Every wreck you dive is unique – and thanks to the accessibility of underwater photography equipment, we have the ability to commit the incredible sights we encounter while wreck diving to memory, share them with others, and perhaps even win awards in photo contests. If you’re fairly new to the world of underwater photography, you’ll find these five tips for photographing shipwrecks greatly improve your portfolio.
Try Classic Wide-angle Shipwreck Shots - Shipwreck Photography Tips
Wide-angle shipwreck shots that encompass the whole wreck from a unique perspective can be tough to get, depending on where you are diving, currents, visibility, and other factors including the number of divers exploring the wreck at the same time you are. It can be extremely challenging to get a classic ship picture, but you can do it by taking some time to look for an interesting perspective, ensuring you’ve set your camera correctly for a wide-angle shot, and deciding which of the ship’s elements will make for the best portraits. In some cases, you might find that getting down low for a bow shot works well; for others, you may want to focus on a feature such as a wheelhouse or row of ghostly, empty portholes. Be creative and take lots of shots.
Work to Express Scale - Shipwreck Photography Tips
Scale gives viewers that sense of awe. Schooling fish can sometimes create scale if you’re working in excellent visibility, and having a diver in the distance is also a great tool to use to create a sense of scale. Can you see the hull of the dive boat up on the surface from where you are? Try shooting in an upward direction, and the comparison between the large wreck in the foreground and the tiny dive boat hull in the background will convey a sense of scale that’s sure to amaze.
Overcome Poor Visibility - Shipwreck Photography Tips
Poor visibility happens. Instead of letting it wreck your photo session, use it to your advantage, creating a sense of mystery by focusing on certain features close-up and allowing other aspects of the wreck to fade into the distance. Cannons, deck guns, propellers, or a mysterious-looking wheel house are some examples of aspects that can be made to look absolutely stunning when working in low visibility. Have your dive buddies use their lights to help you create interesting effects, and again, be creative. You never know what‘s going to happen.
Photograph Artifacts - Shipwreck Photography Tips
Instead of wishing you could bring artifacts to the surface, leave them in place and photograph them. An old piece of china, a pair of shoes lying in a suggestive pose, or an old gauge can be a wonderfully compelling subject that speaks of the human element involved in a wreck, whether showing its history, memorializing lives lost, or simply focusing on the beautiful craftsmanship of bygone times.
Give Marine Life Center Stage - Shipwreck Photography Tips
Remember to spend a little time capturing the marine life that’s present on most wrecks. Fish, eels, crabs, and other critters make great subjects, particularly when they’ve transformed part of a wreck into a unique hiding place. While you probably don’t want to spend your whole dive photographing the creatures that call the wreck home, taking a few photos will help you to capture the overall atmosphere.
When photographing wrecks, your greatest allies are knowledge of your equipment, an eye for detail, and the ability to let go of convention and use your imagination to create unique shots. Have fun and take lots of photos! The more you take, the better your skills will become.