UnderWater photography?

Hardware-wise, there’s Sea and Sea, and then there’s the fates.

Lots of good dives between you and Turkey.

Are you more interested in archaeological dives or nature/environment?

Many thanks Will. This inquiry is for my sister-in-law, who is an aspiring underwater photographer, myself I’m not really into it.. Thanks again A

It’s a whole different world, Ahikam, from being on top. I have never mastered it (though I am open water certified). I do know that you need an excellent flash system on what you shoot, and that when you are shooting your dive becomes a very different experience.

Perhaps the leading photo store in the USA selling gear, giving instruction and arranging tours is Underwater Photo-Tek at this address: http://www.uwphoto.com/ I know theyare a useful resource and very Internet-savvy. It is a dealer that she should know about.

Underwater photography can be simple or complicated. Learn before you buy, and don’t listen to people who say you must have this or that piece of expensive kit. I dabble in diving instruction, technical diving and uw photography. Some of my best-selling uw images are shot with cheapish compacts in available light. Like everywhere else it’s the photographer, not the camera.

Neal, thanks a lot for your advise, I’ll give it a look and forward this to her.

Morten, true words.. Cheers Ahikam

Ahikan, if you want I can put you in contact with a guy I know from Eilat, he does it a lot I think.

Morton, I agree that it is the shooter who determines everything. But a pinhole camera does limit the shooter’s options.

So too with underwater equipment. Some point and shoot cameras can do very well underwater, just like on land. I’ve never used a SLR or DSLR underwater.

But a good flash underwater will make a world of difference in what you can shoot. It does not have to be the most expensive…Sea and Sea’s moderately-priced line of flash equipment does fine in many instances. But, Ahikam, if your sister-in-law is even half-way serious about underwater photography, she needs a decent flash.

(This from a guy who has spent a lot of money to avoid using flash when shooting on terra firma!)

Neal,
There will always be kit that pushes boundaries for what you can shoot. Yes, if you want classic, colourful Geographic-style uw photos at depths of more than a few meters, you will need not one but several remote controlled powerful flashes and a good SLR in an even better housing. I have those, I have tiny compacts in housings, and pretty much everything in between. None are any good if you don’t know how to use them well, and how to dive well.
As for flashes on terra firma, I don’t even know where mine are..

Morten, Neal, thanks again for your insights on this. I guess she should have a decent system, and the rest is up to her. She has the passion, which is why I try to help her.

Gidi, would be good to have your contact in Eilat, so thanks plenty. Ahikam