underwater Photo Course :: (1) The Basics

Underwater photography is very different to every other kind of photography. In fact, it's the most difficult kind of photography there is.

There are the environmental pressures and, compared to land photography, there is a whole new set of variables to contend with (which are many and difficult to assess). You don't have to be a masochist to be an underwater photographer but it helps!

Not put off yet? Good! Underwater photography can also be FUN. In fact it can be as much fun as you'll ever have with your dive gear on! But, it does cost money, it does involve a load of effort, and it does mean that you have to take on board some knowledge to get the most out of it.

Who should do u/w photography?

People who take up underwater photography generally do so from one of two angles; either as a photographer who would like to specialize, or a diver who would like a second interest in the sport.

For me, it started when I got my dive qualification my instructor said "Fine! now what are you going to do?". I pondered on what she meant. I think it was that no matter how wonderful the diving experience is it does take something to motivate you on a cold day! Enhancement of your diving is just one valid reason to take up underwater photography. So is wanting to share the experience of the good dives with others (who may not even be divers).

The pre requisite is not just learning to dive but also reaching the stage where you are totally at ease in the water. Once you have done that learning underwater photography is no harder than learning to dive, although there are fewer sources of instruction! However, by picking up this book, you have tapped in to a mine of information and, providing you get over the first few hurdles, you will soon be snappin' with the best of them!

A word of warning: beware, when the bug bites, it bites hard. If you're already a diver it may change you diving habits forever. Don't worry though, you won't automatically become an outcast on dive boats - and you will learn to appreciate the underwater environment even more than you do already!

To reiterate: a lot of underwater photographers begin as land photographers. It is a logical progression to graduate to underwater photography when you start diving. If this is you, and you are already familiar with the basics of photography, then you could skip this chapter and move on to the next. If you are not already a photographer then read this chapter as many times as it takes to understand it fully.