9 stunning shots of Siamese Fighting Fish

Bangkok photographer Visarute Angkatavanich has turned a lifelong interest in Siamese fighting fish into art with a stunning series of ultra-detailed photos.

He expertly captures the vibrant colors of the scaly beasts, which look frozen and floating in air. The water around them is imperceptible.

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We got in touch with Visarute, who told us about the impetus behind his obsession with the Siamese fighting fish and his shooting process.

Coconuts Bangkok: Where did you shoot these photos? Was it difficult to arrange this shoot and the fish so perfectly?

Visarute: I shoot in my condo with studio tools. The most important part of work is to clean the fish tank and filter the water as clear as possible. After that, it’s just like working in the studio for other jobs. Normally, I took about 100 hundred pics per fish and got a few good shots. Actually, taking photos of small fish, I didn’t need large space but needed still life or product photograph skills. You need to know about lighting and the mood and tone of the photo you want, the character of each fish. And a little patience for the fish.

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Coconuts Bangkok: How did you become interested in Siamese fighting fish? Why did you decide to make them your photography subject?

Visarute: When I was young, my father gave me some fish: goldfish, guppies, Siamese fighting fish etc. That was the beginning. I love to see fish swimming. I like aquariums, diving, fishing.

A few years ago, I started selling pics on micro stock websites. Going through many photography subject, I finally I found that fish were my one love. I like to see the motion of them. They look so elegant and fantastic for me. About the Siamese fighting fish, I found that nowadays there are many more mutations of them. They have some kind I never seen before. And that makes me more interested.

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Coconuts Bangkok: Do you work as a photographer fulltime? Can you tell us a little more about yourself?

Visarute: Now I’m a commercial photographer full-time. I live in Bangkok and I ‘ve beena photographer for 20 years. I ‘m 43 years old and married with a lovely daughter. I work with many advertising agencies now as freelance photographer.

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You can check out more amazing photos of Siamese fighting fish on Visarute’s 500px page.