Underwater photography.

We all love to take pictures which turn out better than we expected. We even sometimes toy with the idea of selling some of our better photographic successes. Whether the pictures which we are so proud of are accidental or well-planned, the results make our efforts quite worthwhile.

For most of us, the photos we take are on dry land or near the water. Few of us try our hands at underwater photography. Generally, we find enough technical problems when taking photos on the surface. We may be quite intimidated with the idea of taking pictures under the surface of the water.

Perhaps our first attempt at underwater photography should be done while snorkeling. We will only need a waterproof camera, a snorkel tube and face mask for such a humble beginning. If in the ocean, it usually is not too difficult to get fish to approach as long as we do not splash around a lot. While they watch us manipulating the little camera, we can focus on them and get some very beautiful shots.

As we feel more secure with our underwater equipment, we may consider trying photography of a woman underwater. Finding clean water which is deep enough and with enough natural light coming from above, we can take several practice shots to begin learning the dynamics of filming humans under the surface. Our practice soon helps us to understand the underwater lighting problems and how to solve them.

Assuming that we are able scuba divers ourselves, we move on to underwater scuba diving photography. This could involve other people exploring a sunken shipwreck off Cayman Brac, or it could be as simple as getting pictures of bottles on the bottom of the sea or some life along a reef. Sea fans and coral always make interesting subjects.

If we have been using standard underwater photographic equipment up to now, it may be time to investigate the world of digital photography. Some aspects of this type of photography are different. For example, instead of looking through a viewfinder, we can actually see the image very much as it will appear when finished. We need not push the equipment against our face masks to view the image. Underwater digital photography is destined to be the preferred method to get great shots of Neptune’s world.

We may need to consult a master guide to digital underwater photography as we learn the ins and outs of using this new type of equipment. There is more involved than learning to take pictures. We have to feel comfortable under the sea ourselves. Then, we must understand basic elements of photographic technique. Besides this, our understanding of digital equipment must be complete.

Taking great digital pictures, whether still photos or videos, will require much practice on our parts. Trial and error will pay off eventually. We will produce pictures of the life under the sea’s surface which will amaze our friends. In time, our breathtaking pictures will owe their existence to our studious efforts rather than be accidental.