SAA Policies & Guides
Photography: First Clicks - Making a start.
Divers often ask me how can they get into underwater photography. There is never a simple answer as it depends on what type of pictures you want to take, where and how. As well as how much effort and money you are prepared to put into underwater photography and what you want to achieve.
The choice is now between an amphibious camera set up or a land camera in an underwater housing specially designed for underwater use.
Amphibious cameras (such as the Motor Marine 35 MX-10, II-EX or Nikonos V) are less expensive than housed cameras; they’re smaller and tend to be far simpler to operate. But the down side is that you cannot see what the camera lens sees as they do not have through the lens (TTL) viewing. This may not be a problem for you. It very much depends on the type of photograph you wish to take.
Available light shot
of child with dolphin
taken at Dolphin Reef Eilat.
400ASA on Automatic.
Before you opt to house a land camera you should be aware of the disadvantages. These systems will be more bulky and difficult to use because they tend to have more controls. Your present land camera may not be suitable to be placed in an underwater camera housing, in which case you would need to consider buying a different camera. You would however be able to see what the camera sees (which many underwater photographers consider a great advantage) and there is a much greater choice of lenses available to use.
So my advice to you is to talk to as many underwater photographers as possible, try to handle the camera system you are considering buying or even hire it for a day or two before entering in to an investment. Underwater photograph is a great hobby but it is expensive to, so do spend some time asking yourself what you want to get out of your photographic efforts before spending any serious money. Then be prepared to practise with your new system before achieving your desired results.
But here are some general ideas to wet your appetite. The easiest place to start is within the first 2 - 3 meters of the surface. Here, any type of splash camera or underwater camera system will work, as can be seen by the photograph of my son snorkelling with a dolphin.
The long natural light (available light) exposure
has given a blurred greenish shot of a
Long-spined Sea Scorpion , whereas a flash (artificial
light)
shot has recorded its true colour and form.
At these shallow depths it is possible to get good results and not have to bother too much about the problems caused by water pressure or loss of natural light. You could try out underwater photography very cheaply by using a disposable splash print film camera and snorkel in the shallows taking photos of surface marine life and your buddy. Although these cameras are limited they may just give you the simple holiday snaps you are after.
But unless you want to be limited to natural light shots and only taking pictures within about 3 meters, then you will have to invest in a more sophisticated camera system, and this will involve the use of some type of flash gun system. For the deeper you go, the more the depth of water will filter out the bright colours, so you won’t get very good results colour wise.
The red and orange colours are lost first, eventually leaving only a monochrome of blue/grey. Though atmospheric, generally you’ll want to bring back the lost colour so your camera will require a flashgun.
| First clicks | Shooting small 01 | Shooting small 02 | Getting the Big Picture |
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| Building Pictures | Lighting the underwater world | Colouring the Ocean | Balanced Light photography |
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