Underwater photography for beginners

Lead: When the ape-man walked upright for the first time, the pace of human development never reached stop setting. Between heaven and earth, human beings always try to observe the world from different perspectives. 1893, the French biologist Louis Butan took the first underwater camera into the water and took the first real underwater photography in history. Since then, mankind has begun to go deep into the ocean and explore this mysterious underwater world with a lens. Then when we stand in front of this new field, as a novice, we must first understand the following basic knowledge.

Some facts about underwater photography

1, water absorbs various colors, such as red, orange, yellow and so on. That's why your underwater photography looks blue when you don't use flash or flash. The deeper you dive, the more colors the water absorbs, so we often say that the depths of the sea are black.

2. Portable camera with built-in flash can be used to add color to your underwater shooting.

3. Professional diving photographers usually buy external flash or strongpoint as a means to add color.

4, water will reduce the contrast, color, clarity, so when shooting underwater, the distance between your camera and the subject should be kept within 1 meter, or even closer.

Explanation of some commonly used underwater photography terms

1, flash/flash (flash/flash)

Especially important is the underwater photographer, which can be used to provide a complete spectrum source. Flash or flash can be built-in or external to provide more light.

2. Underwater houses

Waterproof shell, as the name implies, is to add a waterproof protective shell to your camera, which can protect your camera from water and let you shoot underwater. According to different camera brands and models, there are many kinds of waterproof cases to choose from. Of course, the more professional the camera, the more expensive the waterproof case and the better the protection effect.

3. O-ring

Waterproof sealing rubber ring. The stroboscopic and waterproof casing will have several O-rings for waterproof effect.

4. Background light

Underwater photography, also known as natural light, is usually a mixture of ambient light and flash.

5. Low power camera lens

Used to move slowly in the water to find small marine life and shoot it at close range.

6. Wide angle lens

It is used to photograph large marine creatures close to each other. Without a wide-angle lens, the contrast and color of underwater photography will be poor.

7. Backscattering

Small spots caused by using flash lights, sand and plankton in the water will be reflected in your underwater photography. They may look like dust on the lens or camera, but they are not.

8.TTL technology &; optical cable

TTL is a technology that can automatically set the flash/strobe value and keep the setting value relatively correct. Optical cable is a simple cable that can transmit light, synchronize cameras and flashlights.

More basic knowledge of underwater shadows

1. In underwater photography, it is very important to use flash and strobe, which can not only be used as a light source for diving, but also play a vital role in underwater photography. Therefore, many professional underwater photographers will bring an extra flash/strobe when shooting. Buying an external flash is the best way to improve the quality of underwater photos. Of course, if there is no external flash, it will be a beautiful work to turn on the forced flash mode, get close to the shooting target and take some macro shots.

2. Try to shoot from a lower angle or eye level, instead of shooting those cute little creatures from above.

It is very important to practice snorkeling and diving skills before shooting in water, whether for your life safety or shooting effect.

4. Use automatic white balance when using flash/flash, and use custom white balance or camera built-in underwater shooting mode when not using flash/flash.

5. Learn how to use manual mode or aperture priority mode, which allows you to control the balance between natural light and flash.

6. A telephoto lens for underwater photography is really not a good choice. Light cannot travel in water as it does in air. Even if the naked eye can see creatures at a certain distance, what can be captured at this distance is only darkness for the lens, and usually the flash or portable lighting equipment can't reach a long distance. In addition, long-distance shooting will also reduce the color and clarity of the work. So underwater photography, wide-angle and macro lenses are the best choices.