Canon EOS 7D Mark II, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, ISO 200, f/11, 1/125 sec
Take your time to observe behaviour and don’t chase your subject. Patience will be rewarded.
The underwater world is an amazing one to discover. It will provide memorable experiences, and sharing them through captivating images is just as exciting as living them ! If you are new to diving and wish to take on underwater photography, or you’ve been doing it for some time and wondering how to get better results, keep reading.
Canon EOS 7D Mark II, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, f/11, 1/125 sec, ISO 200
Understand light and colours behaviour underwater. Use appropriate equipment and shooting techniques, combined with post-processing to achieve great results.
Taking the plunge
Diving and underwater photography have become more popular and accessible than ever. Everywhere we go, we see divers with all sorts of cameras – whether big or small – that can be taken underwater. For one who wishes to start, it can seem daunting at first but fret not- here are a few words of wisdom.
Underwater photography, like many other things in life, is not so much about the gear… it’s mostly about YOU, the person using it!
Canon EOS 7D Mark II, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, f/11, 1/125 sec, ISO 200
Respect of marine life will ensure a much better experience for both you and the fish while shooting underwater.
The diver - Learn to dive first! Buoyancy control is the core skill of a diver, and you need to be good at it for underwater photography. You’ll be more stable and be able to position yourself for the shot, resulting in better images. More importantly, you’ll be able to avoid stirring up sandy bottoms or causing damage to the reefs.
The photography enthusiast - It helps to have a basic understanding of photography concepts like exposure and composition, and to understand how water affects light and colours.
The marine life enthusiast - Your knowledge of the marine life will help you find your subjects and anticipate their behaviour. Doing some research prior to your dive will definitely help you get the shot you want!
Your knowledge of your equipment - First, let’s state the obvious; underwater is not the best place to try a new camera system for the first time -- play with it on land first! Even the most basic cameras on the market are packed with interesting features. Get to know the camera you have in your hands and exploit its capabilities. You don’t want to a miss a great shot because you’re trying to figure out the settings!
A final note - Please be mindful of the environment and marine life when shooting underwater, and enjoy the journey, learning is fun!
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EOS 7D Mark II (Body) |
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EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM |
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Frederic Juneau Profile of photographer Globe-trotter, scuba diving instructor and photographer, Fred is based in Thailand since 2010. Trained in commercial photography, his professional activities focus on underwater imaging, as well as advertising and reportage photography. |
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