Guide to Underwater Photography and Recommended Editing Software

Underwater photography is about capturing memories of your incredible diving encounters. Imagine experiencing your first encounter with a Whale Shark or Manta Ray and not having a camera to capture that amazing memory? That’s why we highly recommend investing in a camera and taking it on all your diving adventures! Within this blog you’ll discover how to become a better underwater photographer and our recommended underwater photography editing software. 

Invest in a High-Quality Camera

Our number one tip for beginner underwater photographers is to invest in a good-quality camera. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want something that’s simple, easy to use and takes excellent-quality shots. That’s why we have no difficulty in recommending the Sealife Micro 3.0 Underwater Camera. Read the Sealife Underwater Camera Review here to find out more about this camera, its quality, features and usability. 

Invest in a High-Quality Strobe 

Another essential factor for producing high-quality photography is investing in a strobe as they can make a huge impact on the photo quality. A strobe helps introduce more light, therefore bringing more of its true colours of the subject and reducing the blues/greens. 

Check out our range of underwater camera strobes on our website. 

Perfect Your Buoyancy 

To ensure that you don’t bump into anything when you’re concentrating on taking pictures, make sure that you’re buoyancy control is on point before you do so. By maintaining your buoyancy, you’re less likely to touch the reefs surrounding you when taking photos. Make sure that you are aware of your surroundings when snapping shots. Make sure you breathe properly and adjust your weights and BCD air accordingly. 

If you need tips and advice on proper buoyancy control, make sure to check out our blog on Tips and Advice on Proper Buoyancy Control.  

Learn How to Use Your Camera 

Before you take your camera diving, first learn how to use it properly and learn more about its features. Familiarise yourself with the main controls, and test the different settings. Practice taking pictures on land before taking them in the water. 

Get Close to The Subject

By getting closer to your subject, the better your photos will turn out, even if you’re using a strobe. Getting as close as possible to your subject point will allow your photos to become crisper and clearer. Yes, zooming is also an option too, but it still won’t be as good as it would be if you went closer to the subject. The further you are away from the subject, the more blue/green your images will come out. 

Remember - the closer the better. 

The Shallower, The Better

Natural lighting is the best lighting. Shooting in shallower water and where the light penetrates the ocean always produces the best photos. Working with natural light and taking photos in shallower waters leaves you with vibrant, true colours to work with. If you don't have a strobe yet, then start shooting in shallower waters so you can get used to working with your camera. Once you’ve invested in a strobe, then you can start taking photos at deeper depths.  

Top Editing Programmes For Underwater Photography

There are many cool editing photo apps and programmes for both desktops and phones that can enhance and edit your underwater photos. Here are a few of my top choices and go-to's that I use to edit my underwater photography. 

Top Choice: Adobe Lightroom 

Adobe Lightroom is my ultimate and all-time favourite photo editing app. With so many options, features and colour-correcting options, this has to be the most effective photo app that I have used to edit my underwater photos. This programme also has the option to create presets, so that you can use the same filter across different photos with just a press of a button - therefore saving you so much editing time when you’re editing 1000+ photos from your diving holiday. 

However, there is more of a learning curve for using Adobe Lightroom as it has so many options, tools and effects. But it’s undoubtedly my go-to when editing my underwater photos. 

Other Underwater Photo Editing Programmes 

• Dive+: With state-of-the-art colour correction tools, this free photo editing app (with paid options) is perfect for editing all your underwater photography.
• Apple Photos: Another free app that’s available to iOS users only (sorry Android users). This app is perfect for beginners and great for colour correcting and auto-enhancing.
• Vivid-Pix: This app has developed a custom formula for adjusting the colour, contrast, sharpness and brightness of underwater photos.

Final Thoughts 

If you have any questions about underwater photography, the Sealife Underwater Camera, or need tips and advice, please email us at support@mikesdivestore.com where we have a team of scuba diving professionals. Or if you live locally or in the surrounding areas of London, pop in and come visit us in-store.