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Taking Great Photos Underwater
Author: Rob Daniels
Article:
Copyright 2006 Rob Daniels
The Nikonos, manufactured by Nikon, was the first true underwater camera and to
this day remains the industry standard. Nikon has discontinued their first-rate
Nikonos line of underwater cameras and lenses, although you may still find the
Nikonos on the used market or eBay.
Underwater photography is a great way to record your experience with non-divers
of the wonderful world below the waves.
If you simply want an underwater camera for a day, you might want to consider
either a Kodak or a Fuji single-use disposable camera. For those beginning in
the field of underwater photography, an inexpensive waterproof disposable camera
can be a good way to get started. Some of the disposable underwater cameras are
equipped with an integrated flash unit.
One of the difficulties casual snorkelers and divers who are attempting
underwater photography struggle with is the lack of visibility in the view
finder on underwater cameras. Too many commercially built underwater cameras
cases merely depend on lining up dots, which isn't sufficient for proper
composition of underwater pictures. Very few underwater cameras have a finder
large enough to be used accurately underwater.
Serious enthusiasts who want the advantages of a single-lens reflex auto-focus
camera may prefer a land camera in an underwater housing. Some of the more
advanced and specialized cameras have an underwater mode that change the
features, operation, or interface of the camera for underwater use.
Imagine having an underwater camera that takes 220 shots at 12 million pixels
that you can see and delete underwater. When most people think about shooting
digital pictures underwater, they think of large underwater camera housings,
intricate flash strobes and a very large budget. But that is not always the case
Canon is making an entire line of underwater housings for many of its digital
point-and-shoot cameras in the PowerShot line.
While serious underwater photography still requires higher-end equipment, these
cameras and housings can produce some very good results. Digital cameras can
also afford more shooting time underwater with a larger 1-gig compact flash
card.
Another important item to consider before taking any underwater shots is the
proper camera lens. The basic camera systems available for underwater
photography have a thirty-five millimeter lens.
There are some real disadvantages to underwater photography. One particular
challenge in underwater photography is the use of a flash. Flash photography
underwater is limited in range to about 8 ft at the extreme, 4-6 ft commonly.
Browse through any collection of (good) underwater photography, and you will see
that every image is either macro or wide-angle, without exception. For this
reason alone, many divers new to underwater photography start by concentrating
on macro subjects.
Doing macro underwater shares many of the same concepts as shooting on dry land.
The trick is to shoot close with a wide angle with an auto-focus camera because
depth of field underwater is very unforgiving. If you're a new to underwater
photography, four feet should be the maximum distance from which to photograph
your subject. When you are estimating the camera-to-subject distance underwater
you are estimating the apparent distance, the actual distance is 25 percent
further away.
Remember Underwater Photography starts as skill development, then composition
followed by technique and finely artistic realization. Many of the rules of land
photography still apply underwater but they must be used with some thought. The
irony of underwater photography is that for all its beauty, the biggest enemy is
the water itself. Unlike taking photos topside, when reloading is a simple
process, cameras cannot be reloaded underwater.
Even if you are not using it for underwater use, sand and sea air can damage the
delicate mechanisms within the camera. To take effective pictures underwater you
need to be able to concentrate on your subject and the operation of your camera
equipment. Underwater photography is great fun, but getting good results is
extremely tricky and the equipment is very expensive.
About the author: Rob Daniels is an avid snorkeler and outdoor enthusiasts more
at Snorkeling Shop
http://www.snorkeling-shop.com and Future Photo
http://www.future-photo.com
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are the opinions only of the authors and their statements have not been verified
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