Whether you want to photograph wildlife, plants, or scenery, you’ll need to learn a few skills if you want to capture pictures underwater. It may seem easy, but taking pictures underwater can be more difficult than taking pictures on land. To make the experience fun and easy, use these five tips to take stunning underwater photos.

1. Position the Camera Close to the Subject

Air usually doesn’t affect the clarity of your picture, but water does. Water and extra space between you and your subject can affect the clarity of the photo, so it’s best to position the camera close to the subject. Usually, the best distance to capture an underwater photo is within 12 inches of the subject, if possible.

2. Avoid Zooming In

If you’re taking a picture of a poisonous fish, using the zoom function and remaining far away from the creature can be tempting. However, as we just mentioned, the water between yourself and the subject can distort light and colors, so you’ll need to find a way to safely approach the fish for the best photo.

3. Use Upward Angles

The third of these five tips to take stunning underwater photos is to use upward angles. On cloudy days, capturing enough natural light for a clear picture can be difficult if you use a downward angle. To capture the natural light, shoot with a slight upward angle instead. 

4. Choose Clear Waters

If you want a picture of gorgeous blue waters, you need to choose an area that’s free of sand and debris. One of the facts you should know about light transmission in the ocean is that sand, mud, and other debris affect how light passes through the water. Areas of sea with debris appear brown because the light is unable to scatter in the water, while clear water allows blue and green wavelengths to enter.

5. Be Still

You may think taking pictures in water is easy. Unfortunately, the ocean currents and waves can make the camera difficult to hold, so make sure you stabilize it against your body for a clear shot.