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Hi,

Is there a recommended place or person for u/w photography lessons / assistance? I know PADI has a specialty course but if the instructor is not really a photographer then what is the point?

I have just gone through a pretty major upgrade of my camera gear and would like to get some pointers over a day or two from someone who really has a clue ;-)

The last advice I got on this board was from Scubaldy a few years ago and that was to shoot up. A misunderstanding that lead to a very nasty heroin addiction!

If there is a recommended person or dive operator would someone please post.

Thanks in anticipation.

Elbert Greer is a great photographer both above and below the water.
http://scubalessonsbelize.blogspot.com/

Harriettee gave some good advice ,all kidding aside, that's one of the hardest things to get across to new underwater photographers.
Hold your hand out flat with fingers together like a salute posture , now look at it from where your thumb is ...doesn't look like much does it...now turn it to see your palm...hea its a hand!
shoot it quick before it swims off. :-)

I see you are in Boston. The best advise you will ever receive is to join an underwater photo club at home. Just google Under water photographic society and you will see there are clubs all around the world.

Just as most divers are friendly and helpful, must underwater photographers are extra friendly and helpful.

I would love to meet you when you come down. What kind of equipment to you get when you mortaged the farm? LOL
I have drawers full of obsolete stuff.

Harriette,

I have a Nikon D90 with a Nauticam Housing. Tokina 10-17mm with a Zen 4 inch Fish eye port and a Nikon 60mm Macro lens with a flat port. Top that off with a couple of YS110a strobes on Float arms and that's the lot.

Moved up from a Coolpix in an Ikelite housing to a DX8000g witha YS-55 to this setup. It's only money, the cats don't need a college fund and I can survive perfectly well with just the one Kidney .

Elbert, three hours in the bath tub and I have not got any closer to getting a good shot of the elusive 'hand' - any further tips? I did get what looked like a small garden eel but it was out of focus and the water was cold so I may be wrong...

Do you do the PADI photo specialty? Let me know what you think of it and if you think it's worth doing. Hell, I have nothing better to do for a couple of weeks .

Still laughing,
Yes i teach the PADI Digital Underwater.
Do you have the book and DVD?
Digital technology is moving along fast and publishing a book on a subject that changes quickly is difficult.
The edition I'm using is (5/07)version 1.01 'Digital Underwater Photographer' PADI
It comes with a white balance card and DVD.
Its a good start on learning the terminology and thats very important to get the basics solid.

Here are a few sites that have some good tips for underwater photography.

http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/underwater-photography-tips

http://www.coral.org/resources/photo_tips

http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/tips/underwater_digital_photography_tips.php

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/joelarry/goodphotos.asp

Hi I do not have the DVD, looked at signing up for elearning but what do you recommend? If you supply the learning materials I could go that route - I have been playing with cameras and UW photography for quite a while now so it 'should' not be too much of a leap.

What is actually involved in the course (time / items covered)? I am presuming from the brief write up on the PADI site that it is not very advanced and it is mainly the practical aspect and a bit of initial advice I am after. However, if you think it is worth it to do the course then why not?

Thanks TG (may I call you TG ;-) ?

The top site I have read from end to end I think, some very good stuff there. The others I will take a look at and thanks for posting them.

However, forst I have to work and try to earn the money for this ridiculous hobby!

I bought a $1600.usd lens for my D-90 and told myself, 'It makes me happy!'
The PADI E-Learning for digital photography is very basic, but still very important to get the basics solid , My advice is to do the discipline (Knowledge Reviews) for exercise on line with the e-learning then get with an instructor afterward for a couple of dives.
Discussing bad shots seems to be very helpful, the bad ones have more value than the good ones.