By Margo Cavis, Optical Ocean Sales

Divers and models make nice subjects to inspire wonder and excitement for the underwater environment. A human presence in this surreal, weightless surrounding can really draw your viewer in and help them relate to your image.

There are 2 major ways to photograph people underwater: scuba divers in a marine environment - or - models posing for art, fashion or advertising

Photographing Scuba Divers:
If you are lucky enough to work with a cooperative dive model, try to prepare with the tips below. You can also use many of these tips to photograph unsuspecting divers. 



Looking professional

First thing – make sure your diver model has all their gear neat and secure. Longer hair should be tied back to keep it from obscuring the face or just flowing in odd ways. Make sure they keep their body and arms positioned properly.



Looking good

Mask selection is very important – if you get this option. Have your model or dive buddy wear a mask that is not too distracting, unflattering and does not make them look like an alien. The choice is a personal preference, choose what you think looks good. I do however suggest staying away from all black masks as they hide the nose and much of the face making the diver’s face look odd. While a black mask isn’t good – black fins are good. Fins really compliment the diver and darker color fins look better – more like an extension of the diver. 



Communication

Have a good communication system with your model before you get in the water. Even if your model is really your dive buddy and it is not their main concern to be your model – come up with a plan for hand signals to let them know when you would like them to pose for you & what type of positioning or movement you would like. 



Silhouettes

Just about any wide-angle shot looks more intriguing with a diver silhouette in that big blue area. Diver silhouettes also look nice, create more interest and show scale when photographing a big animal in the distance or a shipwreck. 



Too many people

Most of the time, especially when doing wide-angle photography; it’s best to stay away from crowds. But sometimes you have to compromise. If you are with a group on a dive, try looking at your fellow divers as additional subject matter – even if they are not your model or buddy. Sometimes you might get annoyed that they are in the way, but take that opportunity to change your position so that their presence might actually compliment your composition. 



Buoyancy is always a huge factor

Make sure your model or buddy has good buoyancy control – especially if you are planning on having them pose close to fragile corals. If they are not very skilled in this area – change your composition to have these fragile things in the foreground and your model behind, but further back so there is no risk of accidentally bumping into something. With this composition and the magnification of the water, they can be a couple feet way, but still look like they are close to the coral. 



Animals and people

Most people are intrigued by the notion of swimming next to a large animal underwater, especially if they never have. If you come across an animal like a turtle or something bigger, make sure that your model or buddy knows to position themselves on the other side of the animal if possible so that they can be in the background of your shot. Again, like the coral, your model doesn’t have to be right next to the animal in order to look like they are. 



More lighting possibilities

Don’t forget about the possibility of your diver holding a light. This can be done just to draw attention to a diver silhouette – or the diver can provide additional light on the other subject of your composition.
 


Camera settings

If you are instructing your model or dive buddy into your scene, make sure to have your camera setting all ready before they enter the shot. 



Keep it wide

Composing photographs with people in them is best done with a wide angle lens… but not too wide. In most cases you will not want the distortion of a fish-eye on the human body. A lens in the 20-28mm range works really well. 



Review your images

Go over your images with your model. Having them see what looks good and what doesn’t will really help them know what to do the next time around.


Photographing Models for Art, Fashion or Advertising:

Fun, artistic underwater images of people can be created for many different reasons – fashion, advertising, books or magazines and fine art. With these posed, dream-like images, there is a world of possibilities. (These tips are for free-diving models close to the surface that do not require supplied air while underwater.)

Know what your model is feeling

Looking natural underwater – especially while holding your breath – is much harder than it looks. Before you shoot a model underwater, try holding your breath while swimming underwater with your eyes open, cheeks un-puffed and looking natural… moving freely, without fins. See what it is like, what the challenges are. This will make it easier to work with your model later and help you come up with some tricks and advice.

Tangle Panic

Clothes – especially long flowing clothes can initially cause panic, as there is the feeling of being tangled and drowning. I find it helpful to explain this to new models right away before they start. If they are expecting it, it seems to prepare them and helps reduce the panic.

Water up the nose

If you can avoid this – avoid it. Try to find someone else who is more comfortable in the water. Many people seem to have this problem and it really is one of the most challenging obstacles to work with. If you have to work with someone like this, there are a few different things you can try. Have them practice holding their breath then just lowering their mouth and nose underwater so they can get the feeling of not drawing air into their nose while underwater – in a calm, relaxed way. If they just can’t get comfortable with it try having them blow a little air out of their nose when they are first going underwater – then hold their breath. If all else fails – let them hold their nose when they first go underwater – then let go while still holding their breath. If you absolutely have to work with someone like this – be prepared to spend much more time getting your shots and you may not be able to get exactly what you want.

Red Eye

Photographing models – especially in a pool with chlorine, eyes will get irritated after a while. Some people are more sensitive, but just about everyone will be affected after a while, so keep that in mind. After the shoot, models can flush their eyes with a cool eye rinse or saline eye drops for relief.

Water clarity

Fabric as well as constant motion causes water to get cloudy after a while. Fabric can release particles, so pre-wash it if possible. Constant motion causes tiny little bubbles that make the water look cloudy. If you are in a pool – taking a break for a while can help the bubbles dissipate.

Break the rules
Don't forget, when you are photographing models, you don't always have to present the photo right-side-up. The weightless look of underwater shots gives you complete creative freedom. So, turn your photographs any way you want!

Learn by example

Show your model examples – photos or sketches – of positioning before they get in the water. After they take some time to get used to being underwater, they will be able to picture the visuals in their head to help them figure out movements and poses.

Have fun

Before you start, let your model get used to moving around underwater. Have them practice for a while in a completely relaxed mode without any pressure to do anything specific.

Go with the flow

When using clothing & fabric – the model needs to be able to create movement and motion that gets the fabric moving properly. Or, if it’s more of a still situation you will need helpers to constantly adjust fabric. Small fishing weights can also be used – depending on the look you are going for.

Safety

If you are in a pool, the model can always retreat to the edge, but if you are in open water – other precautions need to be taken. Keep some sort of float or platform close by. There should also be at least one helper with fins staying close by the model that can help.

More Help is Better

It’s really best to have at least 2 helpers ready with fins & mask when shooting in a pool. When shooting in open water divers are a better choice. Along with safety, they can wrangle fabric, adjust props and hold strategic lights.

Keep it wide

Composing photographs with people in them is best done with a wide angle lens… but not too wide. In most cases you will not want the distortion of a fish-eye on the human body. You will want to be able to get as close to your model as possible while still being able to get their whole body in frame. A lens in the 20-28mm range works really well.

Review your images

If the model will be working with you again, or if you take a break during the shoot, go over the images with your model. Having them see what looks good and what doesn’t will really help them know what to do the next time around. What it feels like they are doing – isn’t always really what they are doing.