Underwater photography is easier now than ever before, and thanks to the availability of inexpensive underwater cameras, more divers are able to invest in the equipment needed to undertake underwater photography expeditions. If you’re just now getting into underwater photography or if you are considering purchasing an underwater camera, you’ll appreciate these tips for making photo dives successful.
Get Up Close and Personal
While there’s often no need to get terribly close to your subjects when taking photos topside, the opposite is usually true for underwater photography. The closer you can get to your subjects, the more colorful your images will be, and the better details will stand out. There are of course some exceptions to this – for example, if you’re shooting a panoramic scene such as a shipwreck, you’ll need to get far enough away from your subject to capture the entire thing. Then again, by using a wide angle or fisheye lens, you can stay close enough to your subject to make it really pop with details.
Shoot at an Upward Angle
Whether taking a fish portrait or a posed photo of your favorite dive buddy, you’re likely to get the best results when you position yourself slightly beneath your subject and then shoot at an upward angle. While it might be a lot easier to position yourself over subjects and point your camera downward, your images will take on a flat, lifeless quality if you do this. Look at the work of professional underwater photographers, and you’ll notice that the images they produce are often head-on, and are usually taken from an interesting perspective. The more you work on composing photos using this strategy, the better your images will turn out.
Keep the Focus Clearly Defined
No matter where you’re taking photos, sharp, clear focus is a desirable trait. No matter how good your composition is, and no matter how interesting an angle you’re taking your shot from, your images won’t be usable unless the subjects are in focus. Learn how to use your camera, and give yourself some time to understand how it functions. Most underwater photographers encounter some difficulty with focus as they learn the basics, so don’t become discouraged. The more photos you take, the faster you’ll be able to focus on even the most evasive subjects so you get clear, focused shots.
Keep Your Own Focus
Diving with a camera is a lot different from diving without one; suddenly, you’re on the lookout for subjects to photograph, and this can distract you from minding the basics. Be sure to focus on your own safety, and don’t forget that it’s vital to maintain neutral buoyancy while taking photos – not just to protect the environment, but to get better shots. Finally, you’ll need to be patient as you wait for all the elements of the desired composition to come together. Professional underwater photographers often take several dives just to capture one special shot! At the same time as you’re working to focus on capturing the images you envisioned before your dive, keep an eye out for other things to photograph. A simple sunburst behind your dive buddy is almost sure to look impressive.
Carry a Strobe
Although strobes can be costly, and although they require special handling, carrying a strobe will allow you to get better color saturation in your photos, and it will also help you to reduce blurring as it “freezes” motion so your images look like what you’re seeing with your eyes. Be sure to learn how your camera functions before investing in a strobe; take a few dives without strobes to get the basics down, and you’ll find the learning process a little less frustrating.
Take Advantage of Digital Camera Features
With digital cameras, nothing is really left up to chance. Learn how to review your photos rapidly after taking them. This will give you the opportunity to adjust your angle, change the distance between yourself and your subject, or make adjustments to strobes and other light sources as needed. While you may end up with some unusable shots, you’ll be able to get lots of great images this way – particularly in comparison with the images new underwater photographers were able to get back in the days before digital cameras were widely available.
Try Shooting on Manual
Automatic mode will usually give you decent results, but to get really outstanding photographs, learn how to use the manual features on your camera and use those as much as you can. Though camera manuals may be boring to read, reviewing the literature that came with your camera and learning one feature at a time will help you to shoot in manual mode. Learn how to take photos in manual mode while topside, then try out the tricks you learn underwater. This way, you can focus on photography instead of fumbling with your camera.
Maintain Equipment
If your equipment isn’t working properly, you won’t be able to take underwater photos. It’s that simple. Be sure to maintain all of your equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and not only will it last longer, you’ll get superior results with a clean, well-maintained camera and housing.
Be Careful of Your Surroundings
When diving without a camera, it’s fairly easy to avoid contact with coral, keep an eye on your dive buddy, and watch out for potential hazards. When you add a camera to the equation, it’s easy to become distracted, forget to look out for your buddy, bump into corals, and have painful encounters with dangerous marine life. Be careful of your surroundings, and you’ll enjoy your experience while staying safe.
Enjoy the Experience
The most important thing you can do on a photo dive? Have fun! Go with the flow, enjoy the experience, and gradually work your way into learning different techniques. After all, the point of underwater photography is to create lasting memories of your diving experiences to share with friends and loved ones; keep this in mind, and focus on having fun.
Last, but certainly not least, consider investing in an underwater photography class. Your local dive shop may offer classes, and some professionals offer courses as well. While it is certainly possible to learn as you go, taking a class will provide you with the knowledge and insight you need to take your underwater photography skills to the next level.