Underwater photography presents a unique and exciting challenge for photographers who want to capture the beauty of water, its reflections, and the movements of subjects in an environment that is both fluid and ever-changing. The combination of water and photography provides opportunities for creative expression that is unlike any other type of photography. For those who have worked with children’s photography, underwater photography can open up new realms of imagination, where water adds an element of magic and movement to your subjects.
As a children’s photographer, I have always been on the lookout for ways to present my subjects in innovative ways. When I first started exploring the world of underwater photography, it was driven by my fascination with water and reflections. I wondered if I could merge my passion for photographing children with the mesmerizing world of water. This led to the idea of capturing children in the water, creating fine art that could be displayed in homes as beautiful, ethereal photographs.
Initially, I tested the waters with a basic Fuji underwater camera, something lightweight and easy to handle. The camera itself had limitations that became apparent as I experimented more. Despite these challenges, I was hooked on the idea of combining children’s photography with underwater imagery. The moment I submerged the camera into the water, I felt a rush of excitement. This was an area that demanded skill, creativity, and patience, which immediately intrigued me.
While the Fuji camera allowed me to begin experimenting, I quickly realized that to take my underwater photography to the next level, I would need more advanced gear. This led me to researching proper camera housings and equipment that could accommodate my Canon Mark II camera. The setup had to be secure and functional, as underwater environments can be unforgiving, and the camera needed to withstand the pressures of being submerged.
The Initial Challenge
My first underwater shoot with children was nothing short of an adventure. Equipped with a heavy and bulky Ikelite housing for my Canon Mark II, I was ready to dive in—quite literally! I brought my gear to a friend’s pool, where six children eagerly awaited their turn to jump in and swim. The pool was cold, but the excitement kept me moving. Keeping up with these fast-moving subjects was no easy feat, especially when you’re underwater trying to capture every moment while also managing your camera.
One of the biggest challenges of underwater photography is the need to balance the technical aspects of the camera with the physical requirements of being submerged. At first, I struggled to remain underwater long enough to get the shots I needed. Between the physical exertion of holding my breath and trying to guide the children on what to do, I quickly realized that being underwater was a workout in itself. For someone like me, who was used to standing on dry land while photographing children, this was a whole new dynamic.
However, the more I practiced, the better I became at managing my time underwater. Initially, I could only manage about thirty seconds before needing to surface for air. Over time, I was able to extend that time, reaching up to a minute underwater. My goal for the upcoming summer was to push myself further and aim for two minutes. This is just one of the many hurdles photographers face when working in an underwater environment, but with perseverance, you learn how to adapt and thrive.
Equipment and Gear
One of the most important aspects of underwater photography is the equipment. While any camera can be used, underwater housing is essential to protect your gear from water damage. For my underwater shoots, I rely on the Canon 5D Mark III, a camera known for its excellent image quality and versatility. However, capturing stunning underwater photos requires more than just a high-quality camera. It also demands that the camera be housed in a secure and reliable underwater housing, which is where Ikelite came into play.
I opted for the Ikelite housing, a well-known brand in the underwater photography world, built specifically to accommodate my Canon Mark III camera. This housing was both durable and functional, allowing me to control my camera’s settings while underwater. The housing also required a dome lens port, which was essential for wide-angle shots. In addition to the housing, I also made sure to have nose plugs and goggles, essential accessories for comfort and better visibility while shooting.
Choosing the right lens is another critical factor when working underwater. For my shots, I prefer using a Canon L Series 24mm lens. This wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing the expansive underwater environment and is ideal for shooting children swimming or playing.
Another tool that has proven to be indispensable is Capture One for raw processing and Photoshop for post-editing. Both of these programs help bring the underwater images to life, adjusting colors, contrasts, and details that may be lost underwater due to lighting conditions.
Techniques for Capturing Stunning Underwater Images
When shooting underwater, one of the most significant challenges is maintaining focus, especially when light plays a crucial role in the final result. In underwater environments, light behaves differently, with colors becoming muted or even disappearing altogether as depth increases. I have found that shooting in manual mode allows me more control over my settings, particularly shutter speed and aperture. This is crucial for freezing motion underwater and ensuring sharp images, even with fast-moving subjects like children.
For underwater photography, I always select a high shutter speed to ensure that even the quickest movements are captured in crisp detail. Additionally, I set the autofocus mode to AI Servo. This allows the camera to continuously adjust focus as the subject moves, which is essential when photographing children who are often unpredictable in their movements.
Although I prefer manual mode, some photographers find success with shutter speed priority. This mode can automatically adjust other settings to ensure proper exposure while maintaining a fast enough shutter speed to capture the motion in the water. Depending on the shoot, experimenting with different settings and techniques is essential to achieving the best results.
Overcoming Lighting Challenges
Lighting is one of the most critical elements of underwater photography. In natural light, the surface of the water can create reflections, causing backlighting that can be difficult to manage. When the sun is shining directly, it often results in harsh shadows and bright spots, which can obscure details and colors in the final photograph.
To combat this, I use a variety of techniques, including adjusting my camera’s white balance to compensate for the water’s color cast. While the water can give an image a beautiful, ethereal quality, it can also introduce green or blue tones that might not be desirable. By carefully adjusting the white balance, I can maintain natural skin tones and vibrant colors, even in challenging lighting conditions.
In some cases, I choose to shoot in black and white, especially when the colors under the water become too tricky to balance. Black and white photography allows the light and shadow to take center stage, creating dramatic and timeless images that highlight the movement and fluidity of the water. For me, the beauty of underwater photography lies not only in the subjects but also in the way light interacts with water, creating an entirely different world within each shot.
