Underwater photography combines the challenges of diving with the technical demands of photography. Whether you’re shooting with a compact camera or a professional DSLR setup, these Underwater Photography Tips will help you capture better images on your next dive.
Get Close, Then Get Closer
This is the golden rule of underwater photography. Water absorbs light and color rapidly, so every inch of distance between you and your subject degrades image quality. Aim to be within 1-2 meters of your subject whenever possible.
The closer you are, the less water between your lens and the subject, resulting in sharper images with better color and contrast. Use wide-angle lenses to get close to large subjects while still capturing the full scene.
Master Your Buoyancy First
Before worrying about camera settings, ensure your buoyancy is impeccable. Good photographers are good divers first. You need to hover motionless, approach subjects slowly, and maintain position without kicking up sediment.
Practice diving without a camera until your buoyancy is second nature. Only then should you add the complexity of photography equipment.
Compare 100+ liveaboards. Best price guarantee + Free DAN insurance.
Shoot upward
Shooting upward toward the surface creates dynamic images with beautiful blue water backgrounds. This technique, combined with getting close to your subject, separates amateurs from professionals.
Position yourself below your subject and angle your camera up to capture them against the water column or sunburst. This adds depth and drama to your images.
Understand Light Underwater
Light behaves differently underwater. Red wavelengths disappear first (by 5 meters), followed by orange, yellow, and eventually green. This is why underwater photos often appear blue or green.
Natural light: Best for wide-angle shots within 10 meters of the surface. Shoot between 10am-2pm when the sun is directly overhead for maximum light penetration.
Strobes/flash: Essential for macro photography and restoring colors at depth. Position strobes at 45-degree angles to minimize backscatter from particles in the water.
Camera Settings to Start With
If you’re just starting out, try these settings as a baseline: – Aperture: f/8 for good depth of field – Shutter speed: 1/125 or faster to freeze motion – ISO: As low as possible (100-400) to minimize noise – White balance: Auto or custom for your depth
Composition Basics
Apply the rule of thirds—place your subject off-center for more interesting compositions. Include foreground elements to add depth. Look for leading lines like coral formations or reef structure.
Leave space in front of swimming subjects (the direction they’re moving) to create a sense of motion and journey.
Practice, Review, Repeat
The best underwater photographers take thousands of photos to get a handful of keepers. Review your images after each dive, identify what worked and what didn’t, and apply those lessons on the next dive.
Start with easy, patient subjects like nudibranchs and anemones before attempting fast-moving fish or shy creatures. Build your skills progressively, and most importantly—never compromise your diving safety for a photo.
