Keri Wilk

Aliases: SlipperyDick (forum username), Keri Welk (misspelling in some sources)
Role: Underwater photographer, snoot photography pioneer, gear reviewer, competition judge, expedition leader, marine life documentarian
First appearance: 2005 (LAUPS competition results)
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Affiliation: ReefNet Inc. (Vice President); DivePhotoGuide (contributor and team member)

Biography

Keri Wilk is a Canadian underwater photographer widely recognized as a pioneer of snoot photography techniques in underwater imaging. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, he serves as Vice President at ReefNet Inc., a company involved in underwater technology and marine life documentation. His career spans from early competition appearances in 2005 through nearly two decades of competition wins, judging, gear reviewing, expedition leading, and educational presentations.

Alex Mustard credited Wilk’s “ground-breaking images” as inspiring the “current passion for snoots in underwater photography,” writing that as a judge at several major competitions where Wilk “swept the board” with his snooted shots, they clearly stood out. Mustard recalled telling fellow judges at one Wetpixel/DPG/OWU contest that he “didn’t care which of his snooted shots won the macro category, as long as one of them did, so much did they stand out” ([1]). His work directly inspired Retra’s commercial LSD (Light Shaping Device) snoot product.

Wilk shoots Nikon with Aquatica housings and often uses relatively simple homemade tube/funnel snoots. His father also uses Aquatica housings ([2]). He was listed as a member of the DivePhotoGuide team when the site won Best Website at the 2008 World Festival of Underwater Images in Antibes, alongside Jason Heller, Matt Weiss, and others ([3]).

Contributions

Snoot Photography Pioneer

In 2010, Wilk published a definitive article on underwater snoot photography on DivePhotoGuide, which Mustard called a “now classic reference article” ([4]). His technique — using relatively simple homemade snoots of the tube or funnel type, often shooting at night to avoid daylight overpowering the spotlight — produced dramatic selective-lighting images that stood out in major competitions. See Macro Photography.

Borut Furlan’s 2011 review of the Retra LSD traced the origin of the snoot movement directly to Wilk: “In 2010, the Canadian underwater photographer Keri Wilk surprised the community of underwater photographers with a set of amazing pictures. The featured main objects on those were illuminated, while the rest of the photo was pitch black” ([5]). Mustard noted that while Wilk’s homemade snoots were effective, they had two limitations: “the snoot had to be positioned very close to the subject to maintain the small point of light and second being a reductive snoot, most of the power output of the strobe was wasted” ([6]). These limitations directly motivated Retra’s development of the optical LSD snoot.

Wilk’s influence extended to commercial products: when INON announced snoots for its S-2000 strobes in June 2010, the article referenced “Keri Wilk’s outstanding work” as context for why snoots mattered ([7]). Similarly, when Seahorn launched its snoot range in 2010, it pointed readers to Wilk’s “excellent article” ([8]). A 2010 comment on a Wetpixel article about fiber optic snoots noted that “the ReefNet.ca folks (Keri Wilk) were working on a fiber-optic snoot solution” ([9]). Mike Bartick’s 2018 article on effective snooting opened by crediting Wilk: “It wasn’t too long ago when Keri Wilk swept the competitions with his stunning macro images created with a snoot. At a time when only a handful of people even knew what a snoot was, he produced some show stopping images that were as ahead of the curve then, as they are today” ([10]).

Wilk also wrote about snooting for X-Ray Magazine (issue 41, March 2011) ([11]).

Competition Record

Wilk compiled one of the most prolific competition records in underwater photography during the 2005-2011 period, placing in competitions across North America, Europe, and internationally.

Best of Show / Grand Prize wins:

Other notable placements:

Competition Judging

Wilk transitioned from competitor to judge in the early 2010s, serving on panels for the most prestigious underwater photography competitions:

In his judging comments for DPG/Wetpixel Masters 2020, Wilk described the winning image by Scott Portelli: “What we all strive for as photographers — a painfully common subject, captured in an absolutely unique way. The combination of eye-contact, dynamic behavior, and technical excellence, make this a clear winner” ([38]).

