INITIAL SETTINGS FOR MY NIKON D300

Many times I've had a new underwater photographer ask me what settings I use on my Nikon D300. Before I install my camera in my housing I decide what lens I'm going to use. I then configure the camera as listed bellow and setup my entire rig.

Don't forget...Take about a dozen test shots to make sure everything works!!!

Initial Camera settings for 18-55 mm & 18-70 mm lens

Nikon 18-55mm lenses

8” dome port

·         Manual mode on – A Must!!

·         ISO = 100 or 200

·         Use 1/100th

·         F-Stop =   See below for how settings effect shot

§  F8 for normal pictures

§  F11 for Close up

·         Set focus to Maximum number of focus points

·         Set Metering to Matrix setting

Changes in aperture and how the effect the shot.

Larger Aperture setting F2.8 – Heavily blurs the background (good for Macro)

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Starting point setting of F8 – Maximum all round sharpness

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Smaller aperture setting F22 – More depth of Field more in focus

How to stop your housing from fogging

Many new Underwater Photographers have asked me over the years how I keep my housing from fogging while down in the Islands.

1. The most important thing is to always assemble your camera the night before you dive, in that nice room with AC. This allows the camera and housing to stay at the same temperature.
2. Insert a small package of desiccant in the housing bellow the camera mount. You can find these at most shoe or clothing stores.  
3. Cover your camera with a towel while on the dive boat, avoid direct sun!
4. Try to avoid opening your housing while on the boat. If your batteries wont last then buy an air hose adapter for your regulator so you can blow the water off.
5. Remember the sun is your enemy so cover your baby up!

Basic Underwater Photography Tips

Basic Underwater Photo and Video shooting Tips

These are the "traditional" underwater photography tips everyone should know

#1 - Get close to your subject - preferably within 12 inches. Water reduces color, contrast, and sharpness.

#2 - Make sure your camera flash is turned on, preferable in "forced flash mode."

Helpful Resources for a Beginner

Helpful Resources for Beginner Photographers

Basics


If you are just starting out, review the Underwater Photography Basics

Here is an explanation of lens terms such as focal length, zoom, macro, wide-angle, and telephoto. Here's camera terms - shutter, f-stop, aperture, white-balance, and more.

Now that you know the basics, welcome to the world of underwater photography! This section is a “quick start” guide for those of you new to underwater photography. Once you’ve done a couple dives, and read your camera manual, you can take time to read the rest of this guide. The “underwater camera settings” chapter, the beginning of “Underwater Composition”, the beginning of the “Lighting and Strobes” section, Compact cameras underwater, and “Underwater Photo Tips” will be most relevant for a first-time underwater photographer.

How to take the best underwater photos

 Everyone always asks me how did you get so good at underwater photography? I have to say that a lot of what I learned was trial and error and some great friends along the way giving me tips. I started out with a film camera and took dozens of pictures while on the trip. I would get home and out of a hundred or more shots maybe 20 were keepers!! That's when I spent hours learning about my camera rig and how to make those pictures count. 
     
   When digital came along life was good but holly crap were there ten million adjustments to make!! I found that to really know my RIG I had to use it and use it a lot. So with camera in the housing and strobes attached, off to the basement I went... YES, THE BASEMENT! What better place to simulate the underwater experience than in a true low light environment. I proceeded to take thousands of pictures at what I thought were the best settings. Then I would take the same picture again on a setting bellow and one above until I found out what my Nikon's sweet spot was for each type of shot. I kept at it until like magic one day everything came together. I created a cheat sheet for myself with what are my all round best settings for each lens and I still use it today.