For even the most seasoned photographer, working with underwater photography can seem daunting and overly specialized. In many ways, this is a whole new world, with different rules for lighting, focus, and color. However, this popular form of photography can be rewarding both creatively and financially once you learn the tricks of the trade. Here are the most significant ways that undersea photography is different from above ground photography and how you can prepare yourself for working in this new medium.

Difference in movement.

If you plan to start undersea photography, the first step is to get familiar with the way your body moves in water. Learn how to swim, how to dive and how to manage buoyancy before getting in the water with a camera. Your subjects will move differently as well. If you are unfamiliar with the unique motion patterns of sea life, visit a local aquarium or take a ‘scouting’ trip before your first big shoot.

Safety considerations.

Experienced divers know that you should never go diving without a partner. The same goes for undersea photography trips. Always bring a buddy with you, preferably a buddy who shares your hobby and won’t be frustrated by the extra time that pursuing a photograph can take. It is also important to inform yourself about weather conditions, tides, and any other physical challenges of the place you plan to visit before getting in the water. For best results, your diving ‘buddy’ the first few times should be experienced in undersea photography in the area.

No special camera needed.

Many photographers shy away from undersea photography because they believe that a lot of expensive new equipment is needed. While there are many fine undersea cameras on the market as well as enough accessories to boggle the mind, your favorite camera will suffice when outfitted with one of the many undersea housings available on the market. These can be bought for as little as $100, making undersea photography a relatively affordable hobby. This is one type of photography that is more about technique than pricey accessories.

Color absorption.

There is a reason water usually appears blue or gray even though it is colorless: it absorbs the wavelengths of light that create the colors red, orange and yellow. This means that most undersea photographs will naturally appear blue. This is true even in water that appears clear, such as the shallow, well lit water in a reef. While you will see mild color changes in shallow water, this effect becomes more dramatic as you move deeper below the surface. However, you can infuse your photos with color by using fill flash or strobe lights. Learn to use that manual mode on your camera for best results, because your camera will be sensing light as it appears above the surface.

Contrast.

Because of the aforementioned difference in color and light absorption, water reduces contrast and sharpness. For this reason, it is generally necessary to get very close to your subject, preferably within one meter. Many undersea photographers find that bringing a macro lens and a wide-angle lens is helpful, as it enables close-ups of both very small and larger objects. If you cannot get ultra-close to your subject, light becomes even more important. In good light, you can simply increase the contrast setting on your camera.

Stay low.

Some of the best undersea photographs occur when the photographer stays low relative to their subject and shoots from eye level rather than from above. This allows you to accurately gauge the light where you are working. It removes the chance of your ruining your own photo with your shadow or by scaring away your subject. It also gives you the opportunity to get on eye level with your subject, which usually gives photographs the most character. Although there are notable exceptions to this rule, staying low is usually the most effective posture.

Don’t worry about centering.

A photographer’s instinct is to center their subject, but in undersea photographs this is often less necessary. Instead of focusing on position, focus on filling the shot with your subject and getting the best possible contrast and lighting situation. Thanks to modern digital software, it is easy to reposition a shot later if you desire, but it can be impossible to correct poor light and contrast.

Don’t neglect post-processing.

While above-water photographs are often complete and attractive without the benefit of Photoshop or other photograph-modifying programs, this is rarely the case in undersea photography. Play around with color levels, white balance, highlights, brightness, and filters. It’s not cheating; in many cases, this is the only way to get a satisfactory end result. For best results, work in 16-bit and in any format but jpeg.

Look at other undersea photographs.

Often, the best way to familiarize yourself with the best angles and subjects in any circumstance is to look at other examples of the art. By examining other people’s successes, you will begin to understand exactly what works in undersea photography and what simply doesn’t.

Don’t try to relearn your art.

Despite working with an entirely new environment and a small amount of additional equipment, you don’t need to relearn the entire field of photography to take great undersea photographs. Once you master the new light and contrast conditions, you will find that your unique style and talents can shine through just as they do above the water surface.

If you think that undersea photography is a limited field, think again! Although many people unfamiliar with the field assume that photos of coral reefs and tropical fish are the limit of this art, there are many possibilities. Fun casual shots of children photography and friends can be taken in swim pools. Undersea portraits, pictures of submerged caves, and even shots of shipwrecks and other debris can be interesting ways to improve your technique while expanding your portfolio. Learning to work in this brave new medium will open your eyes to a whole new world and expand your portfolio immensely.