Underwater Photography

Photography has gone a long way since the invention of the first camera in the 19th century. Mankind has gone from the simplest form of camera able to take black and white images and even more primitive forms of pictures to digital photography using numerous types of cameras with different features.

Because of important technological advancements in all fields photography has taken a step forward as well, developing such branches as underwater photography, which uses very special equipment and a requires a very qualified hand to be able to achieve great results.

Underwater photography is – as the name itself specifies – a form of photography that has to be taken under the water of rivers, lakes and especially seas or oceans. Even swimming pools count, as long as the camera, the subject of the photo or both are under water at the time of the photo-shoot.

Photographers take their footage when swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving. The process is a very difficult one, especially when it comes to professional photographs taken for magazines, newspapers or any other media related to the underwater world because visibility is considerably low once submerged. Expert photographers however use the right tools and techniques to capture subaquatic wildlife, landscapes or any other subject of interest.

In order to capture beautiful photographs while under water, photographers have to take into account the depth of the water. The deeper the water, the less sunlight they get, which can make it difficult to see and even capture the true colors. As a solution wide-angle lenses and macro lenses are used which permit a more realistic rendering of colors and shapes.

Underwater photography is usually created from a very close range as opposed to other types of photographs, which do not have water as an obstacle between the lens and the object being photographed. The most common photos are those of underwater wildlife, landscapes, like coral reefs and shipwrecks.