5 Underwater Photography Tips
That will instantly up your photo game.
30 June 2020
By Danel Wentzel
Maybe you have been in lockdown for the last couple of months and are itching to get back in the water. Or you have been diving for a while, but is feels like no matter what you do you can't seem to improve the quality of your underwater photos.
No matter what your circumstances, here are 5 things you can start doing today that will instantly bring your underwater photos to the next level.
Patience is key
Underwater Photography is all about patience. When your underwater, being in a rush is suppose to be the last thing on your mind. Take your time to relax and enjoy the serene underwater environment.
Rather take the time to plan your shot and let the animal get used to you. Opportunities will unfold and you will be able to get much more captivating results.
Get close
The key to being a good underwater photographer is to get close to your subject. It is seen as a mantra within the underwater photography community and some divers even have it written on their housings too.
By shortening the distance between you and your subject you are greatly increasing the amount of available light to use and without it we can’t take good photos.
Know your subject
The more you know about your subject, the easier it is going to be for you to find it. Read up on marine life, listen to podcasts and webinars or talk to fellow divers. This is going to make tracking down and captering your subject on camera much easier.
Get creative
There are always expections to rules. Be courageous and try different compositions, angles or lighting techniques. Sometimes you will end up with spectacular results you never expected! So surprise yourself!
Respect marine life
We need to remember, we are just visitors in this magical underwater world. It is important we preserve the natural world as best as possible so that everyone can experience the beauty of it. Don't harass any animals or risk damaging a sensitive substrate just for the sake of taking a photo.
Hopefully on your next dive you can keep these tips in mind when trying to capture the perfect photo. If you would like some inspiration on how to use these tips when shooting, have a look at some of our images on instagram.