Ever since the first underwater photo was taken in 1856, we’ve come to discover the rare and exciting underwater worlds that many of us may never get the chance to see for ourselves.
From using underwater photography to help identify new species and observe changes over time (i.e. in coral reefs), to using it to observe natural phenomena such as underwater volcanoes, its potential is truly limitless. Thankfully, we have classes specially tailored to help anyone master this art, focusing on shooting angles, lighting, and composition.
In this article, we’ll look at several classes in detail, giving you a comprehensive comparison and guiding you through your journey to becoming an underwater photographer.
The Fascination with Underwater Photography
The Magic of Underwater Photography
Underwater photography is an incredibly rewarding and versatile art form that can be tricky to master. Here are some reasons that make underwater photography so appealing:
- Capturing underwater adventures and sharing these memories with family and friends
- Capturing award-winning photos/videos to be published in magazines or documentaries
- Observing natural phenomena that occur underwater (i.e. underwater volcanoes)
- Recording changes in a project over time (i.e. artificial reefs)
To better understand how impactful underwater photography can be, here are some photographs that showcase not just the world many of us never see, but also the deeper messages that can affect us all.
Why Diving Photography?
Diving photography is becoming an increasingly popular niche because not only does it inspire us to dive into new sights and areas (thus helping with local businesses and economies), but it also allows us to develop a more profound understanding of marine life and subsequently, a desire to save it. After all, what better way is there to convince people our oceans deserve saving than by showing them what their efforts can bring?
Comparing Underwater Photography Courses
Reviews of Top Courses
For each course discussed, we’ll look at their content, duration, cost, and certification options. Here is a summary of the online courses, followed by in-depth reviews.
Online Underwater Photography Courses
Key Features | Cost | Detailed Review |
|---|---|---|
PADI Underwater Photography Course
| $146 | This course focuses on choosing the right photo equipment, how to properly use underwater photography lights and methods of photographing marine life |
Alex Mustard Online Underwater Photography Course
| $120 (previous Reboot subscribers have a $76 discount) | Courses focus on wide angle photography, macro photography, photo composition, and light fundamentals |
Brent Durand Underwater Photography Course
| $4.99 for each class | Course is geared towards beginner and intermediate photographers, and focuses on creative shooting rather than point-and-shoot |
On-Site Underwater Photography Courses
Key Features | Cost | Detailed Review |
|---|---|---|
Mike & Mike Photography School
|
|
|
Alex Mustard Underwater Photography Workshop
| $2538 (one week trips) to $8800 (two week trips) |
|
Blue Heron Bridge Photo Workshop
| $475 (not including meals or lodging) |
|
Global On-Site Underwater Photography Trips
Key Features | Cost | Detailed Review |
|---|---|---|
Bluewater Photo
| $3950 to $6158 | Trip will take place within the Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen), which has an abundance of coral reefs and biodiversity thanks to its status as a protected marine park |
Freediving Central Underwater Photography
| Costs and Fees vary (reach out to company for details) | Course focuses on setting up your camera, how light refracts beneath the water and how that can affect the lighting of your shots, how to work with models, and photograph different marine life |
Oceans Below Underwater Photography Training
| $548 to $829 (depends on duration and course type) |
|
PADI Underwater Photography Course
Content: This course teaches you how to use underwater photography lights (strobes), choose the right photo equipment, and photograph marine life with tips from professionals along the way.
Two steps make up this course; one with PADI eLearning where you learn the fundamentals, and two where you’ll receive hands-on experience taking photos during two dives.
With over 128,000 professional PADI members and 6,600 PADI dive centers/resorts worldwide, you’ll have access to a plethora of resources to ensure you master the skills you need.
Duration: eLearning takes roughly 2-4 hours to complete, while the entire course takes roughly 2 days.
Cost: The course itself is 146 USD, along with other costs which may vary on class size, equipment, and environment. You may reach out to a specific dive center/resort for details.
Certification Outcomes: Certification acts as a step towards the Master Scuba Diver rating, as well as Advanced Open Water Diver certification.
Digital Underwater Photography Courses and Workshops
Not only does mastering digital underwater photography help with capturing great photos and videos of a world few get to see in person, but it also helps improve your overall diving abilities such as by improving your buoyancy, navigation, and air consumption skills. Spending more time capturing the little things can also encourage you to slow down and become more spatially aware to help you perceive marine life others may miss.
While many people may prefer the flexibility of online courses such that they can learn from home at their leisure, others may wish for a more practical approach in the form of workshops so that they may apply the knowledge to real-life scenarios.
Here are some popular online courses and in-person workshops, and what they offer:
Brent Durand Underwater Photography Courses
Content: This online course presents 3 classes that teach the fundamentals of underwater photography. Geared towards both beginners and intermediate photographers, the course helps move you away from automatic point-and-shoot photography towards more creative photo shooting. Exams and quizzes are present in each class.
Duration: There is no time limit on this course since it’s presented in PDF format.
Cost: Each class costs 4.99 USD.
Certification Outcomes: There are no certifications for this course.
Mike & Mike Photography School
Content: The Mike & Mike Photography School’s photography workshop is geared towards beginner and advanced photographers who are looking to sharpen their shooting and photo editing skills. Through group presentations and one-on-one assistance, the instructors will guide you on setting up and shooting the perfect shot while ensuring that you meet your personal goals throughout the week.
The workshop is separated into photography and video courses, during which a wide array of subjects (i.e. camera settings, lighting, composition, and postproduction) will be discussed and demonstrated.
Duration: The workshops are packaged with trips that last 7 nights, with each trip focusing on a specific location across the Caribbean.
