The Underwater Photographer Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques and procedures necessary to take underwater photographs, and allow the student to experience and discuss many areas of interest to the underwater photographer.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information regarding the use of underwater photography for scuba diving, and wanting bring back many memories of their underwater adventures to share with family and friends

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Underwater Photo Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Underwater light
  • Variation of light under water
  • Time for best available light photography
  • Color correction filtering for depth
  • Strobes vs. video light
  • Selective color absorption of light
  • Available light and strobe considerations
  • Possible backscatter issues
• Film considerations
  • Color balance
  • Grain
  • Resolving power
  • Latitude
  • Contrast
  • Color reversal
• Digital
  • Capture media
  • Memory technology
  • Printing
  • Post dive review ability SDI Instructor Manual
  • TV vs. computer vs. camera
• Camera use in association with scuba
  • Types of cameras
  • Handling of equipment
  • Camera settings
• Photographic subjects
  • Composition of scene
  • Use of light enhancement
  • Subject ease
  • Use of models
  • Marine Conservation awareness
• Care of equipment
  • Salt water care
  • Fresh water care
  • Care of the flooded-housed camera
• Use of color positive films
  • Ease of development (E—6 processing)
  • Mounting
• Digital software
  • Downloading images
  • Photo storage
  • Photo manipulation
  • Printing & mounting

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Familiarize with the equipment and proper handling of equipment
• Composition to be considered at a beginning point of view
• Plan Dive
• Suitable Entry (care to be taken with camera & additional equipment; these may be passed to diver once in the water in conditions & environment allows it)
• Situational awareness (depth, time, air consumption and buddy awareness)
• Photography of subjects as planned
• Conservational awareness
• Conduct safe ascent and safety stops
• Exit
• Dive a different site to experience different
  • Marine subjects
  • Additional light considerations
  • Wide coloring
• Maintain safety while within the water environment and attaining good quality subjects
• Both photograph both still and moving life subjects if possible
• Discuss with instructor helpful hints on how to improve photos

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in Underwater Photo diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Underwater Photo Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Underwater Photo Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution