In Conversation with Göran Ehlmé: Acclaimed Underwater Photographer and Explorer
From the frozen expanses of Antarctica to the azure waters of the Azores, Göran Ehlmé treats the ocean's depths as his personal adventure arena—whether under ice or in open seas. Fascinated by the underwater realm from childhood, he mastered diving at age 14 and has since circled the globe, capturing breathtaking images of majestic marine life, including leopard seals, orcas, walruses, and narwhals.
We spoke with this seasoned explorer about his most unforgettable oceanic encounters and expert insights.
Where was your last trip?
My latest trip took me to the Azores for a photoshoot. Just before that, I filmed orcas and humpback whales in northern Norway as they feasted on herring schools.
Where is your next trip?
I'm returning to Norway in late October to film more orcas and humpbacks.
What is your first travel-related memory?
As a kid in rainy Sweden, I dreamed of tropical paradises with palm trees and coconuts. I begged my parents for such a holiday, but we never made it. Once, they booked a dream trip, but it fell through, landing us on a ski trip in Norway instead—I was heartbroken.
Aisle or window seat?
Aisle seat for me: easy access without disturbing others, plus room to stretch my legs.
Do you have any travel habits or rituals?
Packing gear stresses me out, so I focus on that calming moment boarding the plane with a gin and tonic in hand—everything sorted.
Favourite city or country or region?
New Zealand tops the list: fascinating culture, welcoming people, stunning nature, and proximity to Antarctica, another favorite frontier.
What is your most unforgettable travel experience?
My inaugural Antarctica voyage stands out. As an underwater cameraman, I often work in small teams, so we sailed south on a compact yacht. Even icebreakers rock in rough seas; our seven-day gauntlet through massive swells was grueling. I vowed never again—yet I've repeated it about 20 times and would gladly go back.
How did you get into marine life photography?
At 10 or 12, I'd borrow my father's camera for snapshots and spent summers snorkeling, obsessed with sea life. At 14, I certified as a diver. Diving evolved into creativity: I bought an underwater camera, headed to the Red Sea, but my first films were overexposed. A talented Swedish underwater photographer friend taught me exposure and composition. Landing one great shot per hundred hooked me—I dove deeper into photography thereafter.
What are some of the challenges of shooting underwater?
Visibility is paramount for sharp images, yet clear water often means a lifeless sea; murky waters teem with algae, nutrients, and life. We balance this using extreme wide-angle lenses to get close while capturing breadth, blending natural and artificial light in the depths. Photographing wildlife demands understanding their habitat, patience, calm, and adaptability.
Where is your favourite place to shoot?
The Azores' pelagic waters reign supreme, bursting with whales, sharks, tuna, jellyfish, turtles, and dolphins by the thousands. On my last visit, we encountered a massive sunfish (mola mola)—only my second sighting of its scale. Perfect calm seas, a distant dorsal fin drew us in; face-to-face, we spent two and a half hours with this magnificent creature.
Do you have a favourite animal to shoot?
Orcas are unparalleled—few creatures match their beauty and grace.
What is your best or worst travel souvenir?
Best: a walrus portrait. Transitioning to digital cameras, I captured what I thought was a stellar walrus shot amid seafloor sediment. It vanished—play and delete buttons were too similar. Days later, my friend and I found it in an auto-backup folder. That image won BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2006.
What is the best or worst piece of travel advice you’ve received?
Best: Do your homework. Spontaneity has charm, but thorough preparation pays off every time.
Quick, an asteroid is going to hit the earth in one week! Which is the one travel dream you’d rush to fulfil?
Canada's Northwest Territories for another swim with narwhals.
What advice would you give a first-time traveller?
Venture off the beaten path occasionally. Sidestep, glance left or right—not always straight ahead.
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