Guide: Underwater Photography Tips for Beginners

Today’s Post: Here you will find the Ultimate Guide to Underwater Photography Tips for Beginners.  Sharing tips from how to take underwater pictures with your DSLR camera  to what underwater photography equipment is best to use, as well as beginner tips on creating stunning underwater pictures.  

Underwater Photography Tips for Beginners

My love for underwater photography started a few years ago. Here in South Carolina it gets HOT in the summer, so we spend a lot of our free time at the pool or lake. I hated missing all the fun memories we were creating because I wouldn’t dare get my DSLR camera around the water.

So I purchased a Fuji point-and-shoot camera. It was a great little camera, but I missed the quality of my DSLR.

Underwater Photography Equipment

I did a little research on underwater photography equipment aka housing and decided to go with the affordable Dicapac bag for my Nikon DSLR camera. I fell in love immediately. I was finally creating the underwater photography images I dreamed of that the point-and-shoot just couldn’t create for me.

I have captured some of my most favorite photos with this bag.

All it really is, is a heavy duty ziplock bag. So, please be cautious if using this. Make sure to check it each time. There are many options for underwater photography equipment housing. I chose this one because of the cost and I knew of a few other photographers who were using it with great results.

I used the Dicapac for two summers but have just recently decided to invest in a more expensive underwater photography equipment housing. I went with the Aquatech housing to have more control over the DSLR camera with my underwater pictures. I have yet to use it, but I cannot wait until it warms up to get in the water.

My daughter is now 12 and dislikes having her photo taken as much as she used to. Although, when we are in the water and she’s with her friends swimming she doesn’t seem to mind. The kids actually ask me to take pictures of them, which I love!

How to Take Underwater Photography Pictures with a DSLR

Shooting in the water is a world in itself.

The movement is different.

The light is different.

You never know what you are going to end up with. I have had so many accidental surprises that end up being my favorite shots of the day.

While I’m still learning underwater photography, I’d love to share with you a few tips I’ve learned along the way:

1. ALWAYS test your gear before getting in the water.
2. You don’t have to spend a fortune on underwater photography equipement housing. Start with a point-and-shoot, i-phone waterproof case, GoPro, or even a disposable camera. See if underwater photography is worth the investment for you.
3. Wide angle lenses work best in pools. This will allow you to capture the whole scene with the kids.  Think of them jumping in, swimming a lap underwater or diving in the water.
4. Get close to your subject.  Being underwater reduces the sharpness and color.
5. Clarity and skin tones look the best within a few feet of the surface.  Click it Up a Notch mentions a bit more on post-processing and editing the tones within your underwater photography pictures. 
6. Experiment with light. Shoot on cloudy days. Shoot when the sun is beaming down into the pool. It can create some great rays in the water. The light in the water is constantly changing.
7. Have fun. Experiment. Create

Gear I use:

1. 1. Nikon D750
   2. Nikon 24 1.8 or Sigma 35 Art
   3. Aquatech Elite and Dicapac bag
   4. Anti-fog goggles

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Lauren Bramlett – LB Photography in Pendleton, SC