Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time
It’s summer and you’re probably in or near the water.
If you have a waterproof camera: maybe your phone, an all weather point and shoot, or an underwater housing for your camera; getting good underwater portraits can be tricky.
In this article, I am going to share my top three tips to capture better underwater photos.
We have certainly seen all kinds of dangerous stunts for the sake of photography. A recent video published by New York Post shows one of the crazies I’ve seen so far. Underwater photographer Ken Kiefer took three models to crocodile-infested waters for underwater shots – and the women got face to face with the fierce animals. What’s more, the team even used lionfish to lure the beasts near the models.
If you’ve ever tried to photograph a person underwater, you know how important crystal clear water is to producing usable images.
I do most of my underwater photography in Georgian Bay which is exceptionally clean and clear.
It’s also freezing cold, and far away from urban areas – which complicates the logistics required to produce a commercial photography session (it’s a 3 or 4 hour drive for me and most models, stylists, make up artists etc. and there is a window of about two weeks in August when it’s warm enough to swim without a wet suit).
However, I live right beside Lake Ontario (which is not exactly known for being clean or clear), so I thought I’d try an underwater photography session here – with easy access to talent from Toronto.
In this article I will share a few of my tips and tricks for underwater photography in murky water.
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest has announced the winners of 2018 competition. The best of the best have been chosen in eleven categories, among over 5000 entries from all around the world. We bring you the winning images in all categories, and they are all absolutely fantastic.
Do you remember the first GoPro ever? It wasn’t a tiny digital camera that shoots both 12MP photos and 4K videos. It was a 35mm film camera and it was a size of an average disposable camera. Derald of Thirty Five Studio bought one in perfectly good condition and he took it for a test ride. So, how do the photos from the first GoPro ever look today?
If you’ve ever taken a camera near water, whether it be a DSLR or a GoPro, you know it can be a hassle. Even when you’ve got all the underwater housings and other bits, it can still be a pain. In this video, surf photographer Dylan Brayshaw gives us 5 great tips for shooting in and around water.
Next in our ongoing Photographer Spotlight series we have Rafal Makiela.
Rafal is a Polish underwater fashion and commercial advertising photographer, currently based in Dubai. His work has been featured by various newspapers, monthly magazines, advertising campaigns and editorials and he is currently a brand ambassador for Ikelite underwater camera housings.
Layers on layers on layers on layers …. I’ve been working on this image for far too long, just long enough, but also not nearly as much as I’d like to? Needless to say, I put a lot of time and love into this edit and really really enjoyed the process of adding in the countless tiny details.
To be honest, it took some major restraint on my part to finally call it “done” and move onto the next project. Seriously though, people – I feel like I could continue to zoom way in and refine/add more details for-EVAH. Which is exactly what I’d like to talk about today: taking your time and adding more details!
I have been using a number of underwater camera housings over the years – from inexpensive bag housings to professional dive housings.
The problem with most underwater camera housings is that they usually cost more than the camera you’re buying them for. With digital cameras being upgraded every 3 to 5 years, this makes the purchase of an underwater camera housing a significant investment.
After purchasing a Sony mirrorless camera for video work, I decided that I’d like to get an underwater housing for it. I eventually chose a Meikon underwater camera housing (also sold under a number of other brand names such as Sonovel, Andoer, Neweer and others) for my Sony mirrorless camera (a Sony a6300).
In this Meikon underwater camera housing review, I will look at why I purchased a Meikon underwater camera housing, and my experience using it in the field.
The underwater world hides many wonderful creatures in its depths. Australian photographer Jem Cresswell is particularly fascinated with humpback whales, and he documented their beauty in a series of intimate black and white portraits. His series “Giants” took 3 years to complete, and it captures these “gentle giants” in the southern Pacific Ocean around Tonga.
The artistic set of portraits will get you closer to these wonderful creatures. It will help you dive into their world, get to know them, and see how powerful and amazing they are.
You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube and Facebook.
can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
To see more of his work please visit his studio website blurMEDIAphotography, or follow him on Twitter, 500px, Google Plus or YouTube.
JP’s photography is available for licensing at Stocksy United.
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