How to Take Underwater Pictures on a Standard Digital Camera

Taking photos underwater presents many challenges to the amateur photographer. This article sets out to offer some hints and tips to improve basic photos taken underwater, using just a digital camera. Whilst it is possible to create far better pictures with more professional equipment, pretty good pictures can be achieved on a standard camera.

The first thing you’ll need is an underwater camera or to save money, a waterproof case. The best value cases can be picked up at www.waterproofcameracase.co.uk which go to a depth of 6m. Alternatively you could send more and get a waterproof digital camera which may go deeper, useful if you are scuba diving.

The largest challenge which photographers face taking underwater pictures is the decreasing amounts of light as you go deeper. In addition to this, there are spectral changes to the colour. The most noticeable is that reds will start to appear more brown. The ideal solution is to light the subject, yet this is far from practical. A decent distance for taking photos out of the water is about 24ft. Underwater, this distance should be reduced to compensate for the lack of light. To capture a really good picture, you should be less than 1m from your subject. It may also help if your camera has a macro facility. Most basic digital cameras now have this. This allows you to focus on very close objects.

It is feasible to use flash underwater. However, this should not be used as the main source of light, rather just to emphasize the colours. One drawback to using flash is backscatter, that is when the flash reflects particles of plankton in the water. Even though you can’t see them, they exist. Unless you are deeper than about 1m, using the flash is probably not worth it.

The next aspect to consider is motion. There is less light, your subject is likely to be moving, and you yourself are likely to be moving. It is worth practicing treading water stably, and ensure your subjects are in the best possible place for light to reach them. Snorkelling is a good way to stay still, yet if you take a picture whilst snorkelling, your perspective will always be from above, and many good underwater photos are taken from the side. People often hold their breath to take pictures from underneath or next to a subject. Of course a decent snorkel mask would be needed so that you can see the viewfinder on the camera.

That is the basics, you really just need to try a few things and see what looks best. Bear in mind you need to be close, and probably will need to use a flash to avoid dull reds. Also, bear in mind that you can get much more entertaining shots from the side or below a subject.