At 17, Barney crafted his inaugural underwater housing for a Canon AE1, a gift from his parents. Since then, he has spent over a decade traveling full-time, relentlessly pursuing remarkable photos and rare wildlife. His work has graced numerous publications, beyond his own books.

A pair of Harlequin Ghostpipefish (Solenostomus Paradoxus) live together monogamously on a feather star. Despite their vibrant colors, they blend seamlessly into their surroundings. They primarily feed on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and larvae carried by the current.

The Coconut Octopus (Amphioctopus Marginatus) can have a body sac measuring up to 10 cm and arms that extend to 20 cm in length. Found at depths of up to 200 m, it is easily accessible to divers even at just 10 m.

The Arrowhead Soapfish (Belonoperca Chabanaudi) can often be found in the dark recesses of the steep walls around Bunaken. The solitary creature usually stands upside down in the shade, waiting for dusk.

The Broadclub Cuttlefish (Ascarosepion Latimanus) has eyes positioned laterally like a fish, but it can rotate them forward to create overlapping fields of vision.