Underwater photography how does it work

However, aquatic wildlife can be photographed in a dramatic and elegant fashion. Tropical fish, whale sharks and seals make the ideal subjects in an underwater photo. Most underwater photography is conducted for pleasure, but some styles have a more serious nature. Underwater photography can be employed for reasons including technical, scientific and surveying. Definitely a niche pursuit but nevertheless gaining in popularity, specialist underwater drones are tethered to a remote control to allow photos and videos to be captured at depths of up to m.

See our guide: Are underwater drones worth it? For those that have diving skills and qualifications, you may consider specializing in a subcategory. Being an underwater photographer as a sideline to scuba diving for a survey company could prove a rewarding choice.

For example, your brief may be to capture images for the construction of a deep-sea oil rig. Alternatively, you could take a purely artistic approach and capture macro or scenic underwater images to then sell as stock photography. Your best work may be purchased by a gallery or you could hold an exhibition of photographs for sale. People with an affiliation with the ocean or local waterways are willing to spend money on images for their homes and workplaces.

For shallow work, you should at the very least have good swimming skills and some experience in snorkeling. For those that want to go into deeper waters or even further out to sea, you need a little more than a good camera.

This must take place before you consider buying an underwater camera or stepping foot in the ocean. Aside from knowing the skills of the best scuba divers, there are some other fundamentals involved in planning an underwater photography experience.

Saltwater is often best, as is the need for calm waters so that ground elements are not churned up. Use local weather sources to understand the tides and currents. The underwater world is home to some of the most feared creatures on earth. On top of that, consider how to actually manage encounters with any unexpected sea life. As with land-based wildlife photography, be careful not to impact the natural environment.

Above all else, do your research on the environment, inhabitants and how to manage them. Next: how to operate your camera properly. So take the time to fix your camera settings first.

The last fundamental is understanding where and when to dive and get optimal shots. At the end of the day, the most important fundamental to underwater shooting is to know your limits. As with any genre of photography, the basics remain unchanged — camera, lenses and lighting. Shooting on the surface is much different from shooting underwater — for starters, being able to change settings and control the camera is complicated when underwater.

A purpose-built underwater point and shoot such as the Olympus Tough TG-6 is ideal. Also, if you want to branch out into underwater video, it shoots in 4K and Full HD.

Most professional underwater photographers will opt for a DSLR or mirrorless cameras. Some are through colleges, while others are from companies that are tied in with UP. Our World Underwater Scholarship Society - A very good Scholarship program to consider is offered from the legendary watchmaker company Rolex.

Our World Underwater Scholarship Society is an organization that selects scholars every year that are interested in underwater sciences and provides both scholarships and internships. American Academy of Underwater Sciences - This organization awards scholarships and grants for individuals interested in underwater sciences.

Scholarships are granted to graduate students that submit research projects in which diving is a central tool used or diving science is a main point of focus. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science - This university in Miami, Florida has an annual underwater photography contest open to amateur photographers worldwide.

The contest draws in hundreds of submissions from around the globe. Beneath the Sea - The Sea of Tomorrow Scholarship Society offers financial assistance and scholarships to individuals who show dedication to expanding their knowledge of the oceans and marine life. There are several different scholarships on varying ocean sciences. While there are no set steps that will guarantee you a career in Underwater Photography, there are several steps that professionals suggest you take.

This is an outline of the path to take if you are interested in a career in UP. Many individuals will find that these steps are crucial. While it goes without saying that becoming a certified and seasoned diver is essential, it still must be elaborated on. For your safety first off, and second for the simple fact that if you are not experienced and comfortable in the water, you will not take quality pictures and videos. Knowing how to use your buoyancy is crucial for steadying the camera as all your slight movements and breathing will affect your shot.

While you are on assignments you have a finite window of time to perform the dive and get the shots you need. Sometimes in terrible conditions and against the worst elements. Get certified, travel, become a strong swimmer, be confident in the water.

