Underwater photography

Underwater photography is the process of taking photographs while underwater. It is usually done while scuba diving, but can be done in other manners, such as while snorkeling or swimming.

This type of photography is extremely challanging since it is difficult to capture the image of a moving object, such as a fish, while the photographer is also moving. Many of the "rules" of photography still apply underwater but they must be used with some thought. A lot of advice can be found in scuba magazines and underwater photo web sites.

Taking amateur underwater photos is easy and fairly inexpensive. Purchase a disposable water proof camera and go to a nearby body of water—even a swimming pool will suffice. You can then practice taking photos of a willing subject, such as a friend. The film can be developed just as traditional photographs.

Just like any hobby, you can spend as much as you want on equipment.

1923 W.H. Longley - first underwater color photos
The trend in 2003 is a digital camera in a waterproof housing. A popular camera of this sort is the Nikon D100.
Film cameras
- Nikonos V - one of the most popular underwater cameras ever made. 35mm film format
  - 15mm lens - the king of underwater lens, 94 degree coverage, cost more than the camera,
  - 20mm lens - almost the same coverage as the 15 but less bulky and costly.
  - 28mm lens - the smallest of the wide angle lens - works only underwater. Cam be use with the "close-up" kit or with framers.
  - 35mm lens - the "standard" lens for the camera. works above water & underwater, can be used with a close up kit or the macro / frames.
  - 80mm lens - the "telephoto" lens of the group, can be used above or below water.
  - close up kit - an additional lens that goes over the camera lens, allows the camera to focus 9" infront of the lens, a wire framer help define the photo area.
  - extension tubes -
    - 1:1
    - 1:2
    - 1:3
- Sea & Sea
Underwater Housings - provide a dry home for the camera when taken underwater. housings allow a SLR camera & above water lens to be used below the water line.
- Clear
- Aluminum
Film
- 35mm format
  - 50 speed slide film
  - 100 speed slide film
  - 50 speed print film
  - 100 speed print film
Mfg
- Ikelite (http://www.ikelite.com/ )
- Nextus (http://www.nexusamerica.com/products.html )
- Gates (http://www.gateshousings.com/ )
- Ocern Brite Systems (http://www.oceanbrite.com/ )
- Seacam Subsea Systems (http://www.seacamsys.com/ )
- Light & Motion (http://www.uwimaging.com/ )
Strobes
- One is good
- Two is better
- The bigger the strobe watts - the more area that can be lit
- Connected to the camera by a sync cord
- TTL
Arms
- Hold the strobes and connect to the tray
- Made of aluminum or plastic compounds
- Most have ball joints with clamps to allow the strobe to be positioned where needed.
Tray
- The camera is connected to the tray
- The arms are connected to the tray
- Some trays feature a piviot to allow the camera to be rotated 90 degrees with out moving the strobes.

Table of contents

1 External Links

1.1 Professional Underwater Photographers
1.2 Underwater Photography References

External Links

Professional Underwater Photographers

Jim Church (http://www.jimchurchphoto.com/ )
Cathy Church (http://www.cathychurch.com/ )
Stephen Frink (http://www.stephenfrink.com/sf-index.php )
Howard Hall (http://www.howardhall.com/ )
Stan Waterman (http://www.stanwaterman.com/ )