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Maldives Dive Hotline |
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877 357 0022 |
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Underwater Photography in Maldives
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Diving in the Maldives is an amazing experience. Make this an unforgettable experience by capturing your moments underwater in your camera. Not only this, Maldives is one of the best places to photograph the marine life thriving in the Maldives 's waters.
The best sites for capturing the amazing fish species in camera are the atoll passes or channels . Strong currents in the channel make it a bit difficult to remain still and you may need to hold on something. The ‘Thillas and ‘shoals' in the atolls abound in colourful fish and corals and provide you with an opportunity to take wonderful pictures.
Underwater cameras can be rented from most dive schools in the Maldives , though, the exact equipment might not be available. |
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Optical Systems :
For photographing larger fishes in the channels, 28 mm and 35 mm lenses can be used for best results. If you are able to get close, without scaring the fish away, then a 20 mm lens will be the best option.
o take good photographs of marine life in the shoals, use a 15 mm Nikons, 14 mm or 18 mm lens. When mounted on a reflex in an underwater housing, it helps you to take shots of the reef as well as for good shots of schools of fishes. |
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Capturing the images of creatures as small as 1cm, needs some art and some special equipment. As the coral reefs are teeming with small, interesting creatures in varying shapes and colours, it is an opportunity not to be missed.
additional lenses, extensions or micro lenses combined with films having low sensitivity emulsions in optimal lighting give you the best results. The 64 ASA Kodachrome or the 100 ASA Fuji can be used. Use two flashes to avoid shadows as far as lighting is concerned .
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| Tips |
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Whenever possible, shoot from the bottom of the reef. |
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Don't punch the shutter, squeeze it. |
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Exhale just before you take a shot. |
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To get a perfect shot, keep your arms in and stabilize your elbows against
your body. |
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Maintain slight negative buoyancy if there is a surge. |
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While you are in mid-water, control your buoyancy with breathing thing only. |
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Use ISO 100 for best results. |
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Set the camera to ‘A' (Nikons) or ‘Aperture priority' (SLR). |
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Set the strobe on TTL. |
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Set an aperture of: f/11 between the surface to 10 m (33 ft) f/8 between 10 and 20 m (33 and 65 ft) f/5.6 or f/4 in water deeper than 20 m (65 ft). |
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Nikon os: preset focus for 90 cm (3 ft), with either a 35 mm or 28 mm lens and stay between that and 1.2 m (4 ft) away from the subject. |
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SLR: Pre-focus 50mm lens for 90 cms (3 ft) and get this distance from your subject, then fine-tune focus. Compose and shoot. |
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Maintenance of photographic equipment
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Rinse your equipment thoroughly, after each dive. If possible, leave them in fresh water for a few minutes.
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Spray an anti-saline liquid over all parts of your equipment to eliminate any traces of salt crystals. |
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Check all the accessible O-rings at least once a day. |
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Carefully clean their seating and lubricate them gently to keep them soft and elastic. |
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Get your equipment checked by a specialist at least once a year. |
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