My name is Sergio Ramírez Lesmes and I’m a Colombian photographer driven by the ocean, exploration, and visual storytelling. Photography has always been my way of understanding the world, but it was underwater where everything truly made sense.
A freediving moment in Malta, where sunlight breaks through the surface and pours into the underwater landscape. The light guides the descent, revealing textures, depth, and silence—turning a single breath into a quiet dialogue between body, water, and sun. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
I grew up fascinated by the sea — its movement, its silence, and the way it constantly reminds us how small we are. Diving opened a completely new dimension for me. The moment I realized I could bring a camera underwater, photography stopped being just an image-making process and became a way to translate an experience that very few people get to live firsthand.
This photograph was taken in Malta, another island, this time in the heart of the Mediterranean. Here, the mauve stinger jellyfish is a common presence. While diving, I was constantly fascinated by its graceful movements and delicate beauty, especially as sunlight filtered through the water, illuminating its translucent form and creating an almost ethereal scene. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
What pulled me into underwater photography was the challenge: limited light, constant motion, and the need to stay fully present. Underwater, there’s no room for distraction. You have to breathe, observe, adapt, and respect the environment. That discipline shaped not only my photography, but also my mindset.
A reef shark cruising above the blue gradients of Providencia, Colombia, where light and depth merge into a single canvas. Seen from above, its movement feels effortless—an elegant silhouette navigating the balance between reef, open water, and shadow. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
I’m especially drawn to photographing marine life in its natural behavior, freedivers, wrecks and moments where humans and water coexist in balance. I look for clean compositions, natural light when possible, and a sense of calm or power that reflects how it actually feels to be there.
Exploring the Rozzi Wreck, where divers drift alongside a once-working tugboat now transformed into an underwater monument. Framed by blue light and suspended particles, the scene captures the scale of the wreck and the quiet dialogue between human presence, history, and the Mediterranean sea. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
My work lives somewhere between documentary and art. Whether I’m shooting marine wildlife or personal underwater projects, my goal is always the same: to create honest images that carry emotion, depth, and respect for the ocean.
Underwater photography taught me patience, humility, and trust — in myself, in my equipment, and in the sea. It’s not just what I photograph; it’s where I feel most connected.
This photograph was taken in Providencia, Colombia, an island in the heart of the Caribbean where reef sharks are a constant presence. This shark swam directly toward the camera, calm and curious. As it approached, I was able to closely observe every movement—its smooth glide, precise body language, and the quiet confidence with which it explored its surroundings. A brief, silent, and deeply aware encounter beneath the surface. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
A reef shark gliding through the clear waters of Providencia, Colombia, suspended between the reef and the open blue. Framed by soft natural light from above, the scene captures the calm precision of its movement and the quiet power that defines these guardians of the Caribbean reef. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
A black-and-white glimpse of the Rozzi Wreck, where schooling fish move effortlessly through the remains of a once-working vessel. Stripped of color, the scene emphasizes texture, contrast, and time—highlighting how the wreck has transformed into a living structure within the Mediterranean seafloor. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
Two reef sharks cruising over the Caribbean sand flats of Providencia, Colombia. A quiet reminder of the balance, beauty and life that thrives beneath the surface. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
A close encounter in the waters of Providencia, Colombia. Captured from just beneath the surface, this reef shark moves through the blue with quiet authority—its dorsal fin cutting the water as light fades into depth, a powerful reminder of the presence and elegance of these apex guardians of the reef. © Sergio Ramírez Lesmes
Sergio's Gear
- Nikon D750 Inside an Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing
- Nikon 14-24mm Lens
Additional Viewing
How To Get the Best Shots When Shooting Wrecks
Natural Light Photography Underwater
Photographing Sharks on the Belize Barrier Reef
Tips for Diving with an Underwater Housing for Beginners [VIDEO]
How to Find Something to Photograph Underwater
Sergio Ramírez Lesmes is a Colombian underwater photographer. Whether he's shooting sharks, wrecks, or other divers, he finds the most important aspect is to create honest images that emote depth and respect for the ocean. Underwater photographer isn't just a hobby for Sergio, it's a lifestyle and one that has taught him a lot about discipline, respect, and maintaining the right mindset. You can learn more about Sergio on his website www.sergiorlphotography.com, or follow him on Instagram @sergiorlph.
