Sometimes a dive is a once in a life time adventure and you are absolutely going to want to capture and save that underwater experience to share with loved ones and brag to friends. As they say "A picture is worth a thousand words." So here are some tips for before and during the time when you discover the splendor underwater. Here are some simple yet useful tips to get you started in your underwater photography experience:
1. Read the user's manual for your specific underwater or water proof camera make note of the depth and how long your camera can withstand the underwater pressure. With the waterproof camera you will need to purchase an underwater housing. Get acquainted with the various modes your camera offers and when to use them.
2. Work on perfecting your diving and buoyancy skills underwater, splashing around and fast moves will scare the marine life you are trying to photograph. Always respect your underwater environment, we want the future generations to take pleasure in its mysterious beauty also.
3. If your camera has an underwater mode be sure to position your camera to that mode, do not forget to turn on the flash. The deeper you go the less light you have, the more color is washed out. Some underwater photographers will purchase an external strobe/flash. Use of flashes and different lens may be a whole other article that I will leave to the professionals.
4. If using the underwater housing, practice on land to get the feel for taking pictures with the housing on the camera. It may seem heavy and clunky at first but I am sure you will get used to it.
5. Get close to your subject 12 - 18", water reduces contrast, color, and sharpness therefore the less water between you and your subject the better! * Unless it is a great White Shark in this case I suggest you swim away very fast.
6. Shoot your subject upward towards the light not down into the murky depths. As on land try to have the sun to your back. Try several different angles. Do not just take one shot and hope it turns out okay. Pretend you are the professional photographer and your subject is the super model. Click, click, click, just have fun with it. The great thing about a digital camera is you can see if it was a keeper or the kind you throw back. You can hit the delete button.
I cannot profess to be an expert at any of these tips, they are only ideas I have picked up reading about underwater photography that sounded smart to me. You will find me and my underwater camera at the pool taking underwater pictures of the grandkids. So join an underwater photography forum, take classes at your local college and learn from others mistakes. Even though I am not a diver I have purchased the underwater as opposed to the waterproof camera. They are made compact, rugged, affordable, and easy to use on either wet or dry land. It can be dropped in a mud puddle or left out in the rain overnight when camping with no harm done. I personally can attest to the damage done to a digital camera left out on the picnic table when a surprise rain shower happens overnight, it just never works the same as it did before that fateful night. Who knows someday I just may get the urge to see what lies beyond in the big ocean of blue.
BE SAFE AND HAVE FUN!
*Disclaimer on line 5 I really do not have the expertise to give guidance on what is the suitable way to exit if you encounter a shark or any other underwater danger. The biggest danger I have encountered is a 5 year old with a water gun, in this case you pull out your water gun and get even. I do advise that when you are taking your scuba lessons that you ask a lot of questions, read books or other articles on the web.
Claire Capes http://www.extremeelementscameras.com is a devoted Grandmother who loves to get her Grandchildren into soggy situations. She got the idea of underwater cameras and waterproof cameras by forgetting her digital camera on the picnic table when camping, an overnight rain shower hit and the camera never worked the same again. On a trip to Niagara Falls concern over the mist from the falls prevented some really good photo opportunities. After much research Claire and her sister decided to start an Extreme Elements Camera business so not to miss any more great shots because of cold or wet or even accidental drops. Stop by and visit http://www.extremeelementscameras.com we have done all the hard work of finding the best underwater or waterproof cameras for you so you can "Capture Your Memories in All-Weather".
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