Let’s begin this weblog publish with a disclaimer: I’m extremely new to the artwork of underwater images. Full disclosure, I just about simply began two months in the past. Typically it helps to speak to somebody who’s in the beginning if you end up additionally in the beginning, trigger it’s superb how shortly we will overlook our struggles when one thing has change into second nature, so that’s the reason I’m writing this text, not as a result of I’m an professional, however as a result of I’m studying too and all this new data could be very high of thoughts for me.
The Gear
I used aDiCAPac (bag fashion) underwater case. I chosen this case as a result of it was reasonably priced and had comparatively good opinions. It’s designed to suit most DSLR cameras. It’s considerably unfastened on my 6D however comes with foam inserts you’ll be able to modify to make sure your digicam stays in place contained in the bag. It’s nerve wracking to submerge your digicam child in a pool in what seems to be just about only a ziplock bag… however when in comparison with the value tag on the arduous fitted case, I used to be prepared to start out with this feature. I discovered it utterly not possible to make use of a zoom lens contained in the case, though it has the power, so I solely use my 50mm prime lens. You will see that topics greater than 10 ft from you aren’t actually price photographing any methods as a result of the quantity of water between you and your topic make the picture actually muddy and blue, so for my part, a zoom lens is a little bit of a moot level and only one extra complication you’ll be able to safely keep away from. Thus far I’ve solely used pure mild, and I discover that I don’t take care of the look of dappling that comes when the solar is hitting the water straight, so I are inclined to gravitate to early night and overcast days, personally. You can even match a small flash into the case, however I’ve not experimented with that choice. In a means this arrange is basically enjoyable as a result of it actually forces you to strip down all of your gear and get again the fundamentals, be actually easy, search for the sunshine, give attention to the basics with none exterior aides. I’m wanting ahead to taking part in with mild from our pool or additionally these light-up floating balls you should purchase to brighten the pool or glow sticks too, the choices are infinite and may you inform how excited I’m!
And as you’ll be able to see, a snorkel masks turns out to be useful too so you will get below the water.
Settings
One of many main cons to utilizing the bag fashion case is that after it’s good and zipped in you must just about take it out of the case to vary the settings. Not that large of a deal however now you have got a moist case, moist fingers and you’re floating in a pool. It’s not supreme. I might extremely advocate selecting your settings earlier than you get into the water. I began the place all newbies begin, on auto. I shortly found that this setting was not nice in any respect. You’re in fixed motion, your topic is in fixed motion, and your digicam has no concept what the heck you are attempting to give attention to. As well as you’ll be able to see just about nothing, between the glare off the plastic bag and the entire being underwater bit you find yourself simply attempting to lock focus continually and lacking key moments out of your mannequin. My most popular setting was “motion mode” (typically indicated with a operating man icon). This mode continually seeks out the shifting object to give attention to and provides you speedy quick steady taking pictures. It is a type of auto, so that you received’t have the choice of choosing your aperture or ISO, however due to how fluctuant mild is underwater and the way little dexterity you have got, that is really an asset and never a draw again.
Fashions
In preparation for taking pictures shoppers I’ve put myself on the opposite aspect of the digicam. A giant a part of my images fashion comes from my experiences as knowledgeable mannequin, and I might by no means ask a topic to do one thing I’ve not already completed myself, as a result of I at all times present a variety of teaching via any shoot. I actually cherished the look of clothes and draping within the pool but it surely did make issues further arduous to pose with. I might not advocate any factor “draggy” until your mannequin feels extraordinarily snug underwater. I might additionally advise your fashions to attempt to keep away from the colours blue, aqua or inexperienced as a result of that’s the shade of the pool liner and your mannequin would simply mix into the background an excessive amount of. I do know this will additionally sound foolish however I someway over seemed the truth that the pink lingerie I used to be carrying in my take a look at shot went COMPLETELY clear underwater, and likewise my skirt by no means stayed within the down place, so yep, I obtained some fairly pornographic pictures (I do know DUH! why did I not see that one coming).
