Exploring the best dive destination in the world is an ultimate goal a true-blue diver wants to achieve. And like any special moment, capturing this exhilarating plunge on cam preserves not only the wonderful creatures you will discover underwater but also the great experience you will have. Yes, you may have a waterproof camera ready but without knowing the basics of underwater photography, your photos may end up like this:
Remember that there is a huge difference between taking photos on land and underwater. For instance, a photo may look vibrant when you capture it above the water, but it won’t be any more when taken into the sea with the same settings. Underwater photography has certain rules to keep in mind so if you want to take a decent image of your best dive destination experience, here are some basic tips before you press that shutter.
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(The image
above lost its colors when taken underwater, resulting in a monochromatic
bluish hue.
Image
source: http://bit.ly/2HqMT5L)
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You don’t want that, do you?
Remember that there is a huge difference between taking photos on land and underwater. For instance, a photo may look vibrant when you capture it above the water, but it won’t be any more when taken into the sea with the same settings. Underwater photography has certain rules to keep in mind so if you want to take a decent image of your best dive destination experience, here are some basic tips before you press that shutter.
(1)
Set the camera to the underwater mode or use strobes. As stated before, the color gets lost as you dive deeper into the water. This is because the water acts as a light filter to the color wavelengths. It absorbs and distorts the warm shades, removing reds, oranges, and yellows, giving photos greenish to bluish hues.
Quick fix: The camera’s underwater mode is designed to bring out the actual colors underwater, filtering out the blue in the process. Also, using strobes should do the trick.
Quick fix: The camera’s underwater mode is designed to bring out the actual colors underwater, filtering out the blue in the process. Also, using strobes should do the trick.
(2)
Get closer to the subject. Aside from colors, water also reduces sharpness and contrast. In addition, use of strobes or flash may also expose the debris around your subject, resulting in backscatter.
Quick fix: Backscatter is often caused by improper strobe placement so positioning it further away from behind the camera should greatly reduce the debris in your photos. Getting your camera closer to the subject, preferably within 12 inches should also minimize backscatter while resulting in better sharpness and contrast.
(3)
Use stabilizer stick. Blurry shots are more likely to happen when you are underwater than on land because of the sea currents. You may also find it difficult to find the right focus if you are too weary not to disturb marine critters or accidentally step on corals beneath you.
Quick fix: A stabilizer stick comes in handy because it can anchor yourself into the rock or sand, avoiding sea creatures and allowing you to grip the camera properly for a steady shot.
(4)
Get closer to the subject. Aside from colors, water also reduces sharpness and contrast. In addition, use of strobes or flash may also expose the debris around your subject, resulting in backscatter.
Quick fix: Backscatter is often caused by improper strobe placement so positioning it further away from behind the camera should greatly reduce the debris in your photos. Getting your camera closer to the subject, preferably within 12 inches should also minimize backscatter while resulting in better sharpness and contrast.
(3)
Use stabilizer stick. Blurry shots are more likely to happen when you are underwater than on land because of the sea currents. You may also find it difficult to find the right focus if you are too weary not to disturb marine critters or accidentally step on corals beneath you.
Quick fix: A stabilizer stick comes in handy because it can anchor yourself into the rock or sand, avoiding sea creatures and allowing you to grip the camera properly for a steady shot.
(4)
Don’t forget about composition. A good photo of a school of fish swimming in a pattern can be easily ruined by a rusting can in the background. The same goes for a perfect background but an out of frame turtle passing through.
Quick fix: Remember the rules of composition even when taking photos underwater. Rule of thirds, golden ratio, patterns, etc.—these can all make a pleasing image so apply them whenever possible.
Quick fix: Remember the rules of composition even when taking photos underwater. Rule of thirds, golden ratio, patterns, etc.—these can all make a pleasing image so apply them whenever possible.
You need not be a pro photographer to take decent underwater photos. Just learning the basics and doing some practice allows you to pull off good photos to preserve your diving experience. Now, are you ready to take the plunge? Head to the best dive destination, capture the moment and share your memories with us.
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