Not too long ago, underwater photography was practically prohibitive. Buying a water camera (until the disposable ones came out that gave just enough), was something that was within the reach of very few fans. Times have changed (a lot). Now there are even smartphones that you can submerge under water without fear of damaging it. One pass, right? And if we have such a wonderful option, how is it possible that we let it pass?
In this article I have proposed to give you some advice to encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that technology offers us. Although this blog is oriented towards SLR photography, don’t rush, because these tips will help you regardless of the equipment you have (with its corresponding protection, of course 😉 ).
1. Adaptation to the environment
Before focusing on the photographic subject, allow me to make a stop on this (fundamental) aspect of adaptation to the aquatic environment. And when I talk about adaptation I mean the team and the photographer.
The team. Unless you have an underwater camera at your disposal (congratulations, lucky you) or an underwater smartphone, you will have to protect it from its fiercest enemy, water. Evidently. How? There are several ways:
- Fishbowl. This option is somewhat rudimentary, to say the least, but if what you are looking for is to take a photograph that is half underwater and half out of the water, it is perfectly fine for you and what you put in front of it is glass and not plastic, so the quality from the photo will turn out somewhat better.
- Submersible disposable cameras. This option is just to play a little and have fun, because the quality does not go far.
- Submersible analog cameras. A somewhat more sophisticated possibility is a compact analogue submersible, such as this one.
- Action cameras. GoPro-like cameras are built for action even underwater. They have their limitations but on the other hand they offer many possibilities.
- Waterproof covers. They are soft plastic covers, for the smartphone you will have to find one suitable for your model, here you have for example one for the iPhone 6. For SLRs and the like they are more standard, although you have to take into account the measurements of your camera and the lens because they come in various sizes. Here is an example model.
To make sure that it works perfectly, not that they are the safest option on the market, before submerging your smartphone or your camera under water, fill the case with toilet paper and put it in a bucket of water (cold, huh? for an hour or two). If the paper comes out completely dry, you can safely put your equipment under water, if not, I would talk to the manufacturer and snort with relief for having tried it before 😉
- Tailor-made waterproof housing for SLRs: Finally we have the most sophisticated option of all, and also more expensive (around 300 euros), it is the housing for SLR cameras. You have to find it compatible with your camera. This option is the most expensive but also the safest and the previous step to more professional teams. You can find specialized products on sites like Sea&Sea or Ikelite (warning, they are in English).
You. Yes, yes, you. You also have to adapt to the environment. When taking pictures in general you should be comfortable, relaxed. Underwater was not going to be less. The point is that things get a little complicated here, because we don’t have gills. If you are a great expert diver (now, do not get excited going down many meters deep with the equipment mentioned in the previous point). If you are not, you will have to think if you feel just as good in the sea as in the pool, if you swim with ease when you do not stand up, if when there are aquatic animals your whole body tenses… Take these factors into account when to plan your session. And also keep in mind that in a pool the water is much more crystalline. If you are looking for sharpness… I recommend chlorinated water 😉
Trick: For your comfort and to take away a worry, wear goggles that cover your nose.
2. Adjust the parameters before
If you go in the water with a cover or a case, forget about easily adjusting the parameters on the spot. You will have to do it beforehand. Anticipate the conditions and the adjustments you need to make and make them before submerging your camera. Even if you have a submersible smartphone, because touch screens do not work underwater.
- White balance: adjust the balance in daylight mode, especially if you use fill flash. Or directly shoot in RAW and save yourself a worry 😉
- ISO: try to put the ISO value as low as possible, to avoid adding noise, the water already steals enough sharpness. Upload it only if you have no choice.
- Opening: the approach under water and with covers in between is not what is said to be very exact. Avoid very wide apertures, better use between f/8 and f/16 to have a greater depth of field.
- Approach: do not consider the manual focus, directly put it in automatic.
- Speed: this parameter will depend on whether you want to freeze the movement, like a splash, for which you will have to use very fast speeds; or if you intend to transmit the movement, in this case use slower speeds, like 1/15, for example, but try to stabilize your camera as much as possible.