Dominica Sperm Whale Expeditions

Wilk led annual sperm whale trips to Dominica from at least 2013 through 2017 (and likely beyond), holding government-issued permits for in-water interactions with marine mammals. The permits were described as “very exclusive” and “very few permits are issued each year” — each valid for a maximum of 8 members including Wilk. By 2017, he held 3 permits ([39]). Encounters were free diving only, with a maximum of 3 permit members in the water at a time ([40]).

The trips were run through ReefNet and priced at approximately $3,200-$3,600 for 5-6 days on the water, including permits, boat/captain/guide fees, accommodation, meals, and airport transfers ([41]).

The 2015 “poonado” incident — a sperm whale defecating while photographed — went viral globally via the BBC and other media. As Wilk described: “After a few waves of feces were released and stirred vigorously by the whale, the water was like chocolate milk, I couldn’t see my hand when I held it in front of my face. I had poop in my eyes, mouth, wetsuit, everywhere” ([42]).

After Hurricane Maria devastated Dominica in 2017, Wilk organized relief efforts through a YouCaring campaign to purchase supplies, and attempted to maintain the island’s dive tourism economy by organizing a November 2017 sperm whale trip with available space ([43]).

ReefNet Expeditions and Marine Life Documentation

Through ReefNet, Wilk led documentation expeditions in collaboration with New World Publications (Humann/DeLoach) to photograph marine life for digital field guides. The first public expedition was an 18-day trip to Ambon and Raja Ampat in December 2009, combining 8 days of muck diving with Maluku Divers and 9 days aboard the Archipelago Adventurer II ([44]). A follow-up expedition to Indonesia’s Banda Sea ran in May 2010, co-sponsored by Wetpixel, led by “marine life specialist and underwater videographer Kris Wilk” (likely a misspelling of Keri) ([45]).

In the forum comments on the expedition article, Wilk (posting as SlipperyDick) confirmed the promotional images were “all from my trip to Raja Ampat last year” ([46]).

Lembeh-Gulen Critter Shootout

Wilk served as team captain for Team Gulen in both the inaugural 2016 Lembeh-Gulen Shootout and the 2018 rematch. In 2016, he led the Gulen team while Tobias Friedrich captained Team Lembeh, with Alex Mustard coordinating ([47]). For the 2018 Shootout, organizers noted that “Team Gulen came so close to winning last time, so expect their captain, Keri Wilk, to motivate his team members to produce some stunning imagery. This time it is serious” ([48]). He was described as “a font of knowledge and experience that will help bring out the best in your photography” ([49]).

Gear Reviews

Wilk authored detailed gear reviews for Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide:

The Aquatica AD7000 review was later incorporated into Adam Hanlon’s comprehensive multi-housing D7000 review on Wetpixel, which noted Wilk’s review was published in mid-February 2011 ([52]).

Educational Presentations

Wilk was a regular presenter at DEMA Show Image Resource Center seminars:

Photography Workshops

Wilk led a 10-day DivePhotoGuide wide-angle underwater photography workshop in Fiji aboard the Nai’a liveaboard in May 2012, alongside DPG’s Matt Weiss. He was described as “one of the world’s most talented underwater photographers” and offered instruction in strobe positioning, exposure settings, post-processing, and his signature creative techniques including snoots, super macro, self-modeling, abstracts, and reflections ([56]).

United Nations Exhibition

Wilk’s photographs were exhibited at the United Nations Visitor Center in New York City from June 5 to August 16, 2013, as part of the “Oceans” exhibition organized by DivePhotoGuide and Swiss watch company Blancpain. The exhibit highlighted World Oceans Day and featured “ocean ecosystems from all over the world, including the pristine reefs of Raja Ampat” ([57]).

