Scuba Diving Equipment in Virginia: Underwater Camera Systems

As I mentioned last week, one of the things that I like best about SCUBA diving is being able to take photographs underwater.  I love photography in general and Underwater Photography makes scuba diving that much more fun.  It allows me to relive my SCUBA diving vacations over and over again.  This week we will look at the different types of underwater camera systems that are available to us today.

In the past we were limited to film cameras for any type of photography, whether on land or underwater.  The advances in digital photography has been a major benefit for underwater photography, making it easier than ever to get incredible colors and vibrant photographs. You can also take lots of pictures on a single dive rather than being limited to one roll of film. There are three basic types of cameras that are used for underwater photography:

The Simplest is the Point and Shoot Camera: These are compact cameras that are easy-to-use.  Point & Shoot cameras are designed for casual pictures of friends, families and events. These are the least expensive cameras.

The Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera (Digital SLR) is for the diver who is relatively serious about photography. The cameras have multiple lenses you can choose from and other accessories. These are the most expensive cameras.

The Full Feature Camera bridge the gap between point-and-shoot and Digital -SLR by offering a moderately compact, easy-to-use camera with many (but not all) the features of a Digital SLR. This camera tends to be much less expensive than Digital SLR, but more expense than point-and-shoot camera.  The Sealife Underwater Camera is a good example of this type.

All of these cameras are dependent on an underwater housing to protect them.  Many cameras are available that are supposedly waterproof and some are even made for snorkeling.  None of these, however, are suitable for scuba diving.  A good waterproof housing is a must and can often cost as much or even more then the camera does.  Among the best underwater camera housings are the Ikelite Underwater Camera Housings.

Manual White Balance Correction: White balance is how your camera reads the color of your subject and its surroundings.  By adjusting the white balance you can control the correctness and brightness of the colors in your photograph.  Since colors are often filtered out underwater, being able to adjust your white balance allows you to capture more realistic color and detail in your photographs.

External Flash Capability: Light and color are both lost underwater.  The ability to add extra light will greatly enhance your underwater photographs.  Even though most cameras have a built in flash, it is not very bright.  An external strobe will provide far greater detail and color.

Full Control Access: Your camera has a host of controls to allow you to adjust your photographic settings as needed.  Some underwater camera housing only allow you to take the picture.  Have buttons or tabs on the back of the camera housing to access these controls will allow you many more options when taking underwater photographs.

Wide Angle Lens Ability: The closer you can get to your subject the clearer your underwater photograph will be.  A wide angle lens gets you closer adding more detail and color to your photographs. Digital SLR cameras allow you to adjust your camera lens ratio.  The dome port on the front of your housing must be large enough to allow the SLR lens to move in or out.   Most point and shoot and most full featured cameras do not have this ability.  If the housing can accept a wide angle lens on the front, it will allow the photographer to accomplish the same thing.

Underwater Camera Buying Tips: When selecting an underwater camera select one that can grow with you as you progress in your underwater picture taking ability.  Having the capability to add an additional feature. like  a second strobe or an extra lens or filter will allow you to increase your ability without having to invest in an entirely new system.

The PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course is a great way of learning how to use your equipment safely while Scuba Diving.  The next most important thing is to get out and dive and take pictures.   At Aquatic Adventures in Alexandria Virginia we offer this course year round, and it is particularly popular on our Scuba Diving Vacation Trips.  You will be surprised at how good you can become with practice.

SCUBA Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia – Underwater Cameras

One of the things that I like best about SCUBA diving is being able to take photographs underwater.  I love photography in general and Underwater Photography makes scuba diving that much more fun.  It allows me to relive my SCUBA diving vacations over and over again.  In order to become an Underwater Photographer you first have to get certified as a SCUBA Diver.  In this area you would start by finding a Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy a Dive Center in Northern Virginia. Aquatic Adventures offers both Scuba Classes in Northern Virginia and Scuba Dive Equipment in Northern Virginia.

Once you are Certified as a SCUBA Diver you can start taking underwater photographs right away.  However, some additional Scuba Diving Skills will come in handy.  PADI Specialty Scuba Diver Courses like the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy which will help improve you buoyancy in the water allowing you to take better photographs without stirring up the bottom.  Needless to say other courses like PADI Underwater Digital Photography will also allow you to learn to take underwater photographs safely and to prevent common underwater photography mistakes.

