5 Ideas for What to Photograph Underwater

When it comes to taking underwater images and choosing subjects, some are much more difficult to shoot. Some creatures, like bigger sharks, require good lighting, wide-angle lenses, and a host of other logistics to produce high-quality images. So, what are five subjects that are easy to photograph but still produce some stunning images?

The criteria we have selected for these image categories is the ease of taking the images. We looked at subjects that were easy and simple to shoot. In fact, some can be done while snorkeling. All you need to do is grab your mask and snorkel, and Underwater iPhone case, and you are set and on your way to producing some stunning images.

Nudibranchs

One of the easiest yet most colorful creatures to snap is the tiny nudibranch. These stunning creatures are some of the most colorful critters you can find in our oceans. Furthermore, they have two qualities that make them the ideal photo subjects for any budding underwater photographer, whether they are using a high-end camera or a phone in an underwater case.

First, they are slow and don’t move very far. This lets you settle and take your time to get the perfect shot. In addition, since they don’t move very fast or far, you have the time to experiment, take various shots, change your settings until you can dial in the perfect shot.

Secondly, the vast majority of nudibranchs tend to live in shallow waters; you hardly need to dive beyond 60ft/18m to capture almost every critter imaginable. In fact, if you only ever dive up to 10m/30ft. You would have a lifetime of subject to chase, catch, and shoot and would still have plenty left over.

These two factors make Nudibranchs the perfect subject for many photographers. And if you are looking for the perfect starting subject, then you can't really go wrong with the humble Nudibranch. Just be careful. Chasing nudes can be addictive, and you end up only taking images of these little critters.

Jellyfish Are Perfect To Photograph Underwater

Jellyfish are about as close as you will get to taking pictures of aliens. In fact, if you do some research, you will find that Jellyfish and their translucent qualities were the main inspiration for alien creatures in many science fiction films. This is no surprise, and nature has been providing cinematographers with inspiration for decades. In fact, the second mouth of the Alien in the Alien films was inspired by a moray, which has a pharyngeal jaw with a set of teeth.

Getting back to Jellyfish, they make for amazing photo candidates and have inspired multiple filmmakers. According to director James Cameron, several creatures in the movie series Avatar were inspired by Jellyfish.

One of the most interesting features of jellyfish images is that you can often be confused about whether the image is real or fake since they are so odd in some situations. Take the following image of three Jellyfish. They are stunning and colorful; at first, you are not sure whether these are jellyfish or screenshots from a science fiction film.

It is only after you have a closer look that you realize these are simply some pretty typical jellyfish, and there is nothing alien or extraordinary about them. While our next subject could not be confused with an alien, it is still nonetheless impressive. This creature is beautiful and hangs in the water. This allows you to take your time and play with your camera settings.

Due to the single-color background, you have multiple options. You can create an image that highlights the animal in its natural environment. Additionally, by playing with your shutter speed and aperture, you can create an image of the animal against a black background. This makes it “pop” and is often used in award-winning photos.

Human Made Structures to Photograph Underwater

Man-made structures can be very evocative when composing underwater images. While an image of a discarded tire or sunken piece of trash is underwhelming, images of much larger structures can be impressive.

Take, for instance, the image below of a drowned WWII fighter plane with the sun shining and cutting through the water in the background. Looking at this image, you wonder about the courage of the pilot and the tragedy that did or did not befall him. The image is a piece of history.

Staying with a military theme, the deck gun of a wreck also makes an amazing picture. Seeing images of human structures evokes feelings about the people and stories surrounding these structures and how they came to lie at the bottom of the sea.

You can also find images of the bow of a wreck as divers approach it. These images also convey a lot of feelings as you see the wreck emerge from the gloom of the sea. However, it is not all about the sunken wrecks and tragedy. Shooting images of things from underwater often creates a new perspective and makes the image inherently interesting.

Search for an image of a pier from underwater, and you can see the interest; the shadows and light between the feet make the image intense and attractive. Staying with the theme, the silhouette of the boat from underneath also makes for a stunning image, especially when juxtaposed against a stunning sunny tropical surface.

