Shooting Seascapes - Underwater Photography with Mathieu Meur

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe

Mathieu Meur is author of a number of books on underwater photography and will be conducting photography workshops as part of the 2011 Underwater Festival 2-11 September 2011.

As divers, we often come across majestic or stunning underwater sceneries that we would like to share with others back on the surface. Attempts at capturing images of this beauty are often disappointing. Here are some tips on how to maximise your chances:

1. Time the image capture right. Observe the natural rhythm of the reef, the movement of light, the dance of fish, and only press the shutter when all these elements comes together.
2. Look for flowing lines. Placing the “horizon” straight across the frames only results in flat images. Instead, look for diagonals, or place the horizon about a third of the way up in the image.
3. Increase the depth of the image. Seascape often look flat. Make use of subjects in different planes near and far to give depth to your images. If nothing stands out, use your buddy!
4. Use strong colour and contrast to generate interest in the image. Seascapes often lack definite or obvious focal points. This techniques helps counter this issue. Try and work in shallow waters, where contrast is greater and colours are stronger. Alternatively, try shooting with filters to improve colour depth and create stronger images.

   

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