Don Silcock
Aliases: don silcock (forum username)
Role: Underwater photographer, photojournalist, contributing author
Affiliation: indopacificimages.com
Based: Bali, Indonesia (and Sydney, Australia)
Nationality: Australian
First appearance: 2003 (Wetpixel forums)
Website: indopacificimages.com
Biography
Don Silcock is an Australian underwater photographer and photojournalist who became one of Wetpixel’s most prolific contributing authors, producing 19 feature-length articles between 2016 and 2020. Based primarily in Bali, Indonesia, with a second base in Sydney, Australia, he specializes in big-animal encounters and comprehensive location guides across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. ([1], [2])
Silcock’s background is in mechanical engineering, a detail he mentions when evaluating underwater photography equipment. ([3]) He describes having over 30 years of diving experience as of 2016. ([4]) He first appeared on Wetpixel’s forums in May 2003, asking for advice on photographing great white sharks in South Australia with his newly acquired Nikon D100 and Subal D10 housing. ([5])
His writing style combines vivid firsthand narrative of diving encounters with thorough logistical guidance, natural history, and conservation context. His articles typically include practical travel tips, operator recommendations, and links to comprehensive guides on his personal website indopacificimages.com. He has described his philosophy as: “I just like to write about my experiences, simple as that.” ([6])
Equipment History
Silcock’s gear progression through the Wetpixel archive traces a 17-year evolution:
- 2003: Nikon D100 in Subal D10 housing with Sigma 15mm fisheye, Nikon 18-35mm, 20mm, and 24mm lenses. ([7])
- 2004: Added Nikon 18-70mm DX zoom and 12-24mm DX zoom for the Subal D10. ([8])
- By 2016: Nikon D800 FX format and Nikon D500 DX format, both in Nauticam housings (having previously used Subal housings). Lenses included the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye zoom, Nikon 16-35mm rectilinear zoom, and Sigma/Nikon fisheyes behind Zen dome ports. ([9], [10])
- 2017–2019: Nauticam NA-D500 housing (his fourth Nauticam housing) with vacuum fitting, 45-degree Nauticam viewfinder (switching to 180-degree for close encounters). Adopted the Nikon 8-15mm fisheye zoom with Nauticam 140mm dome port, plus Kenko 1.4 DGX teleconverter. Also acquired a Nikon D850 for landscape photography. ([11])
- Strobes: Accumulated 16 strobes total across his two bases — Sea & Sea YS-250 for big-animal work (10 fps), Ikelite DS160 for general wide-angle, Inon for macro, and later ONEUW 160X circular-tube strobes. Used Ikelite manual power controllers and domed diffusers. ([12], [13])
- 2019: Acquired a second-hand Nauticam WACP (Wide-Angle Correction Port) for use with the D500. ([14])
Publications Beyond Wetpixel
Before becoming a Wetpixel contributing author, Silcock was a regular contributor to other underwater photography publications:
- UwP Magazine (Underwater Photography Magazine): Contributed articles to issues 38 (2007), 39 (2007), 41 (2008), and 46 (2009, on “The Underwater Golden Hour”). ([15], [16], [17], [18])
- X-Ray Magazine: Contributed articles on North Sulawesi (2010), Halmahera in the Maluku Islands (2011), Qian Dao Lake in China (2011), Mozambique mega-fauna (2011), and the B17 Black Jack wreck in PNG (2011). ([19], [20], [21], [22], [23])
- Anima Mundi Magazine: Wrote about the environmental impact of baited shark diving in the Bahamas (issue 22, 2016). ([24])
Competition Results
- 2023: Won the Black and White category at the Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) competition with his image El Blanco — The White One. ([25])
Contributions to Wetpixel
Articles (2016—2020)
Silcock wrote 13 guest articles for Wetpixel, published through Adam Hanlon’s editor account. Topics spanned big-animal encounters (whales, sharks, crocodiles, manta rays), Indo-Pacific location guides (six articles on Papua New Guinea alone), wildlife features (leafy seadragons, giant salamanders, cuttlefish), and Nikon D500 gear reviews. These fell into several thematic categories:
Big-Animal Encounters:
- Humpback whales of Tonga (May 2016) — Three weeks in Neiafu in the Vava’u island group. Documented heat runs with up to 14 male whales, mother-calf encounters, competitive groups, singers in vertical position, and playful calves. Described encounters from over 30 years of diving as among the most intense. ([26])
