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A handsome bullfrog stands at attention on its lilypad. Typically photographed on land, amphibians are tied to aquatic environments. As such, photographing them in or under the water brings a fresh and unique perspective
 

Underwater amphibian photography opens a fascinating window into a world that many photographers never really explore. While birds and mammals often dominate wildlife photography discussions, “herps” (reptiles and amphibians) offer an entirely different creative challenge. Photographing amphibians in their watery world requires healthy doses of patience and good fieldcraft, but the results can be remarkably compelling wildlife images.

In recent years, advancements in mirrorless camera systems and underwater housings have made amphibian photography more accessible than ever. My own setup centers around the OM System OM-1 paired with a variety of M.Zuiko lenses, with my M.Zuiko 8mm Fisheye being my preferred setup. This setup is used inside an AOI UH-OM1 II housing with a 4-inch (or 8-inch) DLP-05 glass dome port, and either the AOI UIS-P1 or AOI Q1 RC strobes. This combination provides the versatility, durability, and image quality necessary for working in challenging freshwater environments where amphibians are often found.

Another benefit of photographing amphibians underwater is that in most cases because they are found in very shallow environments, you will only require a pair of chest waders as part of your personal gear. There is really no need whatsoever to put on a mask and snorkel for underwater amphibian photography.
 

An American toad eyeballs the camera as it floats in its vernal pool. Many amphibians breed en masse during the spring and can be much more easily found and photographed during breeding season

Why Amphibians Make Exceptional Underwater Subjects

Amphibians occupy a unique ecological niche because they bridge aquatic and terrestrial worlds. Many species breed underwater, lay eggs in shallow wetlands, or spend large portions of their lives submerged. This creates opportunities for photographers to document behaviors rarely observed from above the surface.

Frogs are particularly rewarding subjects because they are highly expressive and often remain motionless long enough for carefully composed images. Their large eyes, reflective skin textures, and interactions with aquatic vegetation translate beautifully into underwater imagery.

Mudpuppies are even more intriguing. These permanently aquatic salamanders inhabit rivers and lakes throughout parts of North America and are most active in cooler water temperatures. Their feathery external gills and prehistoric appearance make them extraordinary photographic subjects. Because mudpuppies are nocturnal and often hide beneath rocks or submerged debris during the day, photographing them requires persistence and careful habitat exploration. The best time to photograph mudpuppies is under the cover of darkness during the winter months.
 

Mudpuppies are large, fully aquatic salamanders that spend their entire lives submerged. Their feathery, external gills allow them to breathe underwater. They are so cold tolerant that they can even be found active in midwinter under ice!

Choosing the Right Equipment

One of the greatest advantages of using the OM System OM-1 for underwater amphibian photography is its compact size and impressive autofocus performance. The Micro Four Thirds system also offers a depth-of-field advantage underwater. Compared to larger sensor systems, it is easier to keep both the amphibian and surrounding habitat sharper at wider apertures. This is especially important when photographing close-focus wide-angle scenes or over-unders.

Different lenses serve different purposes in amphibian photography. If I were photographing amphibians topside, I would be more prone to use a macro lens, but for underwater and over-under perspectives, I would much prefer the use of wide-angle lenses. Macro lenses will excel for capturing egg masses beneath the surface, and for close-up portraits of tadpoles and salamander larvae.

The AOI housing system offers excellent ergonomics and reliability in freshwater conditions. The 4-inch mini-dome is critical for creating dramatic over-under photographs due to the ability to get very close to the subject to ensure the subject occupies a good portion of the composition.
 

My OM System OM-1 paired with my M. Zuiko 8mm Fisheye lens in the AOI UH-OM1 II housing with the 8-inch DLP-05 glass dome port, and dual AOI UIS-P1 strobes. This dome is sometimes too large for certain freshwater environments but provides image quality benefits over the small port

The Challenge of Over-Under Frog Photography

Among the most visually striking amphibian images are over-under photographs of frogs floating at the water’s surface. These split-level images combine two worlds into a single frame, often showing a frog resting among lilypads above water while its submerged body and underwater habitat remain visible below.

Creating successful over-under amphibian images requires calm water, good light, and careful composition. Early morning is often ideal because wind conditions tend to be minimal, creating smoother water surfaces that make split shots easier to manage.

During the spring breeding season, it is often more suitable to photograph the over-under scenes during the evening hours. Frogs and toads will congregate in large numbers at vernal ponds at night to chorus and breed. These wetland habitats can often be messy, so I tend to opt for the use of my smaller AOI Q1 RC strobes as they are easier to position among wetland elements to create successful compositions.
 

