Do you like to dive or snorkel? I’ll bet you have used those disposable 35mm underwater cameras, haven’t you? They are good for taking photos up close and in shallow water but not good for deepwater. What you really need to create and save those underwater memories is an underwater digital camera.
Underwater digital cameras are used by divers all over the world and not just for personal use. Those who make their living from the ocean like marine photographers, biologists, and scientists use underwater digital cameras to film and study marine life. The photographers sell their videos and make a good living from it, the scientists use them to study and learn more about the creatures they are interested in. You are more than likely in none of those categories, probably like me, you are just a lover of the water. I thoroughly enjoy being able to bring back evidence of what I have seen underwater with a camera.
When you are looking for an underwater digital camera you must realize that they are rare and hard to find. Cameras as a rule, being electronic, can’t take the high pressure associated with depths reached in diving even if they are waterproof. What you will find in most cases is a specialized casing produced specifically for a digital camera to be used underwater which in essence will turn your regular digital camera into an underwater one.
Using a camera underwater is quite a bit different than shooting on dry land. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind to get the best results from your underwater photography experiences.
Light is diffused more and more the deeper you dive so the images you are filming will be darker than what you would have above water. Using white balance will help with this and also give you more natural colors. Another thing to remember is that your pictures will end up larger due to the magnification effect underwater so bear this in mind when filming. Also be sure not to use a built in flash as this will cause your pictures to be blurry, use an external one instead.
Test your camera before diving with it by submerging the camera within its waterproof case in water for a few seconds and checking to see if there are any leaks in the protective underwater case. Take special precautions that you don’t get so much as a hair or a grain of sand in the seal area because if you do I assure you the case will leak.
You can get optional lenses for your digital camera that will help you take better pictures; especially essential are the Macro lenses that will allow you to get close up shots without scaring away your subject.
When you finish your dive or snorkel trip always rinse off the case good and set it out to dry, especially if you have been in saltwater.
An underwater digital camera is not just used to capture underwater memories; some professional marine photographers also use underwater digital cameras in their business. Even marine biologists and scientists use underwater digital cameras to capture marine life and thus be able to study the life and properties of the marine life. But I think it is safe to assume that you, my reader, are neither a marine scientist nor a professional photographer. Like me, you are just some photo junkie who wants to capture underwater moments and just cant figure out how without ruining your cameras.
Please listen to me when I say that even waterproof cameras cannot withstand underwater photography. To be waterproof is to resist the water in certain levels, submerging in under the water to get the perfect shot is like throwing it out of the window expecting a pick-up truck to pass by and run over it.
Now if you’re really serious about using an underwater digital camera to capture those wacky and funny moments underwater, I suggest that you buy specialty cameras.
There are rarely underwater digital cameras, as cameras are electronic and cannot withstand water and water pressure. The closest electronics has ever got to producing underwater digital cameras are producing underwater casings for digital cameras. These casing will turn your conventional digital camera into an underwater digital camera.
If you are shooting with your underwater digital camera, you need to take note of a few things to help you come up with the best images underwater.
Remember that as you farther under water, light diffuses. This means that your underwater digital camera will produce images darker than those images you took while on land – this is because of the light diffusion the red spectrum seems darker. To avoid this, use white balance come up with natural colors. Also, pictures taken underwater will come up larger than pictures taken on land with the same zoom effect. Be sure to check your underwater digital camera’s viewfinder to check the right picture angle and size that you want.
An underwater digital camera with its built-in flash will produce marine show phenomenon. It is a phenomenon wherein your pictures come out as blurry and with white particles floating above it, to avoid this phenomenon it is advisable to use external flash for your underwater digital camera.
Before using your underwater digital camera, submerge the camera in the water first for several seconds then check if there are leaks through the case. Make sure that no grain of sand or piece of hair is stuck in between the seal to make sure that water will not permeate the case and thus wet your camera in the process. It is also advisable to put silica gel or two inside the case of your underwater digital camera as long as they don’t disturb the camera’s operation. (Silica gel will keep the moisture from forming inside your camera case.)
