Diving Photos

Most diving idiots think that the more depth you have, the better pictures you can get. Well, if you're one of them, listen up. That is the most lunatic technique ever said about underwater photography. Aside from giving you lousy pictures, that technique could probably end up with you being lunch to some sea monster or drowning.

First, the deeper you go, the harder it is to breathe. As a result, you consume more oxygen to offset the pressure. This means that you only last for shorter period under water and of course, fewer pictures. Second, there is less light at greater depths. So even if you do get a chance to see some spectacular creature, your picture will look like a pre-school's vague idea of what a fish should look like. Third, and probably the most obvious, the reef is more active than the depths simply because more creatures live there. Besides, you don't want to encounter the creatures down below, you might just end up being down below their bellies.

If you want good pictures with no interfering and frantic clown fish looking for his son, and some depth, perhaps you should try pelagic zones. These are zones that are just plain water devoid of reefs. However, patience is necessary because the lack of reef in this zone means lack of possible prey for several of the bigger creatures. Meaning, there is actually a possibility of not getting any pictures. But if you get lucky, you might encounter some bigger fishes like tuna or a great white shark. Um, did I just say lucky?

Here's a Mexican diving site that's boasting with rich marine life and unspoiled natural beauty that entices divers from all parts of the globe – Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Aside from being renowned as a perfect destination for a relaxing honeymoon vacation, Mexico also caters to diving enthusiasts. Underneath the busy beach resorts of Mexico is an array of magnificent corals and caves where most photographers feast on taking shots of peculiar marine species. The most significant area of the underwater water world is its sea bed where turtles and shell fishes abode. The ocean water is clear so photographers need not worry too much about adjusting the lighting of cameras.

A former instructor of mine said that most cave photographers practice at the underwater caves on this beach. This is because the waters inside the caves have no tidal motion and clear. Divers are definitely comfortable with the caves' 25 degree-Celsius temperature while its depth (35 meters) leaves enough space for divers to maneuver in these fantastic caverns. These features make the place a real good starting point in underwater photography. Aside from the fact that it's not too dangerous in here, the beautiful aquatic species provide divers with a wide selection of subjects.

I am sure you also sometimes wonder how the heck were they able to take a shot of index finger-sized fishes. Well, I learned the secrets from Canon, maker of reliable underwater cameras. Let's start off with balancing the 'white' intensity of background lights. It is advisable to focus the lens on the object and arrange the 'white' setting into "Cloudy" if the water is shallow or "Daylight" if it's otherwise. Focusing is important, and besides, sea lemons are still objects so this technique works best.

Next, when shooting shrimps, it is best to use the zooming feature of cameras. This way, the subject won't get irritated by the lenses' proximity. If you practice this, I'm sure you can capture a detailed image of crab's shell.

Moving objects are difficult to capture, that is why photographers need patience and keen observation. Actually, by watching fish's movement, we can learn its locomotive pattern and go with the rhythm of its movement. After achieving this, we can find it easier to take pictures of swimming fish. Right timing and steady hands also bring out good images. This is why divers extend their hands while holding their cameras because in that position, it can be easier to hold the cameras near their faces or focus them to the subjects and take stolen shots.

It's a very rewarding experience when photos taken by cave divers are published. It only gives the diver a sense of pride because not only is underwater cave photography a serious job, it's also a risky avocation. Just imagine the possible unlikely incidents that might trap the photographer inside those beautiful, yet dangerous caves. But however foreboding this activity is, still many pursue capturing underwater images.

I spent a long time contemplating on whether I'll join the club of underwater photographers or be happy in sightseeing. It wasn't until a friend of mine gave me a camera that I was compelled to take the challenge. When I learned the basics, I tried cave photography. Here, I learned that hovering skills are important. Shooting photos is not only about choosing the best subject but assessing the photographer's position as well. If a diver doesn't know how to hover, chances are, he'll sink while taking the shot, he'll panic and kick, and end up with out-of-focus pictures. I realized that professional photographers already have the edge in underwater photography because they already know how to choose the right camera lenses, films, brackets, and the focusing techniques - things that I find difficult to learn.

