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Underwater Photography

Underwater Photography

by Tobias Friedrich
Publisher: Rocky Nook
Release Date: September 2014
ISBN: 9781492015659
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Book Description

Underwater photography is a fascinating pursuit for those who aspire to capture the magical world found within our oceans and bring it to the surface. In this book, award-winning photographer Tobias Friedrich teaches us how to create stunning underwater images, covering everything from the equipment needed, to creating powerful compositions, to processing the final image. He uses case studies to show how his own images were created, and provides detailed explanations for specific techniques that can be applied to your very next dive.

The text is supported by images from some of the most beautiful diving areas on Earth. Also included are countless tips and tricks for the beginner and intermediate photographer.

Topics include:

  • Choosing the right equipment
  • Composing your images
  • Wide-angle photography
  • Macro photography
  • Image editing
  • Case studies
  • Diagrams of shooting positions
An added bonus is the 22-page Guest Gallery featuring images by some of today's most recognized names in underwater photography, including Ernie Brooks, Alex Mustard, Richard Salas, Imran Ahmad, and Eric Cheng.

The abundance of breathtaking underwater images contained in this book is sure to inspire you to plan your next dive.

Foreword by Ernie Brooks.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication
  4. Table of Contents
  5. Foreword by Ernie Brooks
  6. Introduction
    1. About the Book
    2. Case Study 1: The Meeting
  7. 1 Equipment
    1. 1.1 Digital Single-Lens Reflex Cameras
      1. Sensor Sizes
      2. Lenses
    2. 1.2 Underwater Camera Housings
      1. Front Ports
      2. Viewfinders
    3. 1.3 Flash Units
    4. 1.4 Focus Lights
    5. 1.5 Compact Cameras
    6. 1.6 Preparing Your Equipment
    7. 1.7 Protecting Your Equipment
    8. 1.8 Transporting Your Equipment
    9. Case Study 2: Space Gliders
  8. 2 The Basics
    1. 2.1 Diving and Taking Pictures
    2. 2.2 The Behavior of Light Under Water
    3. 2.3 Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO
    4. 2.4 JPEG or RAW
    5. 2.5 White Balance
    6. 2.6 Flash Techniques
    7. 2.7 TTL or Manual
    8. 2.8 Histogram
    9. Case Study 3: Tea for Two
  9. 3 Composition
    1. 3.1 Perspective
    2. 3.2 The Golden Ratio
    3. 3.3 Lines and Diagonals
    4. 3.4 Centering
    5. 3.5 Contrast
    6. 3.6 Color
    7. 3.7 Exceptions
    8. 3.8 Creativity
    9. 3.9 Learning to Compose
  10. Guest Photographers Gallery
    1. RICHARD SALAS
    2. ERNIE BROOKS
    3. ALEX MUSTARD
    4. IMRAN AHMAD
    5. ERIC CHENG
    6. Case Study 4: The Playmate
  11. 4 Wide-Angle Photography
    1. 4.1 Lenses
    2. 4.2 Exposure
    3. 4.3 Using Flash
    4. 4.4 Finding Subjects
    5. 4.5 Shooting Distance
    6. 4.6 Getting Close
    7. 4.7 Wrecks
    8. 4.8 Split Waterline Photos
    9. 4.9 Large Sea Life
    10. 4.10 Reefs
    11. 4.11 Close Range, Wide Angle
    12. 4.12 Backlight
    13. 4.13 Models
    14. 4.14 Motion Blur
    15. 4.15 Recording Video
    16. Case Study 5: Communal Living
    17. Case Study 6: Dive by Night
  12. 5 Macro Photography
    1. 5.1 Lenses
    2. 5.2 Macro vs. Closeup
    3. 5.3 Settings
    4. 5.4 Depth of Field
    5. 5.5 Flash Position
    6. 5.6 Background
    7. 5.7 Focusing
    8. 5.8 Super Macro
    9. 5.9 Subjects
    10. 5.10 Light-Shaping Tools
    11. Case Study 7: Proximity Trigger
  13. 6 Image Editing
    1. 6.1 Workflow
      1. The steps of a typical workflow:
    2. 6.2 Selecting and Evaluating Pictures
    3. 6.3 RAW Conversion
    4. 6.4 Detailed Image Editing
    5. 6.5 Archiving
    6. Case Study 8: The Dark Knight
  14. 7 Appendix
    1. 7.1 Behind the Scenes
    2. 7.2 Acknowledgements
    3. 7.3 Travel Checklist
      1. DIVING EQUIPMENT
      2. PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
      3. UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT
      4. ELECTRONICS
      5. GENERAL TRAVEL
      6. Personal Notes
    4. 7.4 Predive Checklist
    5. 7.5 Ready, Set, Go
      1. Wide-Angle
      2. Macro
      3. Split Waterline
      4. Close Range, Wide Angle
      5. Backlight
      6. Motion Blur