Over 70% of Earth is water-covered, boasting a diverse array of marine life including sharks, whales, manta rays, various fish, crabs, turtles, and seahorses.
Mastering underwater photography demands dedication and time. Essential skills include being a proficient swimmer and, ideally, an experienced scuba diver or freediver. Effective underwater photography requires calm and controlled movements; frantic arm and leg movements or sinking disrupts the process.
Respecting the underwater environment is crucial. Disturbing the habitat, like dragging scuba fins on the ocean floor, clouds the water with sand, harming both the photos and the habitat.
Underwater photography challenges include adjusting composition and settings, similar to land photography, but complicated by reduced visibility of settings, possible glove-wearing, and handling varying underwater conditions like silty, low-visibility water and different light behavior.
Despite challenges, exploring underwater realms and unleashing creativity on colorful fish schools or coral reefs is exhilarating. Capturing unique angles by moving around, below, or above subjects offers unique perspectives. Shawn Heinrichs, an underwater photographer, often shoots from below, highlighting manta rays and whale sharks against the ocean surface.
Creative opportunities include solitary creature portraits, species interactions or utilizing underwater landscape features.
Three tips for exceptional underwater photos
1. Approach Your Subject Closely
Underwater environments are filled with particles, making it distinct from land photography where the air is clearer. To minimize the interference of water density, get as near to your subject as you safely and respectfully can, without causing them stress or disturbance.
2. Stay Calm
Entering the water calmly and with respect for wildlife is crucial, as animals tend to flee when pursued. Stress in your subjects will reflect in your photos. Be prepared for rapid developments and familiarize yourself well with your camera, as finding buttons on a camera housed for underwater use can be challenging.
3. Opt for Natural Lighting
In low visibility water, it's best to have the sun at your back. Shooting towards the sun might cause the particles in the water to illuminate, potentially spoiling your photos. However, this can also create stunning silhouette shots. Using natural light is preferable, as using flash could startle the animals.