underwater Photo Course :: (8) underwater Photo Subjects :: Fish

When photographing fish there can be five basic approaches.

© Frank Schneider Gold Medal

1. ID SHOTS Pictures which show the whole creature (in side view usually) and from which a scientist could discern the features needed to identify it.
2. PORTRAITS: A close up shot of the head, usually head on or at a slight angle.
3. SITUATION SHOTS: Shots of a fish in its natural environment.
4. DRAMATIC SHOTS: Pictures with strong aesthetic appeal, images that could be competition entries; ranging from tight framing on an eye to a shot with a sunburst behind.
5. BEHAVIOR SHOTS Pictures that depict someting the fish does

With a little patience from the photographer, the natural curiosity of some fish can be exploited by, for instance, settling on the seabed where a 'target' subject cannot see you. You can then capture them on film when they come around the corner to investigate the sound of your bubbles.

Some fish are so obliging you can guarantee where they will be at any given time. In the Caribbean for instance, you often get a resident Barracuda 'parked' under the dive boat.

Reflection from scales is a problem causing overexposure with many fish. It is important to vary the angle of the strobe (and exposure) to take this into account.