Most underwater digital cameras come with optional lenses. Don’t be afraid to add these lenses to your underwater digital camera kit. Macro lenses will help you capture small things without getting too close and startling your subject.
Also, remember to always wash of salt when you’ve used it under salt water. If the salts are not washed off, in time they will crystallize; act as sands and cause leaks for your camera case. In cases when sands seem to get into the case, they are better washed off with streams of water.
It was only by chance I discovered this optimum solution for solving the problem of always having to worry about keeping my digital camera protected from both the elements, and too much knocking around.
I’d been wanting a replacement for my dive camera and in the process of researching alternatives, came across this new generation of underwater cameras that work equally well out of the water. Even better is that they’re still compact and lightweight enough to make sense as a replacement for my land use only digital camera.
So what’s the point? Simply that I’ve gotten fed up with digital cameras that can’t take a little sand or water. When do we generally take the most pictures? How about while on excursions to new places or while vacationing or on holiday. Where do we often do these things? Beaches, snow-capped mountains, rivers, hiking trails – the list goes on.
The majority of our photographs are taken in environments where there’s a better than average chance that our camera will get wet, muddy, or banged about. Instead of worrying about splashes or a little rain, and dropping it in everything from sand to snow, wouldn’t it be handy if these technological marvels were just a bit hardier?
Well a handful of dive camera manufacturers have apparently gotten the message because they’ve produced some rugged multi-purpose digital waterproof cameras. Better still is unlike their predecessors, they can be had at a much more reasonable price.
By predecessors, I mean those super-expensive, special-purpose underwater cameras with special housings that scuba divers and underwater photographers used. They are bulky and awkward to handle out of water and while one could remove the camera itself from the housing, that sort of defeats the purpose, as we’re back to the original problem of having to take extra care with protecting the camera.
But these latest generation dive cameras are integrated units where the camera is made into a waterproof case comprised of impact resistant composite materials and armored with rubber at all the key places. Dropping them from several feet up leaves them unfazed.
They are lightweight (about a pound) and compact (less than 4 inches x 5 inches), and despite their small size, offer superb picture quality with ultra sharp, high-resolution images, even in low-light conditions such as those typically found underwater. Prices are comparable to a higher-end land use digital camera.
Of particular use are the settings that can be changed depending on whether you’re shooting above or under the water. In “undersea” mode the various settings improve colors underwater by automatically adjusting shutter speeds and aperture settings. For “land” use they work like other land cameras allowing the user to adjust to conditions encountered above water. Other features include face detection and image stabilization.
Bottom line is eliminating the need for more than one camera. The same one that’s perfect for scuba diving, now does double duty for hiking, mountain climbing, ocean kayaking, going to the beach, being out on the boat, and pretty much any other activity one might think of.
Even if you aren’t a diver there are models made for snorkeling, and even though waterproof down to just about 10 feet or so, are less expensive. This is especially good news if your primary concern is finding a more rugged digital camera that won’t give out after being splashed at the lake or left in the rain.
Photography has always been a fascinating subject to many people. Nowadays, you don’t just see pictures taken on land. You can also see pictures taken from space, air and underwater. So, for those divers who have the interest, underwater photography has become another perfect reason for them to do more diving.
Here are some tips for you if you are interested in this new hobby.
1. The equipments
As you already know, most cameras nowadays are not water resistant. Even some of the digital cameras that were designed to be water resistant, they can only be submerged underwater for the maximum of 2-3 meters.
So, when you want to practice underwater photography, you will want to get a casing to protect your camera. This kind of casing is just a transparent plastic with rubber to house your digital camera. As long as you fit your camera nicely in the plastic case, you can still access its function from the outside.
There is one thing you need to remember before you jump into water is the capacity of your memory card. Imagine that you are happily taking picture of the unique underwater life and suddenly your memory card is full. You certainly can’t change your memory card like you are on land and you can only do that at the surface. But by the time you get back to the same spot, your subject might be long gone. There is nothing more frustrating to a photographer than to miss the perfect shot and it is even more frustrating when it is cause by a small mistake like this.
