Perhaps the next best thing to experiencing the wonder of life underwater is capturing those special moments on film to remember long after you’ve surfaced. Not only does photography serve as a reminder of the magic right below the water’s surface, it can also be a fun way to share your love of diving with friends and family.
Think it’s too expensive? Don’t let the assumed cost deter you. What was once an expensive hobby is now much more affordable. Camera equipment has come down in cost a lot over the last decade. Some dive and camera shops even offer rental to those considering purchasing certain pieces of equipment.
Before you try to score a pic of your favorite marine animal, it’s a good idea to learn a little bit about your equipment and some strategies for taking good underwater photography. While there are many tried-and-true strategies for underwater photography, it’s a bit more complicated than just automatic point-and-click on land.
For example, what type of lens do you plan to use? Wide angle lenses allow you to take pictures of underwater landscapes of sweeping lengths. For example, when you want to take a wide shot of a big coral reef, use a wide angle lens. Alternatively, macro lenses are designed specifically to capture images of tiny subject matter, so you can zoom in and get all the details of that minute crustacean or sea urchin.
Underwater photography is a fascinating hobby that can be very rewarding. By taking a class before scheduling a dive, you’ll learn the skill you need to get breathtaking shots. The PADI courses can help you learn what you need to know, no matter what your equipment preference.
Choose from two classes: The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course gets you going quickly with today modern digital equipment, whether you use a point-and-shoot snap camera or a sophisticated D-SLR like the pros. The PADI Underwater Photographer course is a more traditional photography course designed for conventional film equipment.
Both courses teach you how to choose the right underwater camera system for you, the PADI SEA method for getting great shots quickly, and the three primary principles for good underwater photos. Underwater photography is quickly becoming one of the most popular dive specialties, so you’re sure to meet other like minded divers who share your passion.
Why wait? The sooner you learn, the sooner you’ll capture that once-in-a-lifetime shot. Just when you think diving can’t get any better, you add on a specialty like underwater photography, and it becomes even more enjoyable.
Learn more about the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course.
