finally talked my wife into it.....

[BigBoB]

Just got my u/w setup today, after a month of begging and pleading with the old lady (Oly 5060, L&M Tetra Housing and an Ike DS-125). Could not wait to get it in the water and did 5 dives today. Took about 300 shots.....twenty of which turned out okay...This could take a very long, long, long time to get good at. Any advice for the pic?

 

[WOODMAN]

Are you asking about how to improve the picture as it stands, or how you could have composed it better? As to improving the existing shot, I assume you have access to some sort of editing program (I recommend Photoshop Elements- currently version 4 available, I think), and I will leave it to others to direct you better here. There are some absolute digital wonks lurking about here, and I am sure one of them can advise you better than I. But as to shooting a better picture, I might have a thing or two to say. The first rule of underwater photography is to get close. And then get closer. You didn't do badly, but a little closer might have helped. Not always possible, I know. Also, you could try using the rule of thirds to help compose the shot. Imagine the picture divided into nine equal portions by two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. Where these lines intersect (that makes 4 places) are considered to be optimum targets for your main subject if it is not big enough to dominate the frame. This placement adds to the interest of the photo. I am sure others will have other ideas on composition, but this is a start. It all comes back down to the skill of the photographer, and this has not changed with the advent of digital cameras. At least now you can see what you are doing much faster, and the learning curve is a lot quicker. I also recommend one of the basic texts on composition and framing for digital underwater use. My own library is rather dated, so I will leave it to others to recommend something good and current. Keep shooting, and keep analyzing what you have done. That's the only real way to learn. Woody

 

[Gdog]

cool......I also just got my underwater rig.....oly 5060, pt020 housing, sea & sea ys 90 strobe.....leaving for cozumel saturday, wishing i woulda had it sooner so i coulda dove with it here in hood canal. but will have to give it the maiden voyage in coz. So i am with you bob.....and am eager to read any advice you are given. im a bit nervous about the pt020 housing, want a light and motion tetra housing, but kinda had a hard time getting the wife talked into that one just yet....hehe.

 

[WOODMAN]

im a bit nervous about the pt020 housing,

This housing should serve you well if you take care of it. You can't be too anal about cleaning the O ring and mating surfaces. Every time you crack it open, check that ring and clean the mating surfaces completely. A couple of grains of sand is all it takes to flood it. I also try like the devil to get the rig into a tub of fresh water right on the dive boat when I come up. This can be a little problematic in Cozumel, but they will usually supply you with one if you ask pointedly enough ahead of time, ( and make sure they remember to put it on the boat!) Soaking out that salt is a lot easier before it dries into crystals . Good luck with your new rig. Woody

 

[RockyHeap]

As with all new virgin rigs, I take the housing down EMPTY for the first dive. Press and cycle all the knobs/buttons many many times in order to check out all the factory seals.

I've had several leaks been discovered this way, and much better than flooding a camera while in Cozumel..........I did just that last christmas and shopping for a new camera in Coz gets expensive.

 

[WOODMAN]

Not a bad idea. Makes a good part of your checkout dive.

 

[Henryville]

As with all new virgin rigs, I take the housing down EMPTY for the first dive. Press and cycle all the knobs/buttons many many times in order to check out all the factory seals.

I've had several leaks been discovered this way, and much better than flooding a camera while in Cozumel..........I did just that last christmas and shopping for a new camera in Coz gets expensive.

SOP for new/modified (including new o-rings) housings. Find a leak once and you will feel like a genius.

 

[scubaju]

great idea! i'm waiting for my new rig and was thinking of doing the same myself!
only dilema is that i would miss lots of good photo ops!

must be worth it though!