Have you ever thought that adventure sports and artistic activities could go well together? If you're passionate about the sea and water activities, and you also love photography, don't give up on either when dedicating your free time. Sometimes you have to choose between hobbies, but other times it's easy to combine two passions... This is exactly the case with diving and photography!


Diving and marine photography


Underwater photography can be practised as a hobby or professionally - or why not start as the former and become a recognised underwater photographer? Can you dive? If so, you're halfway there. If not, we suggest trying a taster diving session to experience the thrill firsthand. If after this experience you want to immerse yourself in underwater photography, here are some tips to help you get the best results.

Ten golden rules for underwater photography:

  • As with other water sports and activities, for underwater photography you must adapt to circumstances. To make the most of your surroundings, use macro when the water isn't clear and save angular shots for the best visibility days.
  • Assemble your underwater camera rig carefully, ensuring all main seals are properly fitted. This will prevent equipment flooding with potentially serious consequences like losing your camera and lens. It will also prevent minor water leaks.
  • Remember you can't change lenses underwater, so make the most of your equipment at all times. If you have a macro lens fitted, focus on getting the best close-ups and detailed shots. You'll have time later to change lenses for wider shots.

Fish on the ocean floor


  • Often more isn't better. While flashes mounted on long arms provide greater, theoretically more perfect illumination, they take more time to set up and calculate exposure times. If there's current and you're tracking animals near the seabed, things get worse as you'll be moving with extra equipment. Assess the conditions and type of photography you want to do, using flashes only when necessary.
  • Use static elements to develop your photographic sensitivity. Here your "model" won't flee, so take time to analyse different viewpoints for original compositions. Plus, you'll enjoy observing underwater treasures at your leisure.
  • Learn from others: by observing and analysing photos critically, attending photography trips, entering competitions... Any exchange with other underwater photographers helps enrich your knowledge while letting you evaluate and correct mistakes - plus you'll have great fun sharing your passion.

In front of the corals on the seabed


  • Be critical of your work and strive to improve. Remember you take photos to share with others - to gain their approval you'll need the best possible results, which will improve as you correct mistakes and gain experience.
  • We learn from mistakes. Don't discard flawed slides - analyse them to identify errors for correction.
  • Avoid restricting yourself to one photographic style. While you'll have a favourite approach, experimenting across fields improves overall skills. Shoot fish portraits, wide-angle scenes and macro shots in all variations to discover unknown facets and refine technique.
  • You'll never capture identical images, whether you've photographed the subject before or not. So never waste opportunities to photograph anything you encounter, familiar or new.
All these tips, combined with effort and practice, will make you a great underwater photographer. Remember photographic technique goes hand-in-hand with diving's adventurous spirit.

Photographing the underwater fund


If you're getting good results and fancy entering underwater photography competitions, here are...

The five secrets:


1. In competitions, avoid obsessing over any single category - maintain quality across all, as the most well-rounded entrants usually win. Focusing on improving one category often means neglecting others, creating unbalanced results.

2. When photographing animals, first secure a decent shot, then pursue the perfect one. With unpredictable wildlife that might flee anytime, having that initial "presentable" shot means you'll have usable material if needed later.

3. Underwater photo competitions can be lengthy - keep hope alive until the last second when a winning opportunity might arise. Unlike water sports where results reflect constant effort, photography hinges on moments - often arriving when least expected.

4. Avoid lens changes during events. Study the schedule beforehand to save time (and avoid rushed, error-prone gear changes) by minimising surfacing for equipment swaps.

5. With model shots, seek rapport and collaboration. Beyond posing, they can assist with equipment, help find wildlife subjects, spot interesting elements and aid image selection. Four eyes see better than two - teamwork proves highly effective.


Species to photograph on the seabed


Now you know all the secrets, just bring enthusiasm to start this unique experience combining art and sport - incredible but true. Enjoy your twin passions of diving and photography, and share your results with the world.