You’ll need more than a nice camera if you want to explore into the oceans, maybe further out to sea. To ensure your safety, you must first invest in dive expertise and appropriate equipment. This must happen before you contemplate purchasing an underwater camera or entering the water.
There are also additional elements involved in preparing an underwater photography event, aside from understanding the talents of the greatest divers. Because it’s startling how dark it can become underwater, the cleaner the water is, the more visibility you’ll have, and the more light will filter down from the water.
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Considering all this, if you are interested to know how to do ocean art photography, then we are sharing some best settings for a camera along with easy tips in this article to help you get the perfect clicks that you need. Let’s see what you have got to do.
Quick Settings for Ocean Art Photography
Aperture – f/2.8 to f/4
Focal length – 35mm to 75mm
Autofocus – Off, Manual – On
ISO – 200
Shutter speed – 1/250
Exposure Value – 0
White Balance – Automatic
Requirements for Ocean Art Photography
There are a few things that are necessary for ocean art photography.
- You will need a good camera underwater to capture some clicks of the ocean in various lighting conditions. A mobile phone is not recommended to use for ocean photography because of its limitations in contrast to a GoPro or a good DSLR camera.
- You would definitely need a good camera housing if you are using a DSLR to keep it safe from water. Staying a lot of time underwater may sometimes ruin even a waterproof camera. A suitable housing Waterproof Case for your camera is recommended.
- You’ll also need a decent-quality lens for underwater photography if you’re using a DSLR camera. The aperture of the lens is one of the most significant factors to consider. The larger the aperture, the more light passes through the lens and reaches the picture sensor.
- The greatest macro lenses can also be considered with a 1:1 ratio since you’ll be able to catch all of your subject’s intricacies.
- Additional illumination is a great consideration to capture some cool shots under the water. Remember that while the sun may be shining brightly on the surface, the light fades as soon as you enter the water. Fortunately, there are lighting systems designed specifically for underwater photography. You might use your camera’s built-in flash, but this may lead water particles to flash, ruining your shot.
How To Do Ocean Art Photography – Step by Step
When you are prepared to go underwater with all your equipment, it’s time to capture some live action.
Prepare Your Camera
Before you get into the water, make sure you attach the housing to your camera to keep it safe underwater. You will be using your camera to take all the clicks, which is why safety is the first concern.
Understand the Water
Now when you are in the water, you must know that not every water is the same. Some may have waves and splashes, while at some points, you may find calm water. Always prefer to go inside calm water so that you can stay stable and capture more effective shots. Swim to a point where you think you will find something interesting.
Locate Your Subject
Underwater photography includes taking pictures of fishes, stones, roots, plants, and various creatures under the water. Sometimes you can also capture the shallow ocean with the right timing. So get ready and get up close with your subject by diving straight into it.
Keep Stable When Clicking
Once you have found your subject, e.g., a fish, you will have to stay calm and stable while keeping your body balanced. Try to use a little zoom to get a close-up shot of the fish while using the camera on manual settings. You can’t use autofocus under the water as there will be a lot of distractions in the environment that may affect your click quality.
Get Benefits of Natural Lighting
Another thing is that you have to get the benefit of natural light. You can use your camera to flash in the dark water, but it won’t be very helpful as you may get highlighted bubbles and stuff in your images. So, natural light will allow your camera to capture subjects with better and bright colors. Find the best angle for taking your shots.
Start Capturing
Now when you are all set, you can click various images of plants and living things under the ocean by getting to various angles. Consider getting up or below your subject to capture some fine details with the benefit of the light. You will be able to get some breathtaking scenes that one would ever dream of.
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FAQ’s
What are some of the essential tips required for ocean art photography?
Some easy tips for ocean art photography are.
· Your best bet is usually a wide-angle or fish-eye lens.
· Using a quick shutter speed and a high ISO is a good idea.
· Autofocus should be avoided.
· Above the water, put all settings in order.
Is it safe to shoot underwater?
Shooting underwater has its own set of risks, so always prioritize safety. Invest in proper diving training and equipment. If you’re working with models for underwater shots, think about their safety as well: plan ahead of time and make sure you have a backup in case of a problem.