DAN_World_Alert_Diver_Q1_2019

Research, Education & Medicine

Stephen Frink

Whether you’re a new photographer just learning how to dive, or an experienced saltwater explorer just learning how to shoot, we’ve got some insights for you By Stephen Frink Scuba 101 DIVE SKILLS FOR UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHERS

When I need more airflow while exerting myself – in hot pursuit of a turtle, for example, or in a similar situation – the ability to decrease resistance makes breathing more comfortable. Buoyancy Compensator A buoyancy compensator (BC) with the wings in the back minimises the volume along the front of the torso, which is useful when getting through tight places on the reef or on wrecks. Because underwater photography often requires travel, I try to find a lighter BC that still offers reasonable lift and durability. I prefer fewer hoses, so I like an inflator/ regulator that eliminates the traditional spare second stage from my kit and allows me to breathe from it in an emergency while sharing my primary with another diver. The integrated inflator concept is de rigueur for a photographer whose hands are otherwise occupied with camera gear. Wetsuit I’m very picky about my wetsuits. While waiting for marine-life behaviour to present, underwater photographers tend not to move as much as the average recreational diver. Consequently, it is easier to get cold, so good thermal protection is a must. An old and compressed suit has diminished efficiency and should be replaced. Modern wetsuits are wonders of technology, but they can’t be expected to last forever. For tropical diving, my 3mm suits get a lot of use, and I tend to replace them annually.

Underwater photography, for me, was an evolution of my passion for topside photography. I suspect most aficionados, however, first became scuba divers and then embraced underwater stills and video to record and share the wonders of the underwater world. Along the way, these divers would have refined their diving skills, either consciously or subconsciously, to become more adept at moving through the water while handling unwieldy photography gear. In-water skills are important for productive interactions with often elusive marine life. Here are a few tips that may accelerate the learning curve. DIVE GEAR While most modern dive gear is very good and will serve the underwater photographer well, a few features might make the task easier. Mask The mask is probably the most significant piece of personal gear because it’s important to both see your subject clearly and have an unobstructed view through your camera housing’s viewfinder. For the same reason Ansel Adams draped a black cloth over his

head while focusing on the ground glass of his view camera while in the field, an underwater photographer will likely prefer a low-volume mask with a black skirt. The low volume gets the eye closer to the viewfinder so the frame can be viewed at a single glance, preferably edge to edge, and the black skirt blocks extraneous light. A clear silicone mask lets in so much light that the contrast in the viewfinder glass is diminished, and detail is more difficult to discern. (Masks with side windows to enhance peripheral vision have the same problem.) A mask that doesn’t leak is crucial as well. Regulator Ease of breathing is important, of course, but subtle perks can make a regulator better suited for underwater photography. A regulator that exhausts completely to the side prevents bubbles from percolating in front of the housing and interfering with vision. I prefer a regulator with a knob to adjust breathing resistance according to the task. Exhaust bubbles can ruin the shot if I am shooting an overhead subject, so the ability to inhale softly without the regulator trickling gas is important. For that task I’d increase breathing resistance.

| DAN 118