Beginner’s Guide to Underwater Photography

The underwater world is full of fascinating creatures, colours and textures that when captured on camera can produce some of the most striking images you are likely to see. Whether you are into scuba diving, snorkelling, swimming or surfing, there is no reason why you can’t share your experiences with admiring friends. Digital cameras make it a whole lot easier to get great images under the waves, so here’s a few tips to help even novice photographers snap some striking photos.



The right gear
The best news is you don’t have to buy a new camera, or even break to the bank, to get into underwater photography. Waterproof plastic housings are available for a wide range of point-and-shoot cameras that most importantly keep the water out but still allow you to use most of the camera’s functionality, flash included. When choosing housings, make sure it is completely compatible with your camera, is watertight and still allows you to comfortably use it. The price will depend on your camera type and model, but as a guide, housings for Canon cameras can range from $65 to $375. If you really want to get serious there are specialised underwater cameras and you can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars into the thousands. Whether it’s a housing or camera you buy, make sure you check how much water pressure they can handle, which is usually referred to in terms of depth.