Video Photographer qualifications

[Globaltrailblazer]

Ok so I am looking at getting my scuba diving qualifications and useing them to cover basic costs while I stay in countries so I can have a look around while doing something that I really like.

One way of doing this would be teaching scuba diving which would be awsome but another way would be to be an underwater photographer. I'm not looking to make a lifetime career out of it but it is another way of getting costs covered to travel.

So to be able to be an underwater photographer you probably need to be at about the Master Scuba Diving level, but with regards to specialties.
Would I be able to get jobs in that area if I did a specialty course (not just the adventure rateing) in Digital Photography and in Video Photography?

Or would I need to do more study outside of diveing to do with photography?

Thank you

 

[g1138]

I got this advice from a friend who is both a student and professional photographer.

You don't need any special certification to be a professional underwater photography. If your photos are good, they'll sell; plain and simple.
Having a background in photography will help. While underwater photography is an entirely different beast from topside photography, having that background will make the transition easier, especially if you're working with an SLR. It's the difference between modifying a learning curve VS learning something from scratch.
The equipment to produce professional quality photographs is very expensive though.

As a professional photographer you don't always work under a "boss-man" photographer. Rather you can create your own portfolio website to sell your photos and either self-promote at art shows or get an agent to help you do that. Being an underwater photographer involves a lot of topside work if you're going to make a profit. And it's often not a one-job-pays-all-bills type of thing.

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The following regarding teaching scuba is from what I've heard from the board and from various instructors I've talked to.

Being a Scuba Instructor is sort of the same deal as an underwater photographer in that it's hard to pay all the bills just teaching scuba. Your rate of classes will depend on the location and sometimes the season. There's the choice of which agency you want to be rated from and represent. Some agencies will say you have to be affiliated with a shop. Others will say you have to buy learning packages that your classes must use. And a few will give you minimum standards to meet, but give you the liberty to set your own lesson plans, materials, and your own higher standards.

If you're an independent Instructor you'll have to invest in your own class equipment and materials. You'll have to find a pool to use, a lecture hall etc etc.
If you're with a shop you'll be supported with these materials, but there are contracts that you'll have to sign with the shop. You won't always get to chose your guidelines or compromise.

With professional ratings also comes annual agency fees and insurance fees. Some shops will cover you under their insurance umbrella policy, others will keep you as an independent contractor in which case the insurance is yours to cover.


Both roads take a passion to avoid burning yourself out IMO. It requires a great deal of commitment just to get started. Whether that is logistical or worth it in the long run I'll leave up to you. You're could be dropping a lot of money to get your foot in the door.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I thin g1138 really covered the original posters questions well, give such a broad ranging inquiry. I would only add for Global Trailblazer this : Whoa!! Slow down! You need to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. Take a certification class. Do some diving, take some pictures. See if you like it. See if your good at it. Becoming a competent diver is more than getting a certification, and taking quality photos and video is a developed talent, not a credential and a camera. I like your plan, but it is one that will take some substantial time to come to pass. Be patient, be reasonable, and have a lot of fun along the way! For every quality picture i take, I take 50 that are nothing. For every picture I have taken that has won a prize, I have taken a thousand that haven't. But I have enjoyed every dive and taking every photo, and I hope you will too.
DivemasterDennis

 

[EastEndDiver]

Lets not forget the cost of Photo gear.It is hard to amortize the cost over a short time.