My interest in photography began in the late 50’s on a trip to Europe to attend the Boy Scout World Jamboree. Over the years my photographic interests has had peaks and valleys due to professional responsibilities. For several years in the 70’s I was intrigued with Black and White photography and the challenge of darkroom magic. From the late 70’s through the mid-90’s my professional activities curtailed my photographic interests to little more than a point and shoot approach, but in the late 90’s with an increasing commitment to international business travel my interest was rekindled. In the spring of 2001, I was encouraged by a colleague to join him in learning to scuba dive. Not only was I fascinated with the underwater environment, but after no more than a few dozen dives, I knew that if I continued to scuba dive, I could not do so without taking a camera below the surface. Initially I began with a Nikonos V system but rapidly graduated to a housed Nikon D-200 in a Subal housing with dual Nikonos SB105 strobes and either a 105 macro or 20mm wide angle lens with the accompanying lens port.

In my pursuit of underwater photography, I am committed to capturing images from these unique and beautiful environments that few have the opportunity to see and enjoy first hand. Furthermore, it is critical that images from the world’s reef systems are captured before we witness further environmental damage to these unique and irreplaceable treasures. As much as I enjoy creating these and other images, my greatest joy comes in knowing that others enjoy viewing them.

I would enjoy hearing from you, and can be contacted via email at tfretz@umd.edu.