I tried using a red filter on my digital camera this past trip with varied results. Anybody have any pointers regarding;
1. how deep do you really need it for?

2. is it best used with or with out flash?

3. is there an equivalent effect compared to adjusting color of the digital image after the fact with software - for example; if I need to adjust color on a pic by +2 using my software is it the same as using the red filter, or some other factor or dose it not have equivalences as it depends on loss of red depending on depth (actually, that's probably the case)

4. any other suggestions?

I had hoped it would do a better job than when I just adjust color using my software but not much luck actually

Last month I read an extensive series of articles and posts online about U/W filters and ambient light U/W photography. I wish I could remember the site--it was a chat board of some type and I forgot to mark it. I found it through reference link from DigiDeep, Wetpixel, or Digital Divers. I may be guessing, but I believe the author's first name was Keith and he's from NZ. The discussion centered around U/W photography with available light (no flash).

Use of a red filter was supposed to capture a truer image at the source and save the trouble of modifying the image after the fact in PhotoShop. His results were impressive. I recall that he recommended different filters for different depths, most of the shots he discussed and posted were from 30-60 feet deep. At shallower depths (<25 feet), he cautioned filter users not to point the camera directly toward the surface light or you might get a reddish cast to the image. There was also a lot of discussion on setting white balance.

Denise, my understanding of the great red filter debate is the following. First off don't buy one because it will barely work and only under special circustances. The only time you can use it is fairly deep (>20'), no flash and pray you have enough light. Even then you can accomplish the same effect by tweaking in photoshop.

The reason for it is to make up for the lack of reds at depth. A much better solution is use a flash which will get the reds back as long as you are in range of the flash.

Now I know you use a Sony which are pretty bad on adjusting the white balance underwater (way to much green). This leads to the best solution is get close, then closer, use the flash and adjust the colors later while editing.

My $0.02.

I recently ran across this:

Adjusting Photos Taken Without A Strobe in Photoshop 7.0

"The following procedure can be used with Adobe Photoshop to adjust underwater photos taken without the cameras internal flash or external strobe."

The page offers a Photoshop action (it says for 7.0, but seems to work with 6.5 as well) for doing the adjustment.

Thanks all .... I'm pretty good with most all software applications but weak on photoshop (never took the time to get into it and just use my MGI Photsuite instead), but I KNOW Photoshop can do so much more for me. I'll try following your link Roger - thanks!

I knew the red filter was only for use at 'depth' and tried it at about 40' and deeper.
I did find the red filter with flash was toooo red.
I was not aware of the don't aim the camera up towards light source but it makes sense.
again, thanks :-)
Denise

Denise,

take a trip over to wetpixel.com and read through these posts:

Available Light Shots

Alex Mustard and Craig Jones (username craig) excel at the use of filters in ambient light.

The use of colored filters is considered by most to be an advanced technique.

hth,
b

i can pretty much verify what ron says above...my sony in an ikelite housing did quite well in the 20-60' range with the housing filter (red) - in fact, because of numerous strobe problems, the only "good" pictures i got were with the red filter...and those pics really could we worked with in photoshop...pics without the benefit of the filter i could never really salvage using photoshop (i'll read the above reference - thanks)

so for next trip, i will once again attempt to shoot with flash and no filter (different camera and housing though)...and just in case i am getting the 52mm nikon cc filter that will fit the new camera lens as well as the old sony POS;)

good luck?

I ran the action the Roger posted above. I made no other modifications.

Huge difference, Lee! Carole

Yes it is Carole. I have played with filters and now simply adjust white balance under water. I picked up a grey card and used it as I got to around 20'. I readjusted it as lighting conditions changed. Seemed to make a big difference.

This is hilarious: I was about to send that link to the instructions for adjusting photos shot without a strobe using photoshop to a co-worker. Then I reread the first paragraph, and he (David Kusner) was the one who posted it on DigitalDiver.net.

Thanks, Dave!

I'm batching all our photos and should have a trip report in the next few days.

Lee. how do you adjust the white balance .the difference is amazing between both photos. jj

anxiously waiting for your trip report and pictures Susan :-)

JJ, I have not tried it, but I understand you set the white balance at the depth you are shooting by using a slate or something similar and manually setting it at depth. You have to set it for depth though.

I use a grey card that is waterproof. Mine is kind of cheap but I am considering a set from http://www.pictureflow.com/products/whibal/ . My camera allows for custom white balance and I just change it from there. After I got home, I ran the action above to get any unwanted blue out of the picture. The process still could use some tweaking but I am seeing big improvements.