EN-41
Great Underwater Pictures Made Easy
Taking underwater pictures is much different from taking land pictures. Here
are the most important tips to taking great pictures underwater:
1. Crystal Clear water.
Crystal Clear water is essential for good underwater pictures. Remember the human
eye can see more detail than a camera. In other words, your eyes see the water as
being clearer than it actually is. Floating particles like algae, and silt cause low visibility.
Avoid stirring up the sandy bottom with your fins. These floating particles cause small
spots to appear in your picture, known as “backscatter”. Always remember to limit your
shooting distance to 1/10 of the water visibility. For example, if the visibility is 60 feet
(18 m), you should keep your shooting distance to within 6 feet (1.8m); in 30 feet (9m)
visibility you should be no further than 3 feet (90 cm) away from your subject.
2. Stay within the ideal shooting distance of 2 to 6 feet.
The ideal shooting distance is between 2 to 6 feet (0.6 to 1.8 meters). This distance will
result in detailed, colorful pictures. Remember that light does not travel very far
underwater, so the closer you are to your subject the more colorful the pictures will be.
3. Move calmly and control your buoyancy before taking a picture.
It is very hard to take good pictures when you are moving. Look around for great
picture opportunities. First position yourself at the best angle, and neutralize your
buoyancy. Second, use the LCD monitor to perfectly frame your subject, check your
shooting distance and keep the camera steady. Third, be calm and patient: Sometimes
you have to wait a little bit so the fish that were frightened away, come back. Don’t
chase the fish, let the fish come to you.
Always be in control of your buoyancy before taking pictures and observe all
safe-diving rules.
4. Shoot many pictures of the same subject - If you don’t like it, delete it - later.
One of the great advantages of digital cameras is that you can review and delete
pictures later, so shoot several pictures of the same subject. One of the best ways to
learn underwater photography is from your good pictures and bad pictures.
5. Evaluate picture for proper exposure and adjust exposure compensation as
needed.
Refer to section in this manual titled “Adjusting the Exposure” for more details.