Now that you have obtained your SCUBA Certification and have taken some PADI Specialty Diver Courses you are ready to start taking photographs underwater.  Good underwater photographs start with good underwater cameras.   Selecting your underwater camera or camera system is not overly difficult.  Locally you find a Dive Center in Northern Virginia like Aquatic Adventures that not only carries Dive Equipment but underwater cameras and underwater camera systems but understands them and can help you and answer you questions regarding both the cameras and underwater photography in general, and will be able to pass on some tips enabling you to take better underwater photographs.

Underwater Photography is simple to do and easy to get started with.  You can start with a housed camera like the Sealife DC-1400 underwater camera and housing which will allow you to start taking underwater photographs almost immediately.   The Sealife DC-1400 is a 14 megapixel camera with a matched underwater housing.  It is rated to a depth of 200 feet.  The camera is capable of both underwater photographs and underwater HD Video.  As you gain expertise you can add an underwater strobe light and or a wide angle lens to allow you to get closer and thus have more color in your underwater photographs.  You can also start off with a complete underwater camera system like the Sealife DC-1400 Elite Camera System, which contains the camera, housing, strobe and wide angle lens in a deluxe carry bag.

Another option is the Sealife Mini II underwater camera.  This is a 9 mega pixel camera with a rugged exterior that is also rated to a depth of 200 feet.  This camera also allows the user to take both underwater photographs and underwater HD video.  This camera is also great for back packing or kayaking.

Which ever way you choose the next thing to do is go diving and start taking underwater photographs.  The more you take the better underwater photographer you will become.  Next we will look at the different type of underwater camera systems.

Some of the best opportunities to take underwater photos is on one of Aquatic Adventures Scuba Diving Trips.  Your next Aquatic Adventure starts here.

Scuba Diving Lessons in Northern Virginia: Digital Underwater Photography Specialty Course

Underwater photography is one of the most popular diving specialties, and the rise of digital underwater photography has made it easier and more fun than ever. The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course gets you going quickly with today modern digital equipment. Whether you use a point-and-shoot fixed lens camera, an adjustable focal length compact camera, or a sophisticated Digital SLR camera like the professional underwater photographers use, you can be taking beautiful under photographs in no time at all.

During the Course You Wil Learn

• How to choose the appropriate underwater camera system for you needs
• The PADI SEA method for getting great shots quickly
• The three primary principles for good underwater photos
• Tips for editing and saving your underwater photographs

Types of Digital Underwater Cameras:

The simplest camera is the fixed focal length camera.  This camera comes with a lens that is simply a point and shoot.  You cannot adjust the focal length, which makes it very easy to use in exchange for somewhat limiting the photos you can take.  This camera can come in its own waterproof housing or be placed in a commercial housing for underwater use.  It usually has a small built in strobe that has limited range underwater.

The compact adjustable focal length compact camera is very popular for underwater photography.  This type of camera often allows both still photography and video.  The housing can be part of the unit like the Sealife Mini Underwater Camera or a separate unit.  The Sealife DC-14oo is an example of a very good camera that can be taken out of the housing and used on land.  Prices for these two types can run from $139.95 to $599.95 or higher.  These cameras have a built in strobe and be also be used with an external strobe for greater lighting options.  The Sealife Digital Strobe is a very popular option of this type.  These are probably the most popular of the underwater cameras used today.

The Digital SLR Camera is a Custom Underwater Housing in the most sophisticated of the underwater camera systems.  This system allows the diver to select a very high quality camera for the utmost in photographic equipment.  The underwater housing is custom made to utilize all the features of this type of camera.  This is  by far the most expensive of the choices.  The camera and the housing can each cost well over $1000.00.  A custom lighting system will further add to the cost of this system.

The PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course

The PADI Digital UW Photography Course consists of both classroom sessions and two open water dives.   The first session is to go over the academic material and discuss proper camera use and equipment options.  The second class is ideally done after the dives so that the photographs can be looked at and suggestions for photographic technique and editing can be discussed.  The required student kit includes a digital photography manual and slate to use when adjusting white balance underwater.

The PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course is not only fun and informative but will pay dividends every time you take underwater photographs by giving you some lasting memories of your great Aquatic Adventures.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care & Maintenance

Everyone loves to have photographs to help remember those great times.  Scuba diving is no exception and if you are like me you even enjoy underwater photography almost as much as the scuba diving vacation itself.  At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Alexandria Virginia, we offer underwater photography courses on all of our Dive Center sponsored Dive Trips.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care Well Prior to Your Scuba Diving Vacation Trip

Just like you regular scuba diving equipment your underwater camera needs some regular maintenance and care.  Well prior to your trip you need to make sure that your camera and your underwater camera housing are intact and working properly.  This will give you ample time to obtain repairs or replacements prior to your scuba diving vacation trip.

Make sure that the camera functions properly and that you have an ample supply of batteries or extra rechargeable batteries for your dive vacation.   Very carefully remove the camera “O” ring.  You can use a plastic credit card if needed but do not use any metal pics that can scratch the “O” ring groove or the “O” ring itself.  Carefully inspect your camera housing “O” rings for wear.  Replace them if necessary.  Inspect your underwater camera strobe to make sure that it functions properly and that any cables are intact.

Underwater Photography: Camera Care Just Before Your Scuba Travel

Immediately prior to your scuba diving vacation clean your camera housing thoroughly.  Do this while relaxed at home rather then just prior to your scuba dives to prevent errors from rushing or excitement.  Remove the “O” Ring and lightly lubricate it if the manufacturer specifies that it be lubricated.  Some underwater cameras use “O” rings that do not have to be lubricated.  If it does use very little lubrication – only enough to moisten the “O” ring not grease it up.  It should not feel greasy but have a light shine to it.  Too much silicone lubricant can attract grit or sand which can cause the housing to leak.

Use a cotton tip applicator to clean the “O” ring groove.  Use a clean soft lens cloth to clean the camera port both inside and out.  Make sure that dust, lint and finger prints are removed from both the lens port and strobe port.  Protect you camera housing with a protective coat of UV Tech or something similar.  This puts a very thin layer of preservative on the outside of the housing and helps protect the housing from sand and salt residue.

Underwater Photography: Test The Camera

Once you have completed the appropriate service you will want to test the camera housing.  Put a paper towel inside the the housing and submerge it inside a bath tub or swimming pool.  The paper towel will absorb any leakage and it will be readily visible.  If it does not leak you are good to go at this point.  If there is any leakage at all you need to check and find the cause.  I will even test a brand new camera housing just to be on the safe side, before diving with the unit.

Underwater Photography: Traveling With Your Camera

If you underwater camera system is very large then you will want to house and protect it with a hard sided locked case.  If it is smaller the preferred method of travel is to carry the underwater camera system on board the airplane with you to prevent it from being banged around.  I usually with check my underwater camera strobe but always carry the underwater camera and housing on board with me.

Underwater Photograph: If the Worst Happens

In the event that you should experience a leak in your camera system during a scuba dive keep the underwater camera system pointed down.  This keeps the electronics higher and possibly dry.  Surface immediately, making sure that you complete your safety stop, etc.  Once you are out of the water remove the camera from the underwater housing and remove all batteries and the SD Memory Card.  Dry your camera and keep it in a cool air conditioned environment.  Once it is dried it may, if you are very lucky still work.  If not it may need to be repaired by the manufacturer or even replaced.  If you send it back to the manufacturer they may offer you a special replacement price should it not be repairable.

Underwater Photography: Avoid Camera Mistakes & Be A Ecological Photographer

Check out my article Avoiding Underwater Photography Mistakes for some helpful suggestions.   Being an underwater photography also carries a responsibility of being careful and ecologically minded.  For some suggestions check out the article Ten Environmentally Friendly Tips for Underwater Photography.

Underwater Photography: Learn the Right Way

Taking the PADI Underwater Photography or PADI Digital Underwater Photography Courses will help you learn camera basics in a safe and controlled manner.  You will learn many techniques to improve your photography and camera handling.  By taking the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course you will learn to better control your buoyancy thus improving your buoyancy and underwater photography as the same time.  The best way to learn is to practice and there is no better place to learn then on your next great Aquatic Adventures.

