David Doubilet captured his first images at the age of 12 in the cold, murky waters of New Jersey in the late 1950s, an era when the equipment was primitive and every picture was a struggle heavily dependent on luck. Since then, due in no small part to Doubilet's contributions, underwater photography has advanced rapidly, allowing the world to see clearly the once invisible beauty and mystery that lies beneath the surface of the world's oceans.

For many years, Doubilet, a veteran National Geographic photographer, has worked to photograph the entire 1,250-mile length of Australia's immense and spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef is the stunning culmination of his efforts. This breathtaking, collector-quality edition features spectacular photographs and essays that capture the complex web of life along the Great Barrier Reef and presents a rare, complete portrait of this natural underseas wonder.

• 186 pages; 125 full-color photographs
• 12'' x 10''
• Hardcover
• © 2002