Alex Mustard - Underwater Photography Masterclass

The successful underwater photographer is a unique blend of diver, explorer, lighting technician, naturalist, conservationist, marine biologist, marine archaeologist, engineer, mechanic, and artist. This is a genre of photography that challenges us (and our cameras) like no other, but, by the same token, is hugely rewarding to master.

If we were asked to show just one picture to describe our world, it would surely be an underwater photograph. Ours is an ocean planet. Just 29% of the Earths surface is land, the vast majority is the domain of underwater photography!

Beneath the surface were greeted by a profusion of subjects: scenery, shipwrecks, people, and marine life, large and small. Visitors to places such as Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands return gushing about land wildlife with no fear of man. In our underwater world, this is the norm not the exception; wildlife is incredibly accepting and regularly downright curious.

From a photographic perspective the variety of underwater species is an inexhaustible muse. The tapestry of life is far more varied than on land, ranging from bizarre and intricate invertebrate life, seemingly precision engineered for our macro lenses, to the most massive animal that has ever lived, the blue whale. This huge biodiversity should be no surprise, given that the evolution of multicellular life in the ocean had more than a billion years head start!

And as a photographer in this realm, we have the freedom to hover above a coral landscape and to soar through a kelp forest. We can move freely in three dimensions, endowing us with a massive choice of photographic viewpoints. Imagine how photographs on land would be transformed if every photographer could fly!

In this inspiring underwater world, the challenge is rarely deciding what will make a great picture. Rather, it is capturing it. Few branches of photography are as technically demanding and unforgiving of poor technique. Just as Michelangelo needed to master the chisel before carving a marble block into the statue of David, underwater photographers need to learn photo techniques, particularly lighting, to truly express themselves artistically. The aim of this book is to arm you with the techniques that will allow you to produce outstanding images in the full range of underwater conditions. It will also introduce you to many creative techniques that will transform your underwater portfolio.

I am fortunate to work full time as an underwater photographer. I average 365 dives with an underwater camera each year. The advice and knowledge included in these pages encompasses what I have learned and put in practice 24/7. Every technique in this book is one I use, understand, and know produces the goods. Furthermore, I regularly run workshops, which means I dont just have extensive experience shooting these techniques, but also teaching them. Guiding and mentoring hundreds of photographers has fine-tuned this advice. Ive tried to pack these pages with the detailed instruction that has proved most useful, with expressions and quotes to help it stick in your mind, and examples of the common mistakes you should try and avoid.

I strongly believe in teaching how and why. If you properly comprehend how it works, then the correct technique is logical and often obvious. Understanding makes it easier to remember and figure out solutions and will give your images a standout quality. Underwater Photography Masterclass will help you produce the underwater images youve dreamed of and make you a better, more knowledgeable photographer at the same time. Happy bubbles!

Alex Mustard

It really takes as much effort to take a bad underwater photo as an excellent one. All photographers prepare cameras, kit up, go out to sea, roll into the water, descend, search for a subject, and finally spend time taking pictures. What differentiates the successful is their ability to capture the image in their mind by the application of good technique. This book will teach you these techniques, with particular emphasis on lighting, which is the same whatever camera system you use. I regularly see brand-new photographers producing excellent images by applying good technique. I also hear shooters with fancy gear make all kinds of excuses why they didnt get the shot. Knowledge makes this difference and, better yet, knowledge doesnt add to your baggage allowance.