Scuba Diving Equipment: Underwater Photography & Underwater Camera Mistakes

At Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, a Dive Center in Northern Virginia, one of the most popular PADI Specialty Diver Courses, is Underwater Photography.  Previously we talked about getting started in underwater photography and what to look for in an underwater camera system.  Today we will look at underwater camera mistakes that can spoil your underwater photos and perhaps ruin your entire vacation.

Not Having Good Buoyancy Control: Having good buoyancy control is the first and foremost skill necessary for good photography.  Fast jerky movements through the water scares fish away, makes your camera move causing blurred images, silts the bottom causing backscatter in your photos and is just plain bad diving technique.  An excellent PADI Specialty Diver Course that will help with your buoyancy is the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Course.

Using Your Hands to Guide You (Sculling): Many divers have reasonable good buoyancy control but try to fine tune their position in the water by moving their hands.  This is known as “sculling.” It is not only poor diving technique but the water movement scares the fish and creates water movement that chases away other photographic subjects such as plume worms and Christmas tree worms.

Being Too Far from your Subject: Water absorbs the suns rays very quickly.  Consequently color is lost at depth.  If you take your photos from three to four feet from you subject you will be able to use the internal flash on your camera to bring out the best color of your photographic subject.  Further than four feet and your photos will most likely come out in a monochromatic blue and white.

Opening your Camera Housing on the Boat: You should always seal your camera into its housing, while you are still in your hotel room.  Most hotel rooms are air conditioned, which is low on humidity and puts less moisture in the housing when you seal it.  If you open the housing on the boat there is a lot of humidity in the air and you seal that in the housing when you close it.  Humidity in the housing will cause your camera lens to fog in the water, dulling your photographs.

Not Anticipating the Digital Delay: Most digital cameras have a slight delay in taking the picture from when you press the shutter release, often resulting in a late photo.  You need to realize this and snap that photo a second or two earlier then you normally would so that the fish is not out of position and you will achieve far better results.  Certain underwater cameras like the Sealife underwater cameras have a sea mode that allows you to prefocus your photos to lesson this delay.

Using too Much O Ring Grease: The purpose of silicone or O ring grease is to lubricate the O ring and keep it from drying out.  Too much silicone will actually cause the housing to flood.  It will grab sand and silt and it gets pushed into the O ring causing leaks.  Some underwater camera housing manufacturers do not advocate using any O ring lubricant at all. Read your owners manual to find out what your camera needs.

Not Pretecting Your Camera Housing: When you first buy your new underwater camera you should test the housing seal in a bathtub.  Don’t assume just because it is new that it does not leak. When you get on the dive boat it is also a good idea to put the housing in the camera rinse tank and look for leaks prior to each dive.  If it does leak you will see the bubbles and can remove it immediately.  Also the rinse tank is fresh water, which is far less harmful then salt water.

Jumping into the Water with your Camera: Many divers think it is a macho thing to be able to jump into the water with your camera.  There is nothing macho about it – it is just plain stupid.  Your camera O rings are designed for static pressure.  Jumping causes jarring or dynamic pressure which will cause your camera housing to leak. Always hand your camera down to someone or have them hand it down to you.  Always hand your camera up to someone rather then trying to climb out with it in your hands.  If you do not have someone to help, tie your camera to a line and lower it into the water before you get in.

The Best SCUBA Diving Equipment in Northern Virginia – Underwater Cameras

One of my favorite aspects of SCUBA diving is being able to take photographs underwater.  I love photography in general and Underwater Photography is just my favorite.  It allows me to relive my SCUBA diving vacations again and again.  In order to become an Underwater Photographer you first have to get certified as a SCUBA Diver.  In this area you would start by finding a Dive Center like Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy a Dive Center in Northern Virginia. Aquatic Adventures offers both Scuba Classes in Northern Virginia and Scuba Dive Equipment in Northern Virginia.
Once you are Certified as a SCUBA Diver you can start taking underwater photographs right away.  However, some additional Scuba Diving Skills will come in handy.  PADI Specialty Scuba Diver Courses like the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy which will help improve you buoyancy in the water allowing you to take better photographs without stirring up the bottom.  Needless to say other courses like PADI Underwater Digital Photography will also allow you to learn to take underwater photographs safely and to prevent common underwater photography mistakes.