Over Under Shots

If you are looking for stunning shots that are super easy to take, then look no further than over-under shots. These are not images of the ocean surface and Sky taken with the camera in the water. Even when there are no subjects in the image, a simple image of water, air, sky, and sun makes a stunning mix and is beautiful regardless of any subject.

Even when a subject is not particularly interesting as a stand-alone subject, the image creates its own interest due to the juxtaposition of the two mediums: air and water. For instance, take the image of a young man in a pool below.

This is a very interesting image due to the subject’s change in size, the change from air to water, and the interplay between the buildings and the water. In terms of shooting opportunities, it does not get much easier than this type of image. You only need a pool, some goggles, or a scuba diving dive mask, and you are set to go.

Nature Subjects Are Even Better

While a pool is fun, it is not as pretty as taking some truly stunning wildlife images. Having an image of a reef underwater and a tropical destination above the water makes for one of the most interesting contrasts in underwater photography.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you can place a subject like a turtle, shark, or ray of some variety at the center of your image. Your picture skills are rapidly developing, and you're moving into the realm of experts. Nothing makes a striking image like an over-under shot with an impressive marine creature in focus at the heart of the image.

Reefscapes

Large panoramic reefscapes can make for some really cool images. Beautiful corals, small, stunning fish, lights and shadows, and, if you are lucky, beams of sunlight all combine to make reefscapes gorgeous, stunning photo subjects.

What is even better is that you can generally shoot really good reefscape images without much additional camera gear and lenses. Sure, some professionals will choose a wide-angle lens to get that amazing shot, but you don’t need it.  

Simply step back a fin kick or two, and you will be able to capture the scope of the image you need without an additional lens. When it comes to shooting reefscapes it is best to shoot in a slightly upward angle. This angle tends to create the best pictures, and if you can get the sunlight at the right angle, lighting up the reef, the images are truly spectacular. Join the #ProShotAdventure Coral Conservation Photo Contest!

Capture the stunning beauty of underwater corals and make a lasting impact on ocean conservation! We're excited to launch the #ProShotAdventure photo contest in collaboration with Reefscapers, a leading marine consultancy dedicated to restoring coral reefs in the Maldives since 2005. Utilizing a pioneering coral frame technique, Reefscapers significantly increases coral cover and enhances the biodiversity of coral reefs, making their program one of the most successful marine conservation efforts globally.How to Participate:

1. Share Your Photos: Post your best underwater shots on Instagram using #ProShotAdventure and tag @proshotcase.

2. Tag Your Dive Buddies: Tag 3 friends in the comments section of our contest posts. For every 5 comments from different accounts, we'll donate $5 to adopt a coral frame with Reefscapers.

3. Earn Bonus Points: Post more frequently to earn bonus points! Each post contributes to more coral adoptions with Reefscapers and helps restore and conserve coral reefs.

About Reefscapers: Their innovative approach involves attaching coral fragments to specially designed metal frames, which are then placed on the seabed. This method not only promotes rapid coral growth but also provides a stable structure for marine life to thrive. Over the years, Reefscapers has planted thousands of coral frames, leading to the rejuvenation of vast reef areas that had been previously damaged.Contest Guidelines:

• Follow @reefscapersmaldives & @proshotcase on Instagram to stay updated and connected.

• Post a Photo: Share your best underwater photo using #ProShotAdventure and tag @proshotcase.

• Prizes: Winners will have the opportunity to sponsor coral frames under their name and receive exciting gear from ProShotCase.

Why Participate?

Every photo you share supports Reefscapers' mission to plant and conserve coral reefs. Let's dive in, share our underwater adventures, and contribute to a healthier ocean ecosystem! 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, it's nice to have thousands of dollars worth of camera gear and lenses to create stunning underwater images. However, these tend to be complex and complicated, with steep learning curves to be able to produce truly remarkable images.

Fortunately, today, there are many more affordable camera options, including using your iPhone with an underwater dive case. Combine that with the amazing power of the iPhone camera. The lack of a learning curve since you are already familiar with your phone, and you are well on the way to producing some stunning images with a phone you use regularly.

While images of whales and sharks and other high-octane encounters are exciting and great, they are incredibly difficult to take and require lots of specialist gear. However, all the five types of images mentioned above are easy to shoot using any camera and can result in some stunning images. So happy shooting!