Basic Settings for Underwater Photography
As new underwater photographers, it’s often best to get used to our camera while using automatic settings.
During our first series of dives, we get comfortable with our gear, make buoyancy second nature and then finally start devoting mindshare towards creating images. This is when it’s time to switch to manual and learn the basic settings for underwater photography.
Each different camera and lens combo, particularly as they relate to sensor size, will use slightly different default settings for wide-angle (divers, reefs, big animals) and for macro (small nudibranchs, fish, crabs, etc.).
These settings assume that you are shooting with a strobe or flash (or two) and using manual camera settings. I’ll be publishing an article soon with ambient light camera settings and constant light camera settings (shooting with a dive light or video light).
FEATURED VIDEO
The Best Settings for Underwater Photography
Underwater Camera Settings – Your Starting Point
The basic camera settings can be thought of as defaults – a starting point for shooting every image. Once you have this starting point in mind, you can experiment with different settings while always able to “find your way home.”
The more you practice and gain an understanding of adjusting your camera settings, the more you’ll find yourself adjusting settings and light positions even before composing your shot. It becomes second nature.
I’ve broken down the best settings for underwater photography into groups based on sensor size, which I feel is more accurate than grouping camera bodies into their traditional categories of compact, mirrorless and DSLR.
Remember that these settings are merely a starting point, and that they will vary depending on depth, water clarity, sun and clouds, strobes and constant lighting, wet lenses and more.
Want to go In-Depth? Let’s schedule a Virtual Photo Lesson via video chat to talk specific settings for your camera and lighting setup. Fun, friendly, easy and the best way to improve your photography.
Basic Settings Exposure Goals
Wide-Angle
Wide-Angle photography portrays large scenes that will almost always include a portion of the water column. In general, we want to expose for the background and then use our strobes or lights to light the foreground. Learn all about this in my video tutorial on Underwater Strobe Positioning.
Our basic settings goal for wide-angle uses ambient sunlight to achieve a nice blue water color, creates enough depth of field, and freezes most movement within the scene.
Macro
Artificial light from a strobe or video light plays a huge role in underwater macro photography. Because of this, our shutter speed rarely changes while the aperture determines our depth of field. The strobe / flash is the greatest factor in controlling the exposure after you have aperture dialed in for the desired bokeh in the shot.
Our basic settings below assume you’re shooting with the camera’s native lens or popular macro lens choice. The aperture will need to increase slightly if you plan to use a macro diopter.
PRO TIP: If you’re ever having trouble exposing an image, take a breath, clear your head, and start again with the default settings outlined below.
Canon 5D Mk IV. ISO 400, f/11, 1/100. See all my Gear.
Related Videos
How to Choose an Underwater Camera
Best Underwater Strobes of 2023
Underwater Settings for 1” Sensor Cameras
(Most newer compacts)
Wide-Angle
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/5
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Autofocus: Single Point
Macro
ISO: 100
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/200
Autofocus: Single Point
Underwater Settings for Micro 4/3 Sensor Cameras
(Mostly Olympus and Panasonic Mirrorless)
Wide-Angle
ISO: 200
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Autofocus: Single Point
Macro
ISO: 100
Aperture: f/18
Shutter Speed: 1/200
Autofocus: Single Point
Underwater Settings for Crop (1.6x) Sensor Cameras
Wide-Angle
ISO: 250
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Autofocus: Single Point Grouping
Macro
ISO: 100
Aperture: f/22
Shutter Speed: 1/200
Autofocus: Single Point
Underwater Settings for Full Frame Sensor Cameras
Wide-Angle
ISO: 250 or 320
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/125
Autofocus: Single Point Grouping
Macro
ISO: 100
Aperture: f/22
Shutter Speed: 1/200
Autofocus: Single Point
Autofocus Camera Settings
Autofocus settings are very important for capturing sharp images. Our cameras have incredibly powerful phase detection AF systems, however you still need to understand how they work so that you can coach the camera into achieving sharp focus in any underwater shooting conditions.
I’ve written an article and 14-minute tutorial video explaining how autofocus works, AF drive modes, AF area selection, and more. Be sure to check it out for all this info.
Autofocus for Underwater Photography
Settings for Black Backgrounds
The black background is a great exposure trick used to make your subject really pop from an otherwise cryptic or distracting background. It complements nearly all the colors of the macro critters we find underwater, making the subjects really POP.
I’ve filmed a full tutorial and written an article explaining how to create a black background in your underwater photos – even in the middle of the day. Check it out!
How to Create Black Backgrounds Underwater
Best Settings for Constant Light
Constant light photography entails using a dive or video light as an artificial light source instead of a strobe or flash. Since this light remains constant and doesn’t flash, it’s constant light.
The advantage of using constant light is that you can see all the light in the scene while composing your image. The disadvantage is that you will not be able to freeze fast action like with a strobe. You also may not have the same level of brightness.
Watch my complete tutorial video!
Best Settings for Ambient Light
Ambient light photography underwater means you are not using any artificial light source. You’re shooting exclusively with the ambient light from the sun.
Ambient light photography is perfect for many subjects, including whales, dolphins, shipwrecks, and anything surf or snorkeling.
Learn more in my detailed ambient light article!
Quick Tip to Master Your Basic Camera Settings
Like most hobbies, those who continually practice underwater photography will excel. And don’t worry, I know very well that big week-long dive trips can be few and far between.
Practice changing settings and using your camera at home. Shoot photos of the salt and pepper shakers, the dog, your kids, a flower in your yard, the street at night…
Below are two different YouTube videos I created on how you can practice while at home, inspired by the worldwide coronavirus dry spell.
Practice UW Photo at Home Part I
Practice UW Photo at Home Part II
The more you practice shooting, the better you’ll become. You’ll change settings faster and your muscle memory will build. If you practice shooting in many different situations, you’re essentially practicing ‘settings problem solving’, which you’ll use every time you shoot manual settings underwater. So get out there. Shoot more photos!
Keep Learning
5 Basic Composition Tips
Master these 5 underwater composition tips that will leave your viewers mesmerized.
3 Unusual Macro Photo Tips
Go beyond the basics. These 3 tips will change the way you shoot macro photos.
