Blue Edge Magazine: What was your introduction to underwater photography?

James Forte: National Geographic Magazine introduced me to the world of underwater photography. Several photographers stick out from the early days: David Doubillet and Flip Nicklin of National Geographic. I also was an avid Jacques Cousteau fan early on. His books and movies pushed me towards becoming a scuba diver and underwater photographer.

BEM: Degrees, credentials?

JF: I'm a Marine Diving Technology Graduate from Santa Barbara City College.

BEM: What type of equipment are you using? Film or digital?

JF: I use primarily the Nikon SLR film cameras in housings and the Nikons V amphibious system. I have yet to take up digital photography. However, I will be soon with the introduction of the newer, high-end digital SLR cameras.

BEM: What's your favorite place to dive and photograph?

JF: I moved to Santa Barbara 15 years ago to pursue my career in diving and photography. I find the Channel Islands to be one of the best places in the world for diving in general. I've traveled a great deal to Baja California's Sea of Cortez,and find the large marine life action best there. Fiji is the most enjoyable warm water sightseeing destination in the world. I guess I have three favorites.

BEM: What are your favorite underwater subjects?

JF: I like everything from small to large, sea stars to sharks. Here in the Channel Islands, the sea lions are my favorite. In Baja, hammerheads and wahles are the goal and offer the most excitement.

BEM: Describe to our readers a couple of your most memorable experieces a diver/photographer?

JF: I once took a group of photographers to Australia in search of great white sharks. Great whites are pure power and elegance all wrapped up into one, and seeing the apex shark in action is always one of the most exciting dives anyone can make. However, at one point a shark hit the cage and got his nose stuck. Another diver and I both looked at each other in shock. It thrashed about to free itself while my dive partner and I prayed that it wouldn't break through the bars.

Sea lions are like puppy dogs underwater and often interact with divers. I've had them tug my fin off and swim around with the fin playing hide-and-seek. One dive early on, I had an incredible experience with a sea lion that fetched a rock. Two others and myself were cruising along at Anacapa Island when a sea lion began to follow us. The lead diver picked up a rock from the bottom to look at, but found nothing interesting about it and dropped it. The sea lion picked it up in its mouth and carried the rock a few yards and dropped it. The lead diver picked it up again and dropped it. The sea lion did the same again. This continued on for several minutes and provided us with entertainment and a great story.

The images in this photo essay are for sale and available in prints. To see more of Forte's work visit www.travelinman.com