Director of photography Jim Knowlton has worked for over 20 years as an underwater cameraman on projects for documentaries, commercials, television programs, and short films. Hire Jim Knowlton to get the underwater photos and video you need for your project. Underwater video shot by Jim Knowlton has appeared in programs for Shark Week, Nat Geo TV, PBS, in Imax and in award winning documentaries.
Equipment
Jim owns a Canon R5 in an Aquatica Housing that can shoot 4K and 8K video and he owns daylight balanced underwater video lights. Jim can also shoot Sony and RED cameras or the camera of your choice if you prefer to use your own equipment or rent to fit the format of your production. Contact Jim Knowlton for more information.
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom ‘Spotlight on Jim Knowlton’
Jim shot an underwater video for Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom series on the Kelp Forest Ecosystem. Jim shot at the California Channel Islands to capture these epic kelp forest scenes. You can see episodes of this series here: (make link light blue)
Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Kelp Forest Ecosystem Series
Jim shot video above and underwater of Jean-Michel Cousteau and a team of scientists for SWAINS ISLAND – One of the Last Jewels of the Planet. The film won top award in the category, People and the Sea at the Blue Ocean Film Festival in Florida.
Jim Knowlton is available to shoot underwater video to promote underwater products. He shot video for this SRV-08 ROV for RJE Oceanbotics. This video was shot during a one day trip to Santa Catalina Island to take advantage of some of the best underwater visibility off California.
Underwater video shot by Director of Underwater Photography Jim Knowlton
Jim also shot underwater video for a commercial for the Hayward Aquanaut 200 & 400 Suction-Side Pool Cleaners. Jim hooked up an HDMI cable to his underwater housing so that the topside director could see what Jim was shooting. The director and Jim used an OTS Buddy Phone 2 Channel Surface Station to communicate so the director could direct Jim to get the shots he was looking for. Jim is available for pool shoots using an HDMI live video feed to the surface and with Buddy Phone communications.
Underwater scenes shot by Director of Photography Jim Knowlton
Underwater Product Video for Oceanbotics ROV
Blue Ocean Productions owner and underwater cinematographer Jim Knowlton filmed underwater product footage for the Oceanbotics SRV-8 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), creating cinematic visuals that demonstrated the vehicle’s maneuverability, precision, and real-world performance beneath the surface. The video helped showcase the commercial capabilities of the professional inspection ROV for customers in the marine technology industry.
From marine technology and underwater robotics to scientific equipment and commercial diving systems, Jim combines underwater cinematography with product storytelling to create engaging marketing videos that highlight innovation, engineering, and performance in challenging underwater environments.
Filming Rick Rosenthal and Hobie in Hawaii
Blue Ocean Productions owner and underwater cinematographer Jim Knowlton traveled to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii to film underwater and topside video for Rick Rosenthal and Hobie as Rick explored the Pacific aboard his Hobie kayak. Working in the open ocean, Jim captured incredible marine wildlife encounters while documenting the adventure for a commercial production that showcased both the excitement of ocean exploration and the beauty of Hawaii’s marine environment.
The expedition included unforgettable encounters with spinner dolphins, pilot whales, oceanic whitetip sharks, and vibrant coral reefs in crystal-clear water. With more than 20 years of experience filming beneath the surface, Jim combines technical diving knowledge, marine wildlife filmmaking, and cinematic storytelling to create compelling visuals for documentary, television, and commercial productions around the world.
Filming Tourism Fiji’s Ecotourism Campaign
Blue Ocean Productions owner and underwater cinematographer Jim Knowlton traveled to Fiji with Jean-Michel Cousteau and Ocean Futures Society to produce a series of promotional videos for Tourism Fiji. Jim captured both underwater and topside 4K footage of Fiji’s pristine coral reefs, tropical rainforests, white-sand beaches, eco-friendly resorts, and environmental restoration projects, helping showcase Fiji as one of the world’s premier ecotourism destinations.
The project resulted in six promotional films, translated into three languages, highlighting Fiji’s commitment to sustainable tourism and marine conservation. The shorter videos continue to be featured on Fiji Airways’ in-flight entertainment system, introducing travelers from around the world to the beauty of Fiji and its commitment to protecting its marine environment. Through underwater cinematography and cinematic storytelling, the series inspires visitors while promoting coral restoration, mangrove planting, wildlife conservation, and sustainable tourism.
