Underwater Photography

[greg_SA]

Hi,

Anyone here have any experience with underwater photography?

I have bought an underwater housing for my old Canon Ixus camera.

I know that using the std camera flash doesn't work too well, as it lights up all the particles in the water, in front of the subject. So a slave strobe is the way to go....


But, what about using a constant light, like for video cameras? Does anyone know how bright the light would need to be for photography at say 5m? I was wondering how one or more of the LED down lighter type lights would work?

Cheers
Greg

 

[MadMailMan]

I haven't a clue but I will be very interested to see some of your pics when you do work this out.

 

[SK33T]

Yeah was having the same hasstle with dust while we where doing a revamp in our shop,came to the conclusion was to turn flash off and open shutter a bit longer,problem with u is that u using moving subjects.

U obviously have all the scuba gear,is it DUST u spill up or general particles in the water?
Try getting to ure destination and waiting for it all to settle.Or get a dive buddy to hold a light maybe at a 30 degree angle.Cos those slave lights are bulky,plus u might get some nice shots as the light isnt directly in front of ure fish.Refraction is a beatiful thing.

Also intrested in ure outcome.
Im too scared of the sharks to get me under there,so no coment.lol.

 

[morebroadband]

Underwater photography is very different from normal photography. Lighting the subject is one of the most challenging things, because the deeper you go the less colour the human eye sees. Diffraction through water also creates problems.

It helps using a focusing light (and there are plenty available), similar to what video photographers do, as well as off camera flash.

I highly recommend the following website as a resource: http://www.wetpixel.com