Tips for taking great underwater photographs

The magical world of the seabed in your pictures

Learn how to take unique photos on the bottom, with tips for beginners and advanced photographers. You can be great photographers, thanks to advanced camera technology, flash and special filters. However, underwater photography is an experience that includes a new, different level of skill.

To achieve a perfect shot in the seabed, you need the right buoyancy and your familiarity with water. The degree of difficulty is increased, but the creation and the acquisition of a collection of beautiful underwater photographs will compensate you. In this article, you will discover the secrets of underwater photography through useful tips and techniques.

Selecting an ideal camera

To capture the magical world of the seabed, first of all, you will need a waterproof camera or a waterproof case that is compatible with your camera. Choose cameras with DSLR, high resistance to deep water and excellent performance in low light conditions, like those in underwater environments. You can add extra flash to immortalize a darker seabed.

This type of camera will offer you tremendous flexibility, creativity while developing your talent. DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras have been dynamically entering our everyday lives and their cost is more affordable than before. Alternatively, there are amphibious cameras available, with equally good results, as well as durable cases that offer you great protection from water.

Tips for Underwater Photography:

• It is recommended to wear full equipment for scuba diving, as the use of the camera can easily distract you. Wearing the uniform, your journey becomes safer, carefree and you can stay longer on the bottom, for even rarer shots. Of course, if you want to take photos in shallow water, you can wear a simple snorkel mask and fins.
• To take good photos, you should initially be a good swimmer and familiar with diving. This will allow you to control your buoyancy while taking pictures. If you are a beginner in diving, some lessons may help you a lot. 
• Choose popular scuba diving sites. Usually, these sites have a lot to offer you, such as excessive underwater life, shipwrecks and seabed sights, coral reefs and generally gorgeous landscapes that will give you interesting and amazing moments, as well as pictures for your collection.
• Taking spectacular images of sea life is an unforgettable experience. To make it happen, you will need a lot of patience and fast reflexes, as the best pictures of wildlife rarely happen or very fast, right after you arrive at a location.
• Observing and learning the behaviour of marine creatures as well as waiting for the good light is the key to getting great results. Swim close to the height of the fish or the subject you want to capture. Wait for the moment it will turn, facing at you and then with calm moves take a picture. Try its eyes to be in the center of the frame and you will have a unique portrait, ready for the wall.

How to achieve the best results

• When taking pictures on the bottom, mostly try within a short distance (max. 1m), adjust the white balance and make sure the flash is always on and not just on the automatic. If you want distant photos or photos without a flash, manually adjust the white balance to higher levels. With this way, your photos, will show an intense and colourful environment and not just dark blue. You will keep all the authentic colours of the sea and its life unless you shot in crystal clear waters that reflect the sunlight and the flash is not necessary.
• Learn to control the balance between the amount of flash light and the natural light from your surrounding environment. When taking pictures with natural light, it is better to have the sun behind you, to reflect on your subject. You can also increase contrast and saturation, but do not overdo it, so you can get a natural effect without noise. 
• On the other hand, there are filters that really do wonders. A red filter will isolate a little bit the blue and the green colour, thus highlighting the true natural colours of the sand, the rocks, the seaweeds, etc. The magic filter is also well-known on some cameras and takes the photos to the next level. It is an ideal filter for taking professional underwater photos.
• Just remember, the closer you are to your subject, the better the colour, the contrast and the sharpness of the photo is. So try to shot from a close distance, slowly and without frightening the surrounding fishes. Also, the close-ups help a lot when water visibility is very low.

At the ScubAndros diving centre, we can help you take great photos underwater as well as information about all the diving areas. We provide Scuba Diving courses and tours and all the necessary equipment you need to buy or rent. Our diving centre is located on the premises of hotel Perrakis on the beautiful beach of Kypri in Andros.

Contact us, to plan a unique exploration trip together with your holidays. Stay at Perrakis Hotel, and you will have a 10% discount on all ScubAndros benefits and our PADI programs. You can also rent all the snorkeling equipment for only 10 € / day.