This site is a collection of photography news, tips, information and images prepared by Adriaan G Van Huissteden, celebrating our natural terrestrial and marine environments.
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I am a advanced scuba diver, photographer, underwater photographer, environmentalist, proud husband and proud father.
As mentioned, I am an environmentalist and have strong views on environmental issues. I strongly advocate for the preservation, restoration, or enhancement of the natural environment. My wife and I both educate and pass on our views of this importance to our children, as it is this next generation that can truly change the direction of the human race.
I am currently living in Tasmania, Australia’s only island state with a population of 507,626 (June 2010). Hobart, the capital city has a current population of 212,019 and is located in the south of the state. The average maximum daily summer temperatures is between 17 and 23 degrees Celsius (62 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit) and winter daily between 3 and 11 degrees Celsius (37 and 51 degrees Fahrenheit). We are located below the 40th parallel meaning our summer evenings have long twilights, ideal for diving and photography. Water temperatures in Tasmania can go as low as 6 degrees in some areas when the snow melts and runs into out rivers.
Tasmania's marine animals range from magnificent southern right whales on the south and east coast to delicate sea dragons drifting near our giant kelp forests. You can dive alongside some of the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere in search of seals, dolphins and other marine life or just do an easy dive looking for several of the very rare and special species of marine animals including Spotted Hand Fish. Our sponge gardens and underwater caves are also truly amazing.
Tasmania is home to many species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. These include the Tasmanian Devil, currently threatened by a rare form of facial tumour which maintly affects adult devils. As one of only three recorded cancers that can be spread like a contagious disese, this form of tumour is currently the focus of intensive scientific research to identify the cause and cure. This disease has already seen a significant reduction in their numbers and population distribution, and scientists fear could ultimately lead to extinction.
It was a photographer that first captured images of diseased devils at Mount William in 1996, highlighting the important role that we as photographers have in not only recording the beauty of the natural world, but also in bearing witness to the way we are impacting the environment and educating what people can do to make a difference.