Creative Techniques
We often categorize underwater photography in two ways: wide angle or macro. This differentiation is useful, but slightly oversimplified. In reality, there are so many different techniques that can be utilized with either a macro or wide angle lens that an underwater photographer’s creativity will never be limited. These creative techniques are a great way to take your underwater photography to the next level.
Many of these techniques can only be achieved underwater, like split shots, shipwreck images or Snell's window. Other techniques, like black and white photography, bokeh,and silhouettes are popular among land photographers, but take on a whole new set of possibilities and challenges when used underwater. Use this series of articles written by experienced underwater photographers to go beyond the basics and learn some of the fun, creative techniques of underwater photography.
The Creative Technique guides are written by both the DPG editorial team and some of the best underwater photographer's in the world, inlcuding: Aaron Wong, Alex Mustard, David Doubilet, Jason Bradley, Keri Wilk and Martin Edge
Close focus wide angle underwater photography can be tricky at first, but once with some guidance it can be a great way to produce creative underwater images. Article by Alex Mustard
A guide to shooting over-unders / split shots, or, the half and half by David Doubilet
A guide to shooting shipwrecks by David Doubilet
A guide to shooting bokeh images underwater by Martin Edge
A guide to shooting underwater silhouette photographs
A guide to creating black & white underwater photographs by Jason Bradley
Subursts can add a lot to your image, but they can be tricky. This guide by professional photographer Aaron Wong will help you learn how to shoot into the sun
Snell's window is creative way to add that extra something to your underwater photographs. Learn how to create images with Snell's window in this article by Martin Edge.
Underwater abstracts can be challenging, but a successful one can be very rewarding. Learn how to create great underwater abstracts in this guide by Keri Wilk
Reflections are a nice creative twist to your underwater photography. Learn why they occur and how to photography them in this guide by Keri Wilk
Keri Wilk explains the secrets to using snoots in underwater photography
Adding a "human element" to your images can make a big impact
When Keri Wilk found himself without a model, he got creative the camera's self timer function and used himself as the model. Learn how he did it.
Hergen Spalink explains how to use snoots when shooting close focus wide angle underwater photography to achieve some unique and striking images
Mark Fuller explains how to master taking double or multiple exposure images
Use LED video lights for photography with "continuous lighting"