The Importance of Composition in Underwater Photography
When it comes to underwater photography, composition is just as important as exposure and lighting. However, working underwater presents a unique set of challenges for composing your shots. Water can distort the way light travels, and it can also create waves or bubbles that affect the clarity of your images. That’s why understanding and mastering composition is essential for capturing compelling underwater photos that are both visually engaging and technically sound.
Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is one of the most fundamental principles of photography, and it’s no different when you’re underwater. Imagine dividing your image into a 3x3 grid, both horizontally and vertically. The idea is to position key elements of your scene along the lines or at the intersections of the grid. This creates balance and draws the viewer's eye toward the subject without making the image feel overly static or forced.
In underwater photography, the use of the rule of thirds can help you create dynamic compositions, especially when your subject (such as a child swimming) is moving through the frame. You can place the subject to the left or right of the frame to give the image a sense of movement and life, allowing them to "swim" into the frame rather than just placing them at the center.
Another trick is to use the natural lines of the water’s surface or the pool’s edges to guide the viewer’s eye. These lines can serve as leading lines, drawing attention to your subject or creating a sense of depth and perspective. This technique works especially well when capturing underwater portraits, as it helps frame the subject and brings focus to the action.
Leading Lines and Framing
In underwater photography, you can use natural elements in the water to enhance your composition. For example, bubbles, the water’s surface, or even the ripples on the floor of a pool can serve as leading lines that guide the viewer’s eye toward your subject. Using these elements as lines of flow can add a sense of motion to your images, emphasizing the fluidity and beauty of the underwater world.
You can also experiment with framing, which involves using natural or man-made objects to frame your subject. For instance, you could use the edge of the pool, a floating object, or even your subject’s hair floating in the water as a natural frame to focus attention on them. Framing can help isolate your subject from the background, providing a clean and clear image while adding an artistic element to the shot.
Depth and Layers
One of the most captivating aspects of underwater photography is the ability to create depth in your images. The layers of water and air, along with the way light filters through the water, offer a unique way to compose your shots. By paying attention to these layers, you can add a sense of dimension and depth to your photos.
Try to position your subject at varying distances from the camera and the water’s surface to create a sense of depth. You can also use the natural light and reflections on the water to create layers of light, which can add interest and a sense of mystery to your photos. Remember that underwater environments are dynamic, and the ripples in the water can create stunning visual effects, so take advantage of these layers to enhance your composition.
Negative Space
In underwater photography, negative space— the empty space around your subject— can be just as powerful as the subject itself. Using negative space allows you to convey a sense of isolation, serenity, or even tension in your images. It can also emphasize the movement of your subject and the surrounding water.
Negative space works particularly well when your subject is a child in motion, swimming through the water. The empty space around them can give the viewer the feeling that the child is part of something much larger than themselves— the vastness of the water or the freedom they experience while swimming. Experiment with different angles and positions to make use of negative space creatively.
Overcoming Common Underwater Challenges
While underwater photography can yield breathtaking images, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From the physical aspects of being submerged for extended periods to technical difficulties like lighting and focus, it’s crucial to be aware of these challenges and know how to deal with them.
Water Distortion
Water distorts light, which can lead to images that appear blurry or out of focus, especially when shooting through several feet of water. This can be particularly frustrating when you’re trying to capture fast-moving subjects, like children swimming. One way to minimize distortion is to shoot closer to your subject. The closer you are to the subject, the less water between you and the camera, and the less light distortion will affect your image.
Using a wide-angle lens, like the Canon L Series 24mm lens I use, can help in these situations. Wide-angle lenses allow you to get closer to your subject, which can also help reduce the effects of distortion. The lens also ensures that your background remains slightly blurred, keeping the focus on the subject while still allowing the background to provide context.
Another technique is to ensure your camera is perfectly focused before submerging it. Water creates a blur, and if your autofocus is struggling to lock in, it could result in an image that is unusable. This is why using AI Servo mode for continuous focusing, as mentioned earlier, is especially important when shooting underwater.
Lighting Issues
Underwater environments often present tricky lighting situations, particularly when you’re shooting outdoors in natural light. The deeper you go in the water, the less light there is. Sunlight can also create reflections on the water's surface, making it challenging to expose your subject properly. To counteract these issues, you should focus on the time of day and the direction of light. Early morning or late afternoon light tends to be softer and more diffused, reducing harsh shadows and creating more even lighting.
For deeper dives or situations where there is little available light, consider using artificial lighting. Many underwater photographers rely on strobes or flash units to illuminate their subjects. The key with using strobes is to balance the light so that it doesn’t overpower the natural light. A well-placed strobe can enhance the colors and details of your subject, making your images more vibrant and dynamic.
Camera Settings for Success
When shooting underwater, manual mode is generally the best option because it allows you to have full control over your exposure settings. For instance, setting your camera to a high shutter speed (1/500s or higher) will freeze the motion of your subject, preventing blur from fast-moving children or rippling water.
The aperture setting should also be adjusted based on the available light. A wider aperture (a lower f-number) will allow more light into the camera, which is especially helpful when you’re in deeper waters. However, keep in mind that using a wider aperture may result in a shallower depth of field. If you want to capture more of the scene in focus, you may need to use a smaller aperture (higher f-number), but you’ll need to adjust your shutter speed accordingly to avoid overexposure.
White balance is another crucial factor in underwater photography, as water can distort the colors in your images. Set the white balance according to the water’s color, whether it’s blue, green, or even brown. If you’re unsure, shoot in RAW so that you can adjust the white balance in post-production.
