U/W photography w/o lighting?

Hi All,

Questions for you; Is it possible to get good looking underwater shots without the use of strobes? Perhaps with filters alone or another means?

I understand how the color spectrum disappears with depth, and how the strobes help illuminate shadows and make colors pop, and more. I'd like to exam and learn alternatives to strobe use? Is this possible, or do your pictures simply come out very dark, shadowed, dull, and gray?

(U/W Photography at night is NOT being considered here)

What are the depth limits to non-strobe use on your results, filter hinderences, color corrections? Do you find this kind of work only limited to wide angle available shots or are there some medium or macro formats that can still work out well?

Should this be undertaken only with video, or can still photography (film or digital) accomplish this? Limited to only black and white?

Lots of questions, please help me learn. Please provide any search options, articles, experience with no strobe use, pro-cons, etc?

Thank you in advance for helping the learning curve!

Hi All,

 

Questions for you; Is it possible to get good looking underwater shots without the use of strobes? Perhaps with filters alone or another means?

 

I understand how the color spectrum disappears with depth, and how the strobes help illuminate shadows and make colors pop, and more. I'd like to exam and learn alternatives to strobe use? Is this possible, or do your pictures simply come out very dark, shadowed, dull, and gray?

 

(U/W Photography at night is NOT being considered here)

 

What are the depth limits to non-strobe use on your results, filter hinderences, color corrections? Do you find this kind of work only limited to wide angle available shots or are there some medium or macro formats that can still work out well?  

 

Should this be undertaken only with video, or can still photography (film or digital) accomplish this? Limited to only black and white?

 

Lots of questions, please help me learn. Please provide any search options, articles, experience with no strobe use, pro-cons, etc?  

 

Thank you in advance for helping the learning curve!

All our UW digital pictures are taken with Sony DSC-P10 or DSC-P100 cameras with only the internal flash. See http://www.fauncefamily.net/album/2004-07%...tion/index.html for examples.

I'm fighting internally now over whether to get a strobe or not. The benefit is greater flexibility, but I'm not sure it's worth the cost my self.

My personal answer is it depends on your budget. If you can afford it I'd get it, but if price is an object it's definitely something to consider. A strobe (and associated electroncs) is (at least in my case) the same price as the camera, housing, additional memory cards and batteries together.

Getting pleasing colors and sharp photos without a flash is pretty difficult. Most images will appear very blue green due to slow shutter speeds and wide open apertures.

I too suggest trying to use the internal flash. Beautiful color is what wideangle photography is all about, so try to get a housing that will let you start w/ the internal flash. Get to within one foot of your subject and you can get good exposures at speeds of 1/60th or faster - so no blur.

HTH

James Wiseman

See Craig's article on filters in the features:

http://www.wetpixel.com/module-pagesetter-...-1-pid-31.phtml

Filters have their limitations, but if you play to their strengths they can be point and shoot simple to use. This image was taken with Aperture priority, autofocus and auto white balance:

Alex

I tend to prefer shooting with ambient light - though i am constrained to the upper depths to get good pics. I would say that I do most of my good work 45 ft or shallower and probably don't bother shooting much over 60 ft. You will get a lot of blue and green in your shots at depth but this can make for some cool shots. If you want color - try a good shallow site ( I frequent the Keys and Grand Cayman). Finally - I like shooting in ambient light because it translates into better color to black and white conversions of my pictures. My last tip is reguardless of strobe or no strobe - get close to your subject - the more water between it and the lens the more light/color will fail to make your picture.

- MP

Hi Gofigure!

Most of the dives i do i am down around the 22m mark. I have only shot with ambient light and internal flash up until now - i have had a strobe for a while but havent got it wet yet - hope to one day soon, but i have been happy with the results up until now. Obviously the colours are better if you are diving shallower, but the blue/green can be removed in photoshop after the dive.