Underwater photography

Underwater photography is the process of taking photographs while underwater. It is usually done while scuba diving, but can be done while snorkeling or swimming.

Overview

Underwater photography is extremely challenging due to the difficulty of capturing the image of a moving object, such as a fish, while the photographer is also moving, while also considering other factors like limited visibilty due to suspended particles. Many of the "rules" of photography still apply underwater but they must be used with some thought. A lot of advice can be found in scuba magazines and underwater photo web sites.

For those beginning underwater photography, an inexpensive waterproof disposable camera can be used. These are identical to their land-based cousins, but are housed in a rigid waterproof shell. Care should be taken to check the maximum depth rating on cameras before undertaking a dive, as many cannot withstand the high pressure from deeper dives. Disposable cameras with maximum depths of only 10-18m are common. More serious photographers use a regular camera with a special watertight housing. These cameras have the advantage of being able to withstand greater depths, and are also re-usable, however the housing rarely allows the full functions of the camera to be accessed. Either film or digital cameras can be used. Some specialised cameras have an underwater mode that change the features, operation, or interface of the camera for underwater use.

Due to the visibility factor one should plan the time and place of most favourable conditions, try not to get too close to the seabed since this will lift up sand and diminish visibilty, and given a low visibility one must try and take pictures up close (so to reduce the quantities of suspended particles between the subject and the camera) and avoid the use of flash since suspended particles will reflect it.

Underwater flashes

One particular challenge in underwater photography is the use of a flash. As the depth of water increases, less light arrives from the surface, and lower-frequencies of light (reds and oranges) are absorbed. As with any photography in a low-light situation, the use of a flash is preferred.

However, most water contains a large amount of particles, which air does not. Using a flash causes reflections, or backscatter from these particles, resulting in photographs with white dots in them, giving a grainy or sandy appearance.

To overcome the problem of backscatter, good underwater flashes are mounted on an arm-like assembly, that fires the flash at the target far away from the lens. This provides illumination, but does not result in backscatter.

A cheaper alternative to specialised flashes is to use an underwater flashlight. The photographer can illuminate the target from the side using the flashlight, and then use the camera to take the photograph.

Timeline

1856 William Thompson takes first underwater pictures using a camera mounted on a pole.
1893 Louis Boutan take underwater pictures while diving using a surface supplied hard hat diving gear.
1914 John Ernest Williamson shot the first-ever underwater motion picture.
1923 W.H. Longley and Charles Martin takes first underwater colour photos using a magnesium powered flash
1957 the Calypsophot camera was built by Jean De Wouters and Jacques-Yves Cousteau. It would later be produced by Nikon as the Nikonos, the most sold underwater camera series.

External links

Consumer Reviews

Underwater Camera Reviews at the Scuba Guide. An independent resource for the cautious consumer. Read and submit user reviews of underwater cameras.

Professional underwater photographers' websites

Underwater Photography References

BSoUP- "The British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP) is the largest underwater photographic society in Britain, catering for both film and digital photographers. It is a not-for-profit organisation, run entirely by volunteers with a passion for underwater photography."
Scuba Diving Magazine - "The official website of Scuba Diving magazine, The Magazine Divers Trust. See the best underwater photography on the web! Plus: Instructional Articles, Photographer of the Week, and 2005 Photo Contest Winners!"
UnderwaterPhotography.com
Underwater Photography magazine

Photography by genre | Diving

Unterwasserfotografie