long exposure underwater photos

[wetman]

Has anyone tried doing any long exposure (i.e. multi second or so) underwater shots?

What was your result?

I think i'm going to try this shortly just for fun on some of the darker wrecks with lower ambient light and reasonably clear water.

Assuming you have a solid mount of some sort and no current, why would this be undoable?

steve

 

[Scubaroo]

I forget if it was Rodales or the now-defunct Skin Diver magazine, but about 18 months ago there was an article (possibly by Marty Snyderman but I could be mistaken) on that exact topic - he was using a tripod inside of shipwrecks to capture ambient light images. They were pretty darn cool - very ghostly images.

I'm sure a google search would turn something up.

 

[Dee]

It's very doable. Several of the pro photographers use tripods underwater. Just make sure you rinse your tripod very well!

 

[wetman]

I dont suppose you remember his exposure times?

steve

 

[wetman]

Well, i'm currently watching a few 99 cent tripods on ebay, so i have a feeling that if it craps out on me, it wont break the bank

I just hope they're aluminum and plastic...


steve

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Make sure you have either an all plastic or an AL tripod. The others will tend to rust. Besides if you get a good season out of a tripod then it's well worth the $80.

A few things to consider.

30 second exposures with single/multiple strobe flashes to freeze frame objects like fish/divers/etc.

Use a monopod, goto wallyworld and get a $0.20 wooden dial.

Use existing structures on the wreck/reef that are mount friendly. i.e. growths of cyano, corraline algae's and some mushroom corals.

Plant your elbows into the sand and use your arms as a bi-pod.

Depending on the situation you may need a neutral density filter.

B/W film is probably better suited for this type of task, I have used tmx in the past.

A good spot meter always helps. Many people will tell you to bracket but that would waste film, learn proper exposure techniques instead.

Ed

 

[wetman]

We'll there will be no wasted film here - it will all be digital. Thing is, i love the low light capabilities of the 5050 and thought it would be neat to use that underwater. This will be a fun little experiment i think.

Are there any shots on the net that anyone knows about?

steve

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

It's not a scuba photo but I did use a 30 second exposure with a strobe on this image

Ed

 

[Dee]

Steve...Claire Davies aka Sealkie on the boards, takes some excellent B/W photos, usually of sharks. I think she uses film, though, so it may not help you at all with your 5050 but they are still cool to look at!

Check it out here..

 

[wetman]

She does have some very nice shots for sure. I must get south again. Feeling the need...

steve