Having an avid interest in ocean life will be a huge asset on this path. You must be knowledgeable about marine life, climates, oceans, migration patterns, the list goes on.

You must constantly progress your knowledge to further your understanding of the subjects of your photography. While education and certifications do help greatly, there is nothing better than first hand, up close experience. Get in the water with a subject and assignment in mind and learn how to immerse yourself in the underwater ecosystems in a gentle and non harmful way. Respect the marine life you are documenting.

Becoming an elite photographer is not easy but definitely a key component to being successful in this field. You have to study and practice your techniques to become proficient. Forums and sites are great resources to pick up on techniques. It is highly advised to do the best with what you can afford and get your own underwater video camera to practice with.

The techniques used underwater are very particular due to the low light and the absence of color in deep depths. You have to learn to use strobes and spotlights as well as camera enclosures. The right equipment and techniques will take you very far, but only if you have the skills and knowledge of their operation. So, here are a few tips to help you get started on the right fin. Camera Body. If you already own a camera and are well-versed in using it on land, all you may need to do is check to see if an underwater housing is available for it.

That being said, a really nice DSLR camera that takes amazing pictures above water is not always the best choice when you just start to shoot beneath the waves. They are much easier to travel and dive with, yet, thanks to the modern camera technology, can produce great images. Note, if you decide to dive with a larger camera system, check out the special buoyancy aids, such as arm floats and port floats. These will help in getting your rig neutrally buoyant. Camera Housing. Most mainstream camera manufacturers produce their own range of underwater housings which are generally rated to 30 meters feet.

Stronger versions with higher depth ratings are available through specialized underwater gear manufacturers, such as Nauticam, Ikelite, Seacam, and others but tend to be more expensive. Lighting is one of the most critical factors when shooting underwater, so much so that even the best camera can be useless in many situations without a good source of light. You can start out with just the built-in camera flash but keep in mind, because the light generated by the flash will not travel far through the water, it will work well only when shooting small subjects at a very close range.

Strobes, just like the built-in camera flash, light up only when you take a picture but are much more powerful, so you can shoot larger subjects as well as those that are further away. Underwater video lights can be turned on and off, providing constant light rather than a flash.

Having constant light means that you can see through the camera viewfinder how the image will look prior to taking the shot. With this setup, you will be able to capture good images of most underwater subjects. In order to become a good underwater photographer, you must perfect your buoyancy and dive skills. You will need to have excellent physical coordination to get into tight spots or to remain in a stationary position and avoid any contact with the reef or bottom.

Learn to control your body positioning and improve your trim, practice a few different finning techniques, think about keeping your breathing controlled and relaxed. Consider starting at your local dive site. This way you will have a chance to gain more confidence and get used to your new setup beforehand, rather than awkwardly fiddling with the settings and ultimately missing out on unique and special experiences during your dive trip.

Finally, always follow the basic dive safety procedures. Whilst it is easy to become absorbed in your photography and lose track of things, remember to monitor your depth and gas supply, as well as stay in contact with your buddy.

So here are a few tips and basic underwater photography principles that will help you take better photos when you are just starting out. Before the dive:. For one thing, you'll know what's dangerous and what to avoid. You'll also be more familiar with animals' behavioral habits so that you'll have a better idea of how and where to shoot them. It's also worth noting that things look different while underwater than they do in your photos. Much like astrophotography, the image results are going to be more vibrant than you would expect.

Knowing what colors are actually present and how to use them in the composition is helpful. External strobes are extremely important to underwater images, but flashes aren't always the answer. You can use backlight from the water's surface to frame interesting shots. It also adds depth and interest to your composition.

Bright objects, like reflective sand areas, are also sources of light in photographs. Read more about natural light photography , the best time to take pictures, essential notes on lighting and equipment. A great deal of the things you see and want to share underwater are otherworldly and colorful, especially in tropical areas. But underwater black and white photos add an unexpected layer of drama to the composition that shouldn't be ignored.

