Imran Ahmad spends much of his time as a lecturer giving presentations and conducting workshops around the region on photography, but when he's not sharing his insights with fellow photographers, Ahmad is underwater, exploring the ocean and the art of underwater photography. Singapore-based Ahmad has been pushing the boundaries that define conventional underwater photography ever since picking up a camera. We had the pleasure of recently talking to him about his work.

Sport Diver Asia Pacific: How long have you been diving and where did you start?

Imran Ahmad: I have been diving since 1998. I started out as a dive guide and divemaster in Pulau Aur in Malaysia.

SDAP: When did you start shooting underwater and what was your first camera setup?

IA: I started shooting the same year I began diving, when my dad got me a Nikonos III — that was my first setup. I keep it behind a showroom glass as a remembrance of how it all started.

SDAP: That's a great idea. What are you shooting with now?

IA: I'm a Nikon Professional Photographer and I use a Nikon D4 and D3 in Seacam housings for all my shoots.

SDAP: You've spent a lot of time underwater. Have you had a most memorable moment in the ocean?

IA: Diving in Raja Ampat and photographing the mangroves. You just can't imagine the amount of life and colors in one place.

SDAP: Those images are stunning — and the mangroves are such an important habitat for marine life.

IA: Yes, it's magical.

SDAP: Have you had any scary moments underwater?

IA: The most scary one is when I was caught in a down current that almost took me away ... for good.

SDAP: Your images are always creatively complex and unpredictable. WDo you have a favorite type of photography?

IA: I love wide-angle and creative macro. I rarely stay safe and i always think outside of the box. I like to surprise the audience.

SDAP: You have an uncanny way of doing that! And you've been recognized with a number of awards for your work.

IA: Thanks — my second published book Ocean Tapestry got an Honorable Mention at Marseille and was named one of the 50 Best Books in Malaysia. I also became part of the Ocean Artist Society in 2011.

SDAP: You've also been widely published.

IA: Yes, I have been lucky. I've been published in magazines from Asia, Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, Austria, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Indonesia, USA, UK, Seychelles, Brunei and more.

SDAP: What are you proudest of?

IA: Doing the P U R E Series, which is a series of ocean images on a white background. I was also proud when David Doubilet complimented my work and told me it's called "influence." And of course being able to produce Ocean Tapestry, which I think is a collection of some of my best works.

SDAP: You mention David Doubilet. Are there any underwater photographers you particularly admire?

IA: Stephen Frink, David Doubilet and Ernie Brooks. Stephen Frink for his approach to shooting kids and marine life. He brings in so much life in a shot. David Doubilet for his art of seeing beyond the norms. And Ernie Brooks for his creative black and white images. There is so much soul in his work. These photographers are what I call Masters of their own domain and nobody comes closer to them. In my world, they are gods.

SDAP: Well, we think you are beginning to get noticed by a lot of well-known photographers. What advice do you have for beginning photographers?

IA: Keep your focus and always prepare for your shoot, mentally and physically. Lastly, have fun.

SDAP: Where are you going next?

IA: Palau, Micronesia, Seychelles and Destination X ... stay tuned for that.

To view more of Imran Ahmad's work, visit EscapeInc. Dive & Photography.