This is an article as part of our DEMA Expo 2009 round-up.
At DEMA, underwater photography was one of the most popular topics. There were more camera-related booths than any other group. Plus, the SCUBA photography seminars were some of the most interactive I attended.
Is Underwater Photography SCUBA’s Savior?
Some people I spoke with would have me believe that underwater photography is the single most important activity for a SCUBA diver retention. The theory is that by handing a SCUBA diver an underwater camera they are more likely to slow down, feel challenged and fully take in their underwater environment. I couldn’t agree more.
Speaking from personal experience, I had entered into professional SCUBA diving levels yet still did not feel extremely challenged by most my dives. However, when I picked up a camera new challenges presented themselves. I had to take better control by buoyancy, I learned more about the underwater world surrounding me and I noticed more of the marine world I was exploring.
PADI’s SEA Philosophy
PADI heavily promoted their several year old Digital Underwater Photographer to all the SCUBA instructors in attendance. To the professional (or pro-wannabe), this is probably one of the most sacrilegious ideas around: don’t worry about really knowing how to use your camera.
Before anybody cries foul, let me explain why I think this is a great idea. First, my story:
I learned underwater photography on film, my first experience being with a Nikonos V, then the Sea & Sea Motor Marine series. I learned from a professional underwater photographer who has shot for Nat Geo before. I purchased a complete Motor Marine set…about 18 months before digital underwater began to take off. Now I can’t give away my film setup.
I also tend to buy a new compact digital camera about every 9 months and know that there are far more features than the average person will ever use.
With those concepts in mind, I think PADI has it right. Don’t teach everyone how to use their camera’s because each one is different. Expect them to know how to take a shot and look at it. That’s where SEA comes in: Shoot, Examine, Adjust. Take a shot, look at it to see what is wrong with it, adjust. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Removing Barriers to Entry
We’ve already seen decent underwater digital cameras get down into the sub-$500 range, so price is much less of a barrier than before. If we can get our SCUBA divers to just start taking photos, won’t they go down the path of better awareness, (potentially) better buoyancy control and continuing to SCUBA dive?
I know I’m hooked on the underwater photography drug, how about you?
Image by PhotopediaPhotos
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I have been teaching the Ikelite Camera's in the Classroom tutorial for years!
I love Ikelite! Some of the fugliest housings on the market, but the only one in my arsenal that I have NEVER had a problem with! I even found a saltwater-flooded housing of theirs on a dive, rinsed it off, got a new o-ring and it was good to go. Plus, at DEMA, they were one of the only booths that actually had great customer service for people browsing their displays (at least that I experienced).
What do you think the new Liquid Vision masks may mean for the future of digital underwater photography while taking part in a SCUBA diving course? Will it allow instructors to take pictures while teaching? Give students more leeway to take pictures while learning?
A great thing about the DUP course is that it can be integrated with the OW Course. Extra staffing (apart from the course Instructor there needs to be a "Photo Pro" who manages the photo process – the photo pro needs to be a DUP Instructor) is required for safety and logistics, and to make sure that the core skills of the course continue to be the focus.
This means a new diver can have a small digital camera in their hands on some of their very first dives.
Pretty cool if done properly!
I guess all of the PADI people weren't exactly "on message" like we had discussed, since after the seminar I attended, they told me it was completely new. Oops
I was impressed that one of my local dive centers is actually bringing in an entire rental fleet of underwater digital cameras, I think they definitely have the right idea!
Hi Nick, the PADI Digital UW Photographer course has been around in its current form for several years. PADI did not "unveil" this at DEMA, but was simply working with professionals to get more of them to use the program!
I agree that the SEA method is brilliant. Whilst I learnt UW photography on a Nikonos, and used film for several years, the biggest advantages of digital are the simplicity and the instantaneous feedback you get by reviewing the LCD.
I wholeheartedly concur that digital photography is a gateway for many divers and non-divers to get into and/or expand their diving.
Nick, you couldn't be more correct! This is one of those really huge things that most professionals just don't get. If you want someone to buy gear and go on trips, and keep diving for years….put a camera in their hands.
Just like you said, it's an addiction! When you take something like SCUBA and start mashing other passions into the mix, you start raising the addiction level. Some divers go tech, some love to hunt shark teeth or Lobsters in the Keys, or Spear fishing, but the result the same…..addiction.
All these mixes are special, but underwater photography is probably the Apex in my opinion. While hunting lobster and spearfishing can be exciting and even competitive, underwater photography has something all the others lack,
You Can Do It Everyday!
New Divers can research new camera equipment via the internet. They can join a Niche community forum like http://www.WetPixel.com or http://www.DivePhotoGuide.com and discus new techniques. They can practice with their equipment at home or anywhere else they go.
And finally, they will spend a Ton of time in the dive shop pool testing all of the new things they have learned! I have seen them spend hours upon hours in the pool playing with their cool new stuff! Take away the camera, and you just have a boring old swimming pool, but the camera keeps it ever evolving and exciting.
All the while their skills and comfort levels improve dramatically, their natural desire to travel to beautiful places with you so they can capture breathtaking photo's becomes overwhelming.
And with all that comes- Equipment sales, advanced training, travel, retention!
Good article!
Thank you much!
I think you really drive the point home regarding addiction, but in a good way. I thoroughly enjoy how my underwater photography students immediately become some of my best advertising since they must show all of their friends their photos
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