The world below the surface is one that's full of wonder and excitement. With many differences from the world we live in on land, underwater photography provides some amazing opportunities for incredible images and new discoveries.
But because of these differences, underwater photography can be particularly tricky to master — especially if it's your first try. With the right equipment and a little preparation, you can learn to capture great underwater photos.
Last updated: May 2026
1. Start at the Shallow End
The expression 'dip your toes in' certainly applies to underwater photography. Depending on your skill level as a photographer and your diving experience, holding your first underwater session tens of metres below the surface may be a tad too ambitious. If it's your first try, consider shooting in shallower water so you don't have to balance two demanding skills simultaneously. This also gives you the chance to surface quickly if you need to adjust camera settings or review your results.
2. Use the Right Camera Gear
While disposable waterproof cameras are great for beginners, you'll need to upgrade your gear to get the best from your underwater photography. Your main options are:
- DSLR or mirrorless camera with underwater housing: The best image quality, with large sensors that handle low light well. More expensive and bulkier, but the results speak for themselves.
- Waterproof compact camera: A more point-and-shoot approach with no additional housing required — much more budget-friendly and easier to manage underwater.
- Action cameras: Compact, rugged, and naturally waterproof — great for wide-angle footage and fast-paced underwater action.
Browse underwater camera housings at Ted's →
3. Get Up Close and Personal
Due to the much darker conditions underwater, shooting from a distance will produce murky, grainy results. These issues are exacerbated the further away you are from your subjects — so get as close as possible to whatever you're shooting. This is one of the most impactful changes you can make to your underwater images.
4. Use Manual Settings
It's not always easy to adjust camera settings underwater, but a basic understanding of the exposure triangle will help you overcome the obstacles. If you'd like a deeper refresher, our complete guide to the exposure triangle covers every setting in detail. Key settings to know:
- ISO: A higher ISO lets in more light — essential underwater — and allows you to use a faster shutter speed to freeze moving subjects like fish. For a full breakdown of how ISO works, see our ISO photography settings guide.
- Shutter speed: A faster shutter speed reduces motion blur from both your subjects and your own movement.
- Aperture: Controls depth of field and brightness. A wider aperture (lower f-number) lets in more light.
If full manual feels overwhelming, Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority modes are great stepping stones — you control one variable and let the camera handle the rest.
5. Use Macro Mode
If you're shooting close-up subjects, Macro mode prepares your lens to focus within a smaller range — preventing it from hunting for a focal point. Just be aware of its limitations: if you suddenly switch to a subject further away, you'll need to turn Macro off or your camera will struggle to focus.
6. Familiarise Yourself with Your Camera Above Water
In dark underwater conditions, identifying buttons and settings on your camera becomes much harder. Practise your key settings on land until they become second nature. Lock in your main settings before you dive — the less you need to adjust underwater, the better.
7. Try to Keep Still as You Shoot
Moving while pressing the shutter is a sure-fire way to end up with blurry, disappointing images — and this is amplified by the slower shutter speeds often needed underwater. Brace yourself and hold as still as possible before you shoot. Some photographers use breathing techniques to help; others recommend a trial run with an empty housing to get comfortable managing a camera while diving before taking things seriously.
8. Make the Most of the Sun
The deeper you go, the less light the sun provides — and the more colour cast your images will have. To harness natural light effectively, shoot closer to the surface where light penetration is strongest. If you need to go deeper, schedule your shoot for when the sun is directly overhead and at its most powerful — typically between 10am and 2pm.
9. Consider Artificial Lighting
For more consistent results, consider adding artificial light. Your camera's built-in flash is very limited underwater and only useful for subjects directly in front of the lens. A dedicated underwater strobe is a much better option — it increases illumination, eliminates colour casts, and allows faster shutter speeds to reduce blur from movement. Video lights are another popular option for continuous, even lighting. If you're exploring video light options more broadly, our guide to the best LED video lights covers a wide range of models.
