Photography | Underwater Photography Techniques
Underwater photography allows you to bring the spectacular underwater world to the surface. Some may wonder
how the deep ocean really looks like, but cannot or do not wish to learn diving. Underwater photographers bring upon themselves the task of
bringing the underwater world to these people who never had the chance to dive into the ocean.
Underwater Photography Requires Close-Up View
While all photography is an art, the
underwater world requires special skills to bring the best and highest quality alive. Unlike wildlife photography, the
underwater world must be viewed close-up. That is to imply that the marine life needs to be photographed very closely. This is
because of the water surrounding the photographer. The water tend to refract images and often distorting them, so the nearer and closer you are
to your subject, the less water you have between the subject and you.
Underwater Photography Requires Patience
Underwater photography requires
tremendous patience. Your subject may swim so quickly like the marine fishes, shark or dolphin. They may even hide within the coral, coming out
only when there is no danger. Water holds particles and living organisms, like plankton, and these particles or organisms often float by while
you are trying to snap a picture. This will cause you to loose contrast, focus and sharpness of the image.
Underwater Photography Requires Stealth And Determination
Marine lives utilize the premise of hiding or camouflaging more than speed or survival of the fittest. This means you will often find your
subject camouflaged within the corals or rocks rather than out in the open. You have to find your subject with stealth and
determination, without startling them. The underwater world needs respect so you do not want to touch or hold the living organisms and therefore,
you must learn how to move with the underneath current while trying to achieve that perfect shot. A lot of marine life will die if you touch or
hold them, especially coral, so having a hobby of underwater photography requires you to observe
and follow the rules and the code of ethics.
Underwater Photography Requires Flash Or Strobe
Underwater flash or strobe can assist you in gaining the light require to take that perfect
photo. It is absolutely essential to have a flash with an underwater camera. It will help to bring
more colours rather than just red and orange into the picture. The strobe you require should be medium sized, any larger size strobe will hinder
your photo taking experience underwater.
 Composition Is Critical In Underwater Photography
Observing composition is also very critical. You should follow the same rule you apply in regular photography; however, you are still required
to have an upward angle on the subject. This brings us back to the camouflage technique practised by most marine species. They tend to
'disappear' into their hideouts. Trying to take a clear shot when the subject blends into the background can be difficult and creates a
challenge.
Underwater Photography As A Hobby
When you decided to venture into underwater photography as a hobby, you must first hone or improve your photography skills on land first. Once
you manage to take great pictures on land, you can then move into the harder version of the underwater world. Remember that some rules you have
used before in land photography no longer apply and attaining that perfect picture underwater takes patience as well as skill. Underwater
photography brings the colourful and spectacular marine life to the surface alleviating some of the unknown. If you find yourselves interested in
underwater photography, you may want to seek and attend a professional underwater photography class, so that you can learn more about the
important techniques as well as the practice.
 
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