Advanced Underwater Photography

Book excerpt: Designed for photographers who already have strong diving skills and understand basic photographic techniques, this reference defines what advanced underwater photography is while teaching the skills necessary to create professional-quality images. Opening with a quick overview of the basics—such as exposure, focus, subject selection, and composition—the author then expands on each of these topics, showing the techniques pros use to achieve truly stunning images. A major factor in advancing beyond the basic level of underwater photography is moving from a point-and-shoot or semi-adjustable camera to using a full-featured digital SLR camera. The myriad equipment choices available when making this transition—including cameras, lenses, underwater housings, and the lighting units designed to be used with them—are explained, as are their respective advantages and shortcomings. Because both beginning and advanced underwater photographers can have equipment-related issues, a trouble-shooting section is included to ensure that minor equipment problems won’t ruin a costly dive trip.