After Christmas, I’m going on a diving trip to Roatan and I want to get the most out of my underwater photography.  I have limited underwater photography experience, but I do have a little above-water experience.  I understand the rudimentary principles of f-stops, aperature, depth of field and similar concepts.

My previous underwater experience has been limited to disposable underwater cameras, and a one-week trip with a simple digital camera and a housing.  On this trip, I’m using a new setup consisting of a Canon SD800, Ikelite housing, and Ikelite DS125 strobe with manual controller.  The camera has a limited range of manual functions, namely manual white balance and ISO settings.  Nearly all other camera functions are automatic.  The camera does have a 28mm wide angle lens and a 3cm macro capability, so that should be fun.

My question is, where can I learn more about underwater photography techniques.  Either some instructions on where to start reading, or advice written here by members would be appreciated.  I’m mostly looking for advice on composition, how to use my strobe to achieve the right lighting, and how to shoot macro photography without scaring away the subject.

I’m definitely open to experimentation, and I understand that I’m going to take lots of pictures before I start to get proficient.  With your advice, my learning curve won’t be as steep.

http://www.uwpmag.com/ is a online magazine .. of which there are a few others.

You may find some good help in the wetpixel forums.
wetpixel forum
a quick search has 5 pages of results for you, most are irrelivant, but you will find some goof stuff there.

There are also some great books in shops that cover some general UW photo techniques which will really help out a lot
http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14515&hl;=

and other than that if you can find a reputable dive photo shop that teaches you may get a great course that will teach you lots. Often a course by someone with a reputation can teach you lots of great tips, such as Stephen Frink in Florida, Cathy Church here in cayman .. there are celeb instructors all around the world I just named a few that are local to me.

You could also do a bespoke PADI UW photocourse, many have varying thoughts on these, but they will teach you the basics, but it is very rule driven, and photography UW may be based on some rules but being taught art by an artist is always better in my opinion.

some basic rules though to always remember
Wide Angle
1) always shot pointing upwards
2) main subject should be 3ft (internal flash) to 5ft (external flash) away. Never any more unless silhouetted.
3) with digital take a few shots if possible then shoose the best one later.
4) let you subject be natural in it’s environment. This will help with approach to fish .. be quiet and slow and calm and patient they will come to you.

I would enhance the point upwards and 3ft or closer rules for you with a compact where settings are automatic. You may also want to look into a magic filter .. http://www.magic-filters.com/ it’s a cheap option to get colour in your photos without an expensive external strobe.

Thanks Giles,
That’s exactly the kind of information and advice I was looking for.

redhead - 13 December 2006 02:49 PM

I’m mostly looking for advice on composition, how to use my strobe to achieve the right lighting, and how to shoot macro photography without scaring away the subject.

Hi Redhead,

welcome to DIGIDEEP! Having read the above I would like to encourage you to post some of your shots into our Posting Images and Photo Critique Forum. Next to the advice Giles posted it is a good opportunity to receive some 1:1 feedback from other members of this site and it should give you the advice you are looking for.

Cheers, Andi

http://www.aquatic-photography.com