Post-Production for Underwater Photography
Post-production is where the magic happens. While underwater photography is exciting, it also presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to editing. Whether it’s correcting the color of the water, adjusting the lighting, or bringing out details that were lost in the depths, the post-processing phase can make or break your image.
Color Correction
As mentioned earlier, underwater environments often produce strange color casts due to the water’s natural hue. For instance, in deeper water, you may notice a blue or greenish tint in your images. This can be corrected by adjusting the white balance in editing software like Photoshop or Capture One. You can either adjust the temperature and tint or use the color balance tools to shift the hues back to their natural tones. The goal is to bring out the true colors of your subject while maintaining the unique quality of the water.
Enhancing Lighting
While underwater photography offers some amazing lighting effects, you may need to enhance or modify the lighting in post-production. The contrast between light and shadow can be very strong underwater, and this can result in images that are either too dark or too bright in certain areas. Use tools like the shadows and highlights sliders in Lightroom or Photoshop to balance out the exposure. Be careful not to overdo it, as excessive adjustments can lead to unnatural-looking images.
Sharpening
One common issue with underwater images is softness. The water itself can create a blur, so sharpening is often necessary during post-processing. However, be mindful of the level of sharpening you apply, as too much can create unnatural halos around edges. Use local sharpening techniques, such as using a layer mask, to sharpen only the areas that need it most, such as the subject’s face or hair, while leaving the rest of the image softer.
Capturing the Perfect Moment: Timing and Movement in Underwater Photography
In underwater photography, timing and movement play a pivotal role in creating compelling and impactful images. Unlike traditional photography on land, where subjects are more predictable, underwater photography introduces an element of fluidity and unpredictability. This makes capturing the perfect moment a unique challenge but also an opportunity for creativity and storytelling.
Understanding Movement Underwater
Water itself is constantly in motion. Whether it's the natural flow of currents or the movements of the subjects you’re photographing, the underwater environment is never still. Understanding how these movements interact with your subjects and the water itself can help you create dynamic and compelling shots. The way water swirls around your subject, how light diffuses through the water, and how objects like hair, fabric, or bubbles move through the scene all contribute to the final image.
When photographing children, particularly those in a playful or active state, movement is key. Children swim, jump, dive, and twirl—these spontaneous movements lend themselves to beautiful, action-filled underwater shots. The challenge here is not just to freeze these movements but to also capture the fluidity and grace they possess. The key is to shoot at a high shutter speed to freeze motion while still allowing the movement to be felt in the image.
While it’s crucial to time your shots well, you also want to embrace the natural motion of the water. Rather than always aiming to "freeze" the action, consider using slower shutter speeds for a more artistic effect. The blur of motion can convey a sense of the fluid environment, enhancing the storytelling quality of your images.
Anticipating the Action
In underwater photography, anticipation is crucial. The unpredictable nature of the water means that you can’t always rely on a perfect setup or a precise moment. Instead, you need to anticipate the action—whether it's a child diving, spinning, or playing—and position yourself accordingly. You should also be aware of the timing of each subject’s movement and understand when they’ll be in the most photogenic position.
For example, if you're photographing a child jumping into the pool, timing the shot just as they break the surface of the water can yield striking results. The splash of water, the expression on their face, and the movement of their limbs can all come together in a beautifully timed shot that tells a dynamic story.
To improve your anticipation, practice observing your subjects closely. Watch how they interact with the water and their surroundings. Over time, you’ll develop an intuition for when the most visually interesting moments are likely to occur, allowing you to capture the magic of the underwater world in its most raw and natural form.
Embracing Imperfection
One of the things that I’ve learned over the years is that underwater photography often involves a fair amount of unpredictability. Whether it’s a stray bubble, an unexpected movement, or a slight blur from water distortion, these elements can sometimes detract from a shot. But rather than view them as mistakes, I’ve come to appreciate these imperfections. They add a sense of authenticity to the image, emphasizing the fluid and organic nature of the underwater environment.
In many cases, the imperfections can actually enhance the final photo. A slight distortion of the subject’s features due to water waves, for example, can add a dreamlike quality to the image. Similarly, bubbles and reflections in the water can provide texture and visual interest, further highlighting the otherworldly nature of the shot.
Embrace these imperfections and allow them to become part of the story your photo is telling. Not every shot has to be perfectly crisp and clean. Sometimes, the most magical moments are the ones that feel the least staged and the most natural.
Advanced Techniques for Underwater Photography
As you gain more experience and confidence in underwater photography, there are several advanced techniques that can help you elevate your shots. These techniques focus on maximizing your control over both technical aspects of the shoot and the creative elements you introduce to the image.
Using Wide-Angle Lenses for Dramatic Impact
One of the hallmarks of underwater photography is the ability to capture expansive scenes. Wide-angle lenses are essential for this, as they allow you to encompass more of the underwater world in a single shot. When shooting with children, wide-angle lenses can help emphasize the vastness of the water, creating a sense of immersion and scale.
Wide-angle lenses, such as the Canon L Series 24mm lens I use, are perfect for capturing a broad view of the underwater environment. These lenses allow you to get closer to your subject without losing the broader context of the scene. In underwater portraits, they can create a sense of depth by drawing attention to the subject while still showing the fluid environment in which they exist.
In addition, wide-angle lenses can capture stunning perspectives, such as shots of children swimming from below the surface, making it appear as though they are soaring through the water. These types of shots are visually striking and often evoke a sense of freedom, movement, and energy.