10. Spend Some Time on Editing
Even a well-captured underwater photo can benefit enormously from editing. If you're looking for the right editing software to get started, find out why so many photographers rely on Lightroom. Start by increasing brightness and contrast, then adjust white balance to remove colour casts. For a thorough breakdown of how white balance works and how to set it correctly, see our complete guide to white balance. Shoot in RAW for maximum editing latitude — just make sure you have a large enough memory card. Finally, use the crop tool to straighten your images and remove any distracting elements from the frame.
Frequently Asked Questions: Underwater Photography
What is the best camera for underwater photography?
It depends on your budget and experience. A waterproof compact camera like the OM System Tough TG-7 is ideal for beginners — no housing required and very easy to use. For serious underwater photography, a mirrorless camera or DSLR paired with a dedicated underwater housing will deliver the best image quality.
How deep can you take an underwater camera?
This varies by camera and housing. Most waterproof compact cameras are rated to around 15m without any additional housing. Dedicated underwater housings for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can typically handle depths of 40–100m depending on the model. Always check the manufacturer's depth rating before diving.
Do I need a special lens for underwater photography?
Wide-angle lenses are the most popular choice for underwater photography as they allow you to get close to your subject while still capturing the surrounding environment. Macro lenses are excellent for close-up shots of small marine life. Avoid telephoto lenses underwater — the water between you and your subject will degrade image quality significantly.
How do I avoid blurry underwater photos?
Use a faster shutter speed (at least 1/125s for stationary subjects, 1/250s or faster for moving subjects), brace your body as much as possible before shooting, and consider adding a strobe or video light to allow faster exposures without sacrificing brightness.
Start Your Underwater Photography Journey
Underwater photography can test your skills and push you to the next level. It takes practice and patience, but the results can be extraordinary. At Ted's Cameras, we stock everything you need — from underwater housings and waterproof cameras to mirrorless cameras and filters. Visit your nearest store or shop online with free shipping over $100.
Want to take your photography even further? Check out more tips and guides on the Ted's Cameras Photography Tips blog.
How to Film Underwater: Tips for Underwater Video
Filming underwater introduces unique challenges beyond still photography. To get smooth, stable footage, keep your movements slow and deliberate — sudden motion causes blur and disturbs marine life. Use a wide-angle lens to capture expansive reef scenes, and shoot in short clips rather than long continuous takes so you can review and adjust. If your camera supports it, shoot in a flat or log picture profile to retain colour detail in post-production. Frame your subject with natural light behind you when possible, and always check your white balance before diving — auto white balance often struggles in blue-green water. A red filter can help restore warm tones lost at depth when shooting without artificial lighting.
Best Camera for Underwater Photography
Choosing the best camera for underwater photography depends on your budget and experience level. For beginners, a compact waterproof camera like the Olympus Tough series or GoPro Hero offers reliable protection and ease of use without extra housing. Intermediate shooters often prefer mirrorless cameras such as the Sony RX100 series paired with a dedicated underwater housing, which unlocks manual controls and superior image quality. Advanced photographers typically opt for full-frame mirrorless bodies — like the Sony A7 series or Nikon Z series — in professional housings. Whatever your level, ensure your camera supports RAW capture, fast autofocus, and at minimum IPX8 water resistance or is paired with a rated housing before submerging it.
How to Shoot Underwater: Essential Technique Overview
Knowing how to shoot underwater means adapting your land-based skills to a completely different environment. Get as close to your subject as possible — water reduces contrast and colour the further light has to travel, so closing the distance dramatically sharpens your images. Shoot upward at a slight angle to use natural surface light to your advantage and create dynamic, well-lit compositions. Set a fast shutter speed (1/200s or higher) to freeze movement from currents or swimming subjects. Use burst mode to increase your chances of a sharp frame. Finally, practise controlled breathing and buoyancy before your shoot — a steady body means a steadier camera and far fewer missed shots.