Alp Can
Dr. Alp Can is an award-winning underwater photographer, author, and scuba diver with over 2,500 dives across the globe. Since 1996, he has dedicated his life to documenting the vivid complexity of marine ecosystems through photography.
His work reflects a commitment to both art and environmental advocacy, merging science with visual storytelling. From solo exhibitions to global competitions, his lens speaks to the fragility and beauty of life beneath the surface.
For nearly three decades, Dr. Can has explored the Indo-Pacific, particularly the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse underwater regions on Earth. His imagery pays homage to an aquatic world shaped over hundreds of millions of years—beginning with the first marine organisms, followed by the emergence of modern corals some 220 million years ago.
Once pristine and balanced, these ecosystems have been profoundly altered in just a century of human interference. Corals, once architects of marine abundance, are now endangered by pollution, climate change, and unsustainable fishing. Dr. Can’s photography bears witness to this dramatic shift, presenting a visual archive of what remains and a warning of what may be lost.
“From Existence to Extinction” is his personal and scientific odyssey through time, capturing the majesty of underwater life and its alarming decline. Through his work, he asks us to consider our role in this accelerating loss and invites action before it is too late.
Dr. Can’s photographic process merges technical expertise with a deep reverence for the ocean. Capturing marine life underwater presents constant challenges—from unpredictable currents to the complexities of light refraction and maintaining precise buoyancy. These conditions demand not only skill and patience, but also an acute awareness of the fragile ecosystems he documents.
His practice is driven by the belief that photography is a powerful tool for environmental storytelling. Through carefully framed compositions and natural light, he seeks to highlight marine habitats’ resilience and vulnerability. His images often serve as visual case studies, offering insight into species behaviour, coral formations, and shifting environmental conditions.
At Xposure, Dr. Can presents a body of work that reflects this philosophy—a visual exploration of life beneath the surface shaped by years of dedication, scientific understanding, and aesthetic sensitivity. Beyond the exhibition setting, his work continues to inform, educate, and inspire, connecting audiences with the underwater world in ways that foster empathy and awareness.
Dr. Can has served as a jury member in several international underwater photography competitions and regularly lectures on marine conservation, photography ethics, and the science of oceanic ecosystems. His interdisciplinary approach has earned him respect both as a visual artist and an environmental educator.
Beyond exhibitions, his photographs have featured in marine atlases, educational programmes, and awareness campaigns in collaboration with marine biology institutions. His work is also used in outreach projects promoting ocean literacy among younger generations.
He is fluent in Turkish and English, and continues to conduct fieldwork throughout Asia and the Mediterranean. His research and visual records contribute to global databases and marine conservation reports. Dr. Can also mentors emerging underwater photographers and marine science students, helping them build skills that integrate art, ecology, and advocacy.
Published Books:
– Living the Sea (2004)
– Atlas of the Bottom Fishes of the Turkish Seas (2005)
– AQUAgraphs. Written on Water with Light (2016)
– AquaPoetry. A Poetic View of the Underwater (2024)
Solo Exhibitions:
– 27 solo exhibitions since 2001
Awards and Recognitions:
– 4th Place globally in Fish Portrait category at the 2017 World Championship, Philippines
– Jury member for international photography competitions
