SDI Underwater Photographer Diver
The SDI Underwater Photographer Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques and procedures necessary to take underwater photographs, and allow the student to experience and discuss many areas of interest to the underwater photographer.
Getting Certified Is a Two Step Process
- Step 1 is to acquire all of the important academic information every certified diver must know.
- Step 2 is to complete your in-water skill-development training. This takes place in a swimming pool or similar body of confined water. Here you will learn the fundamental skills that every diver needs to know. (It’s also a lot of fun.)
What you can expect to learn:
The SDI Underwater Photo Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:
- Underwater light
- Variation of light under water
- Time for best available light photography
- Color correction filtering for depth
- Strobes vs. video light
- Selective color absorption of light
- Available light and strobe considerations
- Possible backscatter issues
- Film considerations
- Color balance
- Grain
- Resolving power
- Latitude
- Contrast
- Color reversal
- Digital
- Capture media
- Memory technology
- Printing
- Post dive review ability SDI Instructor Manual
- TV vs. computer vs. camera
- Camera use in association with scuba
- Types of cameras
- Handling of equipment
- Camera settings
- Photographic subjects
- Composition of scene
- Use of light enhancement
- Subject ease
- Use of models
- Marine Conservation awareness
- Care of equipment
- Salt water care
- Fresh water care
- Care of the flooded-housed camera
- Use of color positive films
- Ease of development (E—6 processing)
- Mounting
- Digital software
- Downloading images
- Photo storage
- Photo manipulation
- Printing & mounting
Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:
- Familiarize with the equipment and proper handling of equipment
- Composition to be considered at a beginning point of view
- Plan Dive
- Suitable Entry (care to be taken with camera & additional equipment; these may be passed to diver once in the water in conditions & environment allows it)
- Situational awareness (depth, time, air consumption and buddy awareness)
- Photography of subjects as planned
- Conservational awareness
- Conduct safe ascent and safety stops
- Exit
- Dive a different site to experience different
- Marine subjects
- Additional light considerations
- Wide coloring
- Maintain safety while within the water environment and attaining good quality subjects
- Both photograph both still and moving life subjects if possible
- Discuss with instructor helpful hints on how to improve photos
Also, the SDI Underwater Photo Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.
Course Prerequisites:
- SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
- Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent
Course Cost: $160.00
Saguaro Training Calendar (for Arizona based divers)
What’s next after completing your Underwater Photographer course?
You can continue your diving education by checking out some of the other specialties or courses on our SDI Course Map.
SDI Underwater Photo Diver minimum requirements:
- Complete all open water requirements efficiently
- Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution