A nice over-under photo taken in Thailand
Some of the most beautiful and dramatic photos I’ve seen of the underwater world only show half of it. They’re photos taken at the surface with half of the frame above the water and half below, showing the dramatic contrast of underwater and topside. For photographers, these “over-under” shots are a great way to show non-divers both sides of the ocean, and add an interesting and dramatic addition to any portfolio.
Fortunately, with the right equipment, it’s not difficult to master the techniques needed to get a great over-under shot. You’ll need to start with a large dome port; the larger the dome port, the more surface area to split the water and create this water line. You’ll also need a wide-angle or fisheye lens to capture a wide area.
To find out the equipment and steps needed to capture great over-under shots, we went to Brent Durand of the Underwater Photography Guide. Brent has mastered this great technique, and has written a nice, concise article on how to get these shots. Take a look at his expert tips on how you can master this shot and add some great pics to your portfolio by reading Brent’s 5 Tips for Awesome Over-Under Shots.
Diving has been great this year, with some long breaks in the usual wintertime weather patterns. Grab your camera, use these tips, and come home with some new over-under shots to add to your portfolio and share with your friends!
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Brent Durand is an avid California beach diver, photographer and writer with a rapidly growing portfolio of unique underwater, ocean lifestyle and adventure images. Brent is also the editor-in-chief of the Underwater Photography Guide. Follow UWPG on Facebook and Twitter for updates on everything related to underwater-photography.
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