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Underwater Photography
An Insight To The Nuances Of Underwater Photography
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If you are passionate about photography, underwater photography is bound to mesmerize you. There is a thrill in taking photographs underwater when you are snorkeling, scuba diving or simply swimming. It is wrong to assume that underwater photography will be very easy. On the contrary, you will find it a challenging field, as it requires specialized techniques and equipment to ultimately bring forth some great pictures. Yes, underwater photography provides some rare and adventurous photographic opportunities for those who are willing to dare. The subjects You might be tempted to ask about the photography subjects underwater. The common subjects are the marine mammals and the fish. Underwater photographers are not only limited to this, their subjects can also be underwater landscapes, shipwrecks, submerged cave systems and the portraits of fellow divers. The problems The chief hindrance to underwater photography is the extreme loss of contrast and color when the photographer has swam into a significant depth. Everything appears blue-green in color to the bare eye, because the longer wavelengths of sunlight, like orange and red are absorbed in the surrounding waters. Therefore, the loss of color increases through the water column vertically and horizontally, making the subjects at a distance from the camera appear vague and colorless. This common problem even in the clear waters is found around the tropical coral reefs. The solutions The underwater photographer does not let the problems be an obstacle to their passion for underwater photography. The solutions that the photographers have emerged with combine two techniques. The first technique: The horizontal loss of color can be reduced considerably by getting the camera very close to the subject. For this, you must have wide-angle lenses for permitting very close focus. You can also make use of macro lenses, which makes the subject appear just a few inches from the camera. The second technique: The color lost vertically through the water column can be restored by using flash. The fill-flash will fill in the colors that are missing by providing full-spectrum visible light to the overall exposure. The camera essentials Use of a waterproof camera in underwater photography is necessary. A digital camera or traditional film placed in a watertight underwater housing makes achieving underwater imaging possible. Housing the digital camera is a safe option because it is not possible to change the film underwater. The digital media favorably holds more shots than a roll of 35mm film can. Macro lenses and wide-angle lenses enhance the quality of the underwater images. The Nikonos series of underwater cameras once produced superior underwater images. The skill of the photographers Most underwater photography is done when scuba diving. In this case, it is up to the photographer or the scuba diver to keep the surrounding marine life environment as calm as possible. If the scuba diver knows the technique, he/she will be able to keep the marine life undisturbed and fearless. This will give quality images. It is best to avoid bad conditions, like tidal flow, heavy currents and poor visibility. However, it is true that practice makes a man perfect. Through practicing underwater photography, you can surely master the art. |