Underwater Cameras
There is no reason why anyone with a love of diving cannot get brilliant shots with underwater cameras so what are you waiting for, get snapping. Here are some tips and tricks to help get you started with underwater cameras.
Types of underwater cameras
There are two main options that you have when you want to take to the deep with underwater cameras and capture the mysteries that dwell there. You definitely need special equipment to ensure not only that you get the best images possible with the underwater cameras but also to make sure that your equipment does not get damaged by salt water.
The first option is to purchase a camera that is specifically made for taking pictures in the depths of the deep blue sea. There are many models of cameras that are specifically made for underwater made for you to choose from and it is important to understand your requirements to be able to choose the underwater cameras that are most suitable for your needs.
The thing that you need to understand for these cameras is the depth of water that you want to use them in. Their underwater rating is what tells you what depth they are waterproof to so you need to choose carefully otherwise you may end up with underwater cameras that are not suitable for the photographs you would like to take.
The other option is to purchase underwater housing that will render your camera waterproof. These allow you to access all of the functionality of your camera and take images with the settings on the camera that you think are most suitable.
Basics for underwater cameras
1. The lens: underwater cameras like all cameras need a good quality lens because the lens will determine the potential quality of your photographs and underwater aren’t any different. Compact cameras will have an attached lens with some zoom depending on the model but the more advanced cameras have lenses that are detachable and you change them for different types of functions.
2. Shutter speed: the ability to change the underwater cameras shutter speed means that you can take subjects whilst they are moving if you alter the shutter speed to let more light in. It denotes the amount of time that the shutter is actually open.
3. Depth of field: the depth of field or DOF will determine the “depth” of your image an how much is actually in focus.
4. The ISO: the higher the ISO setting the more sensitive the underwater cameras lens will be to light.
5. The exposure: will determine how bright your picture will be.
6. White temperature: refers to the underwater cameras rendition of the colors in the images that you take and their ultimate balance.
7. Underwater housing: this is what makes underwater cameras. It is generally a removable case that protects the camera underwater but allows you full access to the controls.
8. O-ring: this creates a waterproof seal. It is made of rubber and most underwater cameras and strobes will have a few to protect them from the water when they are being used.
9. Backscatter: is when light from the underwater cameras flash reflects onto the particles and sometimes sand in the water.
Tips for using underwater cameras
1. When you are taking pictures with underwater cameras and the subject is within a range of three to four feet you need to use the flash. If you don’t then they will look blue, the flash will show up the natural colors. Make sure that you use the forced flash setting and not the automatic flash.
2. Make sure that your underwater cameras macro mode is enabled for those close up shots that you just have to take. Though to use macro mode effectively on underwater cameras you generally need to be between one inch and two feet of the subject that is the focus of your shot.
3. If you leave your underwater cameras zoom to the widest setting possible, as it will make it easier to focus when you are in macro mode.
4. If you have the underwater cameras forced flash on when you take a picture of a subject that is more than three feet away you will get a thing called backscatter, which is not pretty.
5. Use the underwater cameras flash diffuser if it has one to soften the light and spread it evenly over a broader area.
6. If you attach an external flash unit or light to the underwater cameras body then you will get pictures that have better detail and of subjects that are further away from you.
7. Make sure that you are a confident diver before starting to use underwater cameras otherwise your images may turn out to be average because you are spending a lot of your time trying to dive rather than photograph.
8. Shoot upwards with underwater cameras rather than shooting down where it is darker.
9. Instead of just trying to center the subject experiment with filling the frame.
10. The image will be improved if the eyes are in focus.