David Doubilet

Role: Underwater photographer, National Geographic photojournalist, conservation advocate, over/under pioneer
First appearance: Referenced across Wetpixel from 2002 onward
Location: Upstate New York
Affiliation: National Geographic (Contributing Photographer-in-Residence since 2001)
Forum posts: 0 (subject of coverage, not a contributor)
Activity score: 590 (118 article mentions across the Wetpixel archive)

Biography

David Doubilet is widely regarded as the most influential underwater photographer of all time, with a career spanning more than five decades and 75+ feature stories published in National Geographic magazine. He began underwater photography at age 12 in the late 1950s, putting a Brownie Hawkeye camera in a rubber bag and jumping off a jetty ([1]). His first image appeared in National Geographic in 1972, and his first assignment for the magazine came in 1971 ([2]). By 2021, he had logged over 27,000 hours beneath the surface ([3]).

Doubilet was named a National Geographic Contributing Photographer-in-Residence in 2001 ([4]). He has documented marine environments from equatorial coral reefs to life beneath polar ice, covering locations including the Caribbean, the Red Sea, Indonesia’s Raja Ampat, Antarctica, the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos, Cuba, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence ([5], [6]).

He works with his partner Jennifer Hayes, an aquatic biologist, photojournalist, and contributing National Geographic photographer. Hayes has logged over 11,000 hours underwater and focuses on science communication and conservation of endangered species, including documenting UNESCO World Heritage Site coral reef ecosystems and harp seals as a “Face of Climate Change” in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ([7]). Their digital post-production partner is Hal Silverman, an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School ([8]).

Doubilet is described by the Newhouse School as “the most published living underwater photographer” ([9]). National Geographic called him “one of the most influential underwater photographers of all time” ([10]). Multiple professional photographers have cited him as their primary inspiration, including Brian Skerry, who listed him alongside Luis Marden, Bill Curtsinger, and Flip Nicklin as career inspirations ([11]).

Equipment

In a 2015 Wetpixel “Ask the Pros” feature, Doubilet detailed his go-to equipment for split-level photography ([12]):

For the U-352 composite project, he shot with Nikon D3 cameras in Seacam housings ([13]).

Over/Under (Split-Level) Photography

Doubilet’s signature technique — the “half-and-half” split-level image showing above and below the waterline simultaneously — defined an entire genre of underwater photography. He calls them “half-and-half pictures,” noting they are also referred to as “over-unders,” “split,” or “above-and-below” images ([14]).

In his detailed technical breakdown for Wetpixel’s “Ask the Pros: Split Shots” (2015), Doubilet explained his approach ([15]):

He described the power of split-level images: “These images bring the two elements of our planet together. They are especially striking when viewed by people that have never been diving… The half and half image is an invitation to go below” ([16]).

His 2021 book Two Worlds: Above and Below the Sea (Phaidon) collected 80 over/under prints spanning his career — his first major book in two decades. It includes essays by Kathleen F. Moran and Kathryn D. Sullivan and documents environmental change, including contrasting photographs of Tumon Bay Marine Preserve in Guam from 2005 (colorful reef) and 2017 (ashen coral from bleaching), as well as ocean plastics off the Philippines ([17]).

Conservation Advocacy

Doubilet increasingly used his platform to advocate for ocean conservation:

He contributed images to the Bite-Back shark conservation charity calendars in multiple years (2009, 2011, 2012), alongside photographers including Eric Cheng, Alex Mustard, Doug Perrine, and Brian Skerry ([23]).

He is a founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers ([24]).

Awards and Honors

Wetpixel Presence

Doubilet was primarily a subject of Wetpixel coverage rather than a contributor, appearing in 118 articles across the archive. His influence on the community was immense — Martin Edge’s influential textbook The Underwater Photographer (3rd ed.) names him alongside Christopher Newbert and Cathy Church as a benchmark for underwater photography excellence ([34]).

