First underwater pics [HAMMER ME]

Web gallery link... Uh, there's no gallery for these starter images but my site is at www.photopositives.com

Gallery Title: First time for everything

Comments: Here are shots from my first aquatic photo session. I've only got 14 dives to my name. Canon G9 in Canon underwater housing. Several shots are from night dives. I'm not yet able to compose a shot like on land. Tear it apart, give me pointers. I live in the high arctic so opportunities to do this are few and far between.

Here are shots from my first aquatic photo session. I've only got 14 dives to my name. Tear it apart, give me pointers.

Wonderful start arkoc! I was really impressed with the nudi shot. It is rare that someone gets low enough to do these guys justice. I have a couple of ideas you can try. I'm hoping you were shooting raw so you can play with the file. I think you might like it even more if you lowered the exposure, cropped it a little tighter and darkened up the edges a little. That yellow really pops against the darker background. Try this on, it will look better with your larger file. This is just to give you some ideas.

Congrats on joining the ranks of Wetpixelians! Try and stay warm,

Steve

Hi there Arkoc. I hope you find these comments helpfull.

1. Occy - Soft Focus. Harsh light.

2. Flounder - I like it but the image is tilted, the fish has crazy eyes, and I would have tried for a lower perspective. Dark shadow foreground on borttom right of frame also bothers me.

3. Shark - whats the red glow in this image? Its distracting.

4. Nudi - Over exposed. Contrast might also be too high

5. Coral - Nice colour, but I would crop this one to get those emerging coral bits out of the center of the frame. Lacks a clear focal point

6. Nudi - lacks a clear focal point on your main subject. Unlacky the animal wasnt posing better for you? Get lower to avoid that shadow

7. Lobster - My favorite from the images you have posted. Lighting on right hand side needs a little more oomph but this is quite good.

Steve,

Thank you for the comments. I am unfortunately not shooting RAW underwater yet. I am still getting comfortable diving and handling the camera so I was using the underwater scene mode - which ridiculously does not allow RAW recording. (I want CHDK for the G9!) I usually shoot full manual on land (D300) but have to get comfortable diving with a camera first. I was so enthralled taking photos on my second dive I missed my half tank mark and when I remembered to check my gauge I was at 400lbs. Big oops, big wagging finger at me from my guide.

That being said, I took your advice on the image, cropped it tighter and histogram matched your edition. Looks darn good! Thanks muchly for the tips. I have to get a good PP work flow going for my underwater content. I need much more experience lighting underwater and handling the unusual white balances I am encountering. My dive light, flash, and ambient light all offer dramatically different types of light. Any PP tips you could offer would be great.

Congrats on joining the ranks of Wetpixelians! Try and stay warm,

Thanks! And doing my best on the latter, looks like we're in for a blizzard tomorrow. Oh well, day off work.

Fake edit: Oh look at that, CHDK is now available for the G9!

Stephen,

I can pick out a theme or two of things to work on from your comments. They are much appreciated. Thanks.

underwater scene mode - which ridiculously does not allow RAW recording. (I want CHDK for the G9!) I usually shoot full manual on land (D300) but have to get comfortable diving with a camera first.

Fake edit: Oh look at that, CHDK is now available for the G9!

Underwaterscene mode is only useful for 0-5 meters. If your not comfortable with fiddling aperture/shutter under water, why don't you use P mode? You can set ISO, WB, EV/flash compensation and some other settings.. and use RAW!

The Lobster is my fav too Keep up the good work!

Arkoc - these are 50 times better than my first efforts underwater! My advice is to practise, practise and practise. Dive, dive, dive. Thanks for posting. These boards are for people at all levels and experience.