Using Natural Light Creatively
While strobes and artificial lighting can be powerful tools in underwater photography, there is something magical about using natural light to illuminate your subjects. The way light filters through the water can create soft, diffused lighting that adds an ethereal quality to your photos. This natural light can be used creatively to highlight certain elements of your image, such as the subject's face, hair, or the way the water moves.
When shooting outdoors, pay attention to the time of day and the angle of the sun. Early morning and late afternoon provide softer, warmer light that can enhance the overall mood of your images. You can use this soft light to create a glowing effect around your subject, particularly when they’re near the water’s surface. Sunlight can also create beautiful patterns and reflections on the water, which can add texture and depth to your photos.
On the other hand, shooting in midday light can present challenges due to the harsh shadows and strong contrast. If you find yourself shooting at this time, you can use a polarizer filter to reduce reflections and bring more color and clarity to the water, helping to balance the light.
Mastering Focus Techniques
Achieving sharp focus underwater can be difficult due to the water’s distortions and movement. The trick to mastering focus underwater is understanding how the autofocus works in an underwater environment. Many underwater photographers prefer to use the AI Servo autofocus mode, which allows the camera to track moving subjects and adjust focus continuously as they move. This is especially important when shooting children, who tend to swim quickly and unpredictably.
In addition to relying on autofocus, it’s important to make sure your camera settings are optimized for the best focus results. Make sure you’re shooting with the right aperture and shutter speed to allow sufficient light to reach the sensor. A wider aperture (f/2.8 to f/5.6) will help you achieve a shallow depth of field, isolating the subject from the background while keeping the subject in sharp focus.
If your camera struggles with focusing due to the water, manual focus can be an option, but it requires a steady hand and practice. Pre-focus on a specific spot and wait for your subject to swim into that zone. This technique works well in controlled environments, like a pool, where you know the subjects' movements and can predict where they’ll be.
Post-Processing for Underwater Photography
Post-processing is where you can refine your underwater shots and make them truly shine. While capturing the perfect shot is important, post-processing allows you to enhance your image’s potential, correcting issues with color, exposure, and contrast, and adding your own creative flair.
Color Grading
Underwater images often suffer from a color shift due to the way water absorbs and reflects light. As you descend deeper, the reds and yellows in the spectrum disappear, leaving behind blues and greens. This color shift can sometimes make underwater photos look dull or lifeless. To restore vibrancy, color grading is essential.
Start by adjusting the white balance to neutralize any color cast caused by the water. If your image has a green or blue tint, you can shift the color balance towards the warmer end of the spectrum. In Lightroom or Photoshop, you can use the HSL (Hue, Saturation, and Luminance) panel to adjust individual colors, such as boosting reds and yellows, to make your subject’s skin tones appear more natural.
One technique that works well in underwater photography is selective color correction. If the subject is under deeper water, you may want to enhance the blue tones of the water while simultaneously warming up the subject's colors. This creates a nice contrast between the cool tones of the water and the warm skin tones of the subject, making the subject stand out more.
Contrast and Exposure Adjustments
Due to the lighting conditions underwater, it’s common for images to come out either too dark or too bright, especially when you’re shooting in natural light. Use the exposure and contrast sliders in your editing software to fine-tune your image’s overall brightness. Additionally, adjusting the contrast can help bring out the details in both the subject and the water, adding depth and definition to your photo.
Underwater photos often benefit from slight increases in contrast, as this can help accentuate the textures in the water and the movement of the subject. However, be mindful of over-processing the image, as too much contrast can make the photo look unnatural and harsh.
Advanced Underwater Photography Techniques
Underwater photography presents unique challenges and opportunities that differentiate it from traditional photography. Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to explore more advanced techniques to help you elevate your craft. These techniques involve deeper technical understanding, creative use of lighting, capturing intricate details, and crafting storytelling images that go beyond simple snapshots.
High-Speed Photography and Action Shots
Capturing fast-moving subjects underwater requires mastery of high-speed photography techniques. The water’s resistance and fluidity make motion a significant factor in how your images turn out. If you're photographing children swimming, diving, or jumping into the pool, you’ll need to use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action.
A shutter speed of 1/500s or faster is generally recommended to ensure crisp and clear shots of subjects in motion. When setting up your camera, make sure the autofocus mode is set to AI Servo for continuous focus tracking, especially for subjects that are moving unpredictably.
Action shots, particularly underwater, are often defined by the splash and the texture of water as it interacts with the subject. To capture this dynamic effect, adjust your camera settings for fast movement, keeping a high shutter speed and a relatively low ISO setting to reduce noise. Shooting with a wide aperture (such as f/2.8 or f/4) can help you isolate the subject while blurring the background, further emphasizing the movement and action in the scene.
Shooting Through Reflections and Refractions
Water naturally bends light, creating reflections and refractions that can result in stunning visual effects. Learning how to use this phenomenon creatively is key to capturing dynamic underwater imagery. Reflections, in particular, can add an artistic layer to your photos by creating symmetry, depth, and a sense of tranquility. Refractions, on the other hand, distort the subject’s image and can produce abstract and dreamlike results.
To use reflections effectively, position your camera to capture the subject near the water’s surface. The reflections of their body or face on the water can create a sense of duality and visual interest, especially in calm water. Similarly, refractions can be used creatively by shooting at an angle to distort the subject’s appearance, adding an abstract element to the composition.
You can also experiment with shooting through the water’s surface to capture the unique way light bends and distorts. This technique can provide a sense of immersion, as it highlights both the subject and the surrounding environment, creating a more ethereal effect.