Competition Judging

National Geographic Features Covered on Wetpixel

Lectures and Presentations

Workshops

Notable Projects

Elysium Antarctic Expedition (2010)

Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes participated in the Elysium expedition to Antarctica, a 57-member team retracing Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 Endurance route. The expedition covered 3,277 nautical miles over 19 days aboard the 228-foot Finnish-built vessel Professor Molchanov. Water temperatures reached minus 3 Celsius. Doubilet was surprised by the volume of Antarctic wildlife: “It’s one of the great masses of life on the planet. We saw 350,000 penguins all in one spot. You think, at first, that life is so generous. But then you realize that it’s nearly all the penguins in the world concentrated in one spot.” The team dove on icebergs at Pleneau Bay and encountered leopard and fur seals. On the return, the vessel encountered a hurricane with 74 mph winds and 45-48 foot waves, damaging the diving equipment pod. Logistics were organized by Goran Ehlme of Waterproof Expeditions ([56]).

U-352 Composite Image (2011)

Doubilet and Hal Silverman created a 33-image composite panorama showing the full hull of the German WWII U-boat U-352, published in the UK Daily Mail. The submarine was sunk off North Carolina on 9 May 1942 — the first U-boat sunk by US forces. Shot with Nikon D3 cameras in Seacam housings at 110 feet (34 meters), the images documented how marine life had colonized the wreck over nearly 70 years ([57]).

”Below” Exhibition (2010)

A career-spanning photography exhibition launched at the Blue Ocean Film Festival in Monterey, California. The exhibit featured images taken around the world, including black-and-white work and photographs from his eel story in National Geographic. US Congressman Sam Farr gave a welcoming speech, and attendees included wildlife photographer Frans Lanting and Christine Eckstrom ([58]). Doubilet also delivered a keynote speech at the festival introducing the film Disneynature: Oceans ([59]).

Goliath Grouper Documentation (2014)

A National Geographic video documented Doubilet photographing 600-pound Atlantic Goliath Groupers off Jupiter, West Palm Beach, and Boynton Beach, Florida. The fish, protected since 1990, spawn under ledges and in shipwrecks along Florida’s coast from August to October. Doubilet noted their resemblance to his “Uncle Johnny from New Jersey” — “slow metabolism, sitting on a couch, looking at me, with two tart eyes, back and forth” ([60]).

Books

Timeline

Influence on the Community

Doubilet’s stature within the Wetpixel community is reflected in how frequently other photographers cite him as an inspiration:

