Tobias Friedrich
Wildlife Photographer
"I love to travel to exotic places to shoot unusual pictures."
"Even those that have never seen the ocean depend on it for every breath they take. Early in my childhood I already loved to watch Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s adventures and was not only awed but immediately hooked. Which underwater photographer and ocean aficionado has not been fascinated by the explorations of Captain Cousteau aboard the Calypso? Inspired by this pioneer I love to travel to exotic places to shoot unusual pictures."
About the photographer
Early in my childhood I already loved to watch Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s adventures and was not only awed but immediately hooked. Which underwater photographer and ocean aficionado has not been fascinated by the explorations of Captain Cousteau aboard the Calypso? Inspired by this pioneer I love to travel to exotic places to shoot unusual pictures. The Greenland icebergs, for instance, are a worthwhile yet still rather rare motif and are quite difficult to capture. Getting great underwater shots in good visibility can be a real challenge.These Arctic giants are not only a perfect motif but stun with their sizes, shapes and colors.
At the same time they are a monument to global warming. My work is always dedicated to the preservation of the oceans; I try to remind everybody of their beauty, their fragility, their imperilment and the need to protect them. Being able to take pictures and publish them in various magazines all over the world for ten years now helps me to draw attention to this vital issue.
Cold water locations like Greenland, Iceland or Scandinavia are only a part of my portfolio, which also includes tropical and temperate climate destinations. I am particularly fond of some pictures I was able to take in the Sultanate of Oman, showing some non-migrating humpback whales that scientists consider to be a species of their own. From the Maldives I returned with great shots of schools of manta rays. Cape Town, South Africa, is still my favourite destination to shoot sharks and seals. I have been lucky to work as a cameraman with prestigious customers like the BBC or the German Nautilusfilm and am regularly booked by leading companies.
I enjoy organizing underwater photography workshops on liveaboards, especially in Egypt but also all over the world. I have many new ideas and upcoming projects and am looking forward to new cooperations. In 2016 I won the prestigious World Ocean Day photo competition, which is organized by Dive Photo Guide and endorsed by the Blancpain Ocean Commitment.