Founded in 1853, the Royal Photographic Society has a distinguished history promoting the art and science of photography. It traces its origins to an initiative to form a photographic society in London in anticipation of an exhibit in the gallery of the Society of Arts. The Royal Photographic Society has since grown in size and in importance. It is now a global organization on a mission to advance the cause of photography. It has a Royal Charter that was granted in July 2004.

Membership in the Royal Photographic Society is open to everyone all over the world. Its current members range from seasoned professionals to students. The three levels of membership depending on knowledge and abilities are Licentiateship, Associateship and Fellowship. Through an online community and regional and special Interest group events, members are able to share their skills with each other.

In Australia, the Royal Photographic Society has an active Victorian Chapter in Melbourne that meets monthly. The two special interest groups of the Victorian Chapter are the Photographic History Group and the Digital Working Group that similarly hold regular…

David Doubilet is highly regarded in the field of underwater photography. The Sara Prize, the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award and the Lennart Nilsson Award in Photography are just some coveted awards that David has tucked under his belt. At the same time, David is a member of the Royal Photographic Society and International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Presently, David is a contributing photographer in-residence of National Geographic.

His underwater photography has taken him to water systems of all types in different parts of the world. He is as much at home in the cold waters of New Zealand, Tasmania, Scotland, Japan, Northwest Atlantic and Northeast Pacific as in the freshwater systems of the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the St. Lawrence River. David’s choice of residence is equally telling of his nature and inclinations. Interestingly, David has taken residence in the river town of Clayton, New York and in the coastal town of DeKelders, South Africa.

It comes as no surprise that Beneath the Sea honours David by naming their highest award…