Wide-Angle Underwater Photography in Raja Ampat

Source: Bart Bee

Wide-angle underwater photography is all about scale and perspective. Instead of zooming in on the small and intricate (like macro), you’re opening up your frame to show the vastness of a reef, the motion of schooling fish, or the elegance of a passing manta ray.

This technique typically uses wide-angle lenses or dome ports, which allow you to get physically close to your subject while still capturing the bigger picture.

The results? Images that feel immersive, dramatic, and alive, perfect for showcasing Raja Ampat’s world-famous biodiversity.

Source: Fabian Gysel

Few places on Earth rival Raja Ampat for wide-angle opportunities. Here’s why:

• Natural light: The equatorial sun filters beautifully through the clear waters around Kri Island, creating dramatic beams and perfect conditions for split shots.
• Reef structure: Raja Ampat’s reefs are layered, sloping, and filled with soft coral fans that create strong foreground elements.
• Fish density: From fusilier clouds to swirling anthias, there’s always movement to bring energy to your shots.
• Water clarity: Currents keep the water oxygenated and clean, making visibility excellent for wide-angle scenes.

In short, Raja Ampat isn’t just good for wide-angle photography; it’s one of the best places on Earth to practice it.

Reefscapes in Raja Ampat

Source: Jennifer Hayes and David Doubilet

• Cape Kri: Famous for holding the world record for fish species count in a single dive, Cape Kri is ideal for wide reef panoramas.
• Chicken Reef: A vibrant slope where clouds of anthias and trevally dart among hard corals.
• Friwenbonda: Vertical drop-offs lined with soft corals, perfect for contrasting colors and vertical compositions.

Big Animals to Photograph

Source: Anita Verde and Peter Marshall, Summits to Seas

• Blue Magic: A manta ray cleaning station that also attracts tuna, jacks, and schooling barracuda.
• Green Turtles & Bumphead Parrotfish: Common near Kri, both make excellent large subjects to anchor your frame.

What Unique Wide-Angle Scenes Can Divers Capture?

Source: Anita Verde and Peter Marshall, Summits to Seas

• Diver Silhouettes: Frame a buddy against a sunburst for dramatic effect.
• Soft Coral Fans: Use them as foreground subjects to lead the eye deeper into the image.
• Surface Split Shots: Raja Ampat’s calm lagoons are ideal for half-above, half-below compositions.

Source: Anita Verde and Peter Marshall

When Is the Best Time of Day for Wide-Angle Photography?

Morning and late afternoon dives usually give the richest light. The sun’s angle creates softer rays and helps avoid washed-out highlights.

Natural Light vs. Strobes

• Natural light works beautifully in shallow reefscapes and split shots.
• Strobes are essential for deeper dives or when you want to restore the vivid reds and oranges that deeper depths tend to filter out.

How Do You Manage Current While Composing Shots?

Raja Ampat’s currents bring life to the reefs, but they can challenge your framing. The key is to position yourself where the current stabilizes you rather than fights you, and always stay aware of your surroundings. Sometimes, letting the current carry fish into your frame creates the most natural images.

Perfect buoyancy is essential. It allows you to hold position effortlessly, capture steadier shots, and protect the reef around you. Staying calm, aware, and in control makes all the difference when composing in dynamic conditions.

Foreground Composition for Impact

The strongest wide-angle shots often feature a clear subject in the foreground, a coral head, a diver, or a turtle, balanced against the wider reefscape or open water. This layering helps viewers feel like they’re inside the scene rather than looking at it from a distance.

The Raja Ampat SEACAM Center (RASC), located at Sorido Bay Resort, offers more than high-end gear. It provides underwater photographers with the tools, support, and setting to elevate their craft in one of the most visually stunning marine environments on the planet.

Using Dome Ports Effectively

Dome ports help correct distortion and expand your field of view underwater. They’re essential for capturing split shots and expansive reefscapes.

Access to High-End Rigs

At the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center, guests can access professional-grade housings, dome ports, and wide-angle rigs. This is especially valuable if you want to experiment with advanced equipment before making a big investment.

Equipment Rentals and Accessories

Traveling with delicate gear can be stressful. The SEACAM Center provides on-site support, helping with everything from setup and fine-tuning to maintenance and troubleshooting.

At the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center, we offer a variety of SEACAM accessories and full camera setups for guests to rent, including TG7 cameras and GoPro Hero 12, allowing you to try out underwater photography and videography.

Hands-On Workshops & Training

Beyond just equipment, the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center offers hands-on workshops designed to help you master wide-angle photography techniques.

Additionally, the SEACAM Center provides ad hoc guidance and support to guests staying at Sorido Bay Resort, offering personalized assistance throughout your visit.

For more details, check our RASC page for full information on upcoming workshops and available support.

Community & Inspiration

Perhaps the greatest advantage is the community it brings together. The RASC has become a meeting point for passionate underwater photographers from around the world, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and creative inspiration.

Ready to elevate your underwater photography? Join Don Silcock for the 2026 SEACAM Workshops at Sorido Bay Resort.

With two sessions, July 19–25 and August 9–15, 2026, you’ll dive deep into wide-angle techniques, composition, and more, while receiving hands-on guidance from a seasoned expert.

What Participants Are Saying

Participants like Claudia and Michelle Bez, with over 20 years of experience, found the workshops invaluable for fine-tuning their skills and boosting their confidence. They particularly praised the post-processing training, which they described as a game-changer.

Don Silcock’s patient teaching has helped both beginners and pros improve their craft quickly. This feedback reflects the workshop’s ability to provide both practical techniques and inspiration in one of the world’s most photogenic locations.

For a closer look at what to expect, check out our SEACAM Workshop video, where we showcase highlights and behind-the-scenes moments from the event.

While photography is the main draw, where your stay matters. Sorido Bay Resort is designed with divers and photographers in mind:

• Short boat rides: Most sites are within 10–15 minutes, giving you more time in the water and perfect light conditions.
• Flexible dive schedules: Early morning or late afternoon dives are easy to arrange for the best wide-angle conditions.
• Personal camera station: Spacious and well-equipped for charging, cleaning, and prepping your setup right in your room.