Some things I discovered on my first proper underwater photography trip... (previous trips using a disposable film camera does not count!)
Lesson 1: Image enhancement is key
Despite using the "underwater snapshot" settings, photos taken still end up with a terribly bluish tinge that hides all the wonderful colours of the coral. Using the "auto-levels" adjustment in Photoshop helps to remove this and reveals the wonderful natural browns, greens, yellows, purples, whites and blues of the coral hiding underneath.
Photo 1A - Original
Photo 1B - With image enhancement
Here's another example of how what appeared to be a terrible photo was saved...
Photo 1C - Original
Photo 1D - With image enhancement
Lesson 2: Image enhancement can only do so much for "blues"
Because Photoshop is adjusting to remove the over-skewed blue in the picture and balance the colours, its quite reasonable to guess that it means the "real blues" will be affected especially if the image was originally quite blue intensive. Photo 2A has a lot more blue sea in it that Photo 1A does. Hence after image enhancement, you can tell that while the other colours are not too far off, the blue looks a little weird.
Photo 2A - Original from camera
Photo 2B - With image enhancement
By the way, if you look closely at the left side of the photo, you can see a bit of the reef shark that kept circling us at high speed, making it impossible to get a good photo of it.
Lesson 3: Go up close to get the best natural colour balance
As you can see quite clearly when comparing the 2 shots, going up close reduces the amount of distance/water between the lens and the subject, and so the colour reproduction is much better and more accurate.
Photo 3A - Original, taken up close to object
Photo 3B - Original, taken from further distance with zoom
A bit of photoshop enhancement improves both photos, but since there's a lot less that has to be done for Photo 3A, the post-adjustment photo is better as well.
Photo 3C - Photo 3A with image enhancement
Photo 3D - Photo 3B with image enhancement
This is of course the best shot of all!
Photo 3E - Original, taken really close
Lesson 4: Plankton makes shots appear grainy
It's a little difficult to demonstrate this, but basically your photo will not be as clear as photographs taken above water. Reason is simple: Plankton. Similar to Lesson 3, the less distance (ie water) you put in between the camera and the subject, the less plankton.
Photo 4A - Original, taken up close
Photo 4B - Photo 4A with image enhancement
Photo 4C - Original, above water
Lesson 5: You have to know where to look
This photo is one of a sleeping reef shark. Amazing isn't it? It was hidden in a little alcove, and a less experienced snorkeler would have just passed by it without knowing it was there.
Photo 5A - Original
Luckily we had a guide with us and not only did he know where sharks like to hang out, he was also able to dive down pretty far to check out these hidden spots for us. No credit to me for the shark photo, it was taken by him!
Lesson 6: Fish can be friendly!
These fish were really really friendly and came very very close within touching distance of us. I was at some point a little scared of them! This of course makes for some great shots, if only I could get the whole fish in the frame. Just have to try many times!
Photo 6A - Original, not cropped, with camera totally zoomed out
Lesson 7: Don't forget to zoom out
I was originally trying so hard to take a "profile pic" aka "mug shot" of the fishes, that I forgot to zoom out and look at them as a whole.
Photo 7A - Original
I still like some of the mug shots though!
Lesson 8: Underwater has lots of potential for interesting shots
I was actually trying to take a photo of the coral, and had already half-pressed the shutter to focus. Bubbles suddenly appeared so I waited a little for it to fill the frame before pressing down fully. I like this shot!
Photo 8A - With image enhancement to remove blue tinge
So that's the key 8 lessons I learnt on my first proper underwater photography trip. Something to keep in mind also, is that the sea is not calm when you're floating around in it... So its not like taking a photo while you're on land, you are going to be constantly bobbing around. A fast shutter speed is definitely important so that your shots at least appear focused. No matter how much post production enhancements you do, its not really possible to make a very blurry shot look sharp.
The other question is whether or not to wear a life-jacket while snorkeling. Putting aside the issue of whether or not you're a strong swimmer, I found it easier to "not move" and take a photo when I was wearing one. But wearing one means that you are unable to dive down to be closer to the coral (less distance between camera and subject!) and you also can't take close ups or check nooks and crannies where fishes might be hiding... So in the end its really your personal preference, but safety must always come first!
Oh if anyone can tell me how to clean an oily-from-lots-of-sunblock waterproof camera, I would be very grateful. Thanks!
