OP
charlesml3
Contributor
Well yea, you're shooting in ambient instead of relying on the strobe. But this only works if there's something near the surface to photograph!
"My photos are going to be SO much better when I get my new [insert something here]!"
- Thread starter charlesml3
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Well yea, you're shooting in ambient instead of relying on the strobe. But this only works if there's something near the surface to photograph!
Layla
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interesting
OP
charlesml3
Contributor
Uhhh.... no. If you can't be bothered to clarify your point I'm certainly not going to do it for you.
smellzlikefish
Contributor
There's always something near the surface, be it up the slope toward shore or in blue water. We as divers often neglect this area, even though this is the area with the most biodiversity. Having dived in a lot of blue, pelagic water, I've learned to always keep an eye on the surface, there's more up there than you might think.
OP
charlesml3
Contributor
Yea, you may be right Smellz but I just can't spend most of my dive there. I mostly dive the Caribbean and only get to go a few weeks a year. The only thing I ever see up towards the top are those translucent jellyfish. Cool to see but one can only get so many photos of them.
Either way, I believe my point stands. A good strobe is very important. The built-in flash on the P&S camera is too weak and way in the wrong location. A good strobe will outlive several camera upgrades and it's a worthwhile investment.
-Charles
Either way, I believe my point stands. A good strobe is very important. The built-in flash on the P&S camera is too weak and way in the wrong location. A good strobe will outlive several camera upgrades and it's a worthwhile investment.
-Charles
Yes there are things at the surface however only in few cases and with an expert hand you can convert a large fish into a good shot
In your example the shark is looking towards you so you can get it in the frame however there is no context no understanding how big was the shark as the camera field of view is too narrow
It does make a good shot but with a wide angle lens it would have made some other good shots
In essence you need equipment but with good skills you can maximise what you have got at some point you will end the possibilities and need something more
In your example the shark is looking towards you so you can get it in the frame however there is no context no understanding how big was the shark as the camera field of view is too narrow
It does make a good shot but with a wide angle lens it would have made some other good shots
In essence you need equipment but with good skills you can maximise what you have got at some point you will end the possibilities and need something more
Amigos,
I'll wade into this pool
Any accessory strobe will help whether shooting with a Compact, Mid-sized or SLR system. But I've also seen people in bright tropical conditions get nice photos when shooting close and down INTO the reef background using just a built in flash on their compact camera.
Or also turning the flash off and using RAW and bright available light at higher ISOs. A WA lens on compact housings can do a great job in decent light.
IMHO I also LIKE the built in fun scene modes.......They're fun to play with and isn't that what shooting UW images is supposed to be about?
The final thing I'll say is people get crappy shots because they talk and talk and talk, lament about buying more gear (which is what started this thread) but never even go to a damn swimming pool before a trip and try their set up out........
Sigh................
One of my Blog posts on my web site related the "Run What you Brought" idea...........www.haasimages.com and hit the Blog post link........
I tell folks I didn't get decent photos because I'm lucky, gifted, or whatever......
It's because I've put my time in preparing, practicing and then getting "OUT THERE"
Just one old geezer's 2 cents
David Haas
I'll wade into this pool
Any accessory strobe will help whether shooting with a Compact, Mid-sized or SLR system. But I've also seen people in bright tropical conditions get nice photos when shooting close and down INTO the reef background using just a built in flash on their compact camera.
Or also turning the flash off and using RAW and bright available light at higher ISOs. A WA lens on compact housings can do a great job in decent light.
IMHO I also LIKE the built in fun scene modes.......They're fun to play with and isn't that what shooting UW images is supposed to be about?
The final thing I'll say is people get crappy shots because they talk and talk and talk, lament about buying more gear (which is what started this thread) but never even go to a damn swimming pool before a trip and try their set up out........
Sigh................
One of my Blog posts on my web site related the "Run What you Brought" idea...........www.haasimages.com and hit the Blog post link........
I tell folks I didn't get decent photos because I'm lucky, gifted, or whatever......
It's because I've put my time in preparing, practicing and then getting "OUT THERE"
Just one old geezer's 2 cents
David Haas
klausi
Contributor
You have a good point, of course.
Some gear helps, though, for some things.
A half-decent strobe helps for pretty much everything.
Diopters and extension rings help for supermacro.
2 strobes and a nice wide angle lens help for big fish and reefscapes.
Everything else, it's 90% the photographer. Folks have won top photo contests with point & shoots.
Some gear helps, though, for some things.
A half-decent strobe helps for pretty much everything.
Diopters and extension rings help for supermacro.
2 strobes and a nice wide angle lens help for big fish and reefscapes.
Everything else, it's 90% the photographer. Folks have won top photo contests with point & shoots.
OP
charlesml3
Contributor
Of for sure. No doubt about that. A decent P&S in the hands of a good photographer can yield amazing photos.
Really the overall point I wanted to make was : "Don't upgrade or add gear until it's the GEAR that's become your limiting factor." I just see so many photographers who don't even have a clear understanding of the exposure triangle and yet they're upgrading all the time. I know it's because they're frustrated with their shots and have mistakenly come to the conclusion : "My next upgrade is going to fix that." Sadly, it won't.
-Charles
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