Publications

Conservation writing & award-winning photography

Dr Richard Smith has established himself as one of the world's most published marine conservation voices. In addition to his acclaimed book “The World Beneath”, his hundreds of articles and award-winning photographs reach international audiences through leading diving, wildlife, and travel publications.

His work seamlessly integrates scientific expertise, compelling storytelling, and stunning visual documentation, making complex marine biology accessible to diverse global audiences.

Richard's published portfolio spans scientific research, conservation advocacy, field exploration, and visual storytelling. His long-running columns and feature series have educated millions of readers about ocean wildlife, while his award-winning photography has graced dozens of magazine covers worldwide, bringing the ocean's most elusive creatures into the spotlight and advancing marine conservation through powerful imagery.

Published Writing

Richard's expertise in marine biology, conservation, and underwater exploration has made him a sought-after contributor to the world's leading diving and wildlife publications. His writing combines scientific accuracy with engaging storytelling, making complex research accessible to both specialist and general audiences.

Regular columns and series include:

Sport Diver UK - Long-running series: 'Photographing Behaviour' & 'Critter Hunting'
Sport Diver USA - 'Species' column
Sport Diving Australia - Conservation and species features

Published internationally in: Alert Diver USA, Asian Diver Singapore, Scuba Diver AustralAsia, Scuba Diver TTL, Australian Geographic, Asian Geographic, Dive Chronicles USA, FiNS Singapore, Action Asia, DIVE UK, Diver UK, Marine Conservation Society UK, DivePhotoGuide, Tauchen Germany, Wild Travel UK, and 72 & Rising.

Collage of nine colorful marine creatures including a mandarin fish, a neonyctipora coral, a masked pufferfish, a juvenile gold-spotted eel, a lionfish, a nudibranch, a royal gramma fish, a flame angelfish, and a yellow-wscraped nudibranch.

Magazine spread about diving in the Philippines, featuring a close-up underwater photograph of a clownfish and its coral habitat.

Award-Winning Photography

Richard's underwater photography transcends documentation—it serves as a powerful conservation tool and scientific record. His images capture the ocean's most elusive inhabitants, often representing the first and only photographs of rare species in their natural habitat.

Recognition & Achievements:

2019 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year - Winner, Animal Habitat category ('Small but Mighty')
Multiple Exhibiting Finalist - Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (2019 and previous years)
Dozens of magazine covers - International diving and wildlife publications
High-profile portfolios - Featured in Australian Geographic and other leading magazines
Scientific documentation - Only existing photographs of several living, wild marine species
Diverse portfolio - Including underwater fashion photography

Ethical Photography

Every image in Richard's portfolio has been captured without manipulation or disturbance to subjects. His PhD research included investigating diver interaction effects on pygmy seahorses, leading to his creation of the first-ever code of conduct for safely photographing these delicate creatures—guidelines now used by photographers and divers worldwide.

Close-up photograph of a tiny pygmy seahorse camouflaged against an orange and red coral reef background.

Magazine cover of Dive featuring a black and white patterned marine animal, a type of deep-sea creature, against a black background with headlines about underwater exploration and marine life.

Magazine cover for Asian Diver, Night Diving Edition, featuring a deep-sea fish with bioluminescent blue and green glow, floating in dark water. The text includes headlines about diving topics and awards.

Close-up of a seahorse with a patterned, textured body, among coral or rocks in an underwater environment.

A magazine cover featuring a close-up photograph of colorful underwater sea creatures, including seahorses and various coral formations, with bold pink and blue text in German.

A scuba diver swimming beside a large whale shark with a dotted pattern, on the cover of a scuba diving magazine.

Cover of Sports DIVING magazine featuring a close-up of a seahorse attached to red seaweed, with headlines about underwater diving and marine life.

Close-up of a fish head, likely a Lingcod, with its mouth wide open and details of its throat visible, on the cover of Fish magazine.

Close-up photograph of a pink and white mimic octopus with red spots, situated on a coral reef. The octopus's body is covered in small, raised bumps and it has prominent eyes.

A scuba diver underwater approaching a large whale shark with white spots. The image is the cover of Dive Worldwide magazine, Winter/Spring 2017/18 edition, featuring articles about various diving destinations including Dumaguete, Mexico, the Galapag

Close-up of a camouflaged frog blending into a coral reef with red and white textures.

Cover of a conservation review magazine featuring an underwater scene with coral reef and various fish. The title reads '7SL Conservation Review 2009/2010' and 'Living Conservation'.