Forum Activity

Wilk posted on the Wetpixel forums under the username “SlipperyDick” from 2007 to 2013, accumulating 130 posts across 13 threads started. His most active forum thread was about Blue Heron Bridge (40 replies), where he was referenced as a critter photography regular at the Florida dive site ([58]).

Timeline

References


Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2013: Field Review Retra Lsd Prime Snoot
  2. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2011: Nikon D7000 And Aquatica Ad7000 Review
  3. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2008: Divephotoguide Awarded Best Website At Antibes
  4. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2010: Article By Keri Wilk On Underwater Snoot Photography
  5. Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2011: Review Light Shaping Device
  6. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2013: Field Review Retra Lsd Prime Snoot
  7. Wetpixel article, Jun 2, 2010: Inon Announces Snoots For S 2000 Strobes
  8. Wetpixel article, Jun 8, 2010: Seahorn Snoots Launched
  9. Wetpixel article, Sep 18, 2010: Fiber Optic Snoot System For Underwater Strobes
  10. Wetpixel article, Jul 23, 2018: Mike Bartick Effective Snooting
  11. Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2011: X Ray Magazine Issue 41 Available
  12. Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2009: Underwater Images Competition 2009 Winners Announced
  13. Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced
  14. Wetpixel article, Nov 17, 2010: Ncups Sea 2010 Winners Announced
  15. Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2011: Beneath The Sea Results Announced
  16. Wetpixel article, Dec 3, 2011: Picture Perfect Curacao
  17. Wetpixel article, Oct 24, 2005: Laups 2005 Contest Winners Posted
  18. Wetpixel article, Oct 20, 2006: Laups 2006 Contest Winners Posted
  19. Wetpixel article, Nov 30, 2007: Laups 2007 Contest Winners Announced
  20. Wetpixel article, Mar 14, 2007: Underwater Images Photo Video 2007 Winners Announced
  21. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2010: Winners Announced For Beneath The Sea Photo Video Competition 2010
  22. Wetpixel article, May 3, 2010: Natures Best Ocean Views 2010 Winners Announced
  23. Wetpixel article, May 13, 2010: Buif 2010 Results
  24. Wetpixel article, Jun 14, 2010: Underwater Images 2010 Results Announced
  25. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2010: Our World Underwater 2010 Show Coverage
  26. Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Laups Announces Results Of 2010 International Photographic Competition
  27. Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2011: Full Results Of Natures Best Ocean Views Contest Announced
  28. Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2011: Deep Indonesia 2011 Full Results Announced
  29. Wetpixel article, Dec 3, 2011: Laups Announces Winners Of
  30. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2013: Results Announced Our World Underwater 2013
  31. Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2013: Final Call Deep Indonesia 20131
  32. Wetpixel article, Apr 2, 2014: 2014 Deep Indonesia Photo Competition Winners Announced
  33. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2014: Our World Underwater Contest 2015 Is Open For Entries
  34. Wetpixel article, Jan 11, 2016: Call For Entries Our World Underwater 2016
  35. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2017: Our World Underwater 2017 Winners Announced
  36. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2018: Results Our World Underwater 2018
  37. Wetpixel article, Feb 29, 2020: Results Dpg Wetpixel Masters 2020
  38. Wetpixel article, Feb 29, 2020: Results Dpg Wetpixel Masters 2020
  39. Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2017: Late Availability Dominica Sperm Whales With Keri Wilk
  40. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2013: Spaces On Dominica Sperm Whale Trip Available