Look for wide-angle shots where you can use black and white to emphasize textures and shapes with deep shadows and high contrast. Read more on top tips for beginners on black and white photography. Divers' bubbles can make trouble for the image if they drift into the frame. Divers tend to get into a rhythm of breathing that will allow time to compose the photo and make sure the camera is out of the way.

But there's another way to look at this too. The bubbles might make an interesting composition element, especially in shots that look up towards the surface. Diving can be a risky business, so be sure not to get so focused on your photography that you forget the basics.

Avoid strong currents, always know where the boat is, and, of course, keep an eye on your air supply. Also, don't forget slow ascents and safety stops.

Just like with other types of photography, it's important to remember to slow down and enjoy the journey. Most people don't dive just for the photos; they dive for the love of being underwater.

Don't spend all of your dive energy and time on just taking pictures. Enjoy the moment, and appreciate the opportunity to spend a few minutes below the waves. Saving your energy and slowing down your dive goes a long way towards seeing more stuff. When diving on coral reefs, it's often interesting to pause for a few minutes and sit in a sandy patch. From here, see what passes by. Mastery comes after lots of practice.

But it's also important to exercise your creative muscles and try something new. Mix up your dives by making one macro and one wide-angle.

If you're a reef diver, try working on a wreck for once. You could also hop on a plane and try diving in an entirely new area. Taking your photography underwater requires a lot of specialized equipment and a lot of practice.

But for divers who want to share what they see below the water, it's worth the effort. Underwater images bring awareness of ocean issues to the rest of us and remind us of the interconnectedness of the planet. If you are searching about how to make a portfolio website then make sure that the portfolio website builder you choose offers the flexibility, features, and ease-of-use you need to put together a professional portfolio website without requiring any coding knowledge.

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Choose from fully customizable, stunning website themes to showcase your work. Your mobile-ready, online portfolio website comes with all the features and tools you need to grow your creative business. Pixpa enables photographers to create and manage a portfolio website easily. Try it out with a day free trial. Explore More Articles See all articles. All Posts , Photography , Learn ,.

Amrish Mudgal on Mar 21, 13 min read. Fundamentals of Underwater Photography While it's perfectly possible to get some great snaps while freediving and snorkeling, expert underwater photographers know that the only sure-fire approach is to shoot while scuba diving.

Divers should be familiar with where it is safe to sit or stand to rest, and what they can and should not touch. Always work to minimize your impact. Take only photos, and leave only bubbles. Subjects of Underwater Photos Scenics and Wide-Angle Shots Perhaps the most commonly thought of types of underwater images, scenics include wide-angle shots of schools of fish or coral reefs.

Wildlife Aquatic wildlife ranges from fish, sharks, whales, rays, seals, and everything in between. Macro No matter what type of image you take underwater, you are nearly always close to the subject. Underwater Fashion Photography Underwater model photography is taking off, with many Instagram influencers making names for themselves.

Equipment and Lighting Underwater photography equipment ranges from basic point-and-shoot models aimed at tourists on vacation to elaborate underwater housings built for the best DSLR systems. Underwater Point-and-Shoot Cameras Point-and-shoot underwater photography cameras can be a lot of fun for freediving and shooting at the beach.

Underwater DSLR or Mirrorless Setups To compensate for the lighting and refraction difficulties found underwater, professional underwater photography equipment revolves around using good cameras in underwater housings. Lens Choices If you choose a DSLR for your underwater photography camera, your lens choice is going to be tied closely to the types of images you're after. Underwater Housings Arguably the most important part of the entire setup is the housing that you choose. Underwater Photography Techniques Composition Underwater composition techniques aren't greatly different from what you do above the waves.

Lighting Water that has particulates floating around will often produce backscatter in photographs. Post-Production Colors and levels adjustments can make a world of difference in underwater photos.

Get Comfortable Being at home in the water is key. Practice with your Equipment Take any opportunity to practice, even if it seems a bit silly.