References


Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  2. Wetpixel article, Feb 27, 2008: Nyups Hosts David Doubilet For Hidden Corners Of Our Water Planet
  3. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  4. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  5. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  6. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2015: David Doubilet And Jennifer Hayes In Seattle
  7. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2019: The Underwater Tour Announces Line Up And Dates
  8. Wetpixel article, Feb 23, 2015: Spaces Available On Doubilet Workshop
  9. Wetpixel article, Feb 23, 2015: Spaces Available On Doubilet Workshop
  10. Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2016: Ng Publishes 17 Of David Doubilets Images For World Oceans Day
  11. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  12. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  13. Wetpixel article, Jun 6, 2011: David Doubilet And Hal Silverman Complete A Composite Image Of U352
  14. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  15. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  16. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  17. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  18. Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2013: David Doubilet On The World Beneath The Surface
  19. Wetpixel article, Mar 27, 2012: David Doubilet Speaks About Conservation
  20. Wetpixel article, Sep 7, 2015: Video The Thin Blue Line
  21. Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2016: Ng Publishes 17 Of David Doubilets Images For World Oceans Day
  22. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  23. Wetpixel article, Nov 30, 2010: Bite Back Launches 2011 Calender
  24. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2019: The Underwater Tour Announces Line Up And Dates
  25. Wetpixel article, Feb 27, 2008: Nyups Hosts David Doubilet For Hidden Corners Of Our Water Planet
  26. Wetpixel article, Feb 27, 2008: Nyups Hosts David Doubilet For Hidden Corners Of Our Water Planet
  27. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2019: The Underwater Tour Announces Line Up And Dates
  28. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  29. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  30. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  31. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2019: The Underwater Tour Announces Line Up And Dates
  32. Wetpixel article, Feb 11, 2005: Beneath The Sea 2005 Winners Posted
  33. Wetpixel article, Oct 14, 2015: Results Of Wpoty 2015 Announced
  34. Wetpixel article, Mar 27, 2006: Book Review Underwater Photographer
  35. Wetpixel article, Feb 11, 2005: Beneath The Sea 2005 Winners Posted
  36. Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2005: Celebrate The Sea 2005 Photo Video Competition
  37. Wetpixel article, Mar 18, 2008: Celebrate The Sea 2008 International Imagery Competition
  38. Wetpixel article, Dec 5, 2005: British Underwater Image Festival
  39. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2008: David Doubilet Joins Judging Panel For Underwatercompetition
  40. Wetpixel article, Feb 22, 2012: Final Call Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2012
  41. Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2020: Announcing The Dpg Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2020
  42. Wetpixel article, Oct 4, 2022: Results Ocean Photographer Of The Year 2022
  43. Wetpixel article, Aug 24, 2007: National Geographic David Doubilet In Indonesia
  44. Wetpixel article, May 20, 2008: David Doubilets Nudibranch Shots In National Geographic
  45. Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2011: David Doubilet Relics To Reefs
  46. Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: David Doubilets Exhibit Below Launches Blue Ocean Film Festival
  47. Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2016: Ng Publishes 17 Of David Doubilets Images For World Oceans Day
  48. Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2017: The Story Behind David Doubilets Shot On Ng Creative Blog
  49. Wetpixel article, Feb 27, 2008: Nyups Hosts David Doubilet For Hidden Corners Of Our Water Planet
  50. Wetpixel article, Aug 20, 2010: An Unforgettable Evening With David Doubilet And Friends
  51. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2015: David Doubilet And Jennifer Hayes In Seattle
  52. Wetpixel article, Oct 6, 2015: Doubilet And Hayes To Speak In Maryland
  53. Wetpixel article, Feb 17, 2016: Beneath The Sea Announces Film Festival Line Up
  54. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2019: The Underwater Tour Announces Line Up And Dates
  55. Wetpixel article, Feb 23, 2015: Spaces Available On Doubilet Workshop
  56. Wetpixel article, Jun 27, 2010: David Doubilet And Jennifer Hayes On The Elysium Antarctic Expedition
  57. Wetpixel article, Jun 6, 2011: David Doubilet And Hal Silverman Complete A Composite Image Of U352
  58. Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: David Doubilets Exhibit Below Launches Blue Ocean Film Festival
  59. Wetpixel article, Aug 23, 2010: Disneynature Oceans Doubilet And Sea Shepherd At Blue Film Festival
  60. Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2014: Video Dive With David Doubilet And Goliath Groupers
