Ribka Malise is a passionate underwater photographer whose work captures the quiet beauty and emotional depth of marine life. Deeply inspired by childhood evenings spent watching wildlife documentaries, she now uses photography as a powerful tool to tell stories of the ocean and advocate for its conservation.
Wildlife documentaries filled my evenings as a child. Watching Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, and the Discovery Channel with my father sparked a deep fascination with marine creatures. The incredible scenes and storytelling behind the camera moved me profoundly and made me dream of capturing similar moments one day. Photography became the perfect medium to channel my lifelong admiration of wildlife, especially underwater creatures, transforming curiosity into visual stories.
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Every encounter with marine wildlife becomes deeply personal, reinforcing my commitment to capturing and sharing their stories. Each moment spent beneath the waves, connecting profoundly with creatures in their habitats, fuels my desire to advocate for their preservation and share the mesmerizing beauty of the underwater world.
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In the waters surrounding Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, I met a beautiful solitary turtle, gently ascending towards the sunlight. Witnessing this moment felt poetic, a symbol of hope and resilience amidst the vastness of the ocean. It evoked a profound sense of tranquility and freedom, a gentle reminder of life’s persistent yet delicate beauty. I am pleased with the photograph I captured, which won Best of the Week 18, 2025.
The composition of the image emerged naturally, guided entirely by the environment. The turtle’s upward journey towards the light, set against the vast ocean and the silhouettes of passing fish, creates a visual harmony. It beautifully highlights the delicate balance between solitude and community, freedom and mystery, effortlessly guiding viewers through a natural narrative.
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My editing focuses on enhancing natural underwater colors to strengthen visual storytelling. I intentionally deepen the blues and highlight contrasts to amplify the emotion and narrative present in the image. Each adjustment is purposeful, carefully chosen to reinforce the underlying story of freedom, tranquility, and hope conveyed by the turtle’s graceful movement.
The first key edit was accurately adjusting the white balance to maintain underwater authenticity. The second involved strategically enhancing highlights and shadows to guide the viewer’s attention. Another essential step was fine-tuning the colors to ensure the emotional tone aligned with the intended narrative. Finally, refining clarity and contrast was crucial to preserving detail and depth, vital for achieving the visual result I envisioned.
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These kinds of encounters consistently teach me empathy and deepen my sense of our responsibility to protect oceanic life. The ocean constantly teaches humility and reinforces my commitment to improvement, both personally and professionally. Understanding the ocean’s natural timing has taught me patience and mindfulness as a photographer. This has also improved my visual storytelling – recognizing that each photograph carries a powerful message- shaped my creative vision.
Photography is more than capturing beauty; it’s a powerful tool to advocate for marine conservation, raise awareness, and inspire change. In ten years, I hope to have explored more of the ocean’s hidden corners, using my photography not only as a voice for the voiceless but also as a way to share the extraordinary beauty that lies beneath the surface. I want to continue raising awareness and inspiring action for marine conservation. By staying humble, committed, and dedicated to continuous learning, I aim to make meaningful contributions to a collective vision of a healthier ocean and a better planet.
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