The water tends to scrub out an individual’s options, it acts like a diffuser. So it’s extremely useful in the event you apply waterproof mascara and eyeliner to your fashions and darken their lips with a lip stain or different lengthy final shade. This may give your last pictures a way more polished excessive trend look.
I like the look of free flowing hair however it’s all a bit unpredictable and unmanageable underwater, that’s completely wonderful, however if you wish to maximize the quantity of images together with your mannequin’s face exhibiting attempt to pull a minimum of their bangs again into just a little ponytail. Additionally simply observe that their pure texture would be the solely factor you’ll be able to hope for underwater, so don’t hassle together with your straightener or roller that day.
When it comes to posing assist your shoppers by reminding them to at all times level their toes and preserve their fingers relaxed. I are inclined to get about 90% of the pictures with the mannequin having awkward hand and foot positions, since you simply transfer completely totally different underwater, your limbs go all squirrely (for a scarcity of a extra technical time period!). Additionally coach them to maintain bubbles to a minimal if potential by holding their breath fairly than exhaling, and swimming low after which floating upwards in a desired pose. Facial expressions are extraordinarily tough to grasp when the mannequin has to deal with all these different components. I’ve discovered letting hair cowl the face, maintaining the fashions’ face out of the water and as a final resort composite pictures have helped immensely.
Modifying
I selected to make use of my Canon 6D underwater fairly than a degree and shoot digicam that’s designed to be underwater as a result of I actually wished the power to control the RAW pictures in Lightroom and I additionally wished to have the superior ISO capabilities that the 6D is known for. Here’s a screenshot of my typical guide changes in Lightroom for each underwater picture. Your main problem is white steadiness. I shoot it on auto white steadiness after which manipulate it in Lightroom.
As you’ll be able to see the readability, distinction, shade steadiness, white and black sliders all have fairly drastic motion to them. I additionally enhance the sharpening fairly a bit, shifting the slider to about 50%.
After these changes I transfer the picture into Photoshop. At this stage I’ll do some composites, deciding on physique elements from every picture which have the class that I’m in search of. I typically use a selective shade layer to darken all of the blue and cyan colours within the picture. This has the impact of making robust distinction between the topic and the pool.
I exploit the MCP Fusion Photoshop motion set, to finish the look: I just like the look of the hotter actions, comparable to Summer time Camp combined with Peachy or Candy Store after which I open up the One Click on Shade folder and max out the distinction slider to 100%. Such a combine appears to heat up and sharpen these pictures that tend to be very cool and hazy by default.
Composition
Modifying the underwater pictures has been my favourite a part of the sort of images. It’s such a special look, you’ll be able to actually toss all the principles out the window and get away with it! Flip a topic the wrong way up, make the floor the aspect, create a mirror reflection, layer, strive double exposures, strive mono colours or strive black and white. Each loopy factor appears to look superb on these surreal pictures, and retains your viewer pulled in, attempting to make sense of the way you created this magic.
I discovered it extremely arduous to get correct composition in digicam, since you are floating, the digicam bag floats, your mannequin floats and it’s actually tough to see via the view finder as a result of I’ve a snorkel masks and the bag separating me and the attention piece, so each single factor appears to be in flux. Underwater images for me has been a journey find joyful accidents and the chance to create some digital magic and be further inventive. I’m completely head over heels in love with it. This self-proclaimed water child, has discovered her area of interest and I’m so extremely impressed.
A giant thanks to Carly Benjamin of Carly Bee Images for aiding and taking pictures the picture the place I’m the mannequin, and likewise for being such a tremendous pal and companion.
Sylvia Eng is a household and marriage ceremony photographer at squeaker & yoyo PHOTOGRAPHY, in addition to a digital artist working within the better Toronto space. She makes a speciality of household portraiture with a give attention to kiddos with particular wants. Discover her on fb right here.
