REPLAY: Black & White Underwater Photography Masterclass, with Henley Spiers
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If you’ve been shooting underwater for a while, chances are you’re used to carrying strobes or video lights to bring back the warm colours that quickly vanish with depth. For many of us, this has become second nature — we chase colour without thinking about it.
But what happens when things don’t go to plan? A strobe didn’t fire, the subject was too far, or the battery died, and suddenly your image feels unfinished. Sometimes we try & salvage this photo by converting to black and white. Occasionally it works — but the best monochrome photographers think in black and white, adjust their composition, lighting (with or without artificial lights) and settings accordingly, before pressing the shutter.
Letting go of colour may feel counterintuitive, and perhaps beyond your comfort zone. Yet, it can open the door to some of the most striking and timeless images you’ll ever create — and it’s a powerful way to diversify your portfolio.
Watch this masterclass with award-winning photographer Henley Spiers, where he discusses the art of underwater black-and-white photography, and learn how to think, shoot, and edit, with a monochrome mindset.
If you’re thinking to start a career in underwater photography, the first part of the talk includes valuable insights from Henley’s own professional journey.
Meet your speaker
Henley Spiers is one of the most celebrated underwater photographers of his generation, renowned for his striking fine-art style and in particular, his evocative black-and-white imagery. Half British and half French, Henley began his career as a dive instructor in Asia and the Caribbean before devoting himself fully to photography — a decision that has since earned him an impressive list of international awards. He was named Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2024, won the coveted HIPA Grand Prize 2022, and has collected multiple category wins in Underwater Photographer of the Year, and a Highly Commended award in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Henley’s work is widely published, exhibited, and collected, with images featured in The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, BBC Wildlife Magazine and displayed at institutions including the Natural History Museum (London) and Smithsonian (USA). A seasoned writer as well as photographer, he was the first Storyteller in Residence for Oceanographic Magazine and has co-authored two books.
Today, Henley shares his passion for the ocean through teaching, writing, and leading expeditions, helping others experience and photograph the underwater world. His artistic vision — especially his signature black-and-white style — has inspired photographers around the world and continues to be featured in magazines, galleries and competitons.
To see more of Henley’s work, follow-him on Instagram and visit his website.
What we covered during the webinar
We had a 2h40 session covering the following:
- Henley’s personal and creative journey in becoming a professional underwater photographer.
- Transitioning from a busy corporate life to divemaster in the Philippines to professional underwater photographer
- How Henley trained his photographic eye and how his photography evolved over time
- Decisive moments in Henley’s career, including notable assignments (e.g. first Storyteller in Residence for Oceanographic Magazine) and competition successes (Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Underwater Photographer of the Year, Ocean Photographer of the Year, etc).
- Deep dive on black and white underwater imagery:
- Ethos and aesthetic
- In-water approach
- Out of water approach – editing tools and methods – including how he developed his iconic “Jellyfish Trails” photo in Lightroom
- Case studies of some of his most well known b&w shots.
- Live Q&A with participants
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7 courses
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40 lessons
-
16 hours of video
-
Private Club Forums
-
Live Q&A Calls
-
Monthly webinar invitation
-
Replay all webinar recordings
-
Member-only partner offers
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35% off Private Coaching Rates
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Free 7 days trial