Practice diving first. Then take a UnderH2O Photo class
OK, now I'm worried about this underwater photography thing
- Thread starter Deefstes
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diver 85
Contributor
I would wait a while... How long??? till you feel confident about your diving skills.....cameras are an (big)option @ your experience level....
Eskasi
Contributor
This is the best option.....give the camera to your DM and get him to take pictures of you and of things you see.... The one thing missing from all my pictures is me. In the meantime, get comfortable and enjoy the (captured) memories of your very first dives!
lmorin
Contributor
I got a camera before my wife and I did our first unescorted dives. Took it on the first such dive. Clear mistake. I realized very quickly that I was making two major errors: 1) I didn't know how to control myself underwater to even take successful shots and 2) I was too distracted to dive properly (even to the limited extent that I could as a rank newbie). So, I turned off the camera and didn't use it again until I felt comfortable diving and holding a camera, and modestly comfortable with my buoyancy control. For me, that comfort occurred about 5 dives later.
I don't believe a photography class would be useful in terms of dealing with the basic buoyancy/photography/buddy issue. However, diving until comfortable enough to take the next step, whether it is photography or something else, can overcome a lot of problems.
I don't believe a photography class would be useful in terms of dealing with the basic buoyancy/photography/buddy issue. However, diving until comfortable enough to take the next step, whether it is photography or something else, can overcome a lot of problems.
sarita75
Guest
Here's my take as a relatively new diver (57 dives): When you start out, there is alot of stuff that you need work on, buddy skills, alot of gear that you need to become familiar with - especially if you are diving rental gear where the set-up changes, etc. Especially if you are diving with another new diver - then you also have to worry about their gear, their skills, etc. etc. etc. I agree, there is no brightline rule regarding when you should bring a camera in. It is more a function of when are you a good enough diver to add a new piece of gear, a new thing to handle, learn, etc.
Quite honestly, I wasn't ready for that until about Dive #25. Primarily because I did my OW cert, then had a 2 year hiatus, and then got back into diving on holiday and was only diving warm, not in my local cold water. So at dive #20 I was still very new. We did a liveaboard around Dive #12 to the Channel Islands where I had a lot of opportunity to work on my skills. It was not until after that point that I felt more comfortable with my diving that I decided to start bringing a camera. And only then would I bring it on calm days at sites that I was familiar with. To this day, if a dive looks sporting/challenging or if I am a really unfamiliar dive site which will require more skill, I will leave the camera on shore. I have left my camera behind on several dives b/c of these things.
Like NWGratefulDiver's article and post stated, it is REALLY important to realize that diving and being a good diver is the most important thing. Photography should really wait until you have good skills, especially buddy and buoyancy skills. Until you are comfortable with those two essentials, you should wait. Plus, it gives you something to look forward to doing and helps you power through some of the learning of the less "glamourous" skills.
Best of luck regardless!
Quite honestly, I wasn't ready for that until about Dive #25. Primarily because I did my OW cert, then had a 2 year hiatus, and then got back into diving on holiday and was only diving warm, not in my local cold water. So at dive #20 I was still very new. We did a liveaboard around Dive #12 to the Channel Islands where I had a lot of opportunity to work on my skills. It was not until after that point that I felt more comfortable with my diving that I decided to start bringing a camera. And only then would I bring it on calm days at sites that I was familiar with. To this day, if a dive looks sporting/challenging or if I am a really unfamiliar dive site which will require more skill, I will leave the camera on shore. I have left my camera behind on several dives b/c of these things.
Like NWGratefulDiver's article and post stated, it is REALLY important to realize that diving and being a good diver is the most important thing. Photography should really wait until you have good skills, especially buddy and buoyancy skills. Until you are comfortable with those two essentials, you should wait. Plus, it gives you something to look forward to doing and helps you power through some of the learning of the less "glamourous" skills.
Best of luck regardless!
AndyT
Contributor
Good advice from everyone - in the meantime get familiar with the controls on your camera topside. Try some close up photography around the garden, learn to shoot manual if your camera allows.
paradicio
Contributor
I have a different experience with this...
I started taking pictures almost immediately after being certified. I honestly had much more difficulty controlling my buoyancy w/o the camera (maybe it's a counter balance thing?), and was much more easily distracted w/o the camera. Taking my rig down with me has really only been beneficial to my diving. Holding thousands of dollars worth of camera gear in the ocean...in the cold...in the surge...by a reef...covered with life...well, spot on buoyancy control and situational awareness are a must. So you don't trash your rig, the reef, and your buddy!
Now, I can't say you will have the same experience, only you will be able to make that call. I just wanted to point out that there are exceptions to every rule.
I started taking pictures almost immediately after being certified. I honestly had much more difficulty controlling my buoyancy w/o the camera (maybe it's a counter balance thing?), and was much more easily distracted w/o the camera. Taking my rig down with me has really only been beneficial to my diving. Holding thousands of dollars worth of camera gear in the ocean...in the cold...in the surge...by a reef...covered with life...well, spot on buoyancy control and situational awareness are a must. So you don't trash your rig, the reef, and your buddy!
Now, I can't say you will have the same experience, only you will be able to make that call. I just wanted to point out that there are exceptions to every rule.
And you are the exception to the rule then
cornep
Registered
I think the most important thing to remember is that it is a 'foreign object' if we can call it that, that you are taking with you, and if you are not entirely comfortable under the water without a big clump of camera on you, rather get comfortable first and then take it. I just recently bought a digital cam with Ikelite housing and stobes and it took me a good couple of dives to get used to having around...Practice makes perfect..
I've been diving for 20 years, taking pictures for 11 years and DS diving for 10 years. Yep - DS 1 year after camera, slow down for that picture and you get the drift. When I'm in an unfamiliar place and/or haven't dived for 2 or more months, I don't take my camera on the first dive. Even though I dive 50-60 dives a year (a lot less than when I was first certified) and have been complimented on my skills, I still respect the environment and my eagerness to get into the water. Add the camera and problems will almost always surface.
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