Now that you have obtained your SCUBA Certification and have taken some PADI Specialty Diver Courses you are ready to start taking photographs underwater.  Good underwater photographs start with good underwater cameras.   Selecting your underwater camera or camera system is not overly difficult.  Locally you find a Dive Center in Northern Virginia like Aquatic Adventures that not only carries Dive Equipment but underwater cameras and underwater camera systems but understands them and can help you and answer you questions regarding both the cameras and underwater photography in general, and will be able to pass on some tips enabling you to take better underwater photographs.

You can start with a housed camera like the Sealife DC-1200 underwater camera and housing which will allow you to start taking underwater photographs almost immediately.   Later on you can add an underwater strobe light and or a wide angle lens to allow you to get closer and thus have more color in your underwater photographs.  You can also start off with a complete underwater camera system like the Sealife DC-1200 Elite Camera System, which contains the camera, housing, strobe and wide angle lens in a deluxe carry bag.

Which ever way you choose the next thing to do is go diving and start taking underwater photographs.  The more you take the better underwater photographer you will become.  Some of the best opportunities to take underwater photos is on one of Aquatic Adventures Scuba Diving Trips.  Remember your next Aquatic Adventure starts with Aquatic Adventures.

Selecting A Dive Center:
Selecting just the right Dive Center involves more then just finding the one that is closest to you.  Just like an auto mechanic or someone to repair your home, you want someone who is qualified to do the job, takes pride in their work, is willing to work with you if there are problems and whose charges are reasonable.

What To Look For?
One of the best places to start is with friends who are divers.  They may already have a relationship with a local Dive Center that they would recommend.  Even if they do you might want to do some checking on your own.  I live in Alexandria which is in Northern Virginia so I might want to conduct an internet search for: Scuba Lessons, Northern Virginia or Scuba Classes, Northern Virginia or even Dive Center Northern Virginia or Scuba Certification, Northern Virginia.

Narrowing The List – Scuba Training:
Once I have received the list of Dive Centers that comes up under these searches I would try to narrow the list down.  In an earlier post I talked about the different Scuba Certifications (March 2, 2011).  I personally prefer the courses offered by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI.  Consequently, I would look to see which ones from the initial list are a PADI Dive Center, preferably a PADI 5 Star or PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center in Northern Virginia.  A PADI 5 Star Dive Center offers more courses and services then a regular Dive Center.  IDC stands for Instructor Development Course which is the training program required to train Scuba Instructors.  Therefore a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center would offer the highest level of certifications as well.

At this point you would want to look on their webpage to see what courses they offer.  Does the course list match the areas of diving that you are interested in; such as underwater photography, Deep Diving or Divemaster or Scuba Instructor Training.

In addition to regular Scuba Courses there are many related Dive Courses such as those offered by the Diver’s Alert Network or DAN.  DAN specializes in research and training related to medical issued that influence scuba diving protocol.  Many Dive Centers offer a variety of DAN courses and the more experienced ones are designated as a DAN Training Center.

Narrowing The List – Scuba Equipment:
Scuba diving is an equipment intensive sport.  It is most helpful if your Dive Center sells and services scuba equipment.  Look to see that what lines of equipment that they carry.  No Dive Center can carry all of the lines available nor would you want them to do so.  Check to see if they carry some of the major ones, if they have a good inventory of items on hand and if the sales people in the Dive Center are knowledgeable about the products that they carry.  A few phone calls or emails can help establish this part.  Some of the major lines of scuba equipment are Zeagle Scuba Equipment, Sherwood Scuba, Aeris Scuba, Henderson Wetsuits and DUI Dry Suits.

