Looking to get into underwater photography

[sean_lulgjuraj]

<p>I'm looking at getting this combo for when I go on vacation to Central America.. <br>

http://www.backscatter.com/HostedStore.LassoApp?-ResponseLassoApp=detail.lasso&ID=1d1de0ce5ff33e48d5bbf300b8c0d94b&s2op=cn&s2=compact%20photo&s4op=cn&s4=Olympus%20FE-360&s6op=cn&s6=photo&sop=AND&sf=Price&so=Descending&ftn=youbetcha&</p>

<p>Ive never been Scuba diving but I know I'll love it and i plan on getting my license when I'm down in CA, just wondering what I can expect from this combo? I currently have a Canon 50D, should I maybe save up for a housing for my 50D? or would I be satisfied with the results I get from the point and shoot?</p>

[avery1]

<p>I would definitely recommend doing a few dives before investing in an SLR housing, but that's just my 2 cents. I found that the first few times I went I was expending most of my mental energy on relaxed breathing, correct buoyancy, etc. I'm glad I didn't have ANY camera with me. Once you're comfortable, underwater shooting is not terribly different from above-water shooting in the sense that you can get great pics from a disposable camera in the right conditions, but the more money you're willing to spend (disposable -> p&s -> slr -> lighting), the more flexibility you'll have for conditions that are less ideal (the lack of light as you dive deeper being the biggest issue).<br>

Also may want to consider how frequently you plan on diving in the future. I go less than once a year, and I don't have the dough to spend more on an underwater housing than I did on the camera for something that will be used this infrequently.</p>

[SCL]

<p>Why not try the outfit you alluded to, and if you like it and really want to get into underwater photography, then spend the big bucks. Scuba diving isn't cheap, and the more you do, the more you want to learn and do. But I suggest taking a step at a time.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Another possibility are some digital P&S cameras that are waterproof to 3 fathoms or so. Here are some (<a href="http://reviews.photographyreview.com/blog/outdoor-waterproof-digital-cameras/">link</a>).</p>

<p>I also saw some disposable film cameras for US$6 or 7. I'd try one of these options before going to big bucks for a housing for your dSLR. The P&S cameras, especially, would always be handy for bad weather shooting, if you find scuba-ing not to your liking.</p>

[2Oceans]

<p>Sean, There are a number of good web sites for folks who are new to under water photography. Wetpixel.com is one of them. Being comfortable in the water is essential and the most talked about topic for folks starting out. I have probably owned just about every book on underwater photography. The best one I have owned yet is The Underwater Photographer, Fourth Edition by Martin Edge. It is the only book I know of on the subject that has gone into a fourth edition. It is well written, up-to-date and has a 19 page chapter dedicated to point and shoot cameras. I would read it enthusiastically before I committed any money. Good hunting. Andy</p>

[jim_j2]

<p>Good advice here on the Underwater Photography part and I would agree with the disposable after you have completed some dives and are comfortable in all the other aspects of SCUBA first.</p>

<p>I would not wait till I got to Central America before I started Dive Classes!<br>

Although P.A.D.I is worldwide, you may find the availiability of classes somewhat lacking, and one would certainly be a fool to attempt Scuba diving without proper instruction, training and qualifications.</p>

<p>It would also be helpful to find you a "Dive Partner" who also has an interest in photography, once you get to Central America.</p>

[jwallphoto]

<p>Definitely get certified diving first. I knew I was going to love diving, only to find out on my certification dive that I have clogged ear canals and can't clear properly. Diving below even fifteen feet is very painful.</p>

[sean_lulgjuraj]

<p>Thanks for all the great advice everyone! I definitely wont have time to take a P.A.D.I course here before I leave, so I'm going to take my chances in CA, and hopefully I can find a good instructor, and I agree a disposable underwater sounds like the best option</p>

[kevin_harding]

<p>Sean .... if you are just starting out in diving then for your own safety, and for that of those around you, leave the camera at home. It is very easy for novice divers to get themselves into life-threatening situations purely because they are not concentrating on learning and applying their new diving skills. I don't think I even took a camera down with me until after 20 or 30 dives. </p>

[peter_catchpole2]

<p>Hello there, I'm an Underwater Photographer and Diving Instructor and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.</p>

<p>The advise above is good so listen to it, there are some essential skills that you need to have before you even think about using a camera underwater.</p>

<p>Be comfortable in the water first, it takes many dives to be not only competant but safe, new divers will consume breathing gas very quickly and this will limit your bottom time. I don't know what type of water or sea conditions you will want to take photographs in, they demand a lot of respect, particularly cold water and dry suits.</p>

<p>For underwater photography you need to be stable in the water, perfect buoyancy is required, this means in all sorts of attitudes, marine life doesn't understand can you move a bit to your left and don't swim on your side. Remember the water is moving and you will also be rising and falling as you breath, so taking a picture of a 5mm Pygmy Seahorse at 25 metres, trying to frame it and take a good shot is a high workload.</p>

<p>When you decide to take the plunge, try and borrow some photography kit first and see how you get on, it isn't easy, easier now with digital, but nonetheless difficult. Your first experience should be a good sized swimming pool with a good depth and try taking pictures of silk flowers and plastic fish, there'll need to be weighted down, if these pictures come out well then maybe UWP is for you?</p>

<p>DSLR's with a couple of strobes, fisheye, macro lenses etc there is a large amount of choice available so you need to get it right as it is an expensive way to make a mistake.</p>

<p>There is a very good/excellent free internet publication called Underwater Photography by Peter Rowlands, all the earlier editions are available for download. There are others but more specialised, if interested I'll post the web addresses. Also a specilaised UWP website called Wetpixel, some of the worlds top UW Photogs post there so a good place to see what others are doing and all the kit you could throw a stick at.</p>

<p>Come back with more questions, be pleased to answer them. All the best, Peter</p>

<p><img src="http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa34/Catchpole_clubarnage/Pygmy.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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