Macro photography underwater is such a joy with the numerous and various macro worthy sea creatures out there. For all types of Underwater photography it’s important to understand the basic of photography like Aperture & Depth of Field, camera settings and types of lenses. It’s also crucial in underwater photography to know how light works underwater. For these you may read our previous posts:

Underwater Photography: Basic Tips for Taking Good Underwater Pictures
10 Underwater Photography Tips for Beginners
Understanding Light for Underwater Photography
Using Filters for Underwater Photography

1. Use the right macro photography equipment
For this up close and magnified way of photography it’s best to use a macro lenses (which can range from 50mm to 200mm) depending on the focal length you desire. The the longer the focal length of the lens, you can be farther away from the subject for a shot, which is important while capturing fish that are skittish and won’t allow you close enough for a good picture.

A 100mm / 105mm is better for shooting smaller animals. It allows you to get the exact size of the subject without having to get very close to it. But, it does have a tighter angle of view than the 60mm which has a wider angle of view. The 60mm lets you capture slightly bigger subjects, but at very close range. For beginners, it’s best to start with a 60mm as it’s less frustrating than the 100mm/105mm which can be hard to get it to focus just right.

The use of external strobes is almost as important as the camera itself in underwater photography and especially macro photography. As this type of photography uses small apertures and you shoot at close range, strobes provide that much needed source of light on the subject thereby adding true colors to your photographs. Use of just the internal flash which is usually located above the lens is not appropriate for underwater photographs as it creates backscatter. Two external strobes on either side of the underwater camera is the ultimate, but the use of one strobe at least required and affordable.

2. Get Close
Getting as close to the subject as possible is an underwater photography basic rule. In macro photography you have to take it up a notch and get even closer than close. The less water between you and the subject, the sharper your picture will be and the more effective the strobes will be in capturing colors.

When trying to get close it’s very important to watch your buoyancy and not bump into coral or disturbing the environment. Care must also be taken as to where you put down your camera or what you touch to steady yourself. Avoid touching anything at all if possible.

3. Picking the right moment
Photographing fish and marine life is all about the right timing. Your best bet to get a decent fish portrait is finding a subject that wants to be photographed or is too slow to notice you. Then position yourself and the camera keeping your finger on the shutter, preferable half depressed. Then watch the fish closely and not the camera to click at the just right moment. It can take time to get the subject in a good position, but the key is patience.

If you’re a beginner in macro photography pick a slow moving creature like a nudibranch where you can take your time to take a shot and actually capture several shots before it moves. On the other hand photographing a fish is not as easy as it seems. They constantly move and just when you think you’ve got them where you want in the frame, the second before your finger presses down on the shutter button, it has darted out the frame. The only thing you can do is move very slow and cautiously without drawing attention to yourself or scaring off the fish, it’s easier said than done, but is the only way of getting a good picture.

4. Pick a contrasting background
You may have noticed that a lot of underwater macros feature a black or deep blue background. This is because the photograph was take from an angle where there is a lot of open water behind it. Where possible shooting at an upward angle will ensure this sort of backdrop and makes the subject stand out.

However, most times it’s not possible to to have a empty space behind the subject, so try to find a subject on a contrasting and not too distracting background. Since macro shots tend to blur the background which is not in focus, you want to avoid a background darker than your subject. A contrast color or pattern works best at maintaining focus on the subject and creates a better composition for the photograph.

5. Focus on the Eyes
If you’re shooting a fish, the best point of focus is the eyes. The most interesting visual position for a fish portrait is the front view of the fish or creature. For this, you should select it’s eyes as the focal point. If you want to focus on the eyes and mouth try focusing between the two. To get the whole fish in focus, you should try positioning yourself parallel to the subject and get a side shot for the best depth of field.

*Photo credits: All Underwater Macro Photos by doug.deep on flickr