■Use of Natural Light

As sunlight passes through water, colors are gradually absorbed. Red is absorbed first, followed by orange, yellow, green, and finally blue.

To reduce the bluish appearance of underwater photos, choose conditions that allow as much natural light as possible to enter the water.

The best time to shoot is between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., when the sun is high overhead.

More sunlight enters the water when:

• The sea surface is calm rather than rough.
• The weather is sunny and bright rather than cloudy.
• You are diving at shallow depths rather than deeper depths.
• Visibility is good.

Whenever possible, take photos at shallow depths where sunlight can easily reach.

Midday sunlight provides the best natural lighting

■Use of Strobe Light

A strobe compensates for the loss of natural light underwater and restores natural colors.

When using a strobe, stay as close to the subject as possible. The shorter the distance between the camera and the subject, the less water the light must travel through, resulting in more accurate colors and sharper images.

Even when using natural light, a strobe can enhance color and contrast.

In some situations, color correction filters may also be used to improve color balance.

Without a strobe, colors may appear dull or washed out