Simply Add Water to Your Photographs (Half II)

Last month, I wrote about my underwater pictures adventures.  The story targeted on shallow water. You can learn the story right here.

This is the second half, which explores deep-water pictures. By deep water, I imply locations you’ll be able to solely attain with scuba gear and particular digital camera tools.

Underwater pictures is likely one of the most rewarding artistic pursuits. It’s probably the most technically difficult, particularly in deep water.

Two key elements in underwater pictures are you and your gear.

It just isn’t such as you stroll as much as a fish and say, “Stay there while I adjust the light and the ISO and get you in focus.”  In many conditions, it’s snap and go, and that’s the greatest you are able to do.

The rewards are nice. For instance, the 2 photographs beneath that I’ve used for calendars, placemats, and wall pictures.

Problem number one – Your physique

Anyone who has taken pictures, even with a easy “point and shoot” digital camera, is aware of it is advisable keep nonetheless for any picture.  Underwater, that’s simpler mentioned than performed.

Mastering your buoyancy is essential. It retains you from coming up and down when not set proper.  Failing to take action results in blurry pictures or, even worse, that feeling of: “Where did that fish go?”

New photographers often deal with problems like floating too much, sinking quickly, or kicking up sand. These problems can ruin their shots.  I’ve done them all.  It is also not easy to stop and critically analyse a photo you have just taken.

Problem quantity 2 – Your Equipment

The digital camera housing is significant for deep underwater pictures; most likely, extra so than the digital camera.

You can anticipate to pay greater than 3 times as a lot for a superb digital camera housing. This is true, particularly in case you have strobes to spice up the sunshine or different options mounted on the housing.

I distinctly keep in mind my first digital camera and housing.  The digital camera was one I already had, and I purchased what I believed was cheap housing for it. It labored properly at first. Then, on one dive, after capturing nice pictures of turtles and manta rays, it flooded.  The complete lot was ruined.

Two classes I realized.  Don’t scrimp in your housing and take superb care of it, particularly the seals.  Below the water, stress will increase, and even a small leak within the seal, akin to a hair or a bit of grime, will breach it.

I had my diving ritual once we went on vacation. The bathtub was my area. My digital camera and housing floated there for some time. If we had a pool, I’d use that too. I made certain to test for leaks earlier than heading out to dive.

I quickly realised I needed to make a compromise in deep water. I did not have the time to rely on downloading each weekend to grasp all of the required diving expertise. I additionally lacked the endurance to check the dynamics of pictures to the nth diploma. I wished some recollections of a time that I loved.

Most photographers in deeper water are after sharks or giant marine life like manta rays, eagle rays or wrasse and groupers. It can be difficult to get shut to those creatures.

The different huge drawback is that the deeper you go, the sunshine penetration adjustments. As you descend, water acts as a filter, absorbing colors shortly. Red is misplaced inside the first 15 ft (5 meters), adopted by orange, yellow, and inexperienced, leaving photographs overwhelmingly blue or inexperienced at higher depths.

Backscatter can smash what looks like a superbly good picture. Suspended particles within the water (plankton, sand, particles), create “backscatter” (white specks) in pictures. This is extra pronounced in deep or murky water (for instance, after a storm or in areas with sturdy currents), and it requires cautious strobe positioning to minimise it.

The backside line is that sharpness and readability fade with distance. To get clear, vibrant pictures, you have to get as near your topic. It might be difficult with skittish marine life and requires glorious diving expertise.

My answer grew to become easy. So, the very best you are able to do is take as many pictures as you’ll be able to. I name it “photos by number.” The extra pictures you’re taking, the extra possible it’s that not less than some will prove.

I will need to have taken 100’s of 1000’s of pictures to provide possibly a thousand respectable photographs. I used to be by no means a superb photographer, however generally I acquired fortunate, and I had enjoyable doing it.

Till subsequent time,

Calvin