Is underwater photography actually possible without a strobe? using the right camera?

[Akimbo]

"Murky greens"? Bah. "Vivid blues"? Humbug…

Beauty is in the eye and all that. It would be interesting to create a few blue and green dominant versions of the same images and run a poll here on Scubaboard. Chuck Davis mentioned in one of my posts above has some spectacular images of sea lions with a green background, but those were probably film.

Perhaps more interesting for those who sell their prints would be to do the same at exhibits. That would allow people who like the image to choose the one that suites their décor. Maybe that is why my wife vetoes my suggestions for blue-dominate images in our home???

 

[Storker]

It would be interesting to create a few blue and green dominant versions of the same images and run a poll here on Scubaboard.

I've got a strong suspicion which version would get the most votes.

Remember, the stereotypical UW background is blue, and there's a larger number of warm, blue water divers than cold, green water divers. So, the blue version would be probably feel familiar for the majority, regardless of the color tone of the original recording.

 

[Akimbo]

I've got a strong suspicion which version would get the most votes...

Humbug! Tell that to my bride and see how far you get with blue images.

 

[Storker]

Sample size of one? What kind of confidence interval does that give you? :cool2:

But trying to avoid derailing the thread completely: Yes, it's totally possible to take UW photos without a strobe. However, it requires another mindset when composing the image since you have a very limited color palette. Thus, you'll probably have to start thinking more like a B&W photographer, in terms of lines, planes, light/shadow etc. rather than trying to capture the colorful underwater world. It's a limitation, but limitations can sometimes be liberating and push you towards making better pictures. Just like some photogs like to use a prime lens instead of a zoom: to limit their options and force them to develop their visual creativity.

 

[norinori]

Tim Ho takes some amazing images without a strobe with just a compact camera: underwater compact camera with no strobes

I saw him give a photo seminar at ADEX last year in Singapore, cool guy.

 

[bvanant]

Well there is a big difference between no strobe and no external lighting at all. Topside photographers have been migrating away from big studio strobes towards LED panels for portraiture since you can see the lighting in the viewfinder before pushing the button. Underwater you need to evaluate what you are trying to shoot. Shooting nudibranchs for example with strobe is quite easy, shooting them with a high power focus/video light is also quite easy, but shooting them in ambient light is not usually so easy. Shooting wide angle you are mostly using ambient light with perhaps some fill in for something in the foreground.
Bill

 

[Interceptor121]

You can take many images with ambient light or with the internal camera flash on a compact when you are really really close
However to freeze motions you need strobe. Looking at the very good shots on the tim ho website you can see it gets away with it for macro where he is using a led torch or the internal strobe but the shots of the barracudas and turtles are just as good as it gets without a strobe
There is no doubt that equipment helps in general. If you are happy with certain type of photo you can get away without arms and strobes but you will be limited
Also to be really specific shooting with the strobe always in the same position makes for boring pictures.

This is the same octopus in exactly the same position

Waiting in the dark by Interceptor121, on Flickr

Side Shot by Interceptor121, on Flickr