March 30th, 2010 | 
Author: Dο I need tο dο ѕοmе sort οf course tο υѕе a camera whіlе scuba diving? οr іѕ a normal PADI scuba diver certificate fine? Sounds a bit stupid..bυt thουght іt better tο qυеѕtіοn before costs £300+. Thanks!
Dο I need tο dο ѕοmе sort οf course tο υѕе a camera whіlе scuba diving? οr іѕ a normal PADI scuba diver certificate fine? Sounds a bit stupid..bυt thουght іt better tο qυеѕtіοn before costs £300+. Thanks!
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No. An underwater photography course is intended to help you learn how to take better pictures sooner, but there is no reason that you HAVE to take a course to use a camera. There are no scuba police out there verifying qualifications.
Specialty courses are designed to accelerate the learning process, but trial and error is always an option. In some cases trial & error gives the test before the lesson, but with photography generally all you are risking is taking pictures you aren’t pleased with.
Just watch your buoyancy while taking photos, many people get overly focused on the camera and lose buoyancy control.
Brilliant answer Moviebuff. But you forgot to say that PADI has a specialty course for that…..lol, PADI = Place Another Dollar In
Here’s the benefit of taking a photo class (personal experience).
If you go out there and just start shooting photos: your images will have hideous small dots in them (backscatter) and be really blue. It’s frustrating when (underwater) you reckon you’ve got this fantastic shot, but when you get back and look at the photo on your computer, there’s all this tiny dust crap all over the photo.
I can’t tell you how many students I have that come to me (after their vacation) disappointed with the experience.
A photo class will lecture you how to take photos you will be stoked about and want to share – sooner. It’s a fleeting cut around a lot of frustration. Also, your instructor can give you useful tips like:
* How to get excellent color
* Fool proof cool shots like shooting up into the sun and having a diver swim over you.
* How to maintain your gear
That said:
I second moviebuff – excellent buoyancy is very vital in photography. It’s more vital to learn that before what every widget on your camera does. Imagine yourself hovering over a reef trying to be completely still to photograph something. If your weighting is off or you find yourself constantly floating up – it’s going to ruin any chance of artistic composition.
Your instructor may include some kind of buoyancy training with the class – so be sure and question.
If you’re really strapped for cash, just buy the class materials. PADI’s Digital Underwater Photography manual is pretty detailed and comes with a white balance slate. If you don’t have the 300 quid for the total course, the book is way better than nothing.