Incredible Photos Reveal What’s Really Lurking Beneath The Water’s Surface…

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

What lurks beneath the calm surface of an open body of water? Does one dare dip their toes into the unknown and fully submerge into the world below? After peering at these photos, you may definitely think twice…

Matty Smith is a talented photographer who frequently travels the world to capture amazing shots of half-submerged sea creatures. In the collection below, Smith shares the subtle beauty of what lives below and rarely peers above in his unique half above, half below masterpieces.

As you can glimpse for yourself, the artist sacrifices no patience in finding the perfect angle for each of his photos. And what has resulted, clearly, is quite amazing.

Your Move: American Crocodile, Jardines de la Reina, Cuba

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

In a submission to the website Bored Panda, Smith said:

“For me one of the most wondrous parts of any dive is the moment that the water engulfs my mask as my head slips below the surface. I think it’s the suspense of the unknown of what lies beneath, the transitional part of moving from one element to the next that feels so magical and the thought of what alien creatures I might encounter. That is what draws me to taking half over half underwater images. It’s maybe the best way I can communicate to a non-diver what it’s all about, to marry a wet and unfamiliar world with a dry and more familiar one.

I view my half over half underwater images as a landscape photograph. I undertake many location scouts with my snorkel gear on. Whilst doing the scouts I will take reference pictures so I can plan how to make my final image when a suitable location has been found. A final image in my portfolio is often a well-researched and planned affair.”

Take a look at what Smith captured below:

Smiling Assassin: American Crocodile, Jardines de la Reina, Cuba

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

Physalia Physalis: Bushrangers Bay, NSW Australia

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

A Silky Encounter 1 : Jardines de la Reina, Cuba

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

Ocean Rose: Bass Point, NSW Australia

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

Crimson Tide: Waratah Anemones, Port Kembla, NSW Australia

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith
Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith
Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

Bluebottle Army: Bluebottle cnidarian, Bushrangers Bay, NSW Australia

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

A Silky Encounter 2: Jardines de la Reina, Cuba

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

A Shock of Blue: Bushrangers Bay, NSW Australia

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

Legal Immigrant: A Long Finned Eel, Botanical Gardens, Sydney

Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith
Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith
Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith
Credit: Matt Smith
Credit: Matty Smith

What do you think? Share your comments below. 

You can find more of Matty Smith’s photography here.


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