How to snorkel, where to snorkel
which camera underwater and underwater housing
how to snorkel and where to snorkel
with an underwater camera to capture
those experiences with underwater photos
with an underwater camera to capture
those experiences with underwater photos
join the journey of a newbie into this interesting
and rewarding hobby
- learn with me
and rewarding hobby
- learn with me
a simple compact digital camera - no underwater scene mode - no manual controls
so, even the most basic camera, in an underwater housing, using point and shoot 'auto', can work reasonably well
this underwater scene was taken with a Fujifilm Finepix F70 EXR in a basic underwater case
the point is that which camera to use or buy can sound like a very daunting task in the 'which camera and underwater housing' section
but it doesn't have to be
you can probably use the camera you already have - with an inexpensive filter and a waterproof case
so only take note of the 'which camera' section if you want to get a bit more serious
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you can do it too
snorkelling vs scuba diving
for underwater photography
other differences
'me' - raised in New Zealand
so water sports, including snorkelling, was'normal but I've never really bothered with photography
now, as a pensioner, I am taking up snorkelling photography
so what you ask?
well, I wear glasses, am not very fit and am a bit overweight which means
if I can do it, anyone can
I assume you know the basics of how to snorkel but if you are yet to snorkel in warm tropical seas
and revel in that new world,
literally just off the beach
teeming with colourful fish and corals
- start now
grab your camera and stick it in an underwater housing
- you wont regret it
capturing those sights using an underwater camera setup is
much easier than I expected
even with a simple
and inexpensive compact camera in
a basic underwater housing
so water sports, including snorkelling, was'normal but I've never really bothered with photography
now, as a pensioner, I am taking up snorkelling photography
so what you ask?
well, I wear glasses, am not very fit and am a bit overweight which means
if I can do it, anyone can
I assume you know the basics of how to snorkel but if you are yet to snorkel in warm tropical seas
and revel in that new world,
literally just off the beach
teeming with colourful fish and corals
- start now
grab your camera and stick it in an underwater housing
- you wont regret it
capturing those sights using an underwater camera setup is
much easier than I expected
even with a simple
and inexpensive compact camera in
a basic underwater housing
it's about light and time
a scuba diver with an underwater camera setup will tend to use artificial light
from strobe or flash lights and very
fast shutter speeds
this probably makes the lighting conditions for a scuba diver a bit more constant - certainly when they are down a bit
snorkellers tend to use ambient
(natural sunlight) hopefully tropical sunlight
and this varies a lot according to:
the weather,
the direction the diver is facing
(relative to the sun),
the time of day
and the depth
and even the distance the camera
this difference in light source alone
is why the underwater camera setup,
(including waterproof housing),
which suits a snorkeller
might not necessarily
suit a scuba diver for his or her underwater photography
a scuba diver with an underwater camera setup will tend to use artificial light
from strobe or flash lights and very
fast shutter speeds
this probably makes the lighting conditions for a scuba diver a bit more constant - certainly when they are down a bit
snorkellers tend to use ambient
(natural sunlight) hopefully tropical sunlight
and this varies a lot according to:
the weather,
the direction the diver is facing
(relative to the sun),
the time of day
and the depth
and even the distance the camera
this difference in light source alone
is why the underwater camera setup,
(including waterproof housing),
which suits a snorkeller
might not necessarily
suit a scuba diver for his or her underwater photography
lots of information seems to be available about the underwater camera setup
but less seems to be available for the snorkeller
obviously a major difference is that 'air-time' is limited for the snorkeller to get that photo
there might not be time to consider composition - that is where digital software 'cropping' comes to the rescue
having to surface, gasping for air, having missed a beautiful shot either frustrates you or you like the challenge
the scuba diver can wait sometime for that fish to present itself
for most people that is where scuba diving photography wins
and, of course scuba divers can go and photograph where it is impossible for snorkellers
it's simply different -
scuba divers are more likely to get a-near perfect photo
snorkellers are grateful for any fairly
good photo
but less seems to be available for the snorkeller
obviously a major difference is that 'air-time' is limited for the snorkeller to get that photo
there might not be time to consider composition - that is where digital software 'cropping' comes to the rescue
having to surface, gasping for air, having missed a beautiful shot either frustrates you or you like the challenge
the scuba diver can wait sometime for that fish to present itself
for most people that is where scuba diving photography wins
and, of course scuba divers can go and photograph where it is impossible for snorkellers
it's simply different -
scuba divers are more likely to get a-near perfect photo
snorkellers are grateful for any fairly
good photo
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personally snorkelling seems simpler to me than scuba.