An American toad sings his heart out, hoping to attract a mate. Small dome ports can be invaluable for creating over-under images of small subjects in shallow water as they are more maneuverable than a large dome and you can get physically closer to your subject
 

While larger dome ports are beneficial because they help maintain a cleaner separation between air and water across the frame, they unfortunately mean that you cannot get quite as close to the subject as you would be able to with a small mini-dome. Positioning becomes extremely important as well.

Exposure balancing at night never seems to be much of a problem. I often use TTL exposure as this exposes the underwater elements and the frog sufficiently. Since it is night, the background can naturally remain dark. During daylight hours, the underwater elements will be darker than the topside scene, so balancing the strobes with the ambient light needs a little more care. Patience is perhaps the most important ingredient. Although they are often cooperative, frogs do tend to frequently shift position, so photographers may spend long periods quietly waiting for the perfect composition.
 

Lighting Techniques Underwater

Freshwater environments can present difficult lighting conditions due to suspended sediment, tannins, algae, and low visibility. Proper strobe placement helps minimize backscatter and enhances detail without creating an artificial appearance.

For amphibians, softer lighting often works best because it preserves the natural mood of the environment. I always use diffusers on my strobes to achieve a more pleasing light. The diffusers will also help reduce the flash-generated spectral highlights that can occur on amphibians’ skin. Positioning strobes outward rather than directly at the subject helps reduce reflections from suspended particles.
 

A portrait of a handsome mudpuppy. Lighting in murky freshwater environments can be a challenge as backscatter and tight space can become hurdles to overcome for quality images.

Ethical Considerations

Amphibians are highly sensitive animals, and ethical practices should always guide underwater photography. Many amphibian populations face pressures from habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease. Minimizing disturbance is essential.

Photographers should never handle subjects, never remove animals from breeding sites unnecessarily, and take care not to damage aquatic vegetation or egg masses. When photographing mudpuppies beneath rocks or logs, all habitat features should be returned exactly as they were found.

Limiting strobe intensity and avoiding repeated close-range flashes can also help reduce stress on subjects. The best images come from allowing amphibians to behave naturally rather than attempting to manipulate the scene.
 

Amphibians are among the most sensitive groups of animals on Earth. While they are hardy in general, they are incredibly sensitive to infections through the skin or tears from handling

Seasonal Opportunities

Spring is one of the best times for amphibian photography, because many frogs gather in shallow wetlands to breed. Calling males, mating pairs, and egg-laying behavior provide outstanding photographic opportunities. Another benefit with photographing frogs and toads during the spring breeding season is that it will often allow us to photograph other species such as the common snapping turtle that will migrate to the breeding pools to feast on the amphibians and their eggs.

Summer offers excellent conditions for over-under frog photography as aquatic vegetation becomes lush and ponds teem with life. Bullfrogs can often be photographed with the split technique using ambient light, as they often rest on lilypads during sunny days. I have had good success photographing over-under bullfrogs using an older setup that incorporated a Nikon D500 with a Laowa 15mm Macro lens. The drawback to this setup is the meniscus will not be as defined as it would be using a fisheye lens with a mini-dome.

I find autumn is a less productive time, as many amphibians are less active due to colder temperatures associated with mornings and evenings. Winter, however, can be most productive for mudpuppy photography, particularly in clear rivers and lakes where cooler water temperatures increase activity levels. Because mudpuppies remain active year round, exploring shallow open-water sections of flowing streams at night can yield experiences and imagery that is rarely witnessed by most people.
 

Spring and early summer are peak times for amphibian activity. As weather warms, amphibians thaw and begin breeding. Wildlife in general is much easier to approach and photograph when all hopped up on hormones!

Final Thoughts

The most successful amphibian images often go beyond simple portraits. They tell stories about fragile ecosystems and hidden underwater worlds that many viewers never realize exist. Over-under frog images reveal the delicate connection between aquatic and terrestrial environments, while mudpuppy portraits showcase a species that few people ever encounter.

Using the OM System OM-1 and my M.Zuiko 8mm Fisheye lens with my AOI underwater system has allowed me to document these remarkable amphibians in ways that were difficult to achieve only a few years ago. Compact mirrorless systems now provide exceptional image quality while remaining maneuverable enough for wetlands, rivers, and shallow ponds where amphibians thrive.

Underwater amphibian photography combines technical challenges, natural history, and artistic creativity into one rewarding pursuit. Whether photographing frogs and toads in over-under scenarios or a mudpuppy gliding silently through a rocky stream, every excursion into the amphibian world offers the possibility of discovering something extraordinary.
 

A parting image of a mudpuppy. While many underwater photographers have a tendency to overlook amphibians, they are truly remarkable creatures that can make for some amazing and memorable underwater pictures
 

To see more of Andrew’s fantastic work, please give him a follow on Instagram and visit his website, www.andrewmclachlan.ca. Make sure to check out the DPG Photographer of the Week article on Andrew as well.