- Australian great white sharks (August 2016) — Cage diving at Neptune Islands near Port Lincoln, South Australia. Operators Rodney Fox Expeditions and Calypso Star Charters. Historical context on Australian public perception. ([27])
- Giant Australian cuttlefish, Whyalla (September 2016) — The annual Sepia apama aggregation at Spencer Gulf’s Point Lowly and Black Point. Conservation history and photography techniques. ([28])
- Sharks of Protea Banks (January 2019) — Four weeks across two trips to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Documented blacktip sharks, ragged-tooth sharks, bull (“Zambezi”) sharks, tiger sharks, and scalloped/great hammerheads. Dived with African Dive Adventures (Roland and Beulah Mauz). Included guest images by Filippo Borghi. ([29])
- Manta rays of Milne Bay (December 2017) — Discovery story of the Giants@Home cleaning station at Gonu Bara Bara island; manta ray behavior and photography protocol. ([30])
Location Guides:
- Manatees of Crystal River (June 2016) — 10 days in Citrus County, Florida. Detailed the Three Sisters Springs, Kings Bay hydrology, conservation tensions between resident groups and manatee advocates, and rules for professional photographers (submerging with numbered vest, no pursuit). ([31])
- Papua New Guinea series (2017—2020) — The most extensive series, comprising six articles:
- Understanding PNG — overview, safety, and cultural context ([32])
- Where to dive in PNG — location survey including Milne Bay, Port Moresby, Tufi, Kimbe Bay, Rabaul, Kavieng ([33])
- Guide to Milne Bay — resort and liveaboard guide ([34])
- Witu Islands (January 2020) — Volcanic caldera of Garove Island, pioneered by Alan Raabe (MV Febrina) and Dickie Doyle; dove on MV Oceania with skipper Dan Johnson ([35])
- Kimbe Bay (August 2020) — 860 reef fish species, 400 coral species; history of Max and Cecilie Benjamin founding Walindi Plantation Resort in 1983; noted Max Benjamin’s recent death ([36])
- Lolobau Island and the Fathers Reefs (November 2020) — Seamounts and pinnacles in the Bismarck Sea; signature sites including The Archway, Elaine’s Reef, Norman’s, and Leslie’s ([37])
- Ogasawara Islands, Japan (May 2019) — 24-hour ferry from Tokyo to Chichijima. Northern humpback whales (February—April, 100m exclusion zone), resident sperm whales (August—September), spinner and bottlenose dolphins. Described wrought-iron butterflyfish and sand-tiger sharks in Futami port. ([38])
- Chinchorro crocodile encounters (December 2018) — Snorkeling with American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) at Banco Chinchorro UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Encounters managed from fishermen’s palafito huts on Cayo Centro with wooden-stick wrangler technique. ([39])
Wildlife Features:
- Japanese giant salamanders (December 2016) — Freshwater photography in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, guided by Yoshihiro Ito. ([40])
- Leafy seadragons (September 2018) — Glauert’s seadragon, endemic to southern and western Australia. Best locations: Rapid Bay, Victor Harbor, and Edithburg near Adelaide. Covered conservation (IUCN Near Threatened since 2006, poaching for aquarium trade at up to $15,000). ([41])
Gear Reviews:
- Azores with Nikon D500 (November 2016) — First impressions of the D500 for big-animal photography: sperm whales, false killer whales, blue sharks. Dove under a special scientific permit from the Regiao Autonoma Dos Acores government. ([42])
- Nikon D500 mid-term report (February 2019) — Two-year assessment. Graded the D500 overall as A, its autofocus (Multi-CAM 20K) as A+, Nikon 8-15mm zoom as A+, Nauticam 140mm dome as A, NA-D500 housing as A. Explained why he chose not to upgrade to D850 or mirrorless for underwater work. ([43])
- ONEUW 160X strobes preview (July 2019) — First-impressions review after 15 days testing in South Australia with his friend and collaborator Filippo Borghi. Praised reliability, even light distribution (GN 20 center, GN 16 at 130 degrees), 4600K color temperature, minimal backscatter from domed front element. Conducted head-to-head comparison against Sea & Sea YS-250 at 10 fps, finding them equal in power. ([44])
Forum Activity
Silcock was an active Wetpixel forum member from 2003 through at least 2016, starting 31 threads across Photography Gear and Technique, Trip Reports and Travel, and other forums. His earliest post dates to May 2003. ([45]) Notable forum contributions include:
- Trip reports from Papua New Guinea (12+ trips to Kimbe Bay starting ~2000), Bali, South Australia, Mozambique, and Tonga ([46], [47], [48])
- Gear discussions on Subal housings, Nikon lenses, and strobe choices ([49], [50])