  41. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2013: Spaces On Dominica Sperm Whale Trip Available
  42. Wetpixel article, Jan 26, 2015: Keri Wilks Sperm Whale Poonado Goes Viral
  43. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017
  44. Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2009: December 2009 Reefnet Expedition Ambon Raja Ampat With Keri Wilk
  45. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2010: Reefnets May 2010 Indonesia Documentation Expedition
  46. Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2009: December 2009 Reefnet Expedition Ambon Raja Ampat With Keri Wilk
  47. Wetpixel article, May 24, 2016: First Lembeh Vs Gulen Critter Shootout Is Underway
  48. Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2018: Countdown To The Shootout
  49. Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2018: Join Team Gulen For The Shootout
  50. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2011: Nikon D7000 And Aquatica Ad7000 Review
  51. Wetpixel article, Feb 6, 2013: Divephotoguide Publishes Nikon D600 Review
  52. Wetpixel article, Jul 18, 2012: Wetpixel D7000 Housing Review
  53. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2010: Imaging Presentations At Dema 2010
  54. Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2011: Dema 2011 Image Resource Center Schedule Announced
  55. Wetpixel article, Oct 11, 2012: Dema 2012 Irc Schedule Released
  56. Wetpixel article, Apr 6, 2012: Late Availability For Dpg Fiji Workshop
  57. Wetpixel article, Jun 18, 2013: Underwater Imagery On Display At The Un
  58. Wetpixel article, Aug 10, 2009: Spawning Striated Frogfish
  59. Wetpixel article, Oct 24, 2005: Laups 2005 Contest Winners Posted
  60. Wetpixel article, Oct 20, 2006: Laups 2006 Contest Winners Posted
  61. Wetpixel article, Mar 14, 2007: Underwater Images Photo Video 2007 Winners Announced
  62. Wetpixel article, Nov 30, 2007: Laups 2007 Contest Winners Announced
  63. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2008: Divephotoguide Awarded Best Website At Antibes
  64. Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2009: Underwater Images Competition 2009 Winners Announced
  65. Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2009: December 2009 Reefnet Expedition Ambon Raja Ampat With Keri Wilk
  66. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2010: Our World Underwater 2010 Show Coverage
  67. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2010: Winners Announced For Beneath The Sea Photo Video Competition 2010
  68. Wetpixel article, Mar 17, 2010: Article By Keri Wilk On Underwater Snoot Photography
  69. Wetpixel article, May 3, 2010: Natures Best Ocean Views 2010 Winners Announced
  70. Wetpixel article, May 13, 2010: Buif 2010 Results
  71. Wetpixel article, Feb 19, 2010: Reefnets May 2010 Indonesia Documentation Expedition
  72. Wetpixel article, Jun 14, 2010: Underwater Images 2010 Results Announced
  73. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2010: Imaging Presentations At Dema 2010
  74. Wetpixel article, Nov 17, 2010: Ncups Sea 2010 Winners Announced
  75. Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced
  76. Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Laups Announces Results Of 2010 International Photographic Competition
  77. Wetpixel article, Feb 16, 2011: Nikon D7000 And Aquatica Ad7000 Review
  78. Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2011: Beneath The Sea Results Announced
  79. Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2011: Full Results Of Natures Best Ocean Views Contest Announced
  80. Wetpixel article, Mar 8, 2011: X Ray Magazine Issue 41 Available
  81. Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2011: Deep Indonesia 2011 Full Results Announced
  82. Wetpixel article, Sep 14, 2011: Dema 2011 Image Resource Center Schedule Announced
  83. Wetpixel article, Dec 3, 2011: Picture Perfect Curacao
