While you can shoot underwater photos anywhere you dive, there are some ways to make your photo dives as productive as possible. Before you go, be sure you find out what others have seen there, then get to know your subjects by researching their behavior. Consider general conditions you'll encounter such as visibility, and if possible, view photos others have taken in the same area. These are only the first steps to successful dive planning with a focus on photography. Read on for more!
Check Currents and Conditions
Avoid trying to make your dives when tidal swings are greatest, and check the weather and swell reports too. When the weather is sunny, you'll end up with great wide angle shots; when it's cloudy or rainy, you may end up with stunning macro photos so long as you carry the appropriate lights. As for swell, remember that short period swells make for a rougher surface but don't go down deep, while long period swells usually create surge.
Next, learn about the currents at the site you'll be visiting, and go with them instead of against them to get good wide angle photos. If you plan to take macro shots, turn around and face the current to get those; this way, silt you may kick up will not make its way into your photos.
A Matter of Timing
Conducting research about the marine life that inhabits areas where you will be diving can help you decide what time to dive. Sunrise dives yield great photos of schooling fish, sharks, rays, and other animals that are most active during the early hours of the day, while of course night dives are best for photographing nocturnal species. Still other creatures are most active at dusk and dawn, or in the late afternoon. Timing makes all the difference.
During the Dive: Tips for Getting Great Photos
During the dive, you'll need to find subjects to shoot, and as you never know what you're going to see when you get to the bottom, it's imperative that you be prepared with your camera before you step off the boat. Once you're on site, look around for subjects to shoot. Even if you're at a site with relatively little in the way of macro life or if you're just hanging around waiting for sharks or other big marine life to show up, you can work on colors and textures for a while.
In tropical waters, here are some things you can look for: crabs and shrimps like crinoids, sponges, and coral, while ghost pipefish and crinoid fish can usually be found among crinoids. Look inside barrel sponges for small fish, and search for gobies according to their habits - again, reading up on your subjects is going to help you find them.
Finally, remember to explore. Look under ledges, in recesses, and in hidey holes; you'll often come across elusive species if you do so. If you can get to the area where a wreck or reef meets the sand, you'll normally come up with plenty of subjects to shoot, particularly ambush predators, nudibranchs, and invertebrates. Remember to approach your subjects carefully, and stay calm as you set up for your shots. Even with careful planning, you might find some pretty exciting and unexpected marine life to photograph, and steady hands make for great photos.