So I've gone all retro...

[espenskogen]

And I've aquired a Nikon F90 with an Aquatica housing. Yes, I know - Film in the age of digital is a bit old hat, but nevertheless, it was the only way I was gonna get an SLR underwater for a while. (Not made of money you know)

But here's the question - So I've got an Ikelite strobe on a relatively short arm - I'm guessing about 50 cm fully extended. What's the best positioning of the strobe to minimize backscatter?

Any advise is appreciated.

 

[Warren_L]

The best position to reduce backscatter is that that is the furthest away from the lens. However, that may not necessarily be the best position for the shot/effect that you are going for. At 50 cm, that's a reasonable distance to have the strobe from the lens, depending on the quality of water. With one strobe, I would generally position it up to the right (or left, depending on what side you mount the strobe), but adjust as the shot requires.

 

[jimdiverman]

The best position to reduce backscatter is that that is the furthest away from the lens. However, that may not necessarily be the best position for the shot/effect that you are going for. At 50 cm, that's a reasonable distance to have the strobe from the lens, depending on the quality of water. With one strobe, I would generally position it up to the right (or left, depending on what side you mount the strobe), but adjust as the shot requires.

Especially in shooting close, I find that the one strobe casts a long shadow on the subject. For this reason, I am going to add another strobe before my next major dive trip. There are too many other things to be thinking about while maneuvering for a shot. That is one more concern that I can eliminate if I add a second strobe.

If I release the built-in diffuser on the camera and fire the camera's flash, then I also add more scat into the finished picture.

I would be interested in what others have to say about this.

 

[JTemple]

This might be helpful: http://www.daveread.com/uw-photo/strobes/aim.html

 

[jimdiverman]

This might be helpful: http://www.daveread.com/uw-photo/strobes/aim.html

Thanks Jennifer.

 

[JTemple]

You're welcome!
This is another good link: http://www.kelpfish.net/strobe.swf