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Master Photographers Tell You How

Dennis O'Clair's Ten Tips for Underwater Pool Photography Article rating: 8.16

1) Get close. Get as close to your subject as possible. Fill the frame with your subject. This makes for images with more impact. Underwater there is another compelling reason to do this. Water, no matter how clear, contains particles that scatter light and reduce contrast and clarity. By getting close, you minimize the amount of water you are shooting through.

2) Shoot Midday. This is a tip you will never hear anywhere else. When taking pictures underwater, shoot when the sun is high overhead, not early in the morning or late in the day. You want as much light as possible bouncing around the pool and illuminating the subject. Midday, when the sun is directly overhead, a lot of the sunlight is able to penetrate the water’s surface. When the sun is low in the sky, the sunlight skips off the surface, and only a portion of the light enters the water.

3) Shoot Shallow. Most of the fill light in a pool will be light that is reflected off the bottom and sides of the pool. Think of the bottom of the pool as a giant reflector. There won’t be as much fill light in the deep end. On the other hand, in the shallow end, the light is bouncing up in abundance and fills in the shadows beautifully.

4) Bright colors. For the greatest impact, have your subjects wear bright colors. Warm colors like red, yellow, and orange will contrast strongly with the blue of the water and sky. Neon colors like pink and green work well also. Avoid dark reds and blues as they will appear even darker when wet.   

5) Buoyancy. Controlling your buoyancy is very important when taking pictures underwater. If possible, wear a weight belt or stick a couple of small weights in the pockets of your swim trunks. Without the additional weight you will be floating right back to the surface. This is especially true if you are just holding your breath. One technique that works well is to take several deep breaths and then exhale before submerging. You won’t be able to stay under as long, but you won’t be bobbing to the surface like a cork.

6) Scuba gear is best. It is very difficult to concentrate on taking pictures if your lungs are screaming for air. If possible, use some sort of breathing apparatus instead of just holding your breath. Scuba gear works best, but there are also other solutions available.  Check your local dive shop for more information and other options.

7) Use Auto. For most cameras, using auto exposure and auto focus will yield excellent results. Since the background is often very bright, it helps to use center weighted or spot metering. You can also try setting your exposure compensation to overexpose by about 2/3 of a stop.  

8) Custom settings. If you are using an advanced, prosumer or pro camera, you can use the advanced settings to get better results. This is especially important if you are shooting jpgs. Of course shooting RAW will give you the most flexibility and optimum quality. However, even when shooting RAW, customizing the camera settings will give you a better “built-in” jpg preview.  Use a white balance setting of 6000k, or use “Cloudy.” If you have a color adjustment feature, set it to +Red and/or –blue. If you are using a film camera, use a slight warming filter like an 81b.

9) Use the histogram. Don’t waste a lot of time trying to review your images on the LCD screen. It is usually so bright in the water that you won’t be able to see it anyway. Instead, set the camera to display a histogram, and just review it for proper exposure. Even in a bright pool, you should be able to read the histogram. Make sure you are getting a good exposure, and then just keep shooting. The more you shoot, the more fun you will have editing later.

10) Safety. Always consider safety first. Don’t try any of the advanced techniques listed above unless you are a good swimmer and very comfortable in the water. Don’t use scuba gear or other underwater breathing apparatus without receiving the proper training. If you are using weights or a weight belt in deep water, make sure you can shed or drop them quickly. Don’t ask your subjects to do anything that is beyond their skill or comfort level. Always have an additional person poolside who can assist you and your subjects and who can act as a lifeguard or safety officer. Have fun but remember—Safety First!

>>Click here to read Dennis O'Clair's Bio/Background...

>>Click here to read our interview with Dennis O'Clair...

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	Great advice Dennis! I really enjoyed your tip on using the Histogram - I've been fumbling trying to review my shots immediately after I shot them - loosing continuity with my subject. Great Tips - Thank you. Posted by: K. Dunne Dec 2, 2006 @ 11:26 PM EST
	Thanks for the tips. Very helpful. Posted by: Jim Lyle Mar 11, 2008 @ 10:56 AM EST

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