Underwater Photography by Derek Tarr

A native of coastal Southern California, Derek has never been far from the ocean. Scenes from Jacques Cousteau and the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only" were his first inspiration to scuba dive. After years of waiting, Derek learned to dive in the summer of '85 at the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Since then he has traveled around the world, diving in places like Grand Cayman, the Maldives, Egypt, Fiji, Hawaii, the Solomon Islands, and Southern California.

Over more than twenty years of diving, Derek developed an interest in sharing his experiences with those who haven't ventured underwater to see what lives in the ocean. For most, the ocean is out of sight and out of mind, and it stands to reason that most people aren't actively concerned about how human presence affects the coastal marine environment.

Derek's goal as an underwater photographer is to present the beauty of marine life, using photographs to inspire public appreciation for the world beneath the sea, bringing the ocean to sight and mind.

All photographs feature marine life in their natural underwater habitat.

Derek is an active member of the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society, and has won several awards for his photographs. He goes on dive trips around the world in search of new images, and enjoys sharing his experiences as an underwater photographer.