As you know, the backscatter can often destroy an excellent image in uw photography, one of the challenges of photographing in water is dealing with those small dust-like particles. So how to reduce backscatter, or even eliminate it? Some common ways are suggested below.
*Get close to your subject
It’s the easiest way to reduce the potential backscatter-causing particles. Being close to the subject limits the amount of water between it and your lens, thereby reducing the potentially suspended particles that might be lit up by your lights.
*Carefully position the strobes
By introducing artificial light, any particles and sediment naturally reflect the light back at you, and make it hard to get a clear photo. With properly angling strobes away from the camera, it can reduce the light directly hitting the water between your dome port and the subject. Furthermore, by positioning the strobes by the sides of your lens, it will reduce the chance of the light hitting the particles reflecting back into your lens. Longer strobe arms with strobes positioned away from the lens will help to reduce backscatter.
*Practice proper buoyancy
Make sure you and your buddies have good buoyancy, and be very aware of where your fins are, don’t stir up the sediment. Besides, shooting down current also helps remove particles, which may have been stirred up. By shooting down current, the sand or silt will be washed away from the scene.
*Develop post production techniques
If the backscatter in your photos is not too prominent, it may be possible to remove it in post-production, such as using removal tools in Photoshop.
Based on your uw photographing experience, any other good suggestions for avoiding the backscatter? Welcome to share it!
*Get close to your subject
It’s the easiest way to reduce the potential backscatter-causing particles. Being close to the subject limits the amount of water between it and your lens, thereby reducing the potentially suspended particles that might be lit up by your lights.
*Carefully position the strobes
By introducing artificial light, any particles and sediment naturally reflect the light back at you, and make it hard to get a clear photo. With properly angling strobes away from the camera, it can reduce the light directly hitting the water between your dome port and the subject. Furthermore, by positioning the strobes by the sides of your lens, it will reduce the chance of the light hitting the particles reflecting back into your lens. Longer strobe arms with strobes positioned away from the lens will help to reduce backscatter.
*Practice proper buoyancy
Make sure you and your buddies have good buoyancy, and be very aware of where your fins are, don’t stir up the sediment. Besides, shooting down current also helps remove particles, which may have been stirred up. By shooting down current, the sand or silt will be washed away from the scene.
*Develop post production techniques
If the backscatter in your photos is not too prominent, it may be possible to remove it in post-production, such as using removal tools in Photoshop.
Based on your uw photographing experience, any other good suggestions for avoiding the backscatter? Welcome to share it!
