My First Photos with Canon A710 IS

[sarita75]

So this past weekend I did my first photos with my Canon A710 (internal flash only w/ diffuser) and I have to admit that I now truly admire the patience, diligence and skill that so many of you have in order to take the beautiful photos that you do. Most of the photos required post-shoot editing to adjust colors, etc. but the composition element requires more work.

The problems that I encountered were
(1) holding the camera sufficiently still
(2) understanding underwater composition (v. on land composition, which I find I am relatively good at)
(3) my fingers were getting really cold (54 degree water in Monterey, CA)
(4) managing buoyancy and taking photos (not kicking up debris, etc)

I did all right in my opinion, although it is definitely something that I am looking forward to doing more of in the near future.

Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thanks all!!!

 

[DiverDonn]

Sarita:
I think some of those photos are VERY good. Remember that Practice makes perfect. I am taking my new (never even been wet yet) A710 to Cozumel in 4 weeks and hope I do as well.
What housing did you use? Canon? Ikelite? What settings? auto, manual, program?
Are there any tricks I should know about the camera underwater? Did you try any shots with the diffuser off? Good luck...DD

 

[alcina]

Sarita - Can you embed a couple of your favourites maybe? I'm just not a clicker but I want to see!

 

[sarita75]

What housing did you use? Canon? Ikelite? What settings? auto, manual, program?
Are there any tricks I should know about the camera underwater? Did you try any shots with the diffuser off? Good luck...DD

Hi there Donn. Thanks! I used the canon housing - ikelites are just a bit expensive for right now. As for the settings, I used the special settings > underwater with auto flash. It worked out okay but I had to use Photoshop afterwaters to remove from the blue hues.

Can you embed a couple of your favourites maybe?

Alcina - I would LOVE to do that except that I don't know how to do that. It seems that the only option is to attach --- at least that I can figure out. Sorry! In the meantime - some of my favorites are "kelp.4", "unknown" "batstar" and "vegetation.2".

 

[alcina]

Here's how

Looks like you had a great time!

For those interested in various settings, check out the Sticky (follow the Pink Link in my signature) and you'll find some places to start as well as why some settings work better than others. Helps when you are thinking about what you want to do.

 

[sarita75]

Bat Star

Thanks Alcina!!!

 

[sarita75]

Another Starfish

More Batstars

Krill (?)

Bull Kelp

 

[alcina]

Wohooo! I love photos in threads instead of links

Love the little shrimpies on the kelp!

 

[sarita75]

Love the little shrimpies on the kelp!

Those are actually unidentifed. There is some debate whether or not they are krill ... not sure though. There were 1000's of them.

 

[vane-sub]

Nice pics, Sarita!!!!

I lived in San Jose for a while and used to dive in Monterey... I love kelps, diving in kelp forests is amazing!!!

thanks for sharing