If you are interested in taking underwater photos on your next scuba trip, you may want to consider taking macro images. This is a popular format for scuba divers, as it offers a glimpse of miniscule marine creatures and can offer amazing and visually stunning images. You’ll get to see tiny details that you would miss with the human eye. If this sounds good to you, here are a few tips and tricks to get the best macro photos on your next dive.

Minimize backscatter
There are many popular dive destinations that do not have the best clarity or crystal-clear water and can be “mucky.” Diving sites that are out in the open or close to shore have worse visibility due to sand being stirred up by the surge or from run off. This can make it difficult to get a good photo, especially if your subject is dark and in open-water. To avoid the backscatter that might be inevitable, look for noisy backgrounds that can hide the elements. Try to get close to your subject, and use creative lighting.

Don’t harass the creature
Sea creatures like fish, anemones, jellyfish, starfish and other invertabrates can be very sensitive and disturbed easily. If you find an interesting critter, don’t take repeated photos with your flash. Instead, take a couple of photos and move on. This way you reduce the creature’s stress and also give other divers a chance to take a picture.

Focus on the eye
If you are shooting an animal, make the eyes the focal point of the picture. This will give you the most interesting finished photo, with the background supporting the subject.

Look for unique backgrounds
Look for a cool or interesting background for your photos. Often, the image of an ordinary fish can be transformed if taken on something unique like patterned coral polyps or even kelp fronds.

Keep your buoyancy in check
If you are diving in a muck environment, it’s important to watch your buoyancy. These dive sites often have fine silt and sand on the ocean floor and can reduce visibility when kicked up by a fin. Be sure you watch your surrounding and also watch where your camera gear is at all times.

Dive with a pro
Consider diving with a local pro who can show you the places that certain sea creatures hang out or like to hide.

Move in close
The way to get a good macro shot is to get very close to the subject. Even if you think you’re close, you could probably move in even more. Every little bit will make a difference to your shot.

Find a good dive site
To get the best macro scuba images, you’ll want to dive where there are tiny and interesting sea creatures. There are many great dive sites that offer unique shooting opportunities. The top places to do macro shooting include Indonesia, the Philippines, St. Vincent, Dominica, Bonaire, Southeast Florida, Papua New Guinea, Curacao, Utila and British Columbia.

Get a good camera
Finally, you could use all these great tips and tricks but still get subpar scuba images if you don’t have the right equipment. If you are serious about underwater photography, consider investing in a good scuba camera that is built for the underwater environment. Companies like Sealife and Sea & Sea produce top of the line cameras that take beautiful photos. You’ll also want a good flash to light up your shots and bring out the vibrancy of the colors.

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