Have you ever considered taking your digital camera for a little undersea adventure? If your both a diver and an avid photographer, then I'm sure you have. Chances are you've done more then think about it, you've likely already taken the plunge . . . sorry ;) Underwater photography can be a very rewarding merging of two passionate hobbies. The resulting photographs can be beautiful. Additionally, it enables you to share your undersea adventures with family and friends that don't dive. If your just getting started though, you may want to consider a few things.
With the advent of some truly remarkable and sophisticated digital camera housings you can use the camera equipment you own are already familiar with. While there are waterproof housings for all camera makes, Canon is one of the more names that produces their own housings. There are also third party manufacturers that make camera housings for Canon cameras. If you've just purchased a waterproof case, or are in the market for one, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
Doing a test run is essential to success in the field. While you may be very familiar with your camera, using one within a case in a marine environment can be a very different experience. So, spend some time in full dive gear, with your camera a housing to see how it feels. Checking for neutral buoyancy is important here. Some housing cases come with additional weights to help achieve a slightly negative buoyancy.
While good fully charged batteries are essential to any camera work, it's doubly true with underwater photography. I've yet to see a camera housing good enough to let you change batteries while underwater, without destroying your camera. Be sure to plan ahead.
I may be stating the obvious here. Especially on your first dive with your expensive Canon SLR and your brand new case. But, as soon as you enter the water, check the camera housing for leaks. Especially around any seals and O-rings.
Beware of bubbles in the lens port. Unless your going for that soft focus look ALL your photographs, it's better to clear any bubbles ahead of time.
Take the highest resolution pictures your camera and memory card can handle. Preferably in RAW format if possible. Since the marine world introduces it's own set of challenges for getting good pictures, the more pixels you start with, the better your odds are for successful editing of imperfections after the fact.
Error on the side of underexposing rather than overexposing in underwater photography. Generally speaking, it's easier to bring out colors from a darker photo with editing that one where all the color has been wiped out with too much light. While this is a good rule out of the water, it's worth mentioning here, since underwater photographers often have very strong strobe lighting at their disposal.
Bear these tips in mind, and your ascension to the world of underwater photography will be highly successful and painless. It's a pretty magical experience to venture down with the fishes, but to be able to bring that world home with you lets you live there for just a little bit longer.
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