Morning BT'ers
I'm in need of advice - I've had a chance to use film 35MM Sea and Sea cameras on past dives - usually got 2 or 3 decent pictures from a roll

This trip, I'm really fortunate to have a friends 12MP Digital - and I'm not sure on:

Should I always use the flash? The camera has an "underwater" setting that adjusts color - and auto flash -

Since its 12MP - do I always need to be in macro range - or can i use the resolution to cut and crop for better presentation?

Any recommendation for editing software? I'm new to this.

Thanks!

My 2 cents worth for part of your question.

Flash - depends I guess. You should be able to try both ways. I have a DSLR in a housing and a Reef Master point and shoot. That Sea Life camera has the underwater setting and it works really well in my opinion. Sometimes the flash on the DSLR washes out the subject particularly at close range. I usually shoot close focus wide angle rather than macro. Pointing the flash away from your subject could give better results.

You can use the higher resolution to crop more aggressively but still the closer the better.

Software - I use Adobe Photoshop but I know there are better packages.

Also, the pros recommend shooting in RAW format but that requires different software to manage the image and white balance. I still use JPEG but always save the original file so it does not degrade with edits. One day I will convert to RAW format.

Good luck. Post some pics when you can. We all would love to see some. There are awesome pics posted on BT from many folks.

Dan -

Thanks and any 2 cents is GREAT! I've not been to "warm" water for 6 years - last warm trip was to the Caymans - this is the first trip outside the US for my wife and I - so pictures will be important -

Carl here's my take. Flash On, Macro On by default. If the subject is outside macro range you are to far away, get closer. Distance underwater is your enemy. You desperately need the flash otherwise your pictures will be blue. Try not to shoot up into the water column or you will get backscatter.

Shoot lots of pictures, forget the 35mm ways. Bracket everything especially distance to subject. Try not to crop, fill the LCD with your subject, if at all possible.

On editing software there is nothing better or more used than Photoshop. Tough to learn but well worth it. You can get Photoshop Elements for around $90.

Cecil - thank you very much - can you explain what you mean by not shooting "up" into the water column - I think I may know - but better safe than sorry...

There are many rules that apply in underwater photography many can only be learned the same way you learned not to pull a cat's tail ie. the hard way. One of the biggest things is to have the least amount of water in your shot. Get close then closer is always the rule. I was thinking about that water column remark and keep thinking of exceptions. This is where you shoot up with lots of blue water.



Generally this is what you'll get.



So generally try not to do it. It is hard to judge when it will work and when it will fizzle. But also do not shoot straight down on a subject. I call these aerial shots and they always disappoint.

That's why the best advice is to shot lots and lots.

Oh and here's a tutorial on basic editing of UW pictures in Photoshop.

Wow - thanks so much - i went to your page - fantastic shots - we cant wait - this snow is getting to be too much - Rochester (NY) is too cold and I just can't bring myself to ice dive any more.

If the camera has a digital zoom, I recommend you disable it. Use the optical zoom instead. Zoom out as far as possible. You want the image in the LCD screen to appear small. This will force you to get close to the subject in order to fill the screen. You can then use the zoom function to size the subject to fit you shot.

Back scatter is a reflection of the flash from particulate in the water. As the camera flash is close to the lens there is more reflection than if you were using a separate remote strobe. Again, getting close is probably your best option, as less water between the camera and subject will equal less crud in the water to reflect back.

This is all easier than it sounds. The best thing about digital is instant feedback. Your learning curve goes up quickly when you can immediately see the results.

Cecil
I still have problems with macro and will try your method when I get to Bon in Feb.

Question...if you have your camera on macro the whole time, what is your typical min/max distance to subject?

I shoot for 4"-6" on most things. Some of the bigger critters take umbrage, so I back off a bit. The other thing I forgot to mention, never, ever, ever use the zoom UW. This totally defeats the whole idea of getting close then closer.

The only possible exception is those stinking Garden Eels, I've just about given up on those little buggers. I need to take the PADI Garden Eel/Squid Whisperer certification.

Thanks Cecil

I will try your method with high hopes...I'm with you on the garden eels

Cecil and Cam: The only way I get garden eel pics is to park it on the sand for minutes as quietly as I can with the zoom as minimal as I can get away with. This is however terribly boring for a group or even one buddy. The time is easy to do at a place like Invisibles where the eels are at teh mooring line. But when they are at 130 on the deep sand out from Habitat that is far more problematic to commit the wait time.

Maybe we could get someone to install a garden eel cam ??????

Dan, all it takes for an eel cam is time and money!
Then we need a location (and some more money) and some cooperative eels.

Cooperative eels? What the heck was I thinking?

There are a few somewhat cooperative eels in the sandy area about 45 - 50 feet deep at the harbor.

Take a look at the third picture in this series. Cooperative eels are out there!

http://www.digitaldiver.net/yabbse/index.php?board=6;action=display;threadid=25664

Go to the thread "Back in Bopal-Jan 23 pics" to view the images

(Message edited by grunt on January 23, 2009)

OK, those shots look just a little too perfect! What aquarium were you in??

Just kidding...I only dream of shots like that...out of curiosity, were all those macro shots?

The photos are not mine; I only wish they were. They were posted on Digital Diver Net by Jim Spears. He regularly posts on that site, and his shots are always of that quality. His stuff gives me something to strive for.