Available Equipment

    "Today, underwater photography can be fun for everyone, thanks to the variety of equipment now available," explains Chuck DeLaney, Dean of the New York Institute of Photography, America's oldest and largest photography school. "You don't have to be Jacques Cousteau, and you don't need expensive gear. At the pool or beach, in surf or snorkeling, there are great waterproof point-and-shoot cameras and single-use models that you can use to get the picture, provided you follow a few simple tips."

Basic Tips

    There's a lot of skill and equipment required for professional underwater photography, and many scuba training programs have good photography courses. But if you want to come home from where it's wet with some cool photos, here are some tips to get you started. The best time to take underwater photos is usually mid-day because the sun is overhead and will illuminate underwater subjects clearly. Rookie underwater photographers are often susprised how quickly light and color get lost as you plunge down. Most waterproof point-and-shoot models have a built-in flash and you'll want to use your flash anytime you're more than a few feet under the water's surface.

Get In Close

    Distance can be deceptive as well. Viewed through a face mask, objects appear closer to you than they really are. Make sure you get as close to your subject as possible before you take a photograph. Also, keep an eye out behind you. While you're maneuvering in toward that beautiful fish, a barracuda may be studying your backside.

Other Uses for U/w Cameras

    Waterproof cameras work well for other wet and sandy occasions as well. In rainstorms you can take some very interesting photographs using a waterproof camera, and many smart photographers leave their expensive SLR at home when they go to the beach. Sand and salt water are two of the worst enemies of any camera, so using a sealed model makes a lot of sense and can help you avoid costly repairs.

More Info

    For many more tips and a full article on getting started in underwater photography, along with information about the latest gear for amateurs and professionals interested in underwater photography, visit the NYI Website. Everyone interested in photography can have fun in the water with the right gear. What are you waiting for?

Reprinted with permisssion from the New York Institute of Photography. We hope you find this article interesting.

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