Using Multiple Light Sources
Lighting is crucial in underwater photography, especially when natural light is either insufficient or not available. While using a single strobe can add a dramatic effect, combining multiple light sources opens up more possibilities. By introducing a second light source, you can add highlights, create shadows, and enhance textures in your images.
The key to using multiple light sources effectively is to maintain balance. If you're using two strobes, for instance, position one strobe at a 45-degree angle to illuminate the subject’s face, while the other can be placed at a different angle to fill in the shadows. This creates a more balanced and natural light, and can help prevent harsh reflections or overexposed spots.
In addition to artificial light sources, natural light can be used in combination with strobes for stunning effects. For example, during midday shoots, you can use a strobe to fill in harsh shadows while allowing natural light to illuminate the water’s surface and surrounding area. Experimenting with lighting positions, angles, and intensity will give you more control over the final look of your images.
Creative Underwater Portraiture
Underwater portraiture offers a wide range of creative possibilities, combining the intimacy of traditional portrait photography with the ethereal, otherworldly qualities of water. While traditional portrait photography often relies on background, lighting, and mood, underwater portraits incorporate the fluidity of water, creating a more dynamic and often more personal image.
Capturing the Flow of Movement
One of the most striking qualities of underwater portraiture is the sense of movement that can be captured. Whether it’s the way the subject’s hair floats or the way fabric moves through the water, these elements give the portrait a unique sense of life and flow. To enhance this, direct your subject to interact with the water by encouraging them to twirl, float, or dive. Each movement will create different textures and compositions.
Hair, in particular, is a vital element in underwater portraiture. The way hair floats and flows through the water can add drama and elegance to the shot. If you’re working with children, you can ask them to gently spin, which will allow their hair to move freely through the water. This technique often results in fluid and graceful shots that capture the subject in a beautiful and dynamic way.
If the subject is wearing a costume or a flowing fabric, ask them to move slowly or to sway with the water’s current. This will create ripples and waves around them, which will bring texture to the image and add layers of visual interest. Flowing fabric can serve as an extension of the subject’s movement, further enhancing the sense of fluidity in the image.
Emotional Connection in Portraits
Underwater portraits provide a unique opportunity to capture raw emotion in a way that’s often difficult to do in traditional portrait photography. The subject’s interaction with water can evoke a sense of freedom, serenity, or playfulness, depending on the mood you want to create. For children, the excitement and joy they experience while in the water are emotions that can be beautifully captured in your shots.
To encourage genuine emotional expression in your subject, let them interact freely with the water. Instead of posing them rigidly, allow them to explore the environment. Whether they’re looking directly at the camera or caught mid-laugh, the best underwater portraits often come from spontaneous moments when the subject is fully immersed in their environment.
Another way to bring out emotion is by adjusting your own perspective. Consider capturing close-up shots, focusing on the subject’s face or hands. This can create a more intimate connection with the viewer, as they are invited into the subject’s world. Additionally, shooting with a shallow depth of field (wide aperture) can help keep the focus on the subject’s face, adding to the emotional intensity of the portrait.
Overcoming Common Underwater Photography Challenges
While underwater photography offers countless creative opportunities, it also comes with a set of challenges that must be overcome to achieve the best results. These challenges are often technical but can also be related to the physical demands of being submerged for long periods of time.
Dealing with Water Movement
Water movement can be one of the most difficult factors to control in underwater photography. Whether you’re working in a pool or open water, the movement of the water itself can cause blur or distortion, especially when photographing fast-moving subjects.
The best way to deal with this is by using a combination of fast shutter speeds and proper stabilization techniques. A high shutter speed of at least 1/500s can help freeze the motion and prevent the water from becoming too blurry. Additionally, try to minimize any camera shake by stabilizing yourself in the water. Using a tripod with a long extension arm can help, especially for pool shoots where you can remain stationary and allow your subjects to swim through the frame.
If the water movement is subtle, you can use it to your advantage by incorporating it into your composition. For instance, slight ripples can enhance the texture of the shot, while bubbles can add visual interest. Embrace the water’s movement as part of the story you’re telling with your image.
Controlling Lighting Conditions
Underwater lighting can be tricky, especially when shooting in natural light. Light behaves differently underwater, and depending on the depth, your images might suffer from a blue or green color cast. If you’re shooting at a greater depth or in a dimly lit pool, it’s essential to use artificial lighting to fill in shadows and bring out the details of the subject.
Using strobes can help illuminate your subject and bring out vibrant colors. Keep in mind that lighting underwater needs to be carefully balanced. Too much light can cause harsh shadows, while too little light will result in underexposed images. Use reflectors and diffusers to soften the light and create more even exposure.
For natural light, consider shooting during the “golden hour,” just before sunrise or just after sunset, when the light is softer and warmer. The low angle of the sun during these times allows the light to filter through the water, creating a magical and almost surreal effect.
Post-Processing and Enhancing Underwater Shots
Post-processing is an essential part of any photographer’s workflow, and underwater photography is no different. In fact, the challenges posed by underwater shooting—such as lighting issues, color distortion, and focus problems—often make post-processing even more crucial to the final outcome.
Color Correction and Enhancements
Underwater shots often suffer from color distortion, with the water casting an unnatural blue or green tint over the image. The first step in post-processing is typically color correction, using software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One to adjust the white balance and ensure accurate colors. In many cases, adjusting the temperature and tint sliders will bring the image closer to neutral tones.
If you want to make the image pop, you can selectively enhance the colors. For example, boosting the vibrance of the subject’s skin tone or enhancing the blues and greens of the water can help bring out the natural beauty of the underwater environment.