- The B17 Black Jack wreck in PNG, which he first dived around 2000 on film and returned to with digital equipment in 2009 ([51])
Collaborators and Connections
- Filippo Borghi — Italian underwater photographer and close friend. Collaborated on the ONEUW 160X strobe testing trip to South Australia (June 2019). Borghi also contributed shark images to Silcock’s Protea Banks article. ([52], [53])
- Max Benjamin — Founder of Walindi Plantation Resort in Kimbe Bay, PNG. Silcock knew him for over 20 years and contributed a tribute when Benjamin died in July 2020. ([54], [55])
- Alan Raabe — Skipper of MV Febrina, pioneer of offshore diving around New Britain, who discovered and named all the Witu Islands dive sites. ([56])
- Alex Mustard — Interacted on Wetpixel forums from 2003; Mustard offered early digital photography advice when Silcock was starting with his D100. ([57])
Locations Dived
Based on his Wetpixel articles and forum posts, Silcock has dived extensively across:
- Australia: South Australia (Neptune Islands, Whyalla, Rapid Bay, Victor Harbor, Edithburg, Kangaroo Island), Great Barrier Reef region
- Papua New Guinea: Kimbe Bay (12+ trips over 20 years), Milne Bay, Tufi, Witu Islands, Lolobau Island, Fathers Reefs, Rabaul, Kavieng, Port Moresby
- Indonesia: Bali (Tulamben Liberty Wreck, Scuba Seraya, Menjangan), North Sulawesi, Halmahera, Komodo
- Pacific: Tonga (Vava’u), Ogasawara Islands (Japan)
- Japan: Gifu Prefecture (freshwater), Ogasawara/Bonin Islands
- Atlantic/Indian Ocean: Azores (Portugal), Protea Banks (South Africa), Mozambique (Tofo)
- Americas: Crystal River (Florida), Banco Chinchorro (Mexico)
- Asia: China (Qian Dao Lake), East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Timeline
- 2003-05-29: First Wetpixel forum post — seeking advice on shooting great white sharks with D100/Subal D10. ([58])
- 2004-09-19: Forum discussion about Nikon 18-70mm lens performance with Subal housing. ([59])
- 2005-11-13: Forum post about spending two weeks diving Bali over Christmas. ([60])
- 2006-07-20: Left a comment on Wetpixel’s review of Underwater Photographer book. ([61])
- 2007–2009: Articles in UwP Magazine issues 38, 39, 41, and 46. ([62], [63])
- 2010–2011: Five articles in X-Ray Magazine covering North Sulawesi, Halmahera, China, Mozambique, and PNG. ([64], [65])
- 2010-06-12: Forum trip report on the B17 Black Jack wreck at Boga Boga, PNG. ([66])
- 2011-05-21: Forum trip report on the Liberty Wreck at Tulamben, Bali. ([67])
- 2011-09-30: Forum post sharing PNG travel tips from his 12th trip to Kimbe Bay. ([68])
- 2016-03: Article in Anima Mundi issue 22 on baited shark diving in the Bahamas. ([69])
- 2016-05-09: First Wetpixel article — Humpback whales of Tonga. ([70])
- 2016-06-09: Manatees of Crystal River article. ([71])
- 2016-08-01: Australian great white sharks article. ([72])
- 2016-09-04: Giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation article. ([73])
- 2016-11-05: Azores with Nikon D500 article — first-impressions field test. ([74])
- 2016-12-27: Japanese giant salamanders article. ([75])
- 2017-03-06: Understanding Papua New Guinea — overview and safety guide. ([76])
- 2017-06-07: Where to scuba dive in Papua New Guinea. ([77])
- 2017-10-16: Guide to diving Milne Bay. ([78])
- 2017-12-29: Manta rays of Milne Bay. ([79])
- 2018-09-25: Leafy seadragons of South Australia article. ([80])
- 2018-12-18: Chinchorro crocodile encounters article. ([81])
- 2019-01-02: Sharks of Protea Banks article. ([82])
- 2019-02-10: Nikon D500 mid-term report. ([83])
- 2019-05-22: Ogasawara Islands article. ([84])
- 2019-07-08: ONEUW 160X strobes first-impressions review. ([85])
- 2020-01-05: Diving the Witu Islands article. ([86])
- 2020-07-16: Contributed tribute to Max Benjamin. ([87])
- 2020-08-13: Spectacular Kimbe Bay article. ([88])
- 2020-11-02: Guide to Lolobau Island and the Fathers Reefs — final Wetpixel article. ([89])
- 2023-02-15: Won Black and White category at UPY 2023 with El Blanco — The White One. ([90])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Don Silcock The Incredible Leafy Seadragon ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 10, 2019: Nikon D500 Mid Term Report By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 8, 2019: Preview Oneuw 160x Strobes By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 9, 2016: The Humpback Whales Of Tonga By Don Silcock ↩
- Forum thread: D100 White Pointers ↩
- Forum thread: The Humpback Whales Of Tonga ↩
- Forum thread: D100 White Pointers ↩
