Robbie Shone Photography

06/03/2026

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s karst rivers flow through caves and sinkholes, creating unique habitats that support exceptional biodiversity. Rivers such as the Buna, Bregava and Neretva have shaped the landscape for millennia, while the region’s caves host many highly specialized and vulnerable species. This biodiversity is threatened by the Upper Horizons hydropower project, which is expected to significantly alter Herzegovina’s hydrology. Researchers documenting these ecosystems have rediscovered Telestes dabar, a fish once thought extinct, and identified a new cave beetle and parasitic fungus, both likely found nowhere else. Using environmental DNA, barcoding and traditional taxonomy, the team is mapping hidden biodiversity and supporting conservation efforts. Yet many species remain undiscovered, and ongoing construction means time is running out to protect them. Last in this series is a photograph of Dr. Iva Njunjić taking a specimen from a cave called Provalija.

06/03/2026

How did I miss this! Bravo Roberto Rojo and the Cenotes Urbanos - More awareness needed!

Beneath the Yucatán Peninsula lies a sacred Mayan cave, once believed to be 'a gateway to the underworld'.

06/01/2026

On my way home from the most incredible and unforgettable expedition to the Grand Canyon. What a privilege! Thanks everyone involved. You really made it a very special experience! Thanks Irina for capturing this awesome moment that I looked forward to every single day! All will be revealed very soon.

06/01/2026

I’m in Las Vegas, heading home after an incredible and unforgettable expedition to the Grand Canyon. More from that later…
This portrait of Matej Vucić in Bosnia and Herzegovina was photographed just before I left for the Grand Canyon, documenting the invisible stories hidden beneath the water’s surface. The device in his hand is more than a sampling tool. It’s an environmental DNA (eDNA) filtration system. Using glass fiber membranes with 1 micron pores, it filters water and captures traces of DNA left behind by the animals that live there. Each sample creates a snapshot of biodiversity, revealing species that may never appear in front of the camera.
A portrait of exploration, science, and the unseen connections flowing through every river.

05/15/2026

In the caves of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I had the privilege of documenting the inspiring work of a group of National Geographic Explorers, who have been awarded an NGS Meridian Grant entitled “Guardians of the Karst”. They are working to document the rivers both above and below ground before they change beyond recognition. This moment here captures biologist Dr. Iva Njunjić carefully sampling insects from the walls of Gajova Jama (cave). Her meticulous work helps to reveal the fragile ecosystems thriving far beneath the surface that desperately needs protecting.
As always, I’m eternally grateful for the trust, the patience, the mud (which there was lots in one cave), the laughter, and the reminder that exploration is still very much alive, especially underground!

05/09/2026

Grateful, and quietly humbled, to see my photograph on the front cover of the June 2026 issue of fotoMAGAZIN. Being part of a publication with such a long history in photography truly means a great deal. Inside the magazine is a multi-page spread showcasing my cave photography, a portfolio shaped over years of exploration. These hard won images reveal a hidden world that has existed for millions of years in complete darkness, untouched by time in the way we know it. The feature also leads toward my upcoming exhibition at the Zingst Environmental Photo Festival in northern Germany, where I will be present from June 4 to 7. After ten years away, I really can’t wait to be back in Zingst for this wonderful photo festival.

Thankful for the journey and to everyone who has supported it along the way, especially to those who have voluntarily suffering miserable working conditions all for the sake of a photograph.

05/05/2026

This image was taken inside Rising Star Cave in South Africa, in the narrow entrance tunnel leading toward the chamber where paleoanthropologist Lee Berger and his team uncovered the remains of a small brained hominid that continues to challenge how we think about early human behavior and capability. The small narrow passages in the cave demand focus. Progress is slow, and not everything reveals itself immediately. Spend enough time looking, and the cave starts to suggest more than it shows…

I am very much looking forward to continuing the Explorer in the Field program with NGS soon, where the next chapter begins with a new team of researchers working underground in caves.

04/30/2026

Cave exploration remains one of the last frontiers on Earth where the unknown still awaits. In this remarkable scene, an explorer quietly paddles across the stunning Lake Castrovalva inside Lechuguilla Cave, a hidden world first explored in the 1980s. Before stepping into a small inflatable boat, she carefully changed into clean clothing and non-marking shoes to protect this untouched environment. For millions of years, the cave has been completely sealed off from both human and animal contact, preserving its delicate beauty.
Today, access is tightly restricted due to its scientific importance and fragile condition, ensuring it remains as pristine as possible. It’s a true time capsule, offering a glimpse into a world vastly different from the one we know today.

04/29/2026

Photo and words by workshop participant Alva Miconi who used Ilford HP5 (400) B&w film: “I love caving because I find it a metaphor for life: moving toward the unknown, ready to face obstacles and discovering wonders where you least expect them. Cave photography feels like a deeper reflection of caving itself: you never know what you’ll get until you finally see it, and you can encounter unbelievable scenes in the heart of darkness. With film photography, this feeling is even more intense; the uncertainty, the surprise, the waiting before the beauty reveals itself. Just to catch a glimpse of the unknown. I usually do film photography outside, but inside a cave it’s another level. Robbie’s teaching was incredibly valuable, and he never lost trust in the choice I made; the method I learned and the newfound faith in the process are priceless. Thanks to for this wonderful workshop”

Thanks again to all the participants for sharing their favorite photographs. It’s been a pleasure seeing them all again and reading your stories. 🇮🇹

04/27/2026

Photo and words by workshop participant Sofia Braccalenti: “Being able to receive advice, ideas, suggestions, and inspiration from Robbie Shone in person was a true honor for me, and I am deeply grateful. For me, photography means documenting and sharing what I observe: showing others a glimpse of the underground world, made of dark and almost unknown places. Making them the protagonists of my shots fills my heart with joy. I hope that each photograph of these wonderful caves can remind us how fragile and vulnerable they are, and how important it is to preserve them for future generations.
My heartfelt thanks go to Robbie Shone and the entire FUGS team for making this experience possible.”

That concludes all uploads from those workshop participants using digital cameras and smartphones. Hopefully by the end of the week we’ll see what Alva Miconi captured using Ilford HP5 (400) black & white film. 🇮🇹