Tips needed - 1st timer with Olympus TG-4

[Seastardiver625]

Hey guys,

I posted this on the Basic discussion board and realized I probably should have posted it here.

I just bought the Olympus Tough TG-4. I don't have an external flash or macro lens so it's just the camera I will be taking on my dive this weekend. I am diving in a max of 20 ft at Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach.

Any tips or recommendations on what mode to shoot in for the best photos or if I should take a flashlight to act as an external flash or maybe not use the flash since its only 15-20 ft? Hoping to video tape some as well. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Skeptic14]

What i've found is it depends on water conditions and proximity to the subject.

If there is low vis/high particulate or you are more than about a foot from the subject I would turn the flash off at that depth. When I snorkel and am diving 15 or less feet for shots I leave the flash off.

If the water conditions allow it though, you can try using the flash at different distances from the subject and see how close is sufficient.

I typically use my TG-4 in underwater mode where you can select wide angle, or macro settings.

 

[LarryR]

Try to keep the sun to your back to maximize light on your subject. Underwater mode for sure. Try to keep still when using video. Let your subject move, keep the camera still. When you think you are close enough, get closer. Invest in a flash or at least a video light. You will not be sorry. Are you using a case? Love my TG4

 

[tursiops]

Since you have posted this in two forms, I'll repeat my input from the other forum:

The camera works quite well for macro without any additional lens.
Use it as much as you can on land before taking it underwater; the brain stops working underwater, and you can't read the manual.
Set the SHOOTING MODE on UNDERWATER in MACRO (for BHB), but you might want some WIDE 1 or 2 as well.
Shoot in RAW+JPEG; you may never use the RAW but you can't go back and get it.
Use as low an ISO as the amount of light allows.

You can never have too much light, but holding a flashlight nearby is pretty much useless, as it provides either a bright spot kin the middle of the picture, or not enough light spread out over the scene.
The internal flash might work for you, it's worth a try, but it will only be good within a foot or so of the subject.

Try some video, but don't move the camera quickly or your viewers will get seasick. Hold the camera steady.

Be prepared for a LOT of time in post-processing, both for stills and (especially) video.

Basic underwater photography course:
If your buoyancy skills are poor, leave the camera at home.
Get close, then closer. 1-2 ft is as far as you ought to be away.
Shoot upwards to simplify the background.
Focus on the subject's eyes.
Use your strobe/flash if you can (for motion stopping and for color).
Make sure your shutter speed is 1/125 or faster.

And a cool idea for composition: find a nice, colorful background, get your exposure all tested and set, and wait for a fish to swim into the frame.

Have fun!

 

[Seastardiver625]

Try to keep the sun to your back to maximize light on your subject. Underwater mode for sure. Try to keep still when using video. Let your subject move, keep the camera still. When you think you are close enough, get closer. Invest in a flash or at least a video light. You will not be sorry. Are you using a case? Love my TG4

Good advice! I am not using a housing for the camera since I will only be about 15-20 ft deep and the camera is good without housing up to 50ft.