| Just about everyone of us when we were kids, | | | | properly in deep water. It is the most important unit |
| would go swimming either in a public swimming pool, | | | | you'll need. So choose from a reputable dive shop. |
| lake or river. If we were lucky we had a rich friend | | | | SPG is an item that keeps the pressure level, it's |
| that owned a diving mask, snorkel and fins. If he was | | | | very important to say the least. |
| a nice guy and let you use them, you could imagine all | | | | Compass as we all know, is a device to tell what |
| sorts of things. Knife fighting an octopus, being | | | | direction one is going. Just make sure it works before |
| attacked by sharks, trying to get away from some | | | | a dive. |
| underwater sea monster. These were dreams that | | | | Now for some more fun stuff, Lights, Camera, |
| would live with us forever. Just the thrill of breathing | | | | Action.Cameras: When you purchase a camera, for |
| underwater with a snorkel, being able to see without | | | | your pictures sake, read the owners manuel, and |
| your eyes burning, and kicking your legs and actually | | | | understand all the details of operation. Even |
| moving in the water. Yea, these things you don't | | | | experienced photographers do this. When your 20 ft |
| forget. | | | | down, you won't be able to stop and read the |
| Now that your all grown up, you can pursue your life | | | | directions. All cameras are different. So do as the |
| long dream of becoming a Scuba Diver.Here are | | | | pros do, read the manuel. The first thing to learn |
| some things you should know and consider while you | | | | from the manuel, is to know the point of focus for |
| are in the process. | | | | the primary lens and each accessory optic. You will |
| To start with, we'll discuss scuba tanks in general. | | | | know what I'm talking about, if you read the manuel. |
| You don't have to own a tank to go scuba | | | | Use a flash: To restore the natural color spectrum to |
| diving.Dive shops rent them.Tanks can be the | | | | the otherwise blue world. Without a flash(strobe), |
| trickiest piece of equipment you will use. Well review | | | | most underwater photos will lack luster and seem |
| some tips on the subject. | | | | drab. At only 8 ft, colors began to fade. Strobes will |
| (a) If your going to purchase a tank, make sure you | | | | bring back the natural color, and illuminate the shaded |
| pick a well known dive shop. Do not buy one sight | | | | areas.Balance your flash power to available sunlight to |
| unseen. | | | | achieve a natural look, and never shoot down to get |
| (b) Tanks can expand in heat. Leaving your tank in a | | | | your photo shots against a fantastic blue background. |
| closed car or truck on a warm day, is not a good | | | | Otherwise you'll get a black background, and |
| idea. Tanks can burst from pressure expanding and | | | | backscatter from floating particles. You'll get alot of |
| ruin your day. Keep tanks out of the direct sun | | | | backscatter the further you are from the subject |
| whenever possible. | | | | your photographing. |
| (c) If renting or buying, make sure you inspect the | | | | As light enters the water, it interacts with water |
| tank, this is how. Remove the rubber valve | | | | molecules and suspended particles causing loss of |
| protection cap and make sure the O ring is seated | | | | light. The best time to shoot your photos is mid-day |
| properly and isn't damaged. Secure the cap back on | | | | when the sun is overhead, providing there is a sun. |
| the valve. | | | | Trying to shoot a photo on a cloudy day is impossible |
| (d) Make sure the bouyancy compensator is | | | | if you want to achieve exceptable pictures with true |
| attached to the tank. If you don't know what this is, | | | | natural color. To produce a clear blue background, |
| ask. | | | | take shots at a slightly upward angle toward the |
| (e) Always check your PSI gauge, if your a newbie, | | | | surface whenever possible, to get an uncluttered |
| ask when you fill or rent your tank, what the PSI | | | | photo. |
| should be. | | | | The basic rule of thumb for great photos, is if you |
| (f) We'll talk now about 3 main things you need. | | | | can't touch it, don't shoot it. Of course dangerous |
| BCD: Buoyancy Control Device | | | | creatures like sharks, barrarcudas, etc., my advise |
| SPG: Submersible Pressure GaugeCompass | | | | would be to keep your distance. |
| BCD is essentially a device that lets you breathe | | | | |