  61. Wetpixel article, Aug 24, 2007: National Geographic David Doubilet In Indonesia
  62. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2019: The Underwater Tour Announces Line Up And Dates
  63. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  64. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  65. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  66. Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2016: Ng Publishes 17 Of David Doubilets Images For World Oceans Day
  67. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  68. Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2003: Visions In The Sea 2003 Report
  69. Wetpixel article, Feb 11, 2005: Beneath The Sea 2005 Winners Posted
  70. Wetpixel article, Dec 5, 2005: British Underwater Image Festival
  71. Wetpixel article, Aug 24, 2007: National Geographic David Doubilet In Indonesia
  72. Wetpixel article, Feb 27, 2008: Nyups Hosts David Doubilet For Hidden Corners Of Our Water Planet
  73. Wetpixel article, May 20, 2008: David Doubilets Nudibranch Shots In National Geographic
  74. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2008: David Doubilet Joins Judging Panel For Underwatercompetition
  75. Wetpixel article, Jun 27, 2010: David Doubilet And Jennifer Hayes On The Elysium Antarctic Expedition
  76. Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: David Doubilets Exhibit Below Launches Blue Ocean Film Festival
  77. Wetpixel article, Aug 23, 2010: Disneynature Oceans Doubilet And Sea Shepherd At Blue Film Festival
  78. Wetpixel article, Aug 20, 2010: An Unforgettable Evening With David Doubilet And Friends
  79. Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2011: David Doubilet Relics To Reefs
  80. Wetpixel article, Jun 6, 2011: David Doubilet And Hal Silverman Complete A Composite Image Of U352
  81. Wetpixel article, Mar 27, 2012: David Doubilet Speaks About Conservation
  82. Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2013: David Doubilet On The World Beneath The Surface
  83. Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2014: Video Dive With David Doubilet And Goliath Groupers
  84. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2015: David Doubilet And Jennifer Hayes In Seattle
  85. Wetpixel article, Feb 23, 2015: Spaces Available On Doubilet Workshop
  86. Wetpixel article, Jun 30, 2015: Ask The Pros Split Shots
  87. Wetpixel article, Sep 7, 2015: Video The Thin Blue Line
  88. Wetpixel article, Oct 14, 2015: Results Of Wpoty 2015 Announced
  89. Wetpixel article, Feb 17, 2016: Beneath The Sea Announces Film Festival Line Up
  90. Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2016: Ng Publishes 17 Of David Doubilets Images For World Oceans Day
  91. Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2017: The Story Behind David Doubilets Shot On Ng Creative Blog
  92. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2019: The Underwater Tour Announces Line Up And Dates
  93. Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2020: Announcing The Dpg Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2020
  94. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2021: Two Worlds Above And Below The Sea By David Doubiletsships
  95. Wetpixel article, Oct 4, 2022: Results Ocean Photographer Of The Year 2022
  96. Wetpixel article, Jan 4, 2013: An Interview With Daniel Botelho
  97. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2019: Conversations With Underwater Photographers Aaron Wong By Henley Spiers
  98. Wetpixel article, May 22, 2012: Book Review Ocean Soul By Brian Skerry
  99. Wetpixel article, Apr 2, 2007: Seaspace Memorial Service For Larry Smith
  100. Visions in the Sea 2003 report (article)
  101. Beneath the Sea 2005 winners (article)
  102. British Underwater Image Festival (2005) (article)
  103. Book Review: Underwater Photographer (2006) (article)
  104. NG Indonesia/Raja Ampat feature (2007) (article)
  105. SeaSpace memorial for Larry Smith (2007) (article)
  106. NYUPS “Hidden Corners” (2008) (article)
  107. NG nudibranch images (2008) (article)
  108. Joins Wetpixel/DPG judging panel (2008) (article)
  109. Elysium Antarctic Expedition (2010) (article)
  110. “An Unforgettable Evening” (2010) (article)
  111. Blue Ocean Film Festival / “Below” exhibit (2010) (article)
  112. Disneynature Oceans keynote (2010) (article)
  113. Bite-Back 2011 calendar (2010) (article)
  114. Artificial reefs / Vandenberg (2011) (article)
  115. U-352 composite image (2011) (article)
  116. Conservation conversations (2012) (article)
  117. Veolia WPOTY judge (2012) (article)
  118. Interview: Daniel Botelho (2013) (article)
  119. NG “Proof” video portrait (2013) (article)
  120. Goliath Grouper video (2014) (article)
  121. Doubilet and Hayes in Seattle (2015) (article)
  122. Syracuse University workshop (2015) (article)
  123. Ask the Pros: Split Shots (2015) (article)
  124. Sea Legacy “The Thin Blue Line” (2015) (article)
  125. WPOTY 2015 results (article)
  126. BTS Film Festival 40th anniversary (2016) (article)
  127. NG World Oceans Day — 17 images (2016) (article)
  128. NG Creative Blog Cuba shot (2017) (article)
  129. The Underwater Tour 2019 (article)
  130. DPG/Wetpixel Masters 2020 (article)
  131. Two Worlds book (2021) (article)
  132. Ocean Photographer of the Year 2022 (article)
  133. Book Review: Ocean Soul (Skerry) (article)