Future Focus: Meet the Team at Falmouth University Shaping the Next Generation of Underwater Photographers
In finding your way here, the likelihood is you’re an enthusiast of all things weird, wonderful, and underwater — well, good news, so are we!
Let me introduce myself: I’m Gina Goodman, and I lead underwater photography on the Marine and Natural History Photography course at Falmouth University. To the best of our knowledge, we are the only higher education institution worldwide to offer underwater photography as part of a degree classification.
Falmouth University is uniquely placed to explore this exciting discipline. Nestled on the picturesque south coast of Cornwall, we have access to some of the most biodiverse and photogenic rocky reefs and kelp gardens in the UK. We also boast one of the most well-equipped photographic facilities in Europe, including professional photographic studios and darkrooms, plus current industry-grade equipment — particularly in underwater photography. Our underwater stores currently house a diverse array of systems including Olympus, Panasonic, and the coveted Nikon Z8, along with an ever-expanding selection of modifiers available for your light sources and systems.
But the real feather in our underwater cap is our fantastic and highly experienced dive team, who support you in your oceanic explorations. From academic and technical application to health and safety and professional practice, our team collectively represents over 100 years of underwater photography and dive experience.
Meet the Team:
Gina Goodman
I’m a multi-award-winning underwater photographer, diving instructor, and lecturer with a lifelong passion for the marine world. My work has taken me from coral reefs to kelp forests, and more recently into research and innovation — developing autonomous underwater cameras with Celtic Sea Power to monitor seal behaviour here in Cornwall. I’m always looking for new ways to capture and share the underwater world, and to inspire the next generation of image-makers to do the same.
Jane Morgan
Jane has been inspired by the ocean since learning to dive over 30 years ago. A chance encounter with a film camera in 2001 sparked her move from the corporate world to a full-time career in underwater photojournalism and dive travel. Since then, Jane has won and judged prestigious photography competitions, organised image festivals, and earned a BA (Hons) in Marine and Natural History Photography. Now based in Cornwall, she is Joint Dive Safety Officer on the course, a brand ambassador for DYNAMICNORD, and part of the Scubaverse photography team.
Helen Perkins
With a passion for underwater imagery and environmental storytelling, Helen (H) has worked as an underwater camera technician and now serves as Joint Dive Safety Officer for the Marine and Natural History Photography course. Qualified in NEBOSH and HSE Scuba, H mentors students in both photography and dive safety, helping them develop independent project plans. Helen has been integral in the underwater development of the course. Past students have progressed to careers with the BBC, universities, film companies, and research teams — many becoming award-winning visual storytellers themselves.
Elle Speirs
Elle is an experienced BSAC instructor and serves as a Trustee, Secretary, and active diver for Fathoms Free. A lifelong conservationist and passionate animal lover, Elle has been exploring the ocean since childhood — starting in the waters of Scotland and, for the past 15 years, along the Cornish coast. Committed to marine conservation, particularly in retrieving ghost nets and raising awareness about ocean pollution, Elle also works as an Underwater Technician at Falmouth University.
If you’re passionate about telling the environmental and oceanic stories that define our era, the Marine and Natural History Photography course at Falmouth University could be the perfect fit for you. Follow Scubaverse for an exclusive introduction to our students, hear directly from them about their experiences on the course, and explore a selection of their stunning imagery. All this and more is coming up in the next instalment on Scubaverse!
Click the link below for more details.
https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/marine-natural-history-photography
