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Derek Tarr is an underwater photographer whose award-winning fine art prints have captured the attention of collectors with their vivid color and aesthetic patterns only found in the ocean.
His photographs have been used commercially by National Geographic, Matava Resort, California Diving Magazine, Catalina Diver's Supply, APS Mantaray, Living Sea Images, CoastKeeper and more.
Growing up in Southern California, Derek has always been close to water. Scenes from "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau" and the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only" were among his early inspirations to venture out of the pool and into the ocean. He learned to scuba dive in the summer of 1985 on Catalina Island, and has since spent much of his time underwater in California and in the clear waters of exotic destinations around the world including the Maldives, Fiji, Grand Cayman, Egypt, Hawai'i, and the Solomon Islands.
His goal is to bring the world's most captivating underwater photographs to shore, and inspire future generations to value the beauty of the world underwater. For most people, the ocean is out of sight and out of mind, but through his photography Derek promises to deliver images that will raise our consciousness of the ocean's wonders.
Timeline
- 1969 Never wanted to get out of the bathtub
- 1975 Swim lessons
- 1976 Took over the family Polaroid
- 1980 Got a Nikonos III from his brother
- 1982 First SLR
- 1983 Rarely left the pool
- 1984 Varsity swim team
- 1985 SCUBA certified
- 1986 High school yearbook photographer
- 1988 Advanced diver certification
- 2000 First trip abroad (Egypt)
- 2000 First underwater housing (Hydro 35)
- 2002 Divemaster certification
- 2003 SCUBA instructor certification
- 2005 First professional housing
- 2009 First award-winning photograph