To camera or not?

[jonhall]

Yes.

Early on when I started diving (I had a Sealife Reefmaster Mini that needed no housing), I took many pictures on a dive - probably every living thing I could find - the thought being that with digital, I could easily delete what I didn't like.

I believe that taking pictures/videos helped me learn to relax, maneuver without exerting much energy/air, and actually look at what there is to see; and to be able to get into position to get a picture - but that didn't happen in the first few years (about 8-12 dives a year.) I would fight a current to get a picture or swim to where someone was pointing something out - expending energy/air. I've become a smarter and better diver/picture taker now.

For many years now (currently with a Sealife DC 2000), the camera is not a main focus. I don't obsess about the camera or getting a shot of something - I take my time and if there is something to be seen, it has become easier for me to get myself into position to get the shot. I take anywhere from 10-20 pics a dive - most times some of those being multiple pics of the same thing, because I can still delete what I don't like!

I don't spend much time editing pictures (although many people enjoy this aspect.) My first Sealife camera came with software that pretty much allowed for one-click color correction. Today, I use the Dive+ app for a one-click color correction. Sometimes I get lucky and take a great picture that needs no editing!

As to why a yes - my wife had to give up diving almost 10 years ago now and the first thing she asks me when I get back from a dive is what I saw. I share a lot with friends on Facebook who seem to enjoy the pictures and seeing what is actually underwater. Before I retired from teaching, I printed and posted pictures in my science classroom - brought about some good discussion. My current goal is to go through my diving pics from all of my trips, choosing several to put into a Shutterfly photo book.

 

[Lorenzoid]

No, I don't camera.

I tried a GoPro on a tray with lights, and found I spent way too much time fiddling and not enough time relaxing and enjoying.

Also, I am never going to become skilled enough that my photos are better than what can be found online, and it's unlikely I will just happen to capture something that others have not--possible, if I dive enough, but still not very likely. Pros spend a lot of time repeating dives to capture that special shot or find that elusive critter. If someone wants to know what the area around [insert place name here] looks like, or what a [insert species here] looks like, photos can easily be found. In the days before the Internet, underwater photos must have been much harder to come by; now they are a dime a dozen, and the world doesn't need yet one more would-be photographer. That's how I see it.

 

[Eric802]

I take a cheap GoPro knockoff with me so I can show my kids (who bought it for me) what I see while I’m diving. I’m considering getting a cheap tray and video light, but that’s as far as I can see myself going with it.

 

[lowwall]

I'm yet another that has settled on a cheap action cam that is normally clipped off. I may take a few of what we used to call snapshots just to remember the dive and to show my family.

I don't mind the blue of natural light. That's what we actually saw after all.

 

[Ross19966]

Photography is a hobby in itself, and to do it right it is gear intensive. You can easily have more tied up in one camera rig than your entire dive kit. I have a GoPro mount on the FFM so the camera is along for the ride and doesn't distract from the dive.

 

[drrich2]

Yes, for me. I'm another compact point-and-shoot person who doesn't change settings much.

I don't have a great visual recall. If I don't take photos, several years later I won't have much from the dive except computerized log entries.

Richard.

 

[mi000ke]

Yes, although after I started diving with a camera, over time I became more focused on taking photos than enjoying the dive. I have always carried a small simple rig (TG6 in housing + 1 TTL strobe) and now take it along just in case something new and interesting shows up - maybe 3-5 photos on a dive. It has never impeded my diving skills (and may even have improved them) and it's not a hassle to carry.

 

[mcohen1021]

Yes and no.

A lot of times I take the camera because we have guests that normally don't dive with us and they will want video of themselves diving

Other times I take a camera it's attached to my BC and I never even touch it.

Sometimes especially on night dives I don't take a camera at all

 

[CT-Rich]

Yes, I have a Gopro knock off and I just let it run during the dive. I try to get a minute or two for a dive that shows what the site is like and any interesting critters. It is fun for my buddies if they have it for their family and friends. My daughter showed them to her friends in school. I have some memories that I can go back through on my YouTube channel. I am not out to win any awards, but it keeps me engaged with diving when I am not able to get in the water.

 

[Cali_diver]

If you have to ask then the answer is no... if you have to just get a go pro and have it for when you come upon that epic experience or behavior! or don't.