Whether you are an experienced underwater digital photographer or just trying underwater digital photography for the first time, it is crucial to have the right equipment, accessories and knowledge to create quality images and photographs that will make your experience of underwater digital photography even more enjoyable.
TTL vs. Manual Flash: The first thing any new underwater digital photographer must decide is what type of flash metering you will need for your setup. Experienced film shooters may be comfortable using a strobe in manual metering to achieve proper image exposure. However, if you are a beginner, it is recommended that you choose a system that can perform automatic TTL flash capabilities. With automatic TTL flash, there is no need for involved trial-and-error manual flash efforts, and it increases the possibility of more “quality” shots that come from your underwater photography. There are a limited number of cameras that can perform underwater TTL flash, so it is imperative that you decide which type of flash you will be using before choosing your camera.
Camera: For any beginner, a camera that possesses 3 megapixels or higher is the best way to get started. The Olympus 3040 and the Nikon Coolpix 995 are both good choices and fall in the price range of $400 - $500. Both of these examples possess high resolutions and are capable of printing quality 8”x10” images. The Nikon Coolpix 995 also has the ability to focus down to ¾” for macro and features a TTL external flash port for the addition of a TTL external flash. For any camera that you choose, it is recommended that you spend the time and effort to search the Internet, research the capabilities and features of available digital cameras and make an informed decision in order to choose the camera that has all the features you need at the lowest possible expense.
Housing: Once you choose your camera, you must then choose a proper housing in order to transform your camera into powerful, waterproof, durable method of underwater photography. Most housings are made of clear polycarbonate and features a depth rated to 100 feet. Some housings are not compatible with TTL flash, but prove to be less expensive than their more robust, TTL flash-capable counterparts. Some housings also possess additional features, such as positioning of the LCD screen at a 45 degree angle for easier image viewing. The best method to follow while choosing a compatible housing for your camera is to choose the least expensive housing that provides the functions you want, as an average housing will last only two years.
Strobes: If you already own an existing strobe for use in your underwater photography, then it is best to select a camera that will be compatible with your existing strobe. This is a very important aspect, considering that some cameras, such as the Olympus line, do not easily match with existing equipment and must be used with Olympus-compatible strobes only. However, if you are a beginner and do not yet own any existing strobes or other equipment, then it is recommended to research thoroughly and find a strobe that is compatible with your camera choice and is the least expensive, while possessing all features that you will need.
Memory Cards: No matter your camera or other equipment choices, you will need at least one memory card for your underwater digital camera. The most important features to look for in selecting a memory card are compatibility, battery consumption and reliability. Not every memory card will work in every camera. Therefore, before purchasing any card, search on the Internet and find what memory cards are compatible with the specific camera you chose. Other factors to consider while selecting your memory card include write speed, which influences how quickly your camera saves to the card before being ready to process another shot, and card capacity, which tells how many images a memory card can hold at one time. A basic 128 megabyte card, such as the Smartmedia, will hold approximately 80 images at full resolution and is limited to 128 megabytes, while compact flash cards are available in sizes up to 1 gigabyte. Before choosing a memory card, decide which features and capabilities are most important to you and what you are looking for in your digital photography.
Possibly the most important aspect of your underwater digital photography experience is printing and processing your images. There are several options available, including printing at a photography lab and home printing. Department stores and other shops with image printing, such as Wal-Mart, are one of the best and least expensive ways of printing your digital photography. Alternatively, home printing is another affordable, fun way of printing your digital images. If you choose home printing, it is critical to have a quality printer that will print either 8.5”x11” or 13”x19” images and ideally, one that features edge-to-edge printing and separate ink tanks to avoid having to replace an entire cartridge. Another critical step in producing quality images is choosing a quality paper. The paper texture and type greatly affects the quality of your images, as well as the type of ink you choose for your printing. Research several various types of paper and ink combinations in order to find the best products that will produce quality images at the lowest expense to you.
Basic research, knowledge and cost analysis will provide you with the best underwater digital photography setup for your needs, at the lowest cost to you. Whatever equipment and system you choose, underwater digital photography will prove to be an exciting, new and fun challenge that will provide you with beautiful images and a rewarding experience that will last a lifetime.
