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In PADI's quest to enhance your diving adventures and provide an excellent method to share your memories with your diving and nondiving friends, the PADI Underwater Photographer Specialty Diver course is perfect.

The primary goals of the PADI Underwater Photographer course are to develop your practical knowledge of photographic principles, composition, film types, strobe and available light photography, and camera-handling techniques. You will also learn proper preparation, care, and maintenance of your photographic equipment. Finally, you will practice your photographic techniques under the guidance of your PADI Instructor.

A solid understanding of the working components of a camera system is important to increase the likelihood that you will produce beautiful recreations of your underwater memories. You'll discuss the essential components of a camera, which include the lens, aperture, shutter, film transport system, and viewfinder. It is also important to consider f(focal)/stops and shutter speeds to assure your ability to adjust the amount of light that hits the film when you take a photo.

As you consider the camera components, you'll also want to consider what type of film you'll use. There are a variety of films available to the underwater photographer and the type of film you choose will depend on the type of photography to be done and your personal preference as a photographer.

The importance of adequate light to underwater photography is stressed during the course. During this portion of your specialty course, you'll review the reasons sunlight is lost underwater, which include diffusion, reflection, absorption and scattering. When you lose light underwater, you lose color. With this in mind, you'll also consider ways to overcome this effect, normally through the use of underwater strobe lights.

Underwater strobe lights will also be discussed during your PADI Underwater Photographer Specialty Diver course. You'll compare the two types of strobe: through the lens (usually referred to as TTL) and manual. Your instructor will provide some basic features of a strobe that you should consider when you are ready to purchase your own. Finally, you'll discuss different photography techniques, as well as techniques for using underwater strobes.

There are also several open water training dives included in the PADI Underwater Photographer Specialty Diver course. Depending on the underwater photography equipment you will be using for the course, the first training dive may focus on macro photography, as you begin to better familiarize yourself with your camera equipment in the open water. On your second training dive, you may devote your time to effective use of light. This includes the use of natural light, as well as strobe lighting.

After preparing your photography equipment for each dive, you'll enter the water and seek out your subjects. As you compose your shots, you'll need to consider flash angle, camera angle, subject position, image completeness, foreground, background, and complimentary colors. Before, during, and after your dives, your instructor will offer guidance in these areas. Then, thanks to the PADI Underwater Photography Specialty Diver course, you'll be well on your way to enjoying diving even more.