Underwater Digital Photography Part 2

Step 1: Tip 6: Bring back the colour

The difference between taking pictures on land and underwater is that water is dense and therefore absorbs sunlight and in turn swallows up colour.

As you go deeper, the warm hues of red, orange and yellow are gradually lost… and pictures take on a monochromatic blue. To get bright, colorful pictures, you need artificial light…

Using a flashgun will really help the quality of your pictures… The built-in flash is useful in an emergency, but it's been designed primarily for use topside. Underwater, the built-in flash is not very effective because it's situated so close to the lens. This proximity creates backscatter.

Step 2: Tip 7: Avoid "Backscatter"

When your flash goes off, particles in the water reflect the light right back into the lens and the result is a fog of flecks called backscatter. There are a few ways to avoid it:

Only ever dive in clear water; Be careful not to stir up the sea bed; or as before use an off-camera strobe so you can position the light beam away from the lens.

Step 3: Tip 8: Know Your Subject

Understanding how the fish lives, moves, eats and hunts can make "stalking" him so much easier. Listen to the dive briefings, observe your subject before you move in with your camera and, probably most important of all, be patient.

And never under-estimate the worth of a good fish book!

Step 4: Tip 9: Shoot your buddies

Unless using close-up to capture a rare species or strange type of behaviour, always try and get another diver in shot. Photos without a diver in will very rarely be interesting to your non-aquatic friends.

Used correctly, a diving model can add an unobtrusive point of interest that is pleasing to the eye.

An image that at first appears dull and lifeless can take on a whole new dynamic with the addition of a silhouetted diver in the background.

Step 5: Tip 10: Practice

Especially with digital cameras, there's no reason not to take several shots of one subject, then delete the ones that didn't turn out well. Notice, as you go, what worked well and what didn't.

Read magazines and books for tips from professionals. There's hundreds of sources in book form and on the internet.

Or even better, sign up for a course for hands on instruction.