Contrast and Clarity Adjustments
Underwater photos often have softer contrasts due to the way light behaves underwater. Use the contrast slider in your editing software to bring out more detail in the shadows and highlights. However, be cautious with overdoing contrast, as it can result in unnatural-looking photos.
Clarity adjustments can also help in bringing out fine details. Subtle use of the clarity tool can enhance textures, such as bubbles, water ripples, and fabric, while maintaining a soft and natural feel to the image.
Sharpening and Noise Reduction
Underwater images can sometimes suffer from softness or noise due to low-light conditions. Using the sharpening tool in Lightroom or Photoshop can help restore detail, but be careful not to oversharpen, which can introduce artifacts. Noise reduction tools can also be used to smooth out any graininess, particularly in areas of the image that are underexposed.
Crafting a Story Through Underwater Photography
One of the most compelling aspects of underwater photography is its ability to convey a narrative through visual storytelling. Each underwater shot, whether it’s a portrait, action shot, or environmental portrait, can evoke an emotional response or tell a story.
The Power of Emotion in Underwater Photography
In many cases, the most striking underwater images are those that evoke strong emotions. This could be a child joyfully diving into a pool, the serene expression of someone meditating in water, or the elegance of a model drifting through the depths. Emotion in underwater photography can be communicated through body language, facial expressions, and even the interaction between the subject and the surrounding water.
For instance, when photographing children underwater, it’s often the candid moments that tell the most compelling stories. A laughing child emerging from the water, their hair floating behind them, captures both the purity of childhood and the freedom that water represents. By anticipating these moments and capturing them at the right time, you can convey a sense of joy and innocence.
On the other hand, portraits that show subjects in moments of reflection, like a lone swimmer in a quiet pool, can evoke a feeling of solitude or contemplation. The isolation of the subject against the vastness of the water emphasizes their emotional state, adding depth and meaning to the shot.
To craft a story in your underwater photography, it’s essential to think about the emotions you want to convey and how your subject's movements and expressions can enhance that message. The water itself also plays a crucial role—its reflections, ripples, and translucent quality can add layers to the narrative, making the image not just a portrait but a window into a world of emotions and experiences.
Composing Narrative Shots
Underwater photography allows you to explore creative compositions that aren’t possible on land. The water adds an extra dimension to your images, transforming everyday moments into more cinematic and dreamlike scenes. For narrative shots, you can think of your underwater images like frames from a story. Every element in the shot should contribute to the overall narrative.
Here are a few tips for crafting narrative underwater shots:
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Use the Environment: The environment plays a big role in your underwater images. If you’re shooting in a pool, the edges of the pool, the water’s surface, and even underwater props (like pool toys or costumes) can help tell a story. In open water, elements like the ocean floor, corals, and underwater plants can create a more immersive narrative.
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Consider Movement: Movement in the water—whether it’s the flow of hair, the ripple of fabric, or the subject’s body—adds drama to your shots. You can capture the subject mid-motion or in a still moment, with the water swirling around them, creating a sense of action or stillness depending on your story’s tone.
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Framing the Subject: Framing your subject within the water can create a visual “story” within the frame. For example, you can use the water’s surface or underwater elements like bubbles, ripples, or even light refractions to frame your subject in a way that enhances the emotional tone of the image.
When you think about underwater photography as a medium for storytelling, your approach to composition, light, and subject matter all work together to create a deeper narrative.
Capturing Mood and Atmosphere in Underwater Photography
Mood and atmosphere are critical elements in creating compelling underwater images. The way light interacts with the water, the subject’s positioning, and even the water’s texture can all contribute to the mood of the shot.
Harnessing the Effects of Light and Water
Light is one of the most transformative elements in underwater photography. The way light filters through the water can completely change the mood of the image. Shooting in clear water with plenty of natural light can create a bright, ethereal feel, while shooting in deeper or murkier waters with less light can result in a moody, mysterious atmosphere.
For instance, shooting on a sunny day with the sun high in the sky can result in beautiful backlighting, which can add a halo effect around your subject. This technique is ideal for creating a sense of warmth or magic in the photo. On the other hand, shooting with overcast skies or during the “golden hour”—the time shortly after sunrise or before sunset—can produce soft, diffused light that gives the image a dreamy, soft quality.
Light reflections and refractions in the water can also contribute to the mood of the shot. The surface of the water acts as a dynamic element in your photos, refracting light and casting beautiful patterns on the subject or the surrounding area. These reflections can be used creatively to add texture, depth, and complexity to the composition.
Experimenting with light and its interaction with the water is one of the most rewarding aspects of underwater photography. The right combination of natural light, subject movement, and water interaction can set the tone for the entire image, creating a unique atmosphere that’s hard to replicate on land.
Creating Contrast and Drama
To create contrast and drama in your underwater shots, consider how light and shadows interact with your subject. A common challenge in underwater photography is dealing with uneven lighting, especially when shooting in deeper water. Shadows and highlights can often become exaggerated, but rather than trying to eliminate these effects, embrace them. Use strong contrasts to create drama, accentuating the textures of the water and the subject.
For example, backlighting your subject can create stark contrasts between the subject and the surrounding water, allowing you to capture silhouettes that are powerful and dramatic. These types of shots are particularly effective when you want to emphasize the subject’s shape, movement, or the feeling of being immersed in a different world.
Another way to enhance the atmosphere of your underwater shots is by manipulating the white balance. By shifting the temperature of the shot towards warmer or cooler tones, you can change the mood of the image entirely. Warm tones can evoke a sense of warmth, comfort, or nostalgia, while cooler tones often create a more somber, distant, or mysterious feeling.