3. Get closer
Water is a medium that stands between the subject and your camera, at a greater distance it will look more distorted, the colors will fade and the subject will lose prominence, the closer you get, the more impact your photography will have. Especially under the sea, where the water can be somewhat cloudier and where if you go deeper you lose a lot of light, get as close as you can (as long as the reason is not a dangerous shark-like animal 😉 ).
4. light
Under water, the availability of light is considerably reduced and this reduction is also proportional to depth. If you are in an indoor pool you will need flash. Outdoors, swimming pool or sea, the more light there is the better, especially if you want to go down several meters or if the sea water is a bit cloudy.
If you have low light, use the flash or stay close to the surface. Getting really close is also a good option, but you still need to stay close to the surface. And, although midday light is not very suitable for many photographic cases, this time it will be a great ally.
In the case of photographs that include the bottom of the sea and the surface, it is best to do it first thing in the morning, since the water is calmer (from the sea, of course) and the light is similar inside and outside the Water.
5. Close to the surface
I just told you, near the surface you will have much more light, in addition, at a certain depth the colors begin to be lost.
Being close to the surface also allows you to, among other things, take a portrait where your subject is facing away and can move more comfortably, capture reflections and sun rays, shoot splashes, and get photos like these (all by Elena Kalis ).
6. Use all kinds of accessories
Drop any object you can think of into the water, from a guitar to a swing. The portraits out of the water win with accessories such as a magnifying glass, a hat… imagine this underwater, the effect is really impressive. Any object whose usual place is out of the water will make your image spectacular.
7. Dresses
When it comes to portraits, in addition to the props, to achieve dreamlike images, of great beauty, ethereal, impressive… take great care of the wardrobe. Vaporous fabrics are the ones that move best in the water and the ones that will create the best effects. Also choose the colors depending on what you want to convey. Do not leave anything to chance.
8. Composition
Being underwater does not exempt you from making a good composition. It will be useless to control parameters such as light, shutter speed, etc., if your composition is not good enough. Take care of her (and a lot). Therein lies the difference between a good photo or a spectacular photo.
9. History
As with photographs outside the water, your image will gain interest if it tells a story, because yes, stories can be told underwater too. It is also a good idea to make a series, like the one with Elena Kalis from Alice through the looking glass that I have shown you in the gallery of point 6.
10. Underwater world
In addition to everything you can contribute with your models, accessories or creating scenery, the underwater world is full of wonderful treasures, and I am not referring to the galleons sunk with gold, but to natural treasures. Photographing them in itself gives excellent results, although you also have the possibility of combining 😉
11. Inspiration
I advise you to take a look at the galleries or to know the work of Bruce MozertZena Holloway and Elena Kalis (I have used the latter to put together this article, I am sure you have already fallen in love with it). You can also go to see the photos of Adam Opris wedding and pregnant.
12. Planning
Without a doubt, this is one of the most important tips. To achieve a spectacular underwater photograph, plan everything you can in advance, rehearse (if possible) the session, anticipate all the inconveniences that may arise and anticipate the needs. Without good planning, you may get an interesting photo, but it will be more the result of chance than work.
13. Patience
And this is the star advice, in addition to creativity, submersible equipment, stage, etc… you are going to need a good dose of patience (and lungs) because your photos will not come out the first time, or the second. persevere and have fun in the attempt, otherwise you will have a frustrated session and little desire to repeat, and after seeing all these photographs… you don’t want this to happen to you, do you?
I am not going to tell you to go out right now to “create” aquatic photographs, because as we have already said, it requires planning and some other things, what I am going to ask you is that if you have found it interesting, that you treasure this information well and that you propose, before getting up from your chair and turning off the computer, a date to carry out this session. And in the meantime, dedicate yourself to preparing yourself. By the way, if you liked the article, share it so that your contacts discover the enormous possibilities of underwater photography. Thank you and see you soon!