How to Get Started with Underwater Photography: Exploring the Red Sea

Who hasn’t dreamed of exploring the ocean floor and capturing the hidden beauty of Egypt’s Red Sea? Photographer Ophélie Bleunven has done just that and shares her invaluable advice on getting started with underwater photography while minimizing its impact on marine wildlife and the environment. Armed with a Tamron 20-40 mm lens and a waterproof housing, she embarked on this fascinating journey.

In search of adventure and new experiences, I flew to the vibrant waters of the Red Sea for an unforgettable trip. My goal was twofold: to obtain my diving certifications while exploring the wonders of underwater photography.

Equipped with my Sony Alpha 7III camera, Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 lens, and waterproof housing, I was ready to capture the underwater splendor of this incredible ecosystem.

The Red Sea is renowned for its breathtaking coral reefs, exceptional marine biodiversity, and unrivaled water clarity. This trip was not only an opportunity to discover a world hidden beneath the surface, but also to hone my photography skills in a unique and technically demanding environment.

During this journey, I dived at several iconic sites, each offering seascapes and encounters with wildlife that will remain etched in my memory. From schools of colorful fish to playful dolphins, each dive was an adventure in itself.

Before diving into underwater photography, thorough preparation for diving was essential. My goal was to obtain both the PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications, with the "Underwater Photographer" option to refine my skills. The aim was to make me comfortable in a complex environment while respecting fragile marine life. The Open Water Diver course provided me with the basics to dive safely to 18 meters.

The Advanced Open Water Diver course allowed me to explore depths of up to 30 meters. Additionally, the "Underwater Photographer" module covered aspects of underwater composition, lighting, and focus, with a strong emphasis on safety and the preservation of the Red Sea's marine ecosystem.

I brought along my trusted Sony Alpha 7III, paired with the Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 lens. I chose this ultra-wide-angle lens to get as close as possible to my subjects, reducing the water layer between them and me, while still including them perfectly in their environment. Its wide F/2.8 aperture is ideal for the low-light conditions underwater, helping to maintain higher shutter speeds and reduce motion blur.

The VXD autofocus motor in this lens ensures fast, precise focusing. Underwater, where subjects can move quickly, the lens's ability to track and maintain focus is a major advantage.

Finally, this lens is surprisingly compact and lightweight, a key benefit for underwater photography, where size and weight are critical when using a waterproof housing.

I opted for the Seafrog waterproof case, which effectively protected my equipment thanks to its robust design, capable of withstanding pressures at depths of up to 40 meters. Moreover, its design keeps all camera buttons and controls accessible via external mechanisms, making underwater adjustments easy.

My stay in Marsa Alam, in the Red Sea, led me to explore some exceptional dive sites. The diversity of marine life is incredible. Here are just a few of the most common species I encountered: corals/polyps, turtles, blue-spotted stingrays, groupers, scorpionfish, clownfish and anemones, surgeonfish, lionfish, triggerfish, barracudas, trunkfish, moray eels, and dolphins.

To identify the species I photographed, I used tools such as the iNaturalist website.

Concerned about respecting the Charte de la Photo Animalière, here are my tips for limiting impact on marine wildlife while capturing authentic images:

• Buoyancy control: Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid touching the seabed or coral.

• Approach slowly and gently: Avoid sudden movements that could frighten animals. Move calmly and observe their behavior before approaching.

• Minimize movement: Rapid movements can create turbulence and disturb marine life. Move slowly to reduce disturbance.

• Do not touch marine organisms: Avoid touching corals and other fragile organisms.

• Use natural light: To avoid blinding or disorienting animals, rely on natural light instead of artificial lighting.

Using a large lens aperture maximizes light entry, which is essential due to the rapid absorption of light in water, especially at depth.

Depending on my depth and the activity of the day, I adjusted my ISO sensitivity to minimize digital noise, setting it between 400 and 800 close to the surface, and between 800 and 2000 at greater depths and in caves.

Colors are quickly absorbed underwater, particularly red. Adjusting white balance is crucial to compensate for this color loss. I experimented with Sony's "underwater" AWB mode.

For autofocus, I used continuous mode (AF-C) to track moving subjects, such as fish and other sea creatures. The VXD motor in the Tamron 20-40mm F/2.8 ensures fast, accurate focusing, even in low-light conditions.

To avoid disturbing wildlife, it's important not to use lights. Maximizing natural light is essential for clear images: choose dive times with strong natural light, such as mid-morning or early afternoon, for optimal underwater conditions. Adjust your position in relation to the available natural light (e.g., sunlight on the surface) to naturally illuminate subjects.

This adventure was a double challenge: learning to dive while mastering the use of my camera inside a waterproof housing. It was an enriching experience that allowed me to push my limits and explore new perspectives. This series of photos marks the beginning of my underwater adventure. Diving with the Tamron 20-40 mm was an exceptional experience. I've learned a lot and I'm excited about what’s to come. This is truly the beginning of a new exploration and ongoing learning in this captivating and precious world.

I urge other photographers to embark on this incredible adventure, explore the depths, and capture the fragile beauty of our marine environment.