Something New - Underwater Photography

I’ve been a photographer for years, but on this trip, I attempted something entirely new: underwater photography. Belize has been on my list of places to dive and explore, but this trip to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, held a new layer of excitement – and a healthy dose of nerves. Packed into a carry-on alongside my my camera was a brand-new underwater camera housing, ready for its maiden voyage. This was it: my first foray into the world of underwater photography.

San Pedro, and access to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, seemed like the perfect opportunity. Tales of curious nurse sharks, and of course the Great Blue Hole had me excited. I just hope to capture even

The Gear

Before Belize, my first attempts involved a the DJI Osmo Action 4 It was a fantastic, low-risk way to start, get used to having a camera in hand while diving and getting to understanding the color loss at depth. The Action 4 is great for capturing wide underwater video and performed really well. I'm considering a an Action 5 to mount on the top of my housing. I had a large screen to compose with and reliable touch-screen control over focus and exposure. It produced some great images

Next up I tried a handful of dives at a local quarry with my phone in a DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 MAX. A number of cases require you to use a third party app and you may not have access to the apps you want to shoot with. If you want control of your phone's screen and any apps you might want to use, such as Blackmagic Cam, this is the case for you. Having full access to your camera controls and all of the options of a triple camera system in the iPhone made for a night and day difference to the action cam for someone primarily focusing on photography.

For this trip. my excitement was mixed with a new kind of pressure, the kind that comes with an investment and a learning curve. Tucked away in its heavily padded case was my new kit: a Nauticam housing, a wide wet lens, my Canon R5 II, and two Backscatter Hybrid strobes. After experimenting with simpler setups, this was the trip where I finally dove headfirst into a more serious set up for underwater photography.

Canon R5 II with the Nauticam NA-R5II housing and two Backscatter Hybrid strobes.

Best Laid Plans

What is a trip without its bumps especially when you've planned the best you can?

Flight delays. Missed flights. Rerouting.

My clothes and dive gear didn't make it.

The arms for my lights and housing floats were in my dive bag.

You know what? That's ok.

There are always shops right next to where we stay. I'll pick up some board shorts, and a rash guard. I'll rent gear for the first day of dives and just enjoy some sunshine, warm waters and diving in a new location with some dive friends.

Looking down a street in San Pedro Belize.

Verify bags are on their way: Will only be a day late.

Rent equipment: check

Find shorts and rash guard: yup.

Hit the first day without the camera.

Gear was less than desirable.

Another diver accidentally stomped on my toe getting back on the boat after the first dive.

Ice. Food. Drink.

There's always tomorrow.

Dive dock and ocean views in San Pedro.

Not Looking for the "Perfect Shot"

My first attempt at underwater photography in San Pedro wasn't about coming home with a portfolio of magazine-worthy images. It was about the experience of learning a new skill in one of the most beautiful underwater environments. And nothing fully prepares you for the moment you sink below the surface, camera in hand, and the reef opens up below you.

I took extra care checking, double checking and even triple checking everything. Carefully went over each o-ring, ensured everything is seated, and quadruple checked that I didn't forget to take the lens cap off. After the first few minutes at depth without the fearful anticipation of the housing indicator turning red and the alarm echoing through the water I started to relax.

Buoyancy was fine and the choice to go with a wide angle the first time out felt like the right choice. Taking the camera housing to the pool for a quick check was also the perfect call. The camera was neutral and floated right with many with sinking or floating up.

Nice.

The most humbling part of the experience was the camera not feeling as familiar. With the camera itself in hand, it's second nature. I know where every control is without looking. With the housing however, everything is mapping to a new knob, lever or switch. Even after practicing before taking it down, it felt like I was holding a camera for the first time underwater. Combine that with the rough start to the trip and the less than ideal dive situation, overall I only took out on three dives this trip.

Below are some of the images I took and I can't wait for the next dive trip.