- Forum thread: Nikon 18 70 Subal D10 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 4, 2016: Giant Australian Cuttlefish Aggregation By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2016: The Azores With Nikons D500 By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 10, 2019: Nikon D500 Mid Term Report By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 10, 2019: Nikon D500 Mid Term Report By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 8, 2019: Preview Oneuw 160x Strobes By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 10, 2019: Nikon D500 Mid Term Report By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 24, 2007: Uwp Magazine Issue 38 Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 10, 2007: Uwp Magazine Issue 39 Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2008: Uwp Magazine Issue 41 Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2009: Uwp Magazine Issue 46 Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2010: X Ray Magazine Issue 38 Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2011: X Ray Magazine Issue 41 Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2011: Issue 43 Of X Ray Magazine Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 3, 2011: X Ray Magazine Issue 44 Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 31, 2011: X Ray Mag Issue 45 Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 4, 2016: Anima Mundi Issue 22 Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 15, 2023: Result Upy 2023 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 9, 2016: The Humpback Whales Of Tonga By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 1, 2016: Australian Great White Sharks By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 4, 2016: Giant Australian Cuttlefish Aggregation By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 2, 2019: The Sharks Of Protea Banks By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 29, 2017: Don Silcock The Manta Rays Of Milne Bay ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 9, 2016: The Manatees Of The Crystal River By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 6, 2017: Understanding Papua New Guinea By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 7, 2017: Where To Scuba Dive In Papua New Guinea By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2017: Guide Diving Milne Bay By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 5, 2020: Don Silcock Diving The Wonderful Witu Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 13, 2020: Spectacular Kimbe Bay By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2020: Guide Diving Lolobau Island And The Fathers Reefs By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 22, 2019: The Ogasawara Islands By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 18, 2018: Chinchorro Crocodile Encounters By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 27, 2016: Article Japanese Giant Salamanders By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Don Silcock The Incredible Leafy Seadragon ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2016: The Azores With Nikons D500 By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 10, 2019: Nikon D500 Mid Term Report By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 8, 2019: Preview Oneuw 160x Strobes By Don Silcock ↩
- Forum thread: D100 White Pointers ↩
- Forum thread: Papua New Guinea Some Travel Tips ↩
- Forum thread: Bali The Liberty Wreck ↩
- Forum thread: Mozambique Image Gallery ↩
- Forum thread: Nikon 18 70 Subal D10 ↩
- Forum thread: Nikon 14 24 Zoom New Subal Dome ↩
- Forum thread: Papua New Guinea B17 Black Jack ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 8, 2019: Preview Oneuw 160x Strobes By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 2, 2019: The Sharks Of Protea Banks By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2020: Rip Max Benjamin ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 13, 2020: Spectacular Kimbe Bay By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 5, 2020: Don Silcock Diving The Wonderful Witu Islands ↩
- Forum thread: D100 White Pointers ↩
- Forum thread: D100 White Pointers ↩
- Forum thread: Nikon 18 70 Subal D10 ↩
- Forum thread: Bali Xmas 2005 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 27, 2006: Book Review Underwater Photographer ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 24, 2007: Uwp Magazine Issue 38 Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2009: Uwp Magazine Issue 46 Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2010: X Ray Magazine Issue 38 Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 3, 2011: X Ray Magazine Issue 44 Available ↩
