Fins, Friends, and F-stops: Be Everyone's Favorite Underwater Photographer
Part 2 of a Three-Part Series on Underwater Photography Etiquette
You've just invested thousands in your dream underwater camera setup. Then, you miss that once-in-a-lifetime moment of a shark passing by because you're fumbling with settings. Or worse, you've kicked or bumped into fellow divers in your excitement to get the shot, earning those subtle head shakes that make you feel like a complete rookie. We've all been there.
Underwater photography is more than just capturing stunning marine life. It's about being part of a community where technical skills and social awareness go hand in hand. In this second installment of our series, I'll put the necessary tools in your hands to help you avoid these common pitfalls.
- Details
- Category: Underwater Photography
- Hits: 589
Read more: Fins, Friends, and F-stops: Be Everyone's Favorite Underwater Photographer
Nice Divers Finish First in This Friendly Guide to Underwater Photography
Part 1 of a Three-Part Series on Underwater Photography Etiquette
A large sea turtle glided through the warm tropical water off the reef next to the dive group, its shell catching glints of sunlight. Just as I raised my camera to capture this moment, a blur of bubbles and fins rushed past us. Another diver charged straight at the turtle with her action camera extended forward like a deranged magician wielding his wand. Our serene encounter transformed into a confusing nightmare of stirred-up sand and a disappearing turtle. That day, I vowed never to become ‘that photographer’ who leaves a bitter aftertaste for the group. The truth is that she spoiled the sighting for herself, too.
Let’s be honest — we’ve all been there. You’re faced with that split-second decision: do you go for that perfect shot, or do you hang back so everyone can enjoy the moment? As cameras become more accessible and diving grows in popularity, the line between capturing marine life and disturbing it narrows.
In this first article, I’m going to walk you through the must-know basics of being a considerate underwater photographer. Look, we all mess up sometimes — especially underwater, where everything’s trickier — but knowing these basics will help you skip the rookie mistakes.
- Details
- Category: Underwater Photography
- Hits: 821
Read more: Nice Divers Finish First in This Friendly Guide to Underwater Photography
A Photographer’s Evolution from Land to Sea
My hands trembled as I clutched my camera underwater for the first time, the cold seeping through my 7mm wetsuit. As a newly certified diver in the cold, murky waters of False Bay, Cape Town, I was still grappling with diving anxiety. The water temperature hovered around 15°C (59°F), and the visibility was a mere 3 meters – barely enough to see my fins. But through my camera's viewfinder, something magical happened - the fear melted away. What started as a distraction from diving anxiety would become my gateway to a hidden world, where light behaves differently and colors tell new stories.
I never set out to become an underwater photographer. Growing up in landlocked Johannesburg, my wildlife photography dreams were limited to terrestrial subjects. But life has a way of submerging your plans, sometimes literally.
- Details
- Category: Underwater Photography
- Hits: 1604
Fins, Friends, and F-stops: Be Everyone's Favorite Underwater Photographer
Part 2 of a Three-Part Series on Underwater Photography Etiquette
You've just
...
Nice Divers Finish First in This Friendly Guide to Underwater Photography
Part 1 of a Three-Part Series on Underwater Photography Etiquette
A large sea turtle glided through the warm tropical water off the reef next to the dive group, its
...
Diving Deep: Exploring Cape Town's Historic Shipwrecks (Part 2)
Have you ever wondered what secrets lie beneath the cold waters of Cape Town's coastline? For underwater photographers and adventure seekers, Hout Bay's historic shipwrecks offer a thrilling journey into maritime history.
...
Diving Deep: Exploring Cape Town's Historic Shipwrecks (Part 1)
Have you ever wondered what secrets lie beneath the waves where historic ships met their fate? Off the coast of Cape Town's Hout Bay, where the Atlantic's waters have claimed countless vessels over centuries, four
...
Diving Protea Banks
A world-renowned shark-diving reef in Southern KwaZulu Natal
Protea Banks is a world-renowned dive site that promises exhilarating underwater adventures. Located off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, it offers a unique blend of vibrant marine ecosystems and
...
6 Surprising Truths About Scuba Diving That Beginners Don't Expect
Have you ever watched underwater documentaries and thought, "I wish I could do that... but it's probably too difficult/dangerous/expensive"? You're not alone. Many aspiring divers let common
...
Embrace the Unknown
Navigating Life After Matric: The Power of a Gap Year
Are you feeling the pressure to have your entire life figured out as you finish matric? You're not alone. While friends and family eagerly ask about your plans, it's perfectly normal to feel uncertain
...
Exploring Cape Town Underwater
Discover the Diverse Marine Ecosystems
Where two oceans meet, a spectacular underwater world awaits. Cape Town's marine environment offers an extraordinary diving experience, from encounters with Great White Sharks and playful seals to
...
Diving Gordon's Bay
Your Guide to Perfect Conditions
Gordon's Bay, a hidden gem in False Bay, South Africa, boasts some of the most spectacular sea fan forests and vibrant marine life you'll ever encounter. But timing your dive right is crucial for the best
...
The Art of Being Chosen
A Tale of Writing, A Cat, and Finding Your Adventure
Have you ever noticed how life's most meaningful journeys often begin unexpectedly? In "The Art of Being Chosen," a touching narrative unfolds about two unlikely companions that transformed one
...
Why That Clever Domain Name You're Considering Might Be Your Biggest Marketing Mistake
You've found it - that perfect, clever domain name that makes you smile. Maybe it's a witty wordplay or uses one of those trendy new domain extensions. Before you click
...
Guide to Website Marketing
From Static to Profitable
As a Web Content Manager and Designer, I've seen countless beautifully designed websites fail to generate results because they're treated like digital business cards instead of marketing
...
From Clicks to Customers
How a Blog Can Transform Your Marketing Strategy
The Importance of Content Marketing
What is content marketing? It’s a top way to showcase your products or services to potential customers by creating and distributing valuable, relevant
...
7 Practical Tips For Writing Blog Articles
Boost Your Content Marketing
The Importance of Content Marketing
What is content marketing? It’s a top way to showcase your products or services to potential customers by creating and
...
The Hidden World of Nudibranchs
A Diver's Guide to Gordon's Bay
Venture into the mesmerizing underwater world of Gordon's Bay, where over 75 species of nudibranchs—nature's most flamboyant sea slugs—paint our waters with extraordinary colors and patterns. As a local
...
Boost Your Blog's SEO: 9 Steps for Non-Techies
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, enhances your website’s ranking in search engine results, like Google. Using keywords and quality content helps more people discover and visit your site, boosting visibility and promoting business
...
Your Ideal Customer: A Guide to Define Your Audience
Identifying your ideal customer is crucial for your marketing strategy because it allows you to tailor your messaging, products, and services to the specific needs, preferences, and pain points of the people most likely to buy from
...
Reframing Sensitivity
6 Steps to Harnessing Your HSP Traits
Are you someone who feels deeply, notices every detail, and sometimes gets overwhelmed by the world around you? You might be among the 15-20% of people who are Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs). In this personal
...