Underwater Photography Course Oct 2017

Last month I conducted my first ever underwater photography course. A new chapter for me in my progression in underwater photography. During the course I was going to pass on my skills, understanding of diving and photography and my passion to fellow divers. I was very excited to start the course as this has been around 2 years in the making now. The summer of 2017 was dedicated to finishing off the lesson plan, presentation slideshow and also fine tuning various elements of the course so that it would all fit in nicely and run smoothly. 

I am so lucky to have Lanta Diver as a working partner with me, as they have been supportive and helpful . Most importantly they also supply the training facilities and Dive boats! I was lucky to have 2 students to start the 3 day course. Both students came into the course with an advanced level of camera functionality and use. They could already took take some decent shots above water so the test now was to transfer those skills below the surface. The course was over 3 days were day 1 was spent on land and int he pool and the following days were out on the open water. 

Day 1

was spent in the classroom and the pool. The morning was spent talking, explaing and demonstrating about camera care, underwater camera assembly, disassembly, correct exposures, lighting, strobe positioning, composition, DOF, buoyancy, approaching the subject, safety underwater and post processing of images. Well those were the starting topics, many more subjects were discussed. After the morning session and a light lunch we headed to the pool where we first did a buoyancy workshop before taking the cameras in the water to do a mini shoot in the pool. This pool session was important as the guys started to understand the difficulties about adjusting settings whilst composing a shot whilst underwater, all in a controlled environment.

Day 2

was all about taking everything we learned in the classroom and applying it in the ocean. We were on the boat on the way to the Bidas and we were off to shoot macro for the first day in the water. Macro is certainly harder than wide angle due to the body positions you need to get into and the size of the subject. The guys also noticed its a lot harder, and their care and understanding of my “do not touch anything” policy worked well. The guys also soon realised that you go through a lot more air taking photos than you do when recreational diving.

Day 3

was our final day on the boat. Our last day was spent on Koh Haa where we practiced wide angle photography. A much easier day and with some good conditions we had 3 dives where we learned more about getting closer to our subjects and the composition of shots, the thought process of taking that shot, adjusting settings before taking the shot and reiterated good practices and safety underwater. It was interesting to see them cope with wide angle better and we even managed to practise some split level shots albeit it was a little choppy!

It was a great 3 days where I know Philip and Simon did learn many new skills and ideas. I also learned a thing or 2 from them. It was fantastic to have 2 passionate people who pushed me and themselves to get some good shots. I was able to see a vast improvement on their underwater photography skills. One big factor I learned from the course, underwater photography is not as easy as it sounds or as easy as I may make it look! One great plus from the course is that one student is now considering becoming a dive photographer for a dive company on the island and one has just recently bought a full set up for his D7200 camera. Fantastic news!

If you are interested in doing this course with my have a look here in my underwater photography classes based in Koh Lanta Thailand.