What Is A Split Shot? Also Known As A Half-half Or An Over-under Shot? Well, in the world of underwater photography, technically they’re a way to show the above world and the immediate underwater, all at once, and they’re a really fun way to let the viewer know what it is we do, all captured in the one image. A picture where the topside of the picture and the land or seascape is visible, but the bottom half of the view is the underwater reef scene. As travellers with Snorkel Venture, we’re very lucky to visit some of the most beautiful tropical paradises in the world. And I’ve always been fond of taking shots that show the viewer exactly what it is we do and where, so what better way than a split shot? It’s like two for the price of one click of the shutter. And the great news is that they’re easier and much less expensive to achieve than you may think. The Necessary Kit And Equipment. Being an underwater photographer, also teaching underwater photography workshops alongside my job as a Snorkel Venture guide, has meant that I have amassed a lot of expensive underwater photo kit over the years. My bigger camera, lenses, housing, and strobes come to more than $15-20K, and it allows me to do some extraordinary things with it, but aside from the price, it’s huge and costly to travel with. So it was a revelation that when I started doing more of the Snorkel Venture trips, I could leave it all at home and instead use exactly what the majority of our SV clients use, and that was, in the main either GoPros or similar or the seemingly ubiquitous Olympus Tough range, currently the Olympus TG7. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical at
What Is A Split Shot? Also Known As A Half-half Or An Over-under Shot? Well, in the world of underwater photography, technically they’re a way to show the above world and the immediate underwater, all at once, and they’re a really fun way to let the viewer know what it is we do, all captured
It wasn’t too long ago that if you wanted to take your precious camera underwater with you, you needed to jam it into a cumbersome metal enclosure so as to keep the water out. This often meant a significant additional expense in purchasing the housing, one more bulky item to pack for your snorkeling trip, not to mention the fact that the housing would increase the size and weight of your camera by two or three times. What was once a small point-and-shoot camera that could easily be operated with one hand has now become a hefty burden that requires two hands to wield. Thankfully, for those of us who want a reliable camera that fits in the palm of our hand and also functions beneath the waves, there is the Olympus TG series. These cameras have been out for quite a while now, with the most recent model being the TG-7, and have really set the standard for what amphibious compact cameras should offer the shooter. Olympus has done such a superb job of building a camera that’s ready to be submerged right out of the box; other camera manufacturers like Sony, Canon, or Nikon have basically backed away from this corner of the market. As a result, the TG series has become the obvious camera choice for snorkelers around the world. While the TG cameras are ready to start shooting underwater straight away, I’d like to ever so delicately present the idea of purchasing a housing for your TG camera, using only the most rock-solid points. I get that this might sound a little contradictory as I’ve just set TG cameras on a pretty high pedestal for their underwater readiness sans accessories. In my opinion, the TG camera’s pedestal position is very well deserved, and I don’t offer
It wasn’t too long ago that if you wanted to take your precious camera underwater with you, you needed to jam it into a cumbersome metal enclosure so as to keep the water out. This often meant a significant additional expense in purchasing the housing, one more bulky item to pack for your snorkeling trip,
This video also applies to Olympus TG-6 Cameras The Olympus TG-7 camera is easily the most popular snorkeling camera choice by our snorkeling guests. It’s compact, easy to use, waterproof right out of the box, and packs a real punch where image quality is concerned. Guests are always impressed by the beautiful natural colors this camera showcases their underwater snaps in. While the Olympus TG-7 is very easy to use, it does require a bit of setup and maintenance to achieve the colors you’re after, while also maintaining the camera’s overall health. This video will walk you through everything you’ll need to know about getting this camera and housing up, maintaining the camera and housing, and what settings we recommend for the best results for shooting underwater! https://youtu.be/JBw14i39E9Q?si=EZUn1pbfeXgFID02
This video also applies to Olympus TG-6 Cameras The Olympus TG-7 camera is easily the most popular snorkeling camera choice by our snorkeling guests. It’s compact, easy to use, waterproof right out of the box, and packs a real punch where image quality is concerned. Guests are always impressed by the beautiful natural colors this
Snorkeling can be one of the safest and most enjoyable recreational traveling adventures when approached responsibly. The key to a safe snorkeling experience lies in preparation, knowledge, and choosing reputable operators, ahem, Snorkel Venture. While it’s true that snorkeling can be dangerous if done improperly, most risks are easily mitigated with proper precautions. Many dangers associated with snorkeling stem from doing it alone or venturing into unfamiliar areas. Snorkeling solo, especially without experience or guidance, increases the risk of accidents such as exhaustion, panic, or getting lost. It’s crucial to always have a buddy or be guided by professionals who understand local conditions. Similarly, exploring areas without local knowledge can be hazardous as strong currents and unpredictable weather are a genuine threat. This is why participating in organized snorkeling safaris with guides and operators who cater exclusively to snorkelers dramatically enhances safety, not to mention enjoyment! Reputable companies that have decades of experience running snorkeling safaris worldwide carefully select the best liveaboards and resorts to ensure comfort and safety while providing access to only the best snorkeling destinations. Their knowledge of local conditions helps prevent accidents and ensures snorkelers enjoy the scenery without unnecessary risk. Proper equipment is another cornerstone of safe snorkeling. Quality masks, fins, snorkels, and wetsuits not only improve comfort but also increase safety. Using ill-fitting gear can cause discomfort, fatigue, or even dangerous situations like mask leaks or difficulty breathing. Learning how to clear your mask, conserve energy with correct fin techniques, and understand your limits can make all the difference between a fun outing and a risky one. Like many leisurely outdoor activities, snorkeling itself isn’t inherently dangerous. When done correctly, with proper equipment, and under the guidance of experienced operators like Snorkel Venture, it becomes one of the safest and most rewarding ways to
Snorkeling can be one of the safest and most enjoyable recreational traveling adventures when approached responsibly. The key to a safe snorkeling experience lies in preparation, knowledge, and choosing reputable operators, ahem, Snorkel Venture. While it’s true that snorkeling can be dangerous if done improperly, most risks are easily mitigated with proper precautions. Many dangers
Taking a great photograph while snorkeling has very little to do with the camera you are using or the subject you are taking a photo of. You could have the best camera money can buy, and the most unique underwater subject out there, but if you don’t understand the simple fundamentals of underwater photography, there’s a very good chance that your photos won’t have that wow factor that you may have hoped for. Meanwhile, someone snorkeling with a very cheap camera who focuses on simpler subjects and has a basic understanding of the fundamentals of underwater photography will very likely be able to take a photo that captivates an audience far better. Fundamentals of Natural Light Underwater One of the most noticeable issues we first face as underwater photo enthusiasts is the loss of color, which occurs because water absorbs and scatters light differently than air. As you try to photograph subjects that are deeper, colors like red, orange, and yellow fade first, leaving images looking increasingly blue or green. To overcome this challenge, we need a couple of things. Shoot with the sun We always want to try to shoot with the sun, as it’s our light source, and we want to make sure we’re photographing the light illuminated side of our subjects, not the shadow side. Most of the time, this isn’t an issue as the sun is high in the sky and as snorkelers, we’re between the sun and our subjects. However, when the sun is lower on the horizon, early mornings or late afternoons, this is when we need to pay more attention to this. Get within three feet of your subject Proximity is one of the most important things to consider with underwater photography. The more water we have between our lens and the subject,
Taking a great photograph while snorkeling has very little to do with the camera you are using or the subject you are taking a photo of. You could have the best camera money can buy, and the most unique underwater subject out there, but if you don’t understand the simple fundamentals of underwater photography, there’s
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The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
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