Every night, just after sunset, something incredible happens in the open ocean. Billions of tiny marine creatures rise from the depths towards the surface — attracting a wide range of pelagic life. For underwater photographers, this is what makes blackwater diving so unique.

Blackwater diving is unlike anything else in scuba: drifting offshore at night, suspended over deep water, searching for alien-like subjects as they emerge from the dark. It’s unpredictable, exciting, and incredibly rewarding — and with the right approach, it offers some of the most creative photography opportunities underwater.

In this Masterclass, widely recognised blackwater expert Mike Bartick takes you inside this world — sharing practical blackwater photography tips, explaining how these dives are conducted, what subjects to look for, and how to take compelling images in challenging conditions.

The session also includes over 40 minutes of invaluable live Q&A with Mike, where he answers real-world questions from participants, covering topics such as lighting setups and strobe positioning, choosing the right lenses, managing backscatter, focus light strategies, safety considerations for first-time blackwater divers, and how to find and approach subjects during the dive.