Often I will just wander in off the beach and cruise around - there is very little preparation.
Usually there are others around so I don't need my 'buddy', who loves sunbathing (I can't stand it)
having read about shallow water blackout (I will now be rethinking snorkelling solo) - shallow water blackout is covered in
'maximising the dive' (link)
from a safety angle two people is officially said to be sub-optimal and three the minimum - apparently -
technically, one should be on shore watching the pair
with the pair, one is meant to stay on top and watch while the other dives, then obviously the roles are swapped.
most of us have enough trouble getting a buddy interested in the underwater photography aspect - which completely changes (improves) the snorkelling experience (to my mind) - so, do your best to be safe
personally I like the freedom, the simplicity and the challenge of staying down there to get that shot. I doubt cost is much of an issue between underwater photography - snorkelling versus scuba diving. Photographic equipment is an expense either way
perhaps the snorkeller can use slightly less expensive photographic equipment than the diver
anyway, heading for the tropics is always very expensive - have you gathered - I'm a bath water temperature type of guy?
there is a tremendous website which covers where to snorkel in Hawaii, USA mainland and the Caribbean its well worth a visit to
www.tropicalsnorkeling.com' (link) for these destinations
having read about shallow water blackout (I will now be rethinking snorkelling solo) - shallow water blackout is covered in
'maximising the dive' (link)
from a safety angle two people is officially said to be sub-optimal and three the minimum - apparently -
technically, one should be on shore watching the pairwith the pair, one is meant to stay on top and watch while the other dives, then obviously the roles are swapped.
most of us have enough trouble getting a buddy interested in the underwater photography aspect - which completely changes (improves) the snorkelling experience (to my mind) - so, do your best to be safe
personally I like the freedom, the simplicity and the challenge of staying down there to get that shot. I doubt cost is much of an issue between underwater photography - snorkelling versus scuba diving. Photographic equipment is an expense either way
perhaps the snorkeller can use slightly less expensive photographic equipment than the diver
anyway, heading for the tropics is always very expensive - have you gathered - I'm a bath water temperature type of guy?
there is a tremendous website which covers where to snorkel in Hawaii, USA mainland and the Caribbean its well worth a visit to
www.tropicalsnorkeling.com' (link) for these destinations
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How this site works/ the layout
(fish - pic on button)
this section
has examples of first efforts using a very simple camera and a very basic waterproof housing
the sort of camera many of us already have for our family and other shots
see how it did
this section
has examples of first efforts using a very simple camera and a very basic waterproof housing
the sort of camera many of us already have for our family and other shots
see how it did
(mask and snorkel icon)
the 'snorkelling equipment for underwater photography section covers snorkelling equipment needed to take photos while snorkelling
it seems that a weight belt is the most different
'must-have'
the 'snorkelling equipment for underwater photography section covers snorkelling equipment needed to take photos while snorkelling
it seems that a weight belt is the most different
'must-have'
(camera icon)
the - which camera underwater and underwater housing section covers the choice of camera and underwater housing for the specific needs of those of using simply snorkel, fins and mask (up in the ambient light)
as opposed to the photo equipment needs of the scuba diver
the - which camera underwater and underwater housing section covers the choice of camera and underwater housing for the specific needs of those of using simply snorkel, fins and mask (up in the ambient light)
as opposed to the photo equipment needs of the scuba diver
('information' button icon)
the 'how to snorkel' section , covers how to dive to create opportunities for good underwater photos
it assumes that you know the very 'abc' basics of how to snorkel
the 'how to snorkel' section , covers how to dive to create opportunities for good underwater photos
it assumes that you know the very 'abc' basics of how to snorkel
(palm tree on button)
the 'where to snorkel section , covers some nice destinations
I haven't included the Uk in the 'where to snorkel' destinations
I am sure hardier souls will totally disagree with me on that one
It's just personal preference
the 'where to snorkel section , covers some nice destinations
I haven't included the Uk in the 'where to snorkel' destinations
I am sure hardier souls will totally disagree with me on that one
It's just personal preference
('Plus' sign on button)
to help make this site a useful resort please add your favourite destinations which are good for snorkellimg underwater photography
from our initial examples hopefully it will be very clear to see the sort of info. that we think people are likely to find useful
to help make this site a useful resort please add your favourite destinations which are good for snorkellimg underwater photography
from our initial examples hopefully it will be very clear to see the sort of info. that we think people are likely to find useful
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