My third rule of underwater photography is to practice proper buoyancy control. A few people contend that being able to maintain a stable position in the water should be at the top of list. If someone’s camera housing is leaking or if they can’t find anything interesting to photograph, then being able to hover while manipulating a camera really becomes an irrelevant point.
I found necessity forces most photographers to unconsciously develop good buoyancy skills. Photographers, though, tend to get a little “touchy” with the reef in the quest for a great picture. I’m guilty of the “two finger holdfast” and most photographers will confidentially acknowledge they have occasionally touched the coral. The justification is usually, “I only touched a rock” or “I found a dead spot to grab” quickly followed by “look at this amazing shot . . .“ All divers simply need to do their best to avoid damaging the underwater environment. The initial step in exercising caution is to leave the gloves or pointer/skewer on the dive boat.
If you’re going to maneuver into a tight spot take a few seconds to plan the approach and exit. Wiggling into a confined area is usually much easier than reversing course – you don’t want to inadvertently catch a piece of whip coral on your gear or maul a sea fan with a fin tip. If a bunch of divers are crowded around a rare blenny in a crevice, my recommendation is to wait in the open water, get your buoyancy perfectly dialed-in and approach after the area is clear. You may miss the chance to capture the image, but there are always better opportunities a few dives in the future. Plus, I find taking pictures a lot more enjoyable when I’m not being jostled by other divers.
In a sandy area, you should make contact with the bottom without generating any disturbance or crushing tiny, developing pieces of coral. The key is to gently arrive and depart the sand using your lung power and air cell to reduce the potential for backscatter. Kicking away should only occur after you’re well above the other divers angling for a picture. Nothing irritates a photographer more than someone who destroys the visibility, especially another shutter bug. Finding a pygmy seahorse and leaving the water just as clear as you found it will endear you to your fellow divers.
I found necessity forces most photographers to unconsciously develop good buoyancy skills. Photographers, though, tend to get a little “touchy” with the reef in the quest for a great picture. I’m guilty of the “two finger holdfast” and most photographers will confidentially acknowledge they have occasionally touched the coral. The justification is usually, “I only touched a rock” or “I found a dead spot to grab” quickly followed by “look at this amazing shot . . .“ All divers simply need to do their best to avoid damaging the underwater environment. The initial step in exercising caution is to leave the gloves or pointer/skewer on the dive boat.
If you’re going to maneuver into a tight spot take a few seconds to plan the approach and exit. Wiggling into a confined area is usually much easier than reversing course – you don’t want to inadvertently catch a piece of whip coral on your gear or maul a sea fan with a fin tip. If a bunch of divers are crowded around a rare blenny in a crevice, my recommendation is to wait in the open water, get your buoyancy perfectly dialed-in and approach after the area is clear. You may miss the chance to capture the image, but there are always better opportunities a few dives in the future. Plus, I find taking pictures a lot more enjoyable when I’m not being jostled by other divers.
In a sandy area, you should make contact with the bottom without generating any disturbance or crushing tiny, developing pieces of coral. The key is to gently arrive and depart the sand using your lung power and air cell to reduce the potential for backscatter. Kicking away should only occur after you’re well above the other divers angling for a picture. Nothing irritates a photographer more than someone who destroys the visibility, especially another shutter bug. Finding a pygmy seahorse and leaving the water just as clear as you found it will endear you to your fellow divers.
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