It's a very rewarding experience when photos taken by cave divers are published. It only gives the diver a sense of pride because not only is underwater cave photography a serious job, it's also a risky avocation. Just imagine the possible unlikely incidents that might trap the photographer inside those beautiful, yet dangerous caves. But however foreboding this activity is, still many pursue capturing underwater images.

I spent a long time contemplating on whether I'll join the club of underwater photographers or be happy in sightseeing. It wasn't until a friend of mine gave me a camera that I was compelled to take the challenge. When I learned the basics, I tried cave photography. Here, I learned that hovering skills are important. Shooting photos is not only about choosing the best subject but assessing the photographer's position as well. If a diver doesn't know how to hover, chances are, he'll sink while taking the shot, he'll panic and kick, and end up with out-of-focus pictures. I realized that professional photographers already have the edge in underwater photography because they already know how to choose the right camera lenses, films, brackets, and the focusing techniques - things that I find difficult to learn.

The first time I laid my hands on Nikonos underwater camera, I became more anxious about scuba diving photography techniques. Luckily, I got what I needed from the Internet. I want to share these tips to my fellow divers especially to those who are holding their new underwater cameras at this point in time.

Although I use a specific brand of camera, I believe these hints also work for you. Firstly, it's safer to take vertical and horizontal shots. This depends upon the length and width of your subject. Also, take note of the background of the subject. Pictures are more alive with ocean floor or glittering water background.

I also learned that shooting down is the most effective technique in capturing images of dark colored subjects like stingrays, starfish, or crayfish. Also, to bring out a dramatic effect, shooting upward is most suggestive. On the other hand, to have clear pictures, stay away from unnecessary objects floating right in front of your camera. It's equally important to learn how strobes work. The higher ones are used for dark backgrounds while the low strobes are used to set the background on lighter mode. Lastly, it's advisable to utilize quick clips in holding lights and cameras. This way, you're guaranteed of safe carrying of cameras in and out of the water.

When I first heard about Ras Mohamed from a friend, the first image that came to my mind is a vast wasteland, surrounded by dunes and dunes of sands. The name sounded Egyptian and I figured it must be a name of a desert or something. So, imagine my surprise when I found out that it is, in fact, one hot tourist destination in the world, famous for its diving spots; trust me, I am not kidding.

Ras Mohamed in Egypt attracts many scuba divers because of its diverse coral reefs, and add to that the strong current that makes probing a real challenge. Its magnificent sea walls and terraces are the most amazing sights to feast your eyes upon. It is also one, if not the most, inexpensive place to scuba-dive and if that's not enough, you can also get your diving license real cheap here!

Best explored on the months of March to August, the Ras Mohamed has six different sites you can explore. Among the best are Yolanda Reef where you can dive for shipwrecks and Anemone City which was named after the Radianthus sea creatures or sea anemones that cover the entire area. Each diving spot is memorable-- no wonder this place is flocked by divers!

In all of my scuba-diving trips, it's very seldom that I get to see a manta ray. If I'm not mistaken it was only twice or thrice that I got up close to a manta ray. I think it was in one of my trips to the Cayman Islands where I got to take a photograph of it.

The manta ray, or giant manta (Manta birostris) can grow up to 6.7 meters (22 ft) across its pectoral fins (or "wings") and weighs up to 1,350 kg (3,000 lb) making it the largest among the family of rays. They are most commonly black above and white below, but some are blue on their backs, and thrives throughout the tropical seas of the world, , typically around coral reefs. It has its distinctive "horns", or "cephalic fins", on either side of its broad head, which makes them a prized sighting by divers. The horns are used to direct plankton and water into the manta's very broad and wide mouth.

My friends and I are organizing a trip to Puerto Rico if not the next month the following month. I hope that by that time I get to photograph a manta ray with my camera up close. They are harmless to humans as compared to the jellyfish, but they are easily frightened by any disturbance in the water and they quickly swim away.

