Andrii Slonchak lives in Brisbane, Australia. Unlike many underwater photographers, Andrii doesn’t come from dive professional background. He works at the university as a research scientist specializing in virology. However, photography has always been his hobby and passion. Andrii’s photography journey began in 2004 with a compact digital camera, capturing landscapes and gradually advancing to DSLR photography, mastering composition and lighting. However, it wasn’t until three years ago that he took a camera underwater.
Soft coral paradise. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
Manta magic. Manta Bommie, North Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
A breathtaking wall dive. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
Grey Nurse Shark in Sharks Alley. Flat Rock, North Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Andrii’s fascination with the underwater world and marine life began back in childhood. When he moved to Australia in 2013, gaining easy access to the ocean, he quickly obtained scuba certification and started diving. Initially, he found the waters around Brisbane cold and unappealing, limiting his diving to annual trips to the Great Barrier Reef. During this time, Andrii’s underwater photography was limited to snapshots with a point-and-shoot cameras, as investing in specialized equipment for infrequent use seemed impractical. This perspective shifted dramatically in 2021 when his colleague showed him stunning GoPro footage of sharks and manta rays at North Stradbroke Island, which is just a short ferry ride from Brisbane. A single dive there captivated him with the local reef's beauty and diverse marine life, sparking his commitment to diving almost every weekend and launching his underwater photography journey. Since then, Andrii completed around 300 dives, exploring various local, remote, and international dive sites.
School of snappers at the vibrant reef. Cherubs Caves, Moreton Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Bright colors of the subtropical reef. Flat Rock, North Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Wobbegong – the most camouflaged shark. Shag Rock, North Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Exploring the caves. Cherubs Caves, Moreton Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Anemonefish in a beautiful ball anemone. Osprey Reef, Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Magnificent sea fans. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
Captivating reefscape. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
A school of soldier fish. Flat Rock, North Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Zebra shark with the friends. Manta Bommie, North Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
Shark or ray? Manta Bommie, North Stradbroke Island, QLD, Australia. © Andrii Slonchak
In underwater photography, Andrii appreciates all genres, but his favorites are reefscapes and photographing large marine animals. Andrii currently uses a Canon M50 camera in an Ikelite housing with a Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens for wide-angle shots and a Canon 60mm macro lens for close-ups. He chose this camera for its ultra-compact size and excellent image quality, ideal for travel. However, with Canon discontinuing the M-mount, he plans to switch to the Canon R7, known for its outstanding underwater performance while remaining lightweight compared to full-frame DSLRs. For lighting, he relies on a pair of Ikelite DS160 II strobes, which provide reliable and high-quality illumination.
Photography has been a significant part of Andrii’s life and combining it with his love for the ocean has been incredibly fulfilling. He is always looking forward to continuing to explore and capture the underwater world.
Clowns at the circus. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
The vibrant reef. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
Incredible reef wall. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
Colors of the reef. Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines. © Andrii Slonchak
Andrii Slonchak is a research scientist in virology at the university in Brisbane, Australia. He began photography with a point-and-shoot in 2004 but didn't start start diving until 2013 and it took another eight years before he'd take a DSLR camera underwater. Now he's been diving hundreds of times all across the globe and enjoys continuing his passion of exploring and photographing the world underwater. Follow more of Andrii's adventures on Instagram @a.slonchak_photography, on Facebook, on YouTube Underwater Australia, or his shop his RedBubble page.
Additional Viewing
Tropical Reef Underwater Camera Settings
An Insider's Guide to Diving the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Illuminating the Technology of Coral Reef Research