2. Closing in
It is said that the things you see underwater is 3 times larger when they are on land. This is because water distorts (refract or bend) light.
So, when you are taking pictures underwater, you will want to get as close as possible to your subject. Another tip for you to keep in mind is that you need to be careful when you are photographing marine life in close proximity.
Even though some of them might look still, your flash and distant might provoke them and cause them to attack. The last thing you will want to get with underwater photography is to get hurt by your subject. So, keep yourself safe by minimizing your flash and use your zoom lenses whenever is possible.
3. Research
You are supposed to know where you are diving, right? So, research about the underwater marine life before you go there so that you will know what you are going to see. You can also assess how dangerous your subjects will be so that you can be prepared for them.
And for you to enjoy your diving and photography trip to the fullest, you can also look for any experience guide who can dive with you. When you are diving with them, there is a high chance for you to take some astonishing underwater pictures.
Underwater photography is extremely interesting and lots of fun. People do not usually get to take pictures of the wildlife living underwater. There are a number of living thing underwater. There are those that move around like the fish and the sharks, and there are those that are immobile like the corals. Because of the number of subjects available underwater, underwater photography has become one of the most popular forms of photography.
There are a number of digital cameras that can be used underwater. The internet is full of pictures that deal with the underwater. This is largely due to the fact that people can now take cameras underwater and shoot the subjects there.
But it isn’t as easy as it sounds. You cannot just take a camera, dive into the sea, and start clicking. You need to know where and how to take the pictures. There are a number of underwater pictures that are horrible beyond measure as one cannot make out anything in it. Sunlight has a different effect underwater and one needs to make sure that photos are not taken directly under a sunray.
If taken in the right manner, underwater pictures can be truly beautiful. There is a set of paraphernalia you need to carry with you while going underwater. These include different cameras, lights and camera holders.
The ocean is the best place to take underwater pictures. Ponds and lakes are, more often than not, too dirty and murky with mud to allow you to see anything clearly. On the other hand, the ocean is very clear, and taking underwater pictures is relatively easier due to the absence of the pollution.
When diving, there are certain differently designed cameras that you should opt for. These cameras take amazing photographs as the pictures are hundreds of feet underwater where it is usually difficult to take pictures. Very often, the images show strange creatures that have not yet been discovered.
Apart from the aquatic life forms, it is also enjoyable to take photographs of people underwater. If you can capture the right moment, you can catch people making some really funny underwater expressions. People on vacation usually take pictures of each other underwater. There are a number of people who visit Florida and take pictures with the manatees swimming by. Underwater pictures taken by oneself is a great family keepsake and an amazing way to share your experiences with friends and relatives.
Underwater photography is made even more interesting due to the unpredictable nature of water. A lot of unexpected pictures come out due to this. These pictures are rare and so are really special, as one cannot recreate the environment in which caused the photograph to turn out the way it did. With advancement in camera technology, underwater photography will keep progressing. Today, one can even take underwater pictures from boat. With time, we will get to see a range of special underwater pictures from the ocean and perhaps even some creatures that have never before been identified.
Underwater photography is gaining popularity, especially with people who are on vacations near the ocean. It is not necessary to have a lot of experience to practice underwater photography and just about anyone can do it. You never know, perhaps your underwater exploits can inspire others to take up underwater photography and you could be the role model for somebody else. If you are taking a vacation, be sure to include underwater photography in your agenda.
Digital cameras are risky to use in water, as they will malfunction. This deprives those who love diving and spending time in water, the pleasure of taking photographs underwater as well as around water (in the fear that the camera might fall into water and malfunction). Therefore, waterproof digital cameras also called underwater cameras, provide a chance to photograph the underwater world which would have been otherwise inaccessible with normal digital cameras.
The following is a list of some waterproof digital cameras that are commonly used for underwater photography.
Olympus SW series may be the best well rounded waterproof camera at the moment. This camera completed with 10 Megapixels, ISO1600, and a 3.6x optical zoom feature and you could diving with this camera as depth as 6.6 feet.
The Canon range of waterproof cameras also comes highly recommended and usually draws praise from serious reviewers and existing owners.
