Macro and Wide-Angle Shooting Under Water on Mac Computers
Underwater photography can be a captivating and challenging endeavour, but with the right settings and equipment, stunning results can be achieved. Here's a guide to help you get started with digital compact cameras and DSLRs for both macro and wide-angle photography.
Macro Photography
For macro photography, most compact cameras have a dedicated macro mode for shots closer than 12-24 inches. The article suggests putting the camera in this mode, using forced flash, spot focus, and the widest zoom setting. It also recommends using base ISO and adjusting the aperture and shutter speed in manual mode. Aperture values as high as f/16 to f/27 are used to maximize depth of field and sharpness, while ISO ranges between 100-400 help to minimize noise. Shutter speeds from about 1/125 to 1/180 seconds are used to freeze motion.
When shooting with a strobe, the white balance setting has no effect. Instead, if shooting ambient light, a manual white balance can be set to the color temps of the strobes.
Wide-Angle Photography
For wide-angle photography, the article strongly suggests using manual mode, ISO 100 or 200, F8, and 1/100th shutter speed. Shutter speed can be adjusted during the dive for desired background color.
Compact cameras benefit from wet lenses that provide flexibility for macro and wide-angle shooting without changing the housing or ports underwater. Using external strobes or underwater flashes is critical to proper exposure and color rendering underwater.
Common Settings Across Cameras
Cameras like the Canon 7D Mark II, Nikon D500, Olympus E-M1 Mark II, Sony A7r III, and Canon 5D Mark IV will behave similarly when paired with appropriate underwater housings and strobes.
White balance is initially set to auto on these cameras. Vivid mode often makes UW photos look better, especially since color saturation is reduced underwater. High ISO noise reduction is a setting for JPEGs only, and can be left on normal, but some people prefer low or off.
DSLR-Specific Settings
For DSLR macro photography, the article suggests using manual mode, base ISO, F13, 1/200th shutter speed, single-spot focus, and center-weighted metering. Aperture may need to be adjusted for different shots, and for supermacro shots, F25-F50 with a 100-105mm lens is suggested.
For night dives, a fast shutter speed is used to block out the light from dive lights. If shooting with TTL, you can simply adjust the aperture as needed. Otherwise, you can leave the strobe at one power and adjust the aperture or fix the aperture and adjust the strobe power as needed.
Custom Menu Settings can include turning off AF-assist light, setting flash-sync speed to 1/320th, setting dynamic auto-focus area to 51 points, and turning LCD illumination on.
Summary
Careful use of manual settings combined with appropriate underwater optics and lighting gear offers optimal control for both macro and wide-angle underwater photography across digital compact cameras and DSLRs. Remember, the photographic process, including composition, subject selection, lighting, etc., is just as important as the 100 settings on a dSLR.
[1] Underwater Photography Guide (2021). Retrieved from www.uwphotographyguide.com
[2] Backscatter. (2021). Retrieved from www.backscatter.com
[3] Seacam. (2021). Retrieved from www.seacam.com
[4] Underwater Photography Guide. (2021). Retrieved from www.uwphotographyguide.com
- Utilizing macro mode, forced flash, spot focus, and the widest zoom setting on compact cameras can aid in capturing intricate macro photography shots.
- Aperture values reaching as high as f/16 to f/27 in manual mode help maximize depth of field and sharpness for macro shots, while maintaining ISO between 100-400 to minimize noise.
- Shutter speeds from about 1/125 to 1/180 seconds are essential for freezing motion during macro photography.
- When utilizing strobe lighting for underwater photography, the white balance setting does not matter; instead, manual white balance can be set to the color temperatures of the strobes if shooting ambient light.
- Manual mode, ISO 100 or 200, F8, and 1/100th shutter speed are suggested for wide-angle photography with compact cameras.
- Wet lenses can offer versatility for both macro and wide-angle shooting underwater without needing to change the housing or ports for compact cameras.
- External strobes or underwater flashes are indispensable for proper exposure and color rendering in underwater photography for most digital cameras.
- Cameras such as Canon 7D Mark II, Nikon D500, Olympus E-M1 Mark II, Sony A7r III, and Canon 5D Mark IV can behave similarly when used with suitable underwater housings and strobes.
- For DSLR macro photography, using manual mode, base ISO, F13, 1/200th shutter speed, single-spot focus, and center-weighted metering may provide optimal results. Aperture adjustments may be necessary for varying shots, and for supermacro shots, F25-F50 with a 100-105mm lens is recommended.
