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11 Reasons Why Your Underwater Pictures Are Crap
Underwater pictures are supposed to be magical. But many of us have underwater pictures that are as bland as a Soviet cafeteria. You need some waterproof camera tips to avoid such disaster.
Here are top 11 reasons why your underwater photos are crap.
1. Not Enough Light
The best time for your underwater shots are on bright afternoon where light is plenty. But if you are swimming in the morning or when conditions are not in your favor, use your built-in flash or get an artificial light to clear the shadows.
2. Shooting too far
On land, getting too close to your subject could be very uncomfortable. But underwater, you need to do the opposite.
Get closer. Fill your frame with the picture of that fish or slimy eel. Doing this shrinks the water column and enhances the resolution and color of your pictures.
3. Not bringing in props
Props are great whether underwater or land. Whether it is a rubber duck, your waterproof MP3 or a chair – they all will look awesome when taken in water. Why limit your pictures to just the picture of your grandma in her swimsuit? Throw in some toys too.
4. Boring Clothing
When there’s less light underwater, there’s nothing else to see but your subject. If your subject is a human being, tell him or her to wear something bright because water reduces color, contrast and sharpness.
It does not necessarily have to be a swimming suit. It could also be a wedding gown, a striking office shirt or enormous high heels. Just remember that some shirts make it hard to swim underwater.
5. Shooting Down
If most of your shots are taken from above down, it is time to change your style. Get as low as possible. Shoot your subjects from underneath. If you can’t, just shoot across.
This way you’ll get to catch some fantastic light beams going through the water.
6. Not Shooting in Rain
One of the best things you could do with a waterproof camera is to joyfully shooting while others run away.
Why find cover when you could shoot fun photos – kids playing in the rain, wet dogs, people under colorful umbrellas etc.
7. Bad Diving Skill
You need to be able to keep steady as much as possible when shooting underwater photos. Get yourself comfortable staying still underwater. Good buoyancy and breath control are vital to capturing quality fish photographs.
If you cannot keep yourself comfortable when shooting, there’s no way you’ll get killer pictures to boast around your office.
8. Not Using Underwater Mode
There’s a reason why most waterproof cameras have an underwater mode. Camera makers know that light is low and water becomes a barrier between you and your subject. So what they do is try to select the best setting for your underwater shots. They call it the underwater mode.
Play with the mode first and see if the result is what you need.
9. Using Digital Zoom
Remember our tips about staying close? It also means reducing the use of zoom as much as possible.
But if using the normal zoom is acceptable (your waterproof camera could normally handle 3 to 5x zoom) getting overboard with digital zoom is a strict no, no. Your picture quality will suffer at the long end.
10. Shooting In One Mode
Why capture everything in landscape mode? Turn your camera sideways for portrait mode. And why only use color when you can also shoot in black and white?
11. Not Getting Enough Practice
Bring your camera to your local pool anytime you go there. Get as much practice as possible since underwater photo technique is different from land photography.
And don’t forget to check the style and composition of famous underwater photographs that inspire you.
To get really good shots, you really have to start practicing. It doesn’t matter what kind of waterproof camera you use, or how much they cost. The most important thing is to stop reading and start shooting.
Photo credits: 1. Primadonna 2. Spettacolopuro
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