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BETTER PICS, BETTER FLICKS
To say that underwater photography is challenging would be an understatement. Not only do you need specialized equipment, you're dealing with some major changes in how the way light penetrates the water and disappears in the depths. That alone is half the battle. Then, you're dealing with wildlife, where some of these creatures are so small you can barely see them, or sometimes things happen faster (or slower) than your eye can even see. Add to that an environment and experience that is ever-changing, being submerged in an ocean or lake or river. The endless sea, somehow constantly both perfectly blissful and ultimately very dangerous at the same time. Going underwater is a magical experience, and that is why we try to capture it.
Underwater Photography Info / Reference
WetPixel Underwater Photo Community
Underwater Photographer Of The Year
National Geographic – Underwater Photography Tips
Green Fins - How to be a Responsible Underwater Photographer
PhotographyLife.com - Underwater Photo Tips For Beginners
UwP - Underwater Photography Magazine (UK)
Online Underwater Photography Gear
Underwater Photographers to Follow
One of the best ways to get better in basically whatever your endeavor is, in part, to study the masters of the trade. You will soon and undoubtedly notice many of the little things, or sometimes even have massive realizations, of what and how these people do what they do to create their stunning masterpieces. You could, and should, literally, browse for days through these galleries. There are some absolutely breath-taking images.
Underwater photography is no different to getting good at anything. Learn the basics, try to perform at least some of the fundamentals. Get some halfway-capable gear. Practice, practice, practice. Learn the organizing, editing, styling, and image production. Maybe get someone to pay you to take underwater pictures, maybe just pay yourself. Invest in somewhat better gear, take some classes. Seek out the best and learn from their photographic progress and various achievements. Strive to do things as they do, humbly, vow to do it even better.
Surely, look how do they frame their subjects, analyze their editing styles, color palettes, and anything else you notice but don't just look at the subjects or compositions or framing or focus or whatever technical aspect of their images, do that, but also look very closely at everything else too. Study their website design, their marketing and social media, their prints for sale, their services for hire and/or other revenue streams, their publications, their contest awards, the groups they belong to, their public speaking and presentations, their nonprofit endeavors, and other interests.
With lots of practice, you'll get better. By studying the masters, you will get better faster. You'll learn new perspectives, develop self-beneficial critique ability for more clearly expressing what you like and don't like about these incredible but professional images, and transfer that evaluation and methodology to your own work. You'll hone old skills and acquire new skills and develop your own unique style, subjects, and focus. It's a fun yet somewhat obsessive notion, studying the light underwater.
Here's a couple dozen underwater photographers of distinction, in no particular order, worth taking a look. Quite a few styles are represented. What strikes you. --
Shawn Heinrichs - ShawnHeinrichs.com
Emmy-awarding winning cinematographer, photographer, artist, and marine conservationist, Shawn Heinrichs is a well-regard expert about oceans and the endangered species trade. Shawn was one of the lead activists and co-creators of "Racing Extinction" environmental documentary.
Jason Washington - CaymanJason.com
As one of the industry's creative leaders, Jason Washington continually discovers new levels to captivating underwater portrait photography. He shares a connection with all of us, as we document experiences and discoveries in our relatively unexplored realm.
Seth Casteel - SethCasteel.com
You've probably seen an image or two from this excellent collection of unique underwater dog photography, as Seth Casteel's images recently and repeatedly go viral. Creating an entirely new subject genre of underwater photography is something not entirely easy to do.
Thomas Peschak - ThomasPeschak.com
An award-winning wildlife photojournalist, conservationist and assignment photographer for National Geographic, Thomas Peschak is also the founding/associate director of Manta Trust.
Nadia Aly - NadiaAly.com
As the founder of ScubaDiverLife.com and SDL Expeditions, Nadia Aly has truly been busy and productive while chasing her passions. She specializes in leading groups to the famous sardine run in South Africa, as well as trips to snorkel with whales in Tonga.
Brian Skerry - https://BrianSkerry.com
Photojournalist and film producer specializing in underwater environments and marine wildlife, Brian Skerry is a long-time contributor to National Geographic, not to mention 11-time winner of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. Definitely a good one for an aspiring photographer to follow.
Brett Stanley - https://www.underwater-photographer.com
Welcome to Dreamland, underwater portraits from another realm, Brett Stanley's is truly cutting edge stuff. His mind-warping collection of images blend fantasy and reality so well that there is little if any distinction.
David Doubilet - https://underseaimagesinc.com
For over five decades, David Doubilet has explored and scuba dived on tropical reefs to under the polar ice while working as a National Geographic photographer. He has authored a dozen titles, and is the recipient of the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award. He and his talented parter Jennifer Hayes (listed next) operate UnderSea Images, Inc.
Jennifer Hayes - https://underseaimagesinc.com
In addition to being a contributor to National Geographic partners and numerous global publication, in addition to having graduate degrees in marine biology and zoology, Jennifer is an award winning photographer and author/contributor to several books on marine environments. She is a trustee of the Shark Research Institute, Explorer Club fellow, editorial board advisor for Ocean Geographic, and recipient of the President's medal for contributions to the natural world.
Elena Kalis - https://elenakalisphoto.com
A popular underwater portrait photographer for over a decade, Elena Kalis works with her daughter in bringing attention to the Bahamas National Trust's conservation work and management of over two million acres of National Marine Parks.
Juan Oliphant - JuanSharks.com
One Ocean Diving is a shark diving operation on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii operated by marine conservation and shark advocate, Ocean Ramsey, and her husband, Juan Oliphant, the guy often behind the camera. Together they raise awareness for protecting sharks, turtles, and ocean environment.
Eric Engbretson - UnderwaterFishPhotos.com
Specializing in freshwater fish of North America, underwater in their natural environment, doing fish things, Eric Engbretson and a dozen very talented underwater photographers and videographers have created this massive collection of fish photos and videos. This is a seriously cool collection to browse. They license images for editorial, advertising, and corporate use.
Andrey Savin - UWart.pro
Brent Durand - BrentDurand.com
Greg LeCoeur - GregLecoeur.com
Tom St. George - TomStGeorge.com
Jorge Cervera Hauser - FishSayCheese.com
Nicholas Samaras - Underwater-Photography.gr
