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U/W PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE TRAVELLING DIVER

By Tony Baskeyfield

Nikonos V
15mm Nikon lens
F 4 @ 90th/sec, Fuji Velvia 100

1 Introduction

"A friend of mine has a stunning underwater picture hanging on his wall. Taken whilst diving in Dubai. It is of a shoal of yellow blue lined snapper that completely filled the picture. I thought, wouldn't it be great to have a pic like that on my wall at home?
This was something I'd like to have a go at…."

Know the feeling? How many of us would love to have just one nice picture of ourselves diving, being intrepid, going boldly, etc. We divers are known for our obsessive behaviour. This started a long chain of obsessive events that has led me to want, not just a good shot for the wall, but more. More of everything. More diving. More pictures. More locations. Any excuse to get into the water with a camera. To take better pictures, get more lenses, get better results.

Blue Lined Snapper
Fuji finepix S2 Pro
Sea and Sea Housing
Two YS 90 flashguns, 16mm Nikon lens
F 8 @ 125th/sec, ISO 200

Over the years I have drifted to and from underwater photography. I started in the Red Sea with a Nikonos IV during a week's trip in 1982. The results were awful. So I didn't touch a camera for 6 years. I bought a cheap Hanimex compact film camera whilst at Scapa Flow. I got good photo album print quality results and the occasional better shot.

It wasn't until I met up with other underwater photographic enthusiasts that I got the guidance, advice and in the in-water help. This helped me so much that it transformed my work. So much so, that I now shoot professionally. I've only just scratched the surface. There are so many places to shoot, and so many subjects there for the taking. So get advice, go on an under water photographic course. Get involved with other photographers if you want to take better pictures.

If you'd like to take up underwater photography, here are some simple guidelines that will maximise your results, minimise the expense, but most of all give you maximum fun.

Underwater photography combines all of the knowledge and skills of diving with taking photographs. Your photographic knowledge and diving skills will dictate the choice of camera.

Underwater cameras cost between £15 for a disposable and £5,000 for a housed or Nikonos camera. Cameras are relatively inexpensive. It's the rest of the "add on" equipment that costs a lot. If you just want to take fun pictures of your diving holiday, a simple compact camera inside a waterproof housing will give great results. They are small and easy to slip into a BC pocket. Just point and shoot. The camera will sort out the tricky calculations to get the shot.

What do you want from your pictures?

Swimming Girl
Fuji finepix S2 Pro
Sea and Sea Housing
One YS 90 flashgun, 16mm Nikon lens
F 8 @ 125th/sec, ISO 200

Diver - Barrier Reef
Fuji finepix S2 Pro
Sea and Sea Housing
One YS 90 flashgun, 17-35mm Nikon lens
F 8 @ 125th/sec, ISO 100

Cod Hole-Barrier Reef
Fuji finepix S2 Pro
Sea and Sea Housing
Two YS 90 flashgun, 16mm Nikon lens
F 11 @ 125th/sec, ISO 100

The kind or picture you want to take will dictate your choice of camera. If you don't know much about photography, start with a simple camera then move onto the more complicated and expensive. Get used to diving with another piece of equipment without damaging it. Practice and practice again. Enjoy the results and be familiar with your camera.

Whale shark- Seychelles
Fuji finepix S2 Pro
Sea and sea housing
10.5mm Nikon lens
F 8 @ 90th/sec, ISO 200

Don't forget safe diving practices. Be safe and don't push the limits to get that shot.

Tony Baskeyfield - BSAC Travel Club Photography Correspondent

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