Intro to Underwater Photography

All Photos by Pat Ford

This will be the first of a series of Blog posts we will be sharing to discuss and explore underwater photography. We will learn how to maximize the potential of capturing a good photo, and the tips and skills that take an image from “nice” to “WOW!”

Let’s first start with the basics, which are the traditional and long-established underwater tips everyone should become familiar with, mastering over time.

Underwater Photography Guide’s Basic Underwater Photography Tips:
#1 – Get your diving skills down before you start using a camera underwater.

#2 – Practice with your camera inside the housing on land first, before attempting underwater photos. Try taking close-ups of pets and household objects.

#3 – Get out and shoot. Find a place to dive near where you live.

#4 – Make sure your camera flash is turned on, preferable in “forced flash mode.”

#5 – Get close to your subject – preferably within 12 inches. Water reduces color, contrast, and sharpness.

#6 – For best composition – get low, shoot at an upwards angle, don’t center the subject, try to fill your frame with the subject. Don’t shoot “down” at the subject.

#7 – Make sure the subject’s eyes are in focus.

#8 – Set your camera to the highest resolution, and the lowest ISO to begin with.

#9 – Learn how to use manual mode or aperture priority mode if your camera offers it, so you control the balance between the n

atural light and the light from your flash.

#10 – If you are shooting with natural light, shoot in 20ft of water or less, with the sun behind you.

#11 – For quickest focus, use spot focus mode. Learn how to focus on an area without taking a photo (pressing the shutter button halfway) and recomposing.