Darkroom Techniques Article

Tips for Taking Photos Underwater

Thanks to digital photography, we can take photos in places that we never really could before, at least not the average photographer. Now, thanks to digital photography, you can take some really great pictures, even underwater, using only your digital camera.

Underwater photography is used by the average photographer just to have memories, or to update their portfolio, and by scientists and biologists to photograph and study plants and animals found in the water. Or, you may just enjoy taking underwater photos, just because you can, either way, there are some things that you can do to help your photos turn out better.

The first thing you need to know is that you can’t take your basic digital camera into the water and expect it to still work. You will have to purchase a special camera that is designed to be submerged in the water, at varying depths. If you use the camera outside of those guidelines, or in water that is too deep, you could break it, or do major damage, so you need to keep this in mind.

One thing that you also should keep in mind while taking photos underwater is that the deeper you go, the poorer the light will be. You will need to learn how to use white balance to counteract this problem.

You don’t need to use the same zoom while underwater that you typically do when doing regular photography. In general, when you are underwater, you won’t have to zoom at all.

If your digital camera has flash, turn it off if you don’t want the quality of your photos to be impacted. Your photos will be blurry and out of focus if you use the flash while underwater.

Even if your camera is supposed to be okay for underwater use, it is a good idea to test it out first. Submerge it into the water, and look for leaks. It is better to find out now, while you may be able to return it, than later.

If your camera comes with lenses that you can interchange according to the environment, you should take advantage of them. You can get much better pictures in clearer detail with these lenses, so keep that in mind.

If you use your camera in salt water, you should clean it as soon as possible. The salt could seep into your camera if left on for too long, which could impact its effectiveness.

To get more tips on underwater photography, check out many of the great photography resources online, or visit your local public library. These sources are free, or you can spend money on photography books or lessons if you are so inclined.