Underwater photographer Jim Hellemn has created a stunning portfolio of images which offer a unique glimpse into some of the most pristine coral reef areas of the world - in amazing full spectrum color. Beginning with his “Portrait of a Coral Reef” project in 1999 (National Geographic, October 2001), Jim has developed the equipment and techniques that allow him to photograph extremely wide underwater scenes in a series of close-up images and then reconstruct the scene in extreme resolution (think gigapixel) and full spectrum lighting that reveals the true color and natural beauty in way that is impossible to see with conventional photography alone.
Limited Edition Prints and Posters
Visit the High Resolution Gallery
Zoom in and Explore a Reef!
Images from the world's
hotspots of Marine Biodiversity
Caribbean Sea

Sulu Sea

Celebes Sea
extreme resolution images capture the beauty and vivid color of some of the world’s most diverse coral reefs - impossible with conventional photography
extreme resolution images capture the beauty and vivid color of some of the world’s most diverse coral reefs - impossible with conventional photography
Since the images used to create the panoramas are photographed at short range, you can see even small marine life in amazing detail. Visit the high resolution gallery to view each image in a window that lets you zoom in to see the reef’s inhabitants up close. Use the zoom tools or click the image to explore.