Part of the REAL FOCUS series
The Ethical Lens: Meet the Professionals Redefining Ethics Below the Surface
IIn a world awash with underwater images, Lilian Koh is a rare voice of stillness and clarity. A celebrated macro photographer from Singapore, Lilian made her pivot from banking to the sea after a single, life-altering snorkelling experience with manta rays on the Great Barrier Reef. What began as awe soon became an obsession—and ultimately, a profession defined by patience, precision and poetic vision.
Today, her images—often lit by snoots and sculpted by shadow—reveal the tiny marvels of the ocean’s undercurrent: a nudibranch mid-glide, a shrimp on its perch, an eye peeking from the sand. But beyond her distinctive aesthetic lies something deeper – intention.
“To me, REAL FOCUS is about clarity—not just in the image, but in the purpose behind it,” Lilian shares. “It’s about asking: why this moment? What are you really seeing? What do you want others to feel?”
More Than a “Wow” Factor
Lilian is the first to admit that technical mastery plays a role in making a strong image. But for her, the most powerful photographs aren’t just sharp—they linger.
“A powerful image doesn’t just catch the eye. It holds it. It makes you feel something unexpected,” she says. “Emotional truth—that’s what sets it apart.”
Her judging eye is guided by this same principle. In a competition like REAL FOCUS, where creativity and conservation sit side-by-side, Lilian looks beyond spectacle. She seeks emotional honesty, intimate perspectives and that indescribable spark of originality that can’t be faked or staged.
Ethics in the Frame
“Ethics are absolutely essential—especially when we’re dealing with fragile ecosystems,” she asserts.
For Lilian, this isn’t just a rule—it’s a responsibility. She’s trained herself to read subtle cues within the frame: a stressed animal, a suspiciously perfect composition, or a subject that seems disturbed. Her instinct is to ask: Was the image made with respect? Or was it taken at a cost to the subject?
“The ocean isn’t a backdrop. It’s a living, breathing place,” she says. “We don’t get to override that just for a winning shot.”
Stories That Stay With You
When asked about an image that stayed with her, Lilian recalls a hauntingly curious moment: three clownfish, each with a parasite in its mouth, all facing the camera in perfect synchrony.
“It was captivating. Slightly unsettling. Like they were letting you in on a secret of their world.”
That mix of beauty and discomfort—the ability to surprise, move or unsettle—makes an image truly memorable. It reminds us that nature is not only elegant, but also strange, complex and full of stories waiting to be told.
Slowing Down to See More
As a workshop leader and mentor, Lilian often teaches aspiring photographers to resist the urge to chase. Instead, she advocates for a slower, more thoughtful approach—one rooted in presence and patience.
“The best images often come from connection, not control,” she says. “Don’t manipulate. Don’t rush. Observe, and let the ocean reveal itself to you.”
This philosophy shapes every aspect of her work, from the way she lights her subjects to the way she judges a frame. It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence.
The Role of the Underwater Storyteller
Lilian believes that underwater photographers are more than image-makers—they’re messengers.
“If you’ve spent time underwater, you’ve seen things most people never will,” she says. “That comes with responsibility. To share, to educate and inspire care.”
Photography, in her view, is both a mirror and a portal: a way of reflecting the ocean’s intricacy while inviting the world to step in and look closer—and care deeper.
What She’s Hoping to See
So what kind of work is Lilian hoping to discover in this year’s REAL FOCUS entries?
“Surprise me,” she says with a smile. “Show me something fresh—a perspective I haven’t seen, a moment I wouldn’t expect. Make it personal. The ocean is full of stories we haven’t told yet.”
In that spirit, Lilian will be judging not just with her eyes, but with her heart—looking for images that are brave, thoughtful and made with integrity. Because in the end, the ocean doesn’t need another trophy shot. It needs artists who are willing to see, feel and share, with care.
Discover more of Lilian’s underwater world:
