Some of the loveliest and most unique photographs taken are those of underwater subjects. Unfortunately in order to successfully snap images of divers, coral and other forms of sea life a photographer requires a different set of skills and knowledge, and it also requires special equipment.

While many photographers have access to special watertight housings for their cameras, today’s photographers (both professional and amateur) actually have an adequate range of “point and click” cameras that are all ready outfitted with the ability to shoot at significant depths of water.

Of course, having a watertight camera will not instantly produce the best images possible, and a snorkeler or scuba diver must also understand what happens to light and color as it gets deeper under water.

Anyone can search for some examples of underwater photography on the Internet and quickly locate many amateur images. These will be photographs of sea animals or people that seem to be washed out and contain only varying shades of sea blue or green. This is because the underwater environment absorbs the wavelengths of any light that is penetrating the surface, which also means that colors such as the reds and oranges disappear, and the world becomes primarily shades of blue and green. Additionally, the light is so remarkably different beneath the waves that contrast and shadow or depth is also eliminated in many photographs.

So, what can a photographer do? Generally to combat the standard problems presented in the underwater environment a photographer uses two combined solutions. First they try to get to their subject as close as is safely possible. They do this while simultaneously using macro settings or wide angle lenses to take the picture. The second solution requires the use of flash lighting to capture colors accurately, create depth by identifying areas of shadow and “flash filling” the frame to even out any lighting discrepancies.

While such techniques will work really well on coral, small clusters of calm fish or other sea life, and even shipwrecks, most photographers must accept that getting perfect pictures of dolphins and sharks through such methods will be unsafe and generally impossible. It is for situations like this that alternative approaches can be used. Some of the most popular methods include “above the water” action shots, and the use of balanced light – this requires the photographer to situate their subject between the camera lens and the surface of the water and usually provides a brilliantly lit background.

Amy Renfrey writes a bi-weekly/occasional article for The Corner Blog. Amy is a digital photographer, a photography teacher, and author of the popular Digital Photography Success package as well as her ebook Powerful Landscape Photography. For more information, or to purchase her Photography Package, visit her site: Digital Photography Success and Powerful Landscape Photography. Amy also publishes a monthly photography ezine called Focus eMagazine which includes dozen of articles and tutorials, as well as hours of video each month. Click here to find out more and subscribe to Focus eMagazine.