Beginner's Guide: Underwater Photography Lighting Tips

Underwater photography is a thrilling pursuit, offering a unique lens into the captivating world beneath the waves. However, it has its challenges, particularly when it comes to lighting. The properties of water significantly alter the behavior of light, creating a unique set of conditions that photographers must navigate.

This guide is designed to help you understand and master the complexities of underwater photography lighting. We'll delve into the science of how light behaves underwater, discuss the factors that can impact your lighting, and offer practical tips to enhance your underwater images.

Whether you're an experienced underwater photographer or just starting your journey, this guide provides valuable insights to improve your craft. Let's dive in and shed light on the art of underwater photography.

 

Understanding the Basics of Underwater Lighting

Unlike on land, light behaves differently underwater due to the physical properties of water. This difference can significantly impact the quality and aesthetics of your underwater images.

 

Balancing ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture in Underwater Photography

A well-exposed photo, especially underwater, is a tight balancing act between ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Every shooting situation requires a strategic pick of these three variables. The general rule of thumb is to expose for the background and light the foreground. This ensures that while the backdrop of your photo remains clear and well-lit, the subject in the foreground stands out.

 

 

Unlike on land, light behaves differently underwater due to the physical properties of water. This difference can significantly impact the quality and aesthetics of your underwater images.

Depth of Field in Underwater Photography

Aperture setting plays a crucial role in controlling the depth of field. A wide-open aperture will result in a shorter depth of field, while a small aperture will produce a greater depth of field. The closer you are to the subject, the narrower the depth of field will be, which can be used creatively to focus on specific subjects while blurring out distractions.

Challenges with Shutter Speed Underwater

Lowering the shutter speed can present challenges, especially in surgy water or when photographing fast-moving subjects. For subjects that move quickly, a high shutter speed or fast strobe light is essential to capture a sharp image.

Understanding these basic principles of how light behaves underwater is the first step in mastering underwater photography lighting. 

 

Factors Affecting Underwater Lighting

In the realm of underwater photography, several factors can influence the quality and characteristics of your lighting. Understanding these factors can help you anticipate challenges and adjust your techniques accordingly. Let's explore three key factors: depth, subject distance, and weather and surface conditions.

 

Depth

Depth plays a significant role in underwater lighting. As you descend, the water absorbs more light, causing a gradual decrease in light output, brightness and color. This is why underwater scenes can appear monochromatic or blue-green without the use of artificial lighting.

The absorption of light by water also affects color perception. At around 15-20 feet, reds start to fade, followed by oranges, yellows, and greens as you go deeper. By the time you reach 60 feet, most scenes will appear blue or green unless you reintroduce the absorbed colors with a light source. Understanding this color shift can help you plan your shots and lighting setup.

 

Photo credit to EXPLORING OUR FLUID EARTH. Teaching Science as Inquiry: Light in the Ocean

 

Subject Distance

The distance between you and your subject can also impact your underwater photography. Water, being denser than air and often filled with particles, can reduce the contrast and sharpness of your images. This effect intensifies as the distance between you and your subject increases.

 

Photo by Francesco Ungaro

 

Try to get as close to your subject as possible to mitigate this. This reduces the amount of water—and thus the number of particles—between your camera and the subject, resulting in clearer, sharper images. Remember, in underwater photography, closer is often better.

 

Weather and Surface Conditions

Weather and surface conditions can significantly affect the amount of light that penetrates the water. On a sunny day, more light will reach beneath the surface, providing better natural lighting for your shots. However, the angle of the sun can also create strong contrasts and may cause certain parts of your scene to be over or underexposed.

Surface conditions play a role too. Calm waters allow more light to penetrate, while choppy waters can reflect light away. The presence of particles or organisms near the surface can also affect light penetration.

 

Quality of Light Ideal for Underwater Photography

The quality of light in your underwater photographs can make the difference between a good shot and a great one. Several characteristics define the quality of light, including brightness, color, and softness. Let's delve into these aspects and how they can influence your underwater photography.

 

Brightness

Brightness, or the intensity of light, is a crucial factor in underwater photography. The available light decreases as you descend due to water's absorption and scattering properties. This reduction in brightness can make it challenging to capture well-exposed images.

In low-light conditions, you may need to use artificial light sources, such as strobes or dive lights, to illuminate your subject. These tools can help reintroduce lost light and create a balanced exposure. However, it's essential to manage the brightness of your artificial lights carefully to avoid overexposing your subject or creating harsh shadows.

 

Photo by Saad Alaiyadhi 

 

Light Color

The color of light underwater changes with depth due to the selective absorption of different wavelengths of light. Red light is absorbed first, disappearing as shallow as 15 feet, followed by oranges, yellows, and greens. By around 60 feet, the underwater world appears predominantly blue.

Underwater photographers often use red or orange filters over their camera lenses to reintroduce lost colors or add colored lights. These tools can help restore the natural hues of your subjects, resulting in more vibrant and realistic images.