Using Colors to Evoke Emotion
Color plays a major role in creating the mood of your underwater images. Cool colors, such as blues and greens, can evoke feelings of calmness, tranquility, and serenity. These colors are often found in images shot in deeper water or in shaded environments. On the other hand, warmer colors like orange, yellow, and red can evoke feelings of warmth, energy, and passion.
When composing your underwater shots, think about how the colors in the water and the surroundings can influence the mood of the image. If you want a peaceful and calming shot, emphasize the soft blues and greens of the water. If you're aiming for a more energetic or dynamic shot, look for ways to bring in contrasting colors, such as the reds or yellows from the subject’s clothing or nearby objects.
Using a color palette that suits the emotional tone of your image can have a powerful impact on how the viewer perceives the scene.
Essential Gear for Underwater Photography
Having the right gear is crucial for successful underwater photography. In this section, we’ll discuss the essential equipment that every underwater photographer should consider. We’ll also explore how gear choices impact your shooting style, whether you’re shooting in a pool, the ocean, or other water environments.
Cameras and Lenses
Your camera choice is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when getting started in underwater photography. DSLR and mirrorless cameras are generally the preferred choice, as they offer more manual control over settings and better image quality than point-and-shoot cameras. For underwater photography, it’s important to choose a camera that has both good autofocus and high-resolution image capabilities.
When selecting a lens, choose one that fits your intended shooting style. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing expansive underwater scenes, allowing you to capture the subject and the surrounding environment. A 24mm or 35mm lens is ideal for wide-angle shots. If you’re aiming for portraits or more focused shots, a macro lens can help you capture intricate details, such as hair floating or bubbles around your subject.
Underwater Housing
One of the most essential pieces of gear for underwater photography is the housing that protects your camera from water damage. Underwater housings are available for most DSLR and mirrorless cameras. When purchasing a housing, look for one that is durable, well-sealed, and provides access to the necessary camera controls. Housing units typically come with a lens port that allows you to attach different lenses, including wide-angle and macro lenses.
Make sure to test your housing before fully submerging your camera to ensure it’s watertight. It’s also a good idea to have spare O-rings for the housing, as these seals can wear out over time.
Lighting Equipment
While natural light can work beautifully in many underwater settings, artificial lighting is often necessary to illuminate your subject and bring out the colors in your image. A strobe or underwater flash can help you control the light and add highlights to your subject.
When using strobes, it’s important to position them correctly. If you have two strobes, place them at opposite angles to illuminate the subject evenly. If you’re using a single strobe, position it to avoid creating harsh shadows or reflections on the water’s surface.
Additional Gear
Other useful gear for underwater photography includes tripods (especially for stationary shots), lens filters (to adjust the color of the water), and underwater monitors (for easier framing and focus). A wetsuit or dive gear is also essential for comfort and safety during extended shoots in deeper water.
Safety Considerations for Underwater Photography
While underwater photography is an exciting and rewarding pursuit, safety should always be a top priority. When photographing in open water, ensure you have proper training in swimming and scuba diving if needed. Always check the weather and water conditions before you begin shooting, and never dive or swim alone. Consider using a floatation device or tether to keep your equipment buoyant and prevent it from sinking.
Advanced Underwater Photography Techniques: Mastering Your Craft
At this stage, you’re likely familiar with the basics of underwater photography—capturing stunning images of subjects, using natural light effectively, and experimenting with camera settings. In this section, we’ll dive deeper into advanced techniques that will help you refine your skills and bring your underwater photography to a professional level. These techniques explore different underwater environments, the use of specialized equipment, and the creative manipulation of water elements to push the boundaries of your work.
Dealing with Environmental Factors
One of the key elements that differentiate underwater photography from other genres is how the environment itself influences your images. Unlike shooting on land, where conditions are generally predictable, underwater environments present unique challenges and creative opportunities that require careful attention.
Water Clarity and Its Impact
Water clarity is a crucial factor that will significantly affect the quality of your images. In clearer water, you can capture more detail and shoot over greater distances, whereas murkier or deeper water may result in more subdued and atmospheric shots. Here are some ways to work with different water conditions:
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Clear Water: In clear water, you can take advantage of the expansive view. Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing distant subjects and the surrounding environment. You can shoot from different perspectives to enhance the feeling of depth in the image. If you’re working in clear, shallow water, take advantage of the available light and natural reflections to bring vibrancy to your photos.
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Murkier Water: In murky or deeper waters, visibility will be limited. This presents the opportunity to use light creatively, focusing on how the light diffuses and reflects through the water. Shooting with a macro lens is ideal for getting close-up shots of small subjects, such as marine life or textures like bubbles or ripples in the water. Consider using strobes or flashes to enhance visibility and bring out colors in low-light conditions.
To counter the effects of water clarity, consider using filters such as a red filter or a polarizer, which can reduce the color cast often present in deep or greenish water. Adjusting the white balance in post-processing can also help you bring back the natural tones of the scene.
Depth and Pressure
The deeper you go, the more light is absorbed by the water, and colors are lost. As light passes through the water, red, yellow, and green wavelengths get filtered out first, leaving the blues and greens. This is why deeper water can sometimes look overly blue or green in photos. To overcome this, using a red filter (especially for scuba diving or shooting at greater depths) can restore color balance, making the photo appear more natural.
Additionally, shooting at great depths can introduce pressure-related challenges, especially when it comes to camera and housing equipment. At deeper depths, the pressure increases, so it’s crucial to use reliable underwater housing rated for the specific depth you're working with. Always ensure your equipment is securely sealed, as water ingress at deep levels can damage your gear beyond repair.