By choosing wisely from the wide range of good waterproof digital cameras available in today’s market, you can chose a good quality waterproof digital camera at an affordable price, to make the next underwater experience – an unforgettable one.
Memories are created just about anywhere. And when I say anywhere, I mean that memories are even created underwater – so the creation of underwater digital camera.
An underwater digital camera is not just used to capture underwater memories; some professional marine photographers also use underwater digital cameras in their business. Even marine biologists and scientists use underwater digital cameras to capture marine life and thus be able to study the life and properties of the marine life. But I think it is safe to assume that you, my reader, are neither a marine scientist nor a professional photographer. Like me, you are just some photo junkie who wants to capture underwater moments and just cant figure out how without ruining your cameras.
Please listen to me when I say that even waterproof cameras cannot withstand underwater photography. To be waterproof is to resist the water in certain levels, submerging in under the water to get the perfect shot is like throwing it out of the window expecting a pick-up truck to pass by and run over it.
Now if you’re really serious about using an underwater digital camera to capture those wacky and funny moments underwater, I suggest that you buy specialty cameras.
There are rarely underwater digital cameras, as cameras are electronic and cannot withstand water and water pressure. The closest electronics has ever got to producing underwater digital cameras are producing underwater casings for digital cameras. These casing will turn your conventional digital camera into an underwater digital camera.
If you are shooting with your underwater digital camera, you need to take note of a few things to help you come up with the best images underwater.
Remember that as you farther under water, light diffuses. This means that your underwater digital camera will produce images darker than those images you took while on land – this is because of the light diffusion the red spectrum seems darker. To avoid this, use white balance come up with natural colors. Also, pictures taken underwater will come up larger than pictures taken on land with the same zoom effect. Be sure to check your underwater digital camera’s viewfinder to check the right picture angle and size that you want.
An underwater digital camera with its built-in flash will produce marine show phenomenon. It is a phenomenon wherein your pictures come out as blurry and with white particles floating above it, to avoid this phenomenon it is advisable to use external flash for your underwater digital camera.
Before using your underwater digital camera, submerge the camera in the water first for several seconds then check if there are leaks through the case. Make sure that no grain of sand or piece of hair is stuck in between the seal to make sure that water will not permeate the case and thus wet your camera in the process. It is also advisable to put silica gel or two inside the case of your underwater digital camera as long as they don’t disturb the camera’s operation. (Silica gel will keep the moisture from forming inside your camera case.)
Most underwater digital cameras come with optional lenses. Don’t be afraid to add these lenses to your underwater digital camera kit. Macro lenses will help you capture small things without getting too close and startling your subject.
Also, remember to always wash of salt when you’ve used it under salt water. If the salts are not washed off, in time they will crystallize; act as sands and cause leaks for your camera case. In cases when sands seem to get into the case, they are better washed off with streams of water.
Are you a diver? Have you ever thought of showing what you see underwater to your friends? How does underwater photography work anyway?
It was said that underwater photography started around 1800 when William Thompson took an underwater photograph with a camera mounted on a pole. But it was not until 1957 that underwater photography started to bloom when the first waterproof camera was invented.
As good as a waterproof camera may sound, underwater photographers nowadays generally use a casing to protect their camera so that they don’t need to have two cameras for land and underwater. Furthermore, these casings are usually made of plastic so they are light in weight and your wallet.
And to make underwater photography more enjoyable, compact digital camera manufacturers nowadays are looking into the possibility of water resistant camera. Very soon, you will see cameras that have stronger water resistant capability and good for diving even without any casing.
The next underwater photography equipment you will need is an underwater flash unit.
This is because as you dive deeper, you will start to see the loss of color in your surrounding hence the blue green color you often see underwater. A lobster will look dull and dark brown because the red and orange colors are absorbed by the water. So, an external light source is important to restore your subject’s color so that it will look more alive and real. One of the reasons for underwater photography is to amaze the viewer of the marvelous underwater world and you can’t do that with a boring picture.
