam alongside it and then, like magic, she opened up her blanket to show herself in all its full glory.

OM: Any advice for people wanting to enter the Ocean Photographer of the Year competition this year?

KL: Photography contests are subjective. I often think about how an image I select can stand out among the thousands of entries that the judges will review. Some factors include uniqueness, the composition, emotional impact and story. Even if you don’t win, the feedback is valuable and it’s all a learning experience and an opportunity to keep experimenting, refining your skills, and exploring your creative vision.

OM: How has winning the OPY2022 furthered your career?

KL: The media exposure, recognition, and visibility have been great. Photography is a passion and hobby that I pursue to express my creative and artistic abilities and to help create awareness and conversations surrounding the ocean and its marine life.

OM: How have photography competitions in general helped your underwater photography?

KL: Competitions can provide a platform to gain exposure, receive valuable feedback, and grow. It helps to motivate me to explore different techniques, ideas, and push the boundaries of my artistic vision and style.

OM: How do you plan your images? What thought process goes into it?

KL: It starts with developing a concept or idea for the photograph. This involves the type of subject, the desired mood or atmosphere I want to create and the story. Then I think about how to technically execute it such as location, camera settings, and lighting technique. Sometimes I might even experiment with the idea on land first. When I am diving, I might have a few ideas in my mind and then I just look for the right subject and opportunity to execute the idea on.