- Forum thread: Papua New Guinea B17 Black Jack ↩
- Forum thread: Bali The Liberty Wreck ↩
- Forum thread: Papua New Guinea Some Travel Tips ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 4, 2016: Anima Mundi Issue 22 Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 9, 2016: The Humpback Whales Of Tonga By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 9, 2016: The Manatees Of The Crystal River By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 1, 2016: Australian Great White Sharks By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 4, 2016: Giant Australian Cuttlefish Aggregation By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 5, 2016: The Azores With Nikons D500 By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 27, 2016: Article Japanese Giant Salamanders By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 6, 2017: Understanding Papua New Guinea By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 7, 2017: Where To Scuba Dive In Papua New Guinea By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2017: Guide Diving Milne Bay By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 29, 2017: Don Silcock The Manta Rays Of Milne Bay ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Don Silcock The Incredible Leafy Seadragon ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 18, 2018: Chinchorro Crocodile Encounters By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 2, 2019: The Sharks Of Protea Banks By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 10, 2019: Nikon D500 Mid Term Report By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 22, 2019: The Ogasawara Islands By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 8, 2019: Preview Oneuw 160x Strobes By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 5, 2020: Don Silcock Diving The Wonderful Witu Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2020: Rip Max Benjamin ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 13, 2020: Spectacular Kimbe Bay By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2020: Guide Diving Lolobau Island And The Fathers Reefs By Don Silcock ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 15, 2023: Result Upy 2023 ↩
- The Humpback Whales of Tonga by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- The Manatees of the Crystal River by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Australian Great White Sharks by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Giant Australian Cuttlefish Aggregation by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- The Azores with Nikon’s D500 by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Japanese Giant Salamanders by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Understanding Papua New Guinea by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Where to Scuba Dive in Papua New Guinea by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Guide: Diving Milne Bay by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Don Silcock: The Manta Rays of Milne Bay (article) ↩
- Don Silcock: The Incredible Leafy Seadragon (article) ↩
- Chinchorro Crocodile Encounters by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- The Sharks of Protea Banks by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Nikon D500 Mid-Term Report by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- The Ogasawara Islands by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Preview: ONEUW 160X Strobes by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Don Silcock: Diving the Wonderful Witu Islands (article) ↩
- RIP Max Benjamin (article) ↩
- Spectacular Kimbe Bay by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Guide: Diving Lolobau Island and the Fathers Reefs by Don Silcock (article) ↩
- Result: UPY 2023 (article) ↩
- UwP Magazine Issue 38 (article) ↩
- UwP Magazine Issue 39 (article) ↩
- UwP Magazine Issue 41 (article) ↩
- UwP Magazine Issue 46 (article) ↩
- X-Ray Magazine Issue 38 (article) ↩
- X-Ray Magazine Issue 41 (article) ↩
- X-Ray Magazine Issue 43 (article) ↩
- X-Ray Magazine Issue 44 (article) ↩
- X-Ray Magazine Issue 45 (article) ↩
- Anima Mundi Issue 22 (article) ↩
- Book Review: Underwater Photographer (article) ↩
- D100 & White Pointers forum thread (forum) ↩
- Nikon 18-70 & Subal D10 forum thread (forum) ↩
- Bali Xmas 2005 forum thread (forum) ↩
- PNG B17 Black Jack forum thread (forum) ↩
- PNG Travel Tips forum thread (forum) ↩
- Bali Liberty Wreck forum thread (forum) ↩
- Humpback Whales of Tonga forum thread (forum) ↩
- Mozambique Image Gallery forum thread (forum) ↩