Learning Underwater Photography

Join Deke McClelland and professional underwater photographer Hergen Spalink to dive into the world of underwater photography, including essential concepts, techniques, and gear.

Introduction

• Welcome

1. Introducing Underwater Photography

• It's better underwater
• Wide vs. macro

2. Get the Gear

• Challenges and solutions
• Housings
• Ports and optics
• Torches and strobes
• Additional gear

3. Lighting Options

• Strobes vs. LED torches
• Pros and cons of strobes and torches
• Triggering strobes: Electronic vs. fiber optics
• Adjusting strobe power
• Understanding X-sync
• Adjusting LED torches

4. Elements Of Exposure

• Sources of light
• Strobes
• Aperture
• Shutter speed
• ISO
• Anatomy of a shot: Ambient light only
• Anatomy of a shot: Ambient plus LED torch
• Anatomy of a shot: Strobe at low shutter speed
• Anatomy of a shot: Strobe at high shutter speed

5. Camera Modes

• Metering modes
• Exposure modes
• Manual mode
• Special circumstances

6. Focus

• Autofocus types
• Contrast and focus lights
• Static vs. moving subjects
• Momentary auto and manual focus

7. Underwater Optics

• Wide-angle lenses
• The optics of wide-angle ports
• Macro lenses
• Longer vs. shorter focal length
• Sensor crop
• Depth of field

8. Jump Settings

• What are jump settings?
• Wide-angle jump settings
• Macro jump settings
• Pre-dive checks
• Testing water tightness

9. Post-Processing

• Setup and import
• Organization and rating

10. Care and Feeding

• O-rings
• Preventing corrosion
• Pre-trip checklist
• End of trip checklist
• Post-trip checklist
• Caring for ports
• Servicing

Conclusion

• Next steps