Photographer Justin Hofman has successfully captured the very first images of a Ross seal swimming beneath the Antarctic ice. Hofman, who serves as an undersea specialist, has spent 16 seasons diving from expedition vessels.

During his extensive career, Hofman had only encountered a single Ross seal previously. This species resides deep within the Antarctic pack ice and remains largely unknown because it never leaves the Southern Ocean.

An Unexpected Opportunity in the South

The summer of 2025 presented a unique chance for Hofman’s expedition vessel to travel significantly further south than usual. Hofman noted that they were not specifically searching for Ross seals.

The Captain's Detour

The ship's captain identified an opening to navigate deep into southern waters, which coincidentally was prime territory for Ross seals. Hofman realized several years prior that no one had photographed this species underwater, recognizing a potential historic opportunity.

However, capturing the seal was not his primary goal for the trip. The team had initially intended to focus on photographing krill near the ice edge during this winter expedition.

The Wrong Gear for the Right Moment

Hofman prepared by attaching a Nauticam EMWL 130 wet-mount lens to his camera. This specialized equipment transforms a 90mm macro lens into an extreme macro wide-angle lens, allowing focus almost to the glass while maintaining a 130-degree field of view.

He admitted this setup was “absolutely the wrong underwater setup for photographing seals,” as he anticipated shooting crustaceans. Despite the suboptimal gear, fate intervened when a Ross seal sleeping on the ice began moving toward the water's edge.

Patience in Freezing Waters

A colleague alerted Hofman and his dive partner that the seal was approaching. They remained still and patient in the water, which registered a temperature of 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hofman reflected on his limited options: either the 90mm macro or the close focus wide-angle lens. Neither configuration is typically chosen for photographing seals.

Perfect Conditions Lead to Stunning Results

Fortunately, the conditions proved ideal for the available equipment. The water was exceptionally clear because the summer plankton bloom had not yet begun.

As the Ross seal entered the water, Hofman and his partner maintained distance to avoid disturbing the animal. The 90mm lens and the clear water unexpectedly complemented each other perfectly.

Hofman explained that underwater photography usually requires minimizing the distance between the camera and subject to avoid light absorption and particulate matter that reduces contrast. The second stroke of luck was the presence of bright sunshine.

A Natural Portrait

Knowing this was a unique encounter, Hofman chose not to use his underwater strobes, prioritizing not disturbing the animal. He feared the seal might react negatively to the artificial light.

The natural sunlight compensated for the lack of strobes, enabling him to capture beautiful, natural images of the seal. In total, the Ross seal remained near the ice edge for about four minutes, performing shallow dives before vanishing beneath the ice.

The Role of an Expedition Educator

A key part of Hofman’s job involves presenting his underwater findings to the expedition guests. He describes his role as the best job in the world, allowing him to travel to wild places like Greenland, Alaska, and Antarctica while educating travelers.

Hofman often works in challenging cold-water environments where guests are surprised by the vibrant marine life. Because he may only get one dive attempt per location, he must be economical with his shooting.

He stated that expedition diving is among the most difficult forms of diving, compounded by carrying camera gear. While education is the primary goal, he pursues high-quality photography for personal satisfaction.

Hofman rarely gets to “work a scene” unless something entirely unique, like the Ross seal, occurs. Usually, he must cover the entire dive to convey the experience to guests, rather than securing a single perfect shot.

A Symbol for Antarctic Conservation

Hofman finds immense joy in the resulting photographs, viewing the encounter as the culmination of decades of wildlife observation. He reflected that 15 years ago, he might have missed the moment due to impatience or by choosing not to dive that day.

He now commits to getting in the water whenever possible, knowing that immense surprises await, sometimes revealing something no one has ever witnessed before. He added, “Every time I look at his face it makes me smile.”

Hofman sees the seal as the perfect ambassador for its species and the global importance of Antarctic ecosystems. He hopes his images will encourage people to explore the entire Antarctic ecosystem.

Despite his excitement, Hofman acknowledges that the warming planet and reduced sea ice enabled this rare sighting. He stated that these ecological changes fuel his motivation to combat the “ecological grief” he feels watching these environments degrade.

Hofman feels a duty to document these places for the public and to bear witness. He ranks this photo highly among his accomplishments because it is the first time he can definitively say he brought something entirely new to the world, expanding collective human knowledge.