Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging objects in turbid mediums, such as water, the invention using a laser pulse, a detector of the reflected laser pulse, and a shutter on the detector. The shutter is kept closed except at the expected return time of the laser pulse from the reflected object to be detected and identified at which time the shutter is opened to permit the detector to receive the reflected laser pulse. Typically, laser pulses with widths of about 100 to about 500 psecs are used. In addition, typical shutter times or gate widths of about 100 to about 500 psecs are also used. Gate widths on the order of 120 psecs are preferred. The detector or GOI camera is shielded from spurious signals, most notably, scattered laser light from the turbid medium.