Computer Imaging

Underwater film photography is a complex form of photography that demands knowledge about certain theories, extensive practice and a whole range of technicalities. Underwater film photography includes photographs of marine creatures, water vegetation, wrecks, fellow divers and underwater objects taken during scuba diving, snorkeling or swimming. Underwater film photography is considered one of the most difficult branches of photography due to the strange optical variations of the underwater. The best of the underwater can be captured only in close ups, so resolution is obtained by the use of low speed films and a longer exposure time.

Underwater photography started as the interest of humans gradually extended to view the underwater life. The cameras used to capture underwater life have always been of two types: waterproof or carried in water proof jackets. In the early years of underwater film photography the photographers preferred the 60mm square medium format. The main cameras used included Hasselblad and Rolleiflex. In the 1960’s an emulsion without colors was introduced known as Kodachrome and this emulsion was most suitable for 35 mm frame small format cameras like Nikonos. In these transparency films, colors are added during developing the film thereby retaining the original color of the objects. This process has been successfully followed till date by organizations like National Geographic.

With the advent of digital photography and digital camera, underwater film photography results can be shown immediately leaving immediate chances of improvement in terms o lighting, contrast and imaging. Digital photography has contributed a lot towards improving the quality of pictures making them look much more realistic and original. With the progress of science and technology underwater film photography has also included video shots of the underwater life. National Geographic or Animal Planet are pioneers in preparing and telecasting these short or extensive live feeds of the underwater life through live video cameras.

Underwater film photography has attained great heights over the years in presenting the unexplored marine life in a visible and moving format and promises much more in the years to come.