Into the Deep: My Journey with the Nikonos V and How It Sparked the Creation of SnapSign
There’s a certain magic to shooting film - a slow, intentional process where every frame counts. But there’s a whole other world when you bring that magic underwater. In this article, I want to share my personal experience with the legendary Nikonos V, a 35mm film camera designed specifically for underwater photography. It’s not just a camera - it’s a piece of photographic history. Originally developed in collaboration with the French Navy, and later refined by Nikon, the Nikonos V has become a cult favorite among photographers. Its bold orange-and-black body, rugged mechanical build, and iconic design make it both functional and visually striking - a true tool of adventure.
The Allure of the Ocean
Underwater photography has always fascinated me. The fluid movement, the way light dances beneath the surface, the feeling of floating in another world - it's pure magic. As winter approached, I made a spontaneous decision to escape to the sun-drenched coast of Sri Lanka, chasing waves, warmth, and inspiration. Just before the trip, I found a Nikonos V on eBay from a seller in Japan. I messaged him, confirmed all the details, and placed the order. Two weeks later, the camera was in my hands - one day before my flight. With no time to waste, I took the camera to the pool, loaded a roll of film, and tested it. Seeing those developed shots brought a sigh of relief. The Nikonos was working perfectly. The next day, I flew out with the camera and 20 rolls of film packed in my bag, not knowing that this trip would change my life in more ways than one.
Shooting on the Edge: Surf, Salt, and Sun
Once in Sri Lanka, I started looking for models to shoot. Eventually, I connected with local surfers - women who were not only open to artistic nude photography, but also confident in the water. We planned a shoot on the waves. That first session was unforgettable. I strapped on my rented fins, grabbed the camera and a surfboard, and paddled out past the line-up, where surfers wait for the perfect wave. The experience was unlike anything I’d ever done. You’re floating in the ocean, the sun is high, palms sway behind you, and your only focus is the moment. The waves crash around you, salt stings your lips, and you’re adjusting the lens distance manually with soaked hands. It’s chaotic, yet beautiful.
That’s the power of the Nikonos V - it thrives in chaos. Fully mechanical and watertight, it’s built to survive harsh conditions. There's something deeply poetic in holding such a solid, analog machine while immersed in the vast, ever-moving ocean.
I ended up shooting around 15 rolls in the water, with models like Natasha, Potyra, and Tatyana. The images we created together were raw, intimate, and filled with the spirit of freedom. One of the photo series from that trip was even published in Playboy magazine, which felt like a huge validation of both the work and the camera.
The Birth of SnapSign
During one of the early shoots, I realized I had forgotten to bring printed model release forms. I was staying in Weligama, a small coastal village. Finding a printer there turned into a real adventure - I had to travel 10 kilometers just to print one sheet of paper. That inconvenience stuck with me. Why, in 2024, was it still so hard to get a model release signed on location? That moment, on a dusty scooter ride back from the print shop, the idea for SnapSign was born.
I shared the concept with my wife - a talented UI/UX designer - and we started brainstorming immediately. We wanted to build an app that would allow photographers and filmmakers to collect signatures digitally, even in the most remote places - offline, in any language, with zero hassle.
SnapSign became more than a personal solution. As we developed the app, we talked to photographers around the world and realized that this was a shared pain point. Whether you're shooting on a mountaintop, a beach, or a busy city street, the need to manage and sign legal documents on the go is universal.
Today, SnapSign is a full-fledged app available on iOS and Android, embraced by professionals and creatives everywhere. It's already been featured by Playboy and Getty Images, and was voted #2 Product of the Day on Product Hunt.
Why Nikonos V Still Matters
Back to the Nikonos. There's a reason why photographers from National Geographic - like David Doubilet and Emory Kristof - trusted this camera to document the deep. It’s a reminder that tools matter, but only in the hands of someone willing to push limits. It taught me patience, awareness, and respect for nature. It also showed me how sometimes the best ideas - like SnapSign - are born out of necessity in the middle of nowhere. I still shoot with my Nikonos V. Not just for the nostalgia or the aesthetic, but because it reminds me to slow down and immerse myself fully in the moment.
Final Thoughts
If you're a photographer or filmmaker who loves working outside the box - literally - I highly recommend getting your hands on a Nikonos V. And if you’ve ever struggled with the logistics of paperwork during a shoot, SnapSign is here for you. Created in the waves of Sri Lanka, built for creators everywhere.
