David Doubilet
Pioneer in underwater photography
David Doubilet is a renowned American underwater photographer who has transformed the way we see our ocean planet through his stunning images.
When I started diving, every dive was a voyage of discovery. Now, we are documenting a time and a place and an ocean that is rapidly changing. This is where photography comes in: to open people’s eyes, hearts and minds to the sea.
David Doubilet
Exploring the depths through photography
David Doubilet has redefined underwater photography, capturing the mesmerizing beauty and complexity of the ocean’s depths, and showcasing marine life through his unique lens.
With a career spanning multiple decades, his work has been extensively published by National Geographic magazine. Doubilet’s images have not only brought the underwater world to the forefront of public awareness but also highlighted the importance of marine conservation.
The power of underwater imagery
Born in New York City, David Doubilet is a pioneering underwater photographer renowned for his extraordinary contributions to marine photography.
His fascination with the underwater world began at the age of 12 when he started taking photographs using a Brownie Hawkeye camera encased in a rubber anaesthesiologist’s bag. This early passion blossomed into a career that has spanned over six decades, during which he has become one of the most published photographers in National Geographic magazine, contributing to some 75 feature stories since his first assignment in 1971.
Throughout his illustrious career, David Doubilet has received numerous accolades for his contributions to photography and conservation. These include prestigious awards such as the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, Lennart Nilsson Award for scientific photography, the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award, the Hans Hass Award and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society. He is also a founding Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, along with Rolex Testimonee Cristina Mittermeier. In addition to his photographic work, Doubilet has authored several books, including the acclaimed Water Light Time and Two Worlds: Above and Below the Sea, which further explore his artistic vision and commitment to ocean conservation.
Doubilet continues to influence new generations of photographers and conservationists through his ongoing projects like “Oceans Through the Lens of Time” and his efforts in documenting conservation activities within critical marine areas such as the Coral Triangle. His enduring legacy is marked by a profound dedication to capturing the ocean's beauty and advocating for its protection.
Doubilet became a Rolex Testimonee in 1994. He purchased his first Rolex when he was just 16 years of age. He explains: “I remember Captain Jacques Cousteau wearing a Rolex and Luis Marden, my hero at National Geographic, wearing a Rolex. When I bought my first Rolex it was a time and a place that marked my life.” Today, he wears a Rolex Deepsea that accompanies him on all of his underwater adventures, capturing the beauty and fragility of our oceans.