Narrowing The List – Dive Travel:
While I really enjoy teaching scuba diving I must admit that I enjoy leading the Dive Center sponsored Dive Trips even more.  There is a big advantage to diving on trips that are led and sponsored by a Dive Center.  Most of the hard work and research are done for you.  These trips should be led by one of the staff at the Dive Center.  Preferably by a Scuba Instructor so that continuing education scuba courses can be conducted on these trips.  Going on a scuba diving vacation when all the work, the research, reservations and bookings are all done for you makes it so much easier and so much more enjoyable.  You also have a group to socialize with after the dives and usually never have to worry about finding a dive buddy for the dives since you are in a group.

Take a look at the Scuba Dive Travel section of the various Dive Center’s webpages.  Look to see if they offer Dive Travel?  Is it throughout the year?  Do they go to a variety of different resorts and locations?  Will they help you book your own trip (Individual Dive Travel) if your schedule does not match that of the Dive Center?

Adding It All Up – Making Your Selection:
Once you have looked over all of the above options you are then pretty well informed.  You should be able to see what each Dive Center offers and most often one will stand out as being able to provide everything that you are looking for.  This will probably become your own favorite Dive Center.   The next step is easy.  Go in take some classes, go on a trip, maybe add to your collection of scuba equipment and just have fun, and enjoy your Aquatic Adventure!

With our upcoming dive trip to La Paz, Mexico and the Sea of Cortez it is only natural to want to become familiar with many of the fish that are endemic to that area.  Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy, our PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center has sponsored dive trips there a few times in the past and the fantastic sea life is always amazing.  Lets take a few minutes and look at some of the incredible sea life that we might see on our Dive Trip there this October.

The Crown of Thorns is an eater of coral.  Its job is to keep the amount of coral on a reef in check.  The reef itself is made up of many types of animals.  Starfish and both soft and hard corals can be found on many reefs.  Fish come in all sizes and shapes.  The Fanged Blenny is a very small fish found almost walking on the bottom.  Barber Fish are in the Butterfly Fish family.  They are often seen in small schools or pairs as they tend to mate for life.  You will notice that while the fish are very familiar they are different then their Caribbean cousins.  The PADI Aware Fish ID Course is great in learning how to identify these species.

One of the unique aspects of the Sea of Cortez is how diverse the sea life is.  Besides fish and corals many mammals can be seen like the playful Sea Lion.  Those who dive in the Caribbean are used to seeing Parrot Fish.  Here we see the bumphead Parrot Fish, which is larger then the average Caribbean Parrot Fish.

There are several shipwrecks in the Sea of Cortez, making this an area conducive to wreck diving and taking the PADI Wreck Diver Specialty Course as well as the PADI Underwater Digital Photography Course.  Here we see a picture taken with a Sealife Digital Camera of the Mast of a Ship Wreck with thousands of small bait fish swimming around it.  On the reef if one looks closely you can spot golden moray eels hiding during the day in cracks and crevices.  Some fish like do not mind being out in the open like the Balloon Puffer Fish seen her on a ship wreck.

If you are in the Sea of Cortez at the right time of the year and if you are very lucky you might be in for a real treat.  To see whale sharks and hammerhead sharks can be a once in a lifetime treat.  We have been lucky and seen them each time we have been there.  Other treats is to see a seahorse or an octopus.  They are fascinating subjects and can make a great underwater photo to help you remember your trip.

Sea Urchins feed on top of the corals.  They eat the algae that grows on the coral and keep the algae in check and keep the corals from being smothered by the algae.  The Sea Urchin seen here has camouflaged itself with small shells for protection.  The Angel Fish seen on the side of the reef is a Panama Graysby, common in the Pacific Ocean area.  Puffers are not uncommon in the Sea of Cortez.  Here is a Spotted Sharpnose Puffer.

Scorpion Fish can be found world wide.  They camouflage themselves and prey on small unsuspecting fish.  Tarpon are a predator fish that feeds near the surface.  Here we see a school of Tarpon feeding on small bait fish.  The last slide shows a Sea Anemone and an Arrow Crab.  These creatures can be seen around the world if you take the time to just look.

The Sea of Cortez is an area that is not as commonly dived as other areas.  It is somewhat out of the way but not inaccessible.  You can book a trip there through many Dive Centers that have Travel Programs like Aquatic Adventures Dive Center in Alexandria, Virginia.  Prior to a trip like this it is recommended that you have your scuba diving equipment serviced and perhaps take a scuba refresher course like the PADI Scuba Review Course to make sure that your dive skills are up to date and that you remember the proper care and use of your scuba diving equipment.