Then, do you know that underwater photography is more than just about marine life? You can take pictures of the amazing cave system and some divers even become experts in underwater landscape photography. Who says landscape photography is only limited on land?
A very important tip about underwater photography is that you will want to learn to be good in diving before you take up this hobby. Not just that your diving skill will affect the quality of your pictures, your safety is also dependent on your diving technique. After all, you are the stranger in the sea and if you look at this from the marine’s eye, you are invading their territories and they have all the right to attack you.
The last underwater photography tip for you is that you will want to get as close to your subject as possible. This is again caused by the fact that water will absorb light and make your subject loss its true color. That is why you need to be a good diver so that you can stay calm when you are approaching your subjects without provoking them.
Often it is not possible to capture the beauty of underwater life with normal camera, but thanks to underwater digital camera, now you can explore the marine life. An underwater camera is a special designed digital camera used for still and video photography to capture the amazing flora and fauna of marine life.
You can capture the still images of sea life or can shoot while scuba diving. Safely protected with waterproof casing, these digital cameras are designed to be fully submerged underwater and withstand any surrounding pressure. The smaller models of underwater cameras are normally ideal for up to two hundred feet to four hundred feet while the bigger digital cameras are made for deeper water regions.
As compared to film-based underwater cameras, the underwater digital cameras are much better since they don`t run out of film. Yon can also delete any bad shots or change to a lower resolution picture mode in low-light conditions. No more fuzzy backgrounds and edges as seen in film underwater cameras, with their wide-angle photography, underwater digital cameras delivers sharper images.
Available in all sizes, shapes and film format, many underwater digital cameras also come with viewfinder feature which helps in picture adjustment for photography. With some nice prints, the underground digital camera produces better images which are really helpful for amateur photographers.
However the underwater digital camera is not only meant for deep-sea divers. Many underwater digital cameras available today can also be used to take quality pictures on dry land in harsh climatic conditions like snowfall and severe rains. Adorned with multi-flash function, color correction filter and macro lens, the underwater digital camera offers superb image quality. Just like normal digital camera, this underwater digital camera also comes with 15MB of sufficient memory along with the storage, editing and manipulation software.
If you wonder which model of underwater digital camera to choose, what features to consider, then here is a briefly discussed guide on the features of some prominent underwater digital camera models.
Panasonic SDR-SW20:
This compact model is for those who want an easy-to-use and lightweight underwater digital camera. With 10x optical zoom and MPEG-2 format up to 10 Mbps, this is one of the best digital cameras available for video recording. However, with only 0.3MP 640×480 still imaging capability, the still imaging options are basically non-existent in this new model.
Olympus SW series:
At 10 Megapixels, ISO1600, and a 3.6x optical zoom feature, Olympus may also be one of the most well rounded underwater digital cameras. With an underwater depth up to 6.6 feet, this is the deepest water digital camera on the list.
Just imagine having an underwater camera, when you are diving deep under the sea. Not only do you have the opportunity to take memorable photographs of all those new friends of yours, but there is also a chance that you are going to get so caught up with this amazing new photographic field that you might even turn professional. But you have to look at some points before you decide to go and buy an underwater camera.
Underwater cameras come in 2 forms, digital and film. For the film types you can go to Fuji and Kodak, to get underwater cameras at an economical price, either for a single time use or for reusable ones. A Kodak underwater camera can still be going strong at a depth of 45 feet, but Fuji has a limit of 35 feet underwater. Then, are you looking for a digital camera or are you looking for a film camera? do you intend to buy something, which is to be used just during the vacation or do you want to go whole hog, hang the expense and invest the nest egg into the underwater camera of your choice?
In digital waterproof cameras it has to be Olympus or Canon in my opinion. Many models have lenses that are focus free, with an electronic flash, which is built in. It also has a viewfinder.
If you happen to be a complete newbie in the market of underwater cameras, you could always try a MX 5 II model made by Sea and Sea , an American company. This is a film camera with a F/9 focus 28 mm lens . It has a sports finder, which can help you see exactly what you happen to be photographing underwater. You can also buy close-up lenses as well as detachable light strobes from them.