Sandy Bottoms

[the_cat_keeper]

Hi, All,

The pictures that I took of anything against a white sandy background tend to be over-exposed or greenish/ bluish, and at times I could not even get the camera to focus onto the subject e.g. shrimp goby. What kind of settings should I use when taking such pictures?

Thanks in advance,
Cat.

p.s. I have a Canon S1 IS and a Sunpak G-Flash.

 

[justleesa]

If your camera has the option to set the white balance I would suggest you try that.

Does your camera offer any kind of manual settings at all?

 

[the_cat_keeper]

Yes, it does have manual settings. However, besides resetting the white balance, is there another way around it?

I've tried using faster shutter and smaller aperture but nothing seemed to work.

 

[justleesa]

you flash might be too powerful, you can reposition it further away.

If you can change the iso to a grade higher(faster) it might make a difference...just guessing here.

 

[kc0czi]

It sure sounds like white balance is your issue.

Try this:
Take something white with you below the surface - like a slate or similar.
Adjust your white balance at depth against that white surface.
Now take your pics... they are likely better.

White balance should always be re-adjusted anytime you change the environment or lighting. Underwater is no different.