There is no doubt that diving has dramatically become a popular water sport in the world today. But for others, diving does not only mean a mere water sport. Many people dive in order to see the wonderful creatures and their habitat underneath the sea. I am very much inclined to photography and I always capture every important moment when I travel.

The Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, the Philippines' last frontier, is undoubtedly one of the best diving destinations in the whole world. Being a beach buddy myself, I have explored this island not so long ago. It was not just a health-enhancing trip. I was also able to photograph the best coral reef I have ever seen. The photos which I have taken do not cease to give me vivid memories of this glorious island.

In addition, I was mesmerized by the mystic underworld beauty of this island. It is indeed very heartening to know that the Tubbataha Reef is a world heritage that must be preserved and protected. Awareness should be intensified in order to prevent the extinction of various marine or underwater species. This island is nature in every inch. My trip was akin to being and living in a paradise.

Whenever I would go scuba-diving friends, I would always bring a camera with me so I can document the entire trip through . I just enjoy taking pictures from underwater, particularly the jellyfishes. I would actually spend a long time in the water, waiting to see a group of jellyfishes so I can take a picture. Thanks for the zoom feature of my digital camera, I do not have to go near those poisonous sea creatures.

The tentacles of the jellyfish, when they brush against a prey or a person, have thousands of tiny stinging cells that explode, launching barbed stingers and poison its victim, and the poison usually causes a sharp, burning sensation that may last from minutes to hours. And that is why I am always on the look out when underwater. I am still sane to think that no picture is worth a life.

But sadly it has been a long time since I had a picture of a jellyfish taken. I have been on several scuba-diving trips which are mostly abroad, but I was not able to catch a site of even one jellyfish. Maybe the word had spread underwater that there is a jellyfish papparazzi lurking in a scuba-diving suit.

One of the perks of diving underwater is being able to see the beauty that is otherwise hidden to common people who are not into diving. One can get a glimpse of a variety of coral reefs and the abundant marine life that exudes vibrant colors when captured in film. Thanks to underwater photography ordinary people can now see that what is down there is a totally different world full of wonderful and marvelous creatures.

One of the best dive spots to take underwater photos is in Anilao, Batangas, a province of the Philippines. Anilao boasts itself of clear blue waters that are perfect for diving and taking underwater pictures. It is also popular for the variety of creatures that thrive underwater. Anilao is also a good jump-off point for new and experienced divers to other exciting dive destinations.

One of the many reasons that you would want to dive in Anilao is to observe and take photos of the ichthyfauna that lies in the coral reefs there. There is a variety of unique fishes that can be photographed here such as eels, anemone fishes, frogfishes and scorpion fishes. These creatures make Anilao a favorite dive spot for photographers across the globe.

One of the best features of scuba diving is the sight-seeing underwater. You'll see the most beautiful creatures underwater, like sharks, different school of fish, and the marvelous moray eels. Moray eels are wondrous creatures, they look like snakes but they're actually quite gentle, well, some of them are.

The most seen type of moray eels is the Green moray eel, it's also the largest type of eel and they're usually brownish in color, to green. Green moray eels tend to grow until eight feet. The type of eel that i really want to see is the spotted moray eel, they're not that big, just about four feet, and they're quite shy, so they tend to swim away from divers. Moray eels don't usually harm divers, some cases are accidental wherein the eels bite the divers' hands, from feeding. But, they're as gentle as can be, moray eels are really fascinating, they're one of the reasons why diving is so fun.

Taking photographs underwater can really capture the most wonderful things, the rarest fish and the sea creatures that we don't usually see everyday like the dolphins. Many scuba divers look forward to seeing these adorable creatures in their natural habitats.

There are many underwater cameras that you can choose from depending on the objects that you want to capture. Since dolphins are fast swimmers, you should opt for cameras that have external flashes and snapshots cameras, and choose destinations where dolphins are often spotted. They are migratory so better do some research!