An interesting post i read over at wetpixel
There is no perfect 1 setting does everything for every shot. If you are serious about learning u/w photography, find a photo class from a local photo pro who specializes in digital, and even better your Olympus camera. I always reccommend learning to shoot in the manual exposure mode if you already have a basic understanding of shutter speeds and f-stops. Find a non moving subject, sit in the sand and start shooting images, varying the exposure between shot and writting down what you are doing. Try out the different metering modes and autofocus modes. When you think you've got it, turn on the strobe and start all over. With flash you now have 2 completely separate exposures: background with ambiant light and forground with flash. Shoot lots and write down your exposures and distance to subject for each image. Review your images on land and then try again. The more familiar you are with the controls on your camera and what they can do for you, the easier everything gets. Last but not least... shoot lots and lots of images, and then shoot some more. If you want some unbiased critique, post a few shots here on wetpixel and get some feedback from Eric, James, Craig, Peter and the other photo gurus. What hurts your ego now will make you a stronger photographer later.
Also
Picture quality depends alot on the diving abilities of the diver. Picking up a bulky camera / housing system and taking it underwater forces the diver to relearn and re-evaluate his balance and buoyancy control, breathing, body positioning, and movement u/w. Experienced divers seem to to better, and when I evaluate a divers photos I do not compare them to a pros shots. The Olympus is a great camera and has all the features an advanced ameture needs, plus some. In auto mode (and built in flash) you are forced to either shoot wide angle natural light with a ur-pro filter and manual white balance or close up fish portrait or macro shots with the flash on and no filter. You will definately improve your images with an external strobe (Ikelite, Sea & Sea or Inon are the major brands), more light (and more control of the quality of light), better color, and less backscatter are the major advantages of an external strobe.
Just to share these words of wisdom with all of the Underwater forum members.
There is no perfect 1 setting does everything for every shot. If you are serious about learning u/w photography, find a photo class from a local photo pro who specializes in digital, and even better your Olympus camera. I always reccommend learning to shoot in the manual exposure mode if you already have a basic understanding of shutter speeds and f-stops. Find a non moving subject, sit in the sand and start shooting images, varying the exposure between shot and writting down what you are doing. Try out the different metering modes and autofocus modes. When you think you've got it, turn on the strobe and start all over. With flash you now have 2 completely separate exposures: background with ambiant light and forground with flash. Shoot lots and write down your exposures and distance to subject for each image. Review your images on land and then try again. The more familiar you are with the controls on your camera and what they can do for you, the easier everything gets. Last but not least... shoot lots and lots of images, and then shoot some more. If you want some unbiased critique, post a few shots here on wetpixel and get some feedback from Eric, James, Craig, Peter and the other photo gurus. What hurts your ego now will make you a stronger photographer later.
Also
Picture quality depends alot on the diving abilities of the diver. Picking up a bulky camera / housing system and taking it underwater forces the diver to relearn and re-evaluate his balance and buoyancy control, breathing, body positioning, and movement u/w. Experienced divers seem to to better, and when I evaluate a divers photos I do not compare them to a pros shots. The Olympus is a great camera and has all the features an advanced ameture needs, plus some. In auto mode (and built in flash) you are forced to either shoot wide angle natural light with a ur-pro filter and manual white balance or close up fish portrait or macro shots with the flash on and no filter. You will definately improve your images with an external strobe (Ikelite, Sea & Sea or Inon are the major brands), more light (and more control of the quality of light), better color, and less backscatter are the major advantages of an external strobe.
Just to share these words of wisdom with all of the Underwater forum members.
