Featured Photographer: Christoph Dörnemann

Hi, I’m Christoph. I live in western Germany—a place not exactly known as a gateway to epic diving adventures. The world’s most stunning dive sites are often many hours away by plane, yet these long journeys have shaped my passion: exploring new underwater worlds and capturing their beauty through my camera.

It all started in 2012 during a vacation in Sri Lanka. Back then, I was just snorkelling, but I was instantly mesmerised by the vibrant underwater life.

A year later, I trained as a CMAS* diver at Ruhr University Bochum and soon explored dive sites in the Dominican Republic, Mallorca, Lanzarote, and Vietnam. My first underwater camera, a Panasonic FT3, sparked a fascination that would soon grow into a lifelong passion.

In the Maldives, I upgraded to the SONY RX100M2 in a Fantasea housing—initially using only a video light without a strobe. These early experiences deepened my love for underwater photography. I advanced to a CMAS*** diving qualification and joined the RUB diving team.

Today, I also work as a trainer for university sports at Ruhr University Bochum, accompany diving excursions, and I co-founded the RUB underwater photography team with a friend.

Over time, macro photography became my true passion. I now primarily shoot with my Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and a 60mm macro lens, capturing the intricate details and vivid colours of marine life.

Through my images, I aim to celebrate the diversity and beauty of the underwater world while raising awareness for the fragility of these remarkable ecosystems.

My favourite dive destinations include Indonesia – especially Tulamben, Pemuteran, and Lembeh—as well as the Philippines and Egypt. For shorter trips, I also explore sites in the Netherlands, such as the Oosterschelde or Grevelingenmeer. Even the most thrilling underwater worlds can be found closer to home than you might expect.

To share my work, I created my Instagram account @chrisdee_underwater. Some of my photos have even been published in the German underwater magazine TAUCHEN, moments that fill me with pride and gratitude.

Myoxocephalus scorpius – seascorpion, Grevelingenmeer, The Netherlands

Trinchesia sp. nudibranch, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Taenianotus triacanthus – leaf scorpionfish lit from behind, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Short-snouted seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus), Oosterschelde, The Netherlands

Syngnathidae – pipefish, Grevelingenmeer, The Netherlands

Siphopteron – Dumbo nudibranch, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Pygmy seahorse – Hippocampus bargibanti, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Periclimenes imperator – emperor shrimp riding a nudibranch, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Parablennius sp. – blenny in its shelter, Costa Brava, Spain

Neopetrolisthes maculatus – anemone porcelain crab, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Nembrotha lineolata nudibranch, Dauin, Negros, The Philippines

Hymenocera picta – harlequin shrimp, Tulamben Bali, Indonesia

Hamopontonia corallicola – eggshell shrimp, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Ercolania endophytophaga Nudibranch on Valonia ventricosa, also known as bubble algae, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Doto sp nudibranch – Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Doto greenamyeri – Donut doto nudibranch, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Dondice banyulensis nudibranch, Costa Brava, Spain

Sepioloida sp. – bobtail squid, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Costasiella kuroshimae – Shaun the Sheep Nudibranch, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

You can find more from Christoph’s fantastic portfolio on Instagram @chrisdee_underwater.

If you’d like to see your work featured as one of our Featured Photographers and shared across our social media feed and weekly newsletter, send an email with some samples to crowley@divemagazine.com.