Managing Different Underwater Environments
Understanding how to manage and work within various underwater environments is essential to mastering the craft. Each environment presents a different set of challenges, opportunities, and aesthetics that can significantly affect the mood and style of your photos.
Open Water Photography
Open water environments offer a vast and dynamic setting for underwater photography. Whether shooting in oceans, lakes, or rivers, open water provides expansive views that can emphasize isolation, movement, and depth. However, these locations also introduce the challenge of less control over the surrounding elements.
Working with Currents
Currents can be unpredictable, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity for creativity. Strong currents can affect the subject’s movement, creating a sense of motion in the image. For this reason, it’s important to practice stabilizing your own body and equipment in the water. Often, photographers will use weights, tethering systems, or even specialized underwater tripods to stabilize themselves when capturing subjects in moving water.
To take advantage of the currents, position yourself in such a way that you can use the flow of water to enhance the composition. For instance, if you’re photographing a subject in a stream, position the camera at a low angle to capture the movement of the water around them. The current can create beautiful swirls and textures that add drama and motion to the image.
The Open Water Challenge
Open water environments require a keen understanding of visibility and lighting. Shooting in the open sea, for instance, presents challenges related to both the clarity of the water and the light conditions. Because the light dims as you go deeper, and as the subject moves away from the surface, it can become difficult to maintain sharp focus.
A wide-angle lens is often the best choice for capturing expansive open water shots, especially when shooting from a boat or while swimming. In clear water, you can capture large marine life or swimmers with stunning vistas in the background. However, keep in mind that as the subject moves away, you’ll lose contrast and color. To counteract this, adjust the white balance to suit the cooler, bluer tones of the open water, and be prepared to use your strobes to bring more definition to distant subjects.
Pool Photography
When shooting in a pool, you have more control over the environment than in open water. Pools offer the advantage of controlled lighting, clear water, and defined surroundings, which makes them ideal for portraiture and fashion photography.
Poolside Creativity
The design and architecture of pools can serve as a backdrop for creative compositions. Whether it's the geometric shapes of the pool tiles, the play of light on the water’s surface, or the patterns of the water as it ripples, pools provide a visually rich environment for storytelling. Consider using a wide-angle lens to include both the subject and the surroundings, capturing the symmetry of the pool.
Pool photography is also a great place to experiment with posing and directing your subjects. Since the water is still and predictable, you can focus on the subjects’ interactions with the environment. For example, you could direct them to dive, float, or interact with props, allowing you to capture more creative and dynamic images.
Lighting in Pools
One of the advantages of pool photography is the availability of natural light, especially during the day. However, in deeper or darker pools, you may need artificial lighting to illuminate your subjects. If you’re shooting during the day, consider shooting near the pool’s edge to capture soft, natural light filtering through the water. If you're shooting indoors or at night, strobes or underwater LED lights can help highlight your subject and reduce the shadows.
Advanced Post-Processing Techniques for Underwater Photography
Post-processing plays a crucial role in underwater photography, allowing you to enhance colors, contrast, and details that may not have been captured perfectly in-camera due to the inherent challenges of underwater lighting. We’ll discuss advanced techniques for editing underwater images to bring out the best qualities of your shots and correct any issues caused by the underwater environment.
Correcting Color Shifts
Underwater photography is notorious for color shifts caused by the absorption of light in the water. As you dive deeper, reds and oranges are filtered out, leaving cooler tones like blues and greens. This can result in photos that look unnatural or lack vibrancy.
To correct this, you can adjust the white balance in post-processing. Use the temperature and tint sliders in Lightroom or Photoshop to compensate for the color shift. For example, if the image looks too blue, you can increase the warmth or adjust the red and yellow channels to bring back the lost warmth. If you're shooting in murky water, consider using a combination of the adjustment sliders and selective color correction to restore natural hues.
Additionally, consider using a graduated filter in Lightroom to balance the exposure between the subject and the background. This is particularly useful when shooting near the surface, where light may be harsh and cause overexposure in some areas.
Enhancing Textures and Details
Underwater textures—such as the surface of the water, the movement of hair, or the distortion caused by refraction—can add a dynamic and artistic quality to your images. Use sharpening tools in post-processing to enhance these details without over-sharpening, which can introduce artifacts.
You can also use local adjustments in Lightroom to selectively enhance certain areas of the image, such as the subject’s face or the water’s texture. By increasing clarity and contrast in specific areas, you can bring out the fine details, such as droplets of water on the subject’s skin or the subtle ripples caused by the subject’s movement.
Noise Reduction and Smooth Editing
Underwater images can often suffer from graininess or noise, particularly when shooting in lower light conditions or at higher ISO settings. Use noise reduction tools in Lightroom or Photoshop to smooth out these imperfections while maintaining image sharpness.
Carefully adjust the luminance and color noise sliders in Lightroom, or use the noise reduction filter in Photoshop. Don’t overdo it, as this can result in a plasticky, overly smooth look. Aim for a balance that retains natural textures while reducing distracting noise.
Conclusion:
Advanced underwater photography is a delicate balance of technical proficiency and creative expression. The more you understand the environmental conditions, the better you’ll be able to control and manipulate them to suit your artistic vision. Mastering light, composition, and advanced editing techniques will allow you to push the boundaries of your underwater photography and produce images that not only capture the beauty of the underwater world but also tell powerful stories.
As you continue to refine your craft, remember that underwater photography is a journey—one that’s filled with both challenges and extraordinary rewards. With each shot, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the underwater environment and your ability to transform it into art.