Lesson 1: Image enhancement is key
Despite using the "underwater snapshot" settings, photos taken still end up with a terribly bluish tinge that hides all the wonderful colours of the coral. Using the "auto-levels" adjustment in Photoshop helps to remove this and reveals the wonderful natural browns, greens, yellows, purples, whites and blues of the coral hiding underneath.
Photo 1A - Original
Photo 1B - With image enhancement
Here's another example of how what appeared to be a terrible photo was saved...Photo 1C - Original
Photo 1D - With image enhancement
Lesson 2: Image enhancement can only do so much for "blues"Because Photoshop is adjusting to remove the over-skewed blue in the picture and balance the colours, its quite reasonable to guess that it means the "real blues" will be affected especially if the image was originally quite blue intensive. Photo 2A has a lot more blue sea in it that Photo 1A does. Hence after image enhancement, you can tell that while the other colours are not too far off, the blue looks a little weird.
Photo 2A - Original from camera
Photo 2B - With image enhancement
By the way, if you look closely at the left side of the photo, you can see a bit of the reef shark that kept circling us at high speed, making it impossible to get a good photo of it.Lesson 3: Go up close to get the best natural colour balance
As you can see quite clearly when comparing the 2 shots, going up close reduces the amount of distance/water between the lens and the subject, and so the colour reproduction is much better and more accurate.
Photo 3A - Original, taken up close to object
Photo 3B - Original, taken from further distance with zoom
A bit of photoshop enhancement improves both photos, but since there's a lot less that has to be done for Photo 3A, the post-adjustment photo is better as well.Photo 3C - Photo 3A with image enhancement
Photo 3D - Photo 3B with image enhancement 
This is of course the best shot of all!Photo 3E - Original, taken really close
Lesson 4: Plankton makes shots appear grainy
It's a little difficult to demonstrate this, but basically your photo will not be as clear as photographs taken above water. Reason is simple: Plankton. Similar to Lesson 3, the less distance (ie water) you put in between the camera and the subject, the less plankton.
Photo 4A - Original, taken up close
Photo 4B - Photo 4A with image enhancement
Photo 4C - Original, above water
Lesson 5: You have to know where to look
This photo is one of a sleeping reef shark. Amazing isn't it? It was hidden in a little alcove, and a less experienced snorkeler would have just passed by it without knowing it was there.
Photo 5A - Original
Luckily we had a guide with us and not only did he know where sharks like to hang out, he was also able to dive down pretty far to check out these hidden spots for us. No credit to me for the shark photo, it was taken by him!
Lesson 6: Fish can be friendly!
These fish were really really friendly and came very very close within touching distance of us. I was at some point a little scared of them! This of course makes for some great shots, if only I could get the whole fish in the frame. Just have to try many times!
Photo 6A - Original, not cropped, with camera totally zoomed out
Lesson 7: Don't forget to zoom out
I was originally trying so hard to take a "profile pic" aka "mug shot" of the fishes, that I forgot to zoom out and look at them as a whole.
Photo 7A - Original
I still like some of the mug shots though!
Lesson 8: Underwater has lots of potential for interesting shots
I was actually trying to take a photo of the coral, and had already half-pressed the shutter to focus. Bubbles suddenly appeared so I waited a little for it to fill the frame before pressing down fully. I like this shot!
Photo 8A - With image enhancement to remove blue tinge
So that's the key 8 lessons I learnt on my first proper underwater photography trip. Something to keep in mind also, is that the sea is not calm when you're floating around in it... So its not like taking a photo while you're on land, you are going to be constantly bobbing around. A fast shutter speed is definitely important so that your shots at least appear focused. No matter how much post production enhancements you do, its not really possible to make a very blurry shot look sharp.
The other question is whether or not to wear a life-jacket while snorkeling. Putting aside the issue of whether or not you're a strong swimmer, I found it easier to "not move" and take a photo when I was wearing one. But wearing one means that you are unable to dive down to be closer to the coral (less distance between camera and subject!) and you also can't take close ups or check nooks and crannies where fishes might be hiding... So in the end its really your personal preference, but safety must always come first!Oh if anyone can tell me how to clean an oily-from-lots-of-sunblock waterproof camera, I would be very grateful. Thanks!
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