Imagine having the ability to capture amazing images you see once under that water, and being able to share your wonderful memories forever. Many divers the ability to do so. If you have never taken underwater photos, buying a camera and learning how to use it is often intimidating. Below are some few tips to help you choose a camera that will suit your needs.
What Type of Camera to Buy
- Digital Cameras: Digital cameras give you ability to see your pictures immediately after they are taken, keep the pictures you like, deleting those you don't. The photos are in digital format so they can be easily e-mailed to friends and family. Photos in digital format can be burned CD's, and edited by computer programs. Digital cameras are slightly more expensive, but the good thing is you will never pay for film or processing.
- Film Cameras: Film cameras are and less expensive. Do keep in mind that film processing is a with with these types of cameras, so in the long run, it may cost more.
- Video Cameras: While video cameras may require a little extra money, capturing good- scenes on videotape or electronic digital media is relatively simple. The major benefit is that you can bring the beauty of the underwater world to life above water. Many newer video camera have built in digital cameras.
Taking Good Underwater Pictures
The difference between shooting above and below water is light travels differently through air than water. Air is transparent, allowing light to travel in a straight line to and from the subject, while water is opaque and full of dense particles, so light is bent, scattered, reflected, and absorbed. Taking quality underwater photos will require having the necessary equipment, knowing a few basic rules, and, as always, practice.
- Underwater photography can be divided into four categories: general photography, macro photography, fish portraits, and wide angle. Make sure the equipment you purchase takes the photographs that you are interest in. This equipment may include lenses, light, and more.
- A Strobe is Highly Suggested. The first colors you lose at depth are the warm colors of red, orange, and yellow. A strobe provides an artificial light source to bring out that warm colors for very colorful photographs.
