Underwater Photographer Documents Rare Ross Seal in Antarctic Waters for First Time

Photographer Justin Hofman has achieved a significant milestone by capturing the inaugural underwater images of a Ross seal in Antarctica during the summer of 2025. Hofman, an undersea specialist with 16 seasons of diving experience from an expedition vessel, had previously encountered only one Ross seal due to their remote habitat in the Antarctic pack ice. The opportunity arose when the vessel ventured unusually far south, a move not specifically aimed at finding these seals but facilitated by reduced sea ice from rising global temperatures. Hofman used a Nauticam EMWL 130 wet-mount lens on a 90mm macro setup, originally intended for photographing krill, which proved unexpectedly effective in the clear, cold waters. He avoided using strobes to prevent disturbing the animal, relying instead on natural sunlight. The seal interacted near the ice edge for about four minutes, allowing Hofman to document its behavior. Hofman emphasizes that his role focuses on educating guests about marine ecosystems during expeditions, often in cold-water destinations like Greenland and Alaska, rather than purely artistic pursuits. He views this encounter as a personal highlight, hoping it raises awareness about Antarctic ecosystems and their global importance, while acknowledging the bittersweet context of climate change enabling such access. The images were shared via his Instagram and website, marking a contribution to collective knowledge of this rare species.