Beluga Whale as viewed through observation window at SeaWorld San Diego

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. This is the actual color

of the photograph which was exposed through a very thick glass viewing

wall at Seaworld in San Diego. I don't recall if I used a 28mm or

50mm for the shot. Having just done a behind the scene tour of the

facility, I had been allowed to touch the beluga whale in this photo.

The color is quite representative of the near freezing water

temperature.

Compositionally, this isn't a bad shot, but what makes this photo weak is taht it is obviously an aquarium shot. The background gives it away. If you are interested in doing some real underwater photography, I highly recommend you do so! I do it and I love it.

It doesn't take much (financially speaking, if you can afford an F-100 you can afford to do this) ... get a Basic Open-Water Dive Certificate, then go for the Advanced Certificate. Ask around about reputable shops and instructors. Then, check our the SeaLife brand of underwater cameras, such as the ReefMaster, which starts at around $170.

These are simple, no-frills, cameras in a rugged case that can handle the pressure of diving. There simplicity is a weakness in terms of photographic control but a strength when you're underwater and trying to keep track of so many things.

Eventually, if you like underwater photos, you can move up to the more complex and expensive gear by Nikonos. Nikonos products are more versatile and are used by many (if not all) of the professioanl dive photographers.