Having said all of that the next step is to get out and dive and enjoy the world.

Aquatic Adventures Scuba Academy – Northern Virginia - PADI Underwater Photography Course & underwater Cameras Sales

It is only natural for us divers to want to bring back memories of those fantastic dive vacations that we worked for all year.  Many of these are once in a lifetime trips that we may never be able to take again.  Some of the best memories are underwater photographs of those great dive sites and great dive vacations.

Today you do not have to be a photographic Guru and you do not have to spend incredible amounts of money to obtain a good underwater camera.

The most common problems that most of us face is what camera or camera system to buy?  There are so many how do I choose and once I have decided how do I get started?

One of the best ways to get started is to find a Dive Center that you trust.   I live in Alexandria, Virginia so I would start by searching for a dive center near me.  I might search the internet by keying in: Dive Center, Alexandria, Virginia or Dive Center Northern Virginia.  I might want to narrow that by looking for Underwater Cameras Alexandria, Virginia or Underwater Cameras Northern Virginia.  If they offer underwater cameras then they will usually have someone on staff who is familiar with underwater photography.  Talk the them and feel free to ask questions.  In addition to underwater cameras they will probably offer courses in underwater photography as well.  Ask what brand cameras they stock.  Sealife Underwater Cameras and Sealife Digital Strobes are among the more popular brands available.

Underwater Cameras run the gamut from inexpensive to incredibly expensive and everything in between.  If you already have a camera that you like you may be able to find a universal camera housing that will fit it.  These camera housings tend to be relatively inexpensive and allows you to use a camera that you already own,

The next step would be to obtain a matched camera and underwater housing.  There are several out there like the Sealife DC-1200, a 12 megapixel camera and underwater housing.  This camera takes excellent photos and can be taken  out of the housing for use on land as well.  Several of the photos that accompany this article were taken with earlier Sealife Cameras.

Once you get started with a camera and housing you may find that this is all that you need to be happy and get good underwater photographs.  If you are a perfectionist you may find that you want more options.  The Sealife system can be added to as your photography grows.  You can add an external digital strobe.  The external strobe give you far better lighting then the camera’s built in flash.  The extra lighting will give your photographs greater color and detail.  A wide angle lens can also be added to further improve your photographs.   Quite often you may want to include a wide area in your photograph.  On land you just back up and then you get a wider panorama.  In the water if you move back you will limit the amount of light that you receive from your strobe and your photographs will be darker and less colorful.  By adding a wide angle lens (a lens that is curved to allow a wider panorama) you will be able to stay up close to your subject and thus you will get full benefit from your strobe giving you greater color and detail.   The wide angle lens and the digital strobe can be added later or you can even purchase the DC-1200 in a package called the Sealife Elite Package, which includes all of them bundled together.

If you are an elitist type – and everything has to be the very best that money can buy then you will want to get a very good Single Lens Reflex or SLR Camera.  Then you can get a custom made camera housing for it.  One of the very best camera housing manufacturers is Ikelite.   The custom Ikelite Housing can often cost as much as the camera but it offers you the best combination of camera and  housing available.  A strobe and either wide angle lenses or color correction filters can also be added to this system.

Regardless of what system you choose you will want to learn  how to safely use it.  One of the best ways is to take an underwater photography course such as the PADI Digital Underwater Photography Course.  This course is usually available at most PADI Dive Centers like Aquatic Adventures, which is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development (IDC) Dive Center.

The UW Photography Course will show you not only the basics of taking photos underwater but will also show you several related safety aspects as well.  In addition the course will also often include aspects of other PADI Specialty Courses such as proper buoyancy control (Peak Performance Buoyancy) and Night Diver Specialty so that you can take photographs at night.  These dive specialty courses will make you a better diver in general and a better photographer as well.

Which ever way you go the really big part is to get out and start taking photographs.  The more photos that you take the better photographer you will become.  Keep in mind the rules that you learn to prevent camera mistakes and go out and have fun.