Cost: The costs vary widely based on the trip you are attending and the type of accommodation you choose. Besides the separate 400 USD course fee, the rest of the trip typically ranges in cost from 3500 USD to 4400 USD.
Certification Outcomes: There are no certifications for this course.
Alex Mustard Underwater Photography
Content: Alex Mustard, a world-renowned marine biologist and underwater photographer, runs his underwater photography workshops at various times throughout the year, the exact times of which he posts to his newsletter. His workshops vary in location each year but usually include locations in the Cayman Islands and the Red Sea. The workshops offer personalized help in areas such as macro photography, wide-angle shots, composition, and lighting.
Alex Mustard also offers an underwater photography masterclass, which is available for 120 USD (95 GBP; subscribers of his previous Reboot course have a 76 USD/60 GBP discount). It covers all the topics discussed in his workshops and is divided into 8 lectures. All material is available for 5 years.
Duration: Workshops vary in duration, but usually last between 1 and 2 weeks.
Cost: Cost varies on location, time, and accommodation options. 1-week trips usually cost around 2538 USD (2000 GBP) while 2-week trips can cost as much as 8800 USD (7000 GBP).
Certification Outcomes: No certificates are listed for this course.
Blue Heron Bridge Photo Workshop
Content: Focusing on macro photography, the Blue Heron Bridge Photo Workshop provides some of the best opportunities for mastering this craft thanks to its unique location by the inshore intercoastal waterway. Thanks to a constant tidal exchange, this area has an abundance of macro biodiversity, with animals such as seahorses, sea robins, flatworms, and angelfish, among many others.
Lessons will also be given in a classroom setting and dive guides will also be available for every 2-3 divers.
Duration: 3 days
Cost: 475 USD (not including lodging or meals)
Note: The workshop is currently sold out, but please contact the organizers in case of any cancellations.
Certification Outcomes: No certifications are listed for this course.
Choosing the Right Course for You
Each course that we’ve looked at is geared towards people in different circumstances. Which one you choose will ultimately depend on your current skill level, interests, goals, and budget.
Keep in mind that these are just a handful of the most popular courses and workshops available; there are plenty more that are specific to certain locations, some of which we’ll look at next.
Underwater Photography Classes in Specific Locations
Next, we’ll dive into some renowned underwater photography classes that are offered in certain locations across the world, so that you may find the right class for you on your next trip.
A comparison table is added at the end of this section summarizing all the different courses, workshops, and trips we’ve looked at.
Global Hotspots for Underwater Photography Training
There is no shortage of in-person underwater photography workshops and classes offered around the world, some of which are listed here:
Bluewater Photo (Cuba/The Caribbeans)
As part of the Cuba Photo Workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to join a 7-night adventure in Cuba, where you’ll be exploring the incredible marine ecosystems within the Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen). As a protected marine park, Jardines de la Reina contains pristine waters filled with coral reefs and vast biodiversity, perfect opportunities to excel in your underwater photography skills.
Daily underwater photography tutorials, in-water photography support, and one-to-one instruction are provided on this trip. Costs range from 3950 USD to 6158 USD.
Freediving Central Underwater Photography Course (Australia)
Freediving Central provides the first underwater photography course in Sydney, where you’ll be immersed in small, one-on-one, sessions with personalized instruction and the opportunity to practice in a wide range of underwater environments.
You will need to have your own camera and photo editing software, and some prior photography experience is recommended. Sessions take place during 2 days and you may choose from 2 locations within Sydney. Feel free to reach out to the company to learn about the costs and fees.
Oceans Below Underwater Photography Training (Thailand)
With its tropical coral reefs and marine life such as whale sharks, rays, hawksbills, and green turtles, Koh Tao is a fantastic location to learn underwater photography. As part of their 3 or 5-day program, you’ll have the opportunity to learn wide-angle and macro-dive photography and use either natural light or strobes for shooting. The course may also be taught either on scuba or freediving.
Oceans Below provides all the software and hardware to capture and produce high-quality photos, though you will need to meet some prerequisites before taking their different courses.
Prices range from 548 USD to 829 USD depending on the duration and type of course you choose.
Continuing Education and Workshops
Considering the courses we’ve looked at in this article, there’s no doubt that online classes offer both the flexibility and cost benefits that many people will find appealing. However, it’s important to stress that it will be difficult to truly master the craft of underwater photography without gaining practical experience through hands-on real-life opportunities.
Hence, even though the cost and physical demands of attending underwater photography workshops certainly exist, remember that they are the best ways for you to apply the knowledge you’ve gained through online classes. After all, underwater photography is all about getting in the water, and workshops give you just that.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve gone over why you may find underwater photography appealing, from personal memory keeping to wider purposes such as animal conservation, as well as the various types of courses you may wish to embark on if you’ve decided to pursue this path.
The potential to contribute to the global efforts of saving the immeasurable number of endangered marine species during times of crisis will make your efforts truly world-changing. And the more people who decide to embark on underwater photography, the more change we can make.
To help you get started, here are some additional resources to learn more about the art and connect with others like you.
Additional Resources
Books and Articles
- The Underwater Photographer
- The Underwater Photography Handbook
- Big Animal Underwater Photography Ebook
Online Communities and Forums
- https://scubaboard.com/community/threads/underwater-photography-course-recommendations.642784/
- https://www.dpreview.com/forums/1063
- https://www.scubashooters.net/forum.php
Useful Websites and Tools
- Underwater Photography Guide (Both tutorials and equipment reviews can be found here)
- Underwater Photography Playlist (Tutorials by Brent Durand, one of the course makers we’ve discussed in this article)
- Backscatter (Additional equipment reviews)
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