  84. Wetpixel article, Dec 3, 2011: Laups Announces Winners Of
  85. Wetpixel article, Apr 6, 2012: Late Availability For Dpg Fiji Workshop
  86. Wetpixel article, Oct 11, 2012: Dema 2012 Irc Schedule Released
  87. Wetpixel article, Feb 18, 2013: Results Announced Our World Underwater 2013
  88. Wetpixel article, Feb 6, 2013: Divephotoguide Publishes Nikon D600 Review
  89. Wetpixel article, Jun 18, 2013: Underwater Imagery On Display At The Un
  90. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2013: Spaces On Dominica Sperm Whale Trip Available
  91. Wetpixel article, Apr 2, 2014: 2014 Deep Indonesia Photo Competition Winners Announced
  92. Wetpixel article, Jan 26, 2015: Keri Wilks Sperm Whale Poonado Goes Viral
  93. Wetpixel article, May 24, 2016: First Lembeh Vs Gulen Critter Shootout Is Underway
  94. Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2017: Late Availability Dominica Sperm Whales With Keri Wilk
  95. Wetpixel article, Feb 25, 2017: Our World Underwater 2017 Winners Announced
  96. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2017: Show Report Dema 2017
  97. Wetpixel article, Jun 16, 2018: The Shootout 2018 Is Underway In Lembeh And Gulen
  98. Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2018: Dema 2018
  99. Wetpixel article, Feb 29, 2020: Results Dpg Wetpixel Masters 2020
  100. LAUPS 2005 winners (article)
  101. LAUPS 2006 winners (article)
  102. Underwater Images 2007 winners (article)
  103. LAUPS 2007 winners (article)
  104. DPG wins Best Website at Antibes (2008) (article)
  105. Underwater Images 2009 — Best of Show (article)
  106. Blue Heron Bridge forum activity (2009) (article)
  107. ReefNet expedition: Ambon/Raja Ampat (2009) (article)
  108. Beneath the Sea 2010 results (article)
  109. ReefNet Banda Sea expedition (2010) (article)
  110. OWU 2010 — six placements (article)
  111. Snoot photography article (2010) (article)
  112. Nature’s Best Ocean Views 2010 (article)
  113. BUIF 2010 — Highly Commended (article)
  114. INON S-2000 snoots — references Wilk (article)
  115. Seahorn snoots — references Wilk (article)
  116. Underwater Images 2010 results (article)
  117. Fiber optic snoot — ReefNet reference (article)
  118. DEMA 2010 presentations (article)
  119. NCUPS SEA 2010 — Best of Show (article)
  120. Ocean Art 2010 — Best of Show (article)
  121. LAUPS 2010 results (article)
  122. D7000/Aquatica review (2011) (article)
  123. Nature’s Best Ocean Views 2011 (article)
  124. X-Ray Magazine snoot article (2011) (article)
  125. Beneath the Sea 2011 — Doubilet Award (article)
  126. DEEP Indonesia 2011 — Silver (article)
  127. Retra LSD review by Borut Furlan (2011) (article)
  128. DEMA 2011 IRC schedule (article)
  129. Picture Perfect Curacao (2011) (article)
  130. LAUPS 2011 — 1st Open (article)
  131. DPG Fiji workshop (2012) (article)
  132. D7000 housing comparison (2012) (article)
  133. DEMA 2012 IRC schedule (article)
  134. D600/Nauticam review on DPG (2013) (article)
  135. DEEP Indonesia 2013 judges (article)
  136. Retra LSD Prime review — Mustard credits Wilk (2013) (article)
  137. OWU 2013 results (article)
  138. UN Oceans exhibition (2013) (article)
  139. Dominica sperm whale trips (2013) (article)
  140. DEEP Indonesia 2014 judges (article)
  141. OWU 2015 judges (article)
  142. Dominica sperm whales (2015) (article)
  143. Poonado viral story (2015) (article)
  144. OWU 2016 judges (article)
  145. Lembeh-Gulen Shootout 2016 (article)
  146. Dominica sperm whales — 3 permits (2017) (article)
  147. OWU 2017 results (article)
  148. DEMA 2017 — Dominica relief efforts (article)
  149. Shootout 2018 team captains (article)
  150. Join Team Gulen for Shootout 2018 (article)
  151. Countdown to Shootout 2018 (article)
  152. Shootout 2018 live (article)
  153. Mike Bartick snooting article — credits Wilk (2018) (article)
  154. DEMA 2018 (article)
  155. DPG/Wetpixel Masters 2020 results (article)