 

Photo credit to Youtube video: "FILTERS FOR UNDERWATER VIDEOGRAPHY (Red Filter, Magenta Filter, Ambient Light Filter)"

 

It's also worth noting that ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye, can cause certain marine life to fluoresce, emitting visible light in mesmerizing patterns and colors. Special filters and lights can be used to capture this phenomenon, adding a unique and captivating element to your underwater photography.

 

Light Softness

The softness of light refers to how diffused or direct the light is. Hard light, which is direct and undiffused, creates strong shadows and high contrast. This can be useful for highlighting textures and creating dramatic images but can also result in harsh shadows and overexposed highlights.

On the other hand, soft light is diffused and less directional, resulting in softer shadows and lower contrast. This type of light can be flattering for many subjects, creating a more even exposure and reducing the appearance of texture and detail.

Underwater, the softness of ambient light, can be influenced by several factors, including the time of day, weather conditions, water clarity, and the use of diffusers. By understanding and manipulating light softness, you can create a variety of effects and moods in your underwater photographs.

 

Underwater Photography Lights

Choosing the right light for your underwater photography can significantly enhance your images. At Underwater Kinetics, we've been building reliable and feature-rich diving lights for decades. Whatever your underwater photography needs, our Aqualite series has a solution.

Aqualite Pro 2

The Aqualite Pro 2 is a versatile LED dive light perfect for traveling divers. It offers three power modes, allowing you to adjust the light intensity according to your needs.

This light comes with a narrow beam lens for exploring the reef and looking under ledges, and a wide-angle lens for when photography is your main goal. It also includes a diffuser for making a wide beam, which is particularly useful for wide-angle photography video with GoPro and similar cameras.

 

 

The Aqualite Pro 2 features an extra-large removable lithium-ion battery, providing more power and extended burn time. You can also carry a spare for all-day diving without the need for recharging.

 

Aqualite Multi

The Aqualite Multi is another excellent choice, offering the added benefit of red and ultraviolet light.

Like the Aqualite Pro2, this light allows you to change the beam angle from wide to narrow by switching out the lenses. The red light helps underwater photographers to focus, without the white light scaring away the subjects of the photograph.  

Another great feature is the ultraviolet light, which can help capture the mesmerizing fluorescence of certain marine life.

 

Photo credit to Dick Miller, VP SDUPS

The Aqualite Multi also comes with a diffusion filter for smooth, wide-angle illumination, making it ideal to capture video and stills.

Aqualite Max

For those who need the most power output and brightness when shooting underwater, the Aqualite Max is the way to go.

The Aqualite Max stands out for its superior brightness and narrow beam, making it an excellent choice for low-light conditions or deeper dives where natural light is minimal. Or for macro photography that needs high-intensity lighting. 

 

Photo credit to Leon M. Delwiche, Marine Scientist/GIS Analyst

Like the other lights in the Aqualite series, the Aqualite Max comes with a diffusion filter for smooth, wide-angle illumination. 

 

Practical Tips for Underwater Photography Lighting

Mastering underwater photography lighting involves more than just understanding the theory. It requires practical application and a willingness to experiment. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the unique lighting conditions underwater and capture stunning images.

 

1.    Get Close to Your Subject

Water can reduce the contrast and sharpness of your images, especially over distances. To mitigate this, try to get as close to your subject as possible. This reduces the amount of water—and thus the number of particles—between your camera and the subject, resulting in clearer, sharper images.

2.    Use Artificial Light

Natural light can be scarce underwater, especially during night dives and greater depths. Using artificial light sources, such as strobes or dive lights, can help reintroduce lost light and color. Remember to adjust the brightness of your lights to avoid overexposing your subject.

3.    Experiment with Light Angles

The beam angle of your light source can significantly impact your image. Side lighting can emphasize texture, while front lighting can reduce shadows. Experiment with different angles to see what works best for your subject.

4.    Use Filters

Filters can help reintroduce colors that are absorbed by the water. Red or orange filters are particularly useful for restoring warm tones in blue or green waters.

5.    Adjust Your Camera Settings

Be bold and play around with your camera settings. Adjusting your ISO, shutter speed, and aperture can help you achieve the right exposure. Remember, a slower shutter speed allows more light in, while a wider aperture lets in more light but reduces the depth of field.

6.    Manage Backscatter

Backscatter can cause your images to appear hazy or grainy. To control and reduce backscatter, try positioning your lights so they are angled slightly away from your lens, illuminating your subject without lighting up the particles in front of your lens.

7.    Practice and Review

Practice makes perfect. The more you shoot and experiment with different lighting conditions and techniques, the more you'll understand what works best. After each dive, review your images to see what worked and what didn't, and adjust your techniques accordingly.

 

Final Thoughts

Navigating the world of underwater photography lighting can be a challenging yet rewarding journey.

Don't be discouraged if you don't get the perfect shot right away. Each dive is an opportunity to learn and improve. With practice, patience, and a spirit of adventure, you'll be able to capture the stunning beauty of the underwater world in all its illuminated glory.

Here at Underwater Kinetics, we're committed to supporting your underwater photography journey. Whether you're just starting or looking to take your skills to new depths, we hope this guide has shed some light on the art of underwater photography lighting. Dive in, explore, and let the wonders of the deep inspire your creativity.

Happy diving and photographing!