Light is a very important element in every
photograph. As underwater photographers we need
to develop the ability to see, measure, control
and use light to create the images we envision.
On the technical side we need to master some
skills so we can control light with our camera
system to consistently get proper exposures and
"paint colors" into our strobe-lit foreground
subjects. Of equal importance, we need to call
upon our artistic abilities as we use light to
create the desired ambience in our images. When
we take advantage of light we can sometimes
transform an ordinary moment with an interesting
subject into a compelling image. Knowing that,
experienced shooters constantly think about the
prevailing lighting conditions and how light can
be used to add dramatic effect to a given scene
or moment. The following scenario illustrates
how becoming "a student of light" helped me
create a series of pleasing images. I feel
confident that a similar effort on your part
will do the same for you.
One day years ago on a cloudless morning I was
walking through clear, waist-high water in a
Bahamian sand flat when I became mesmerized by the
patterns of dappled light created by rays of
sunlight that were dancing over the sandy seafloor.
I had been hoping to find a nurse shark or two to
photograph, and as I thought about the light, I
realized that creating an image with the patterns of
dappled sunlight on the back of a shark was the best
way for me to take advantage of the great light and
capture the essence of the moment. From a technical
standpoint, this meant I would turn my strobes off
and use a fast shutter speed (500th of a second or
faster if possible) to try to "freeze" the
flickering light pattern. The faster the shutter
speed, the crisper and more defined the individual
lines in the pattern would be. I used my strobes for
some shots so I could see the details in the faces
of the sharks, as can be seen by the shot on the
top, but I knew that the light from my strobes
 would
overpower the dappled sunlight, and while the
exposure would be just fine, I would lose the effect
created by the patterns of dancing light rays. So,
for most of the images, I opted to turn my strobes
off, use a fast shutter speed, and try to capture
the light patterns on the backs of the sharks. I was
especially pleased with the shot of the group of
nurse sharks resting together on the sand that
accompanies this piece. I love the patterns of
dappled light on the sharks, and having seen that
shot, I have since tried to create similar frames
with subjects such as manatees, manta rays, other
sharks and sea lions when working in clear shallow
water on sunny days. I encourage you to try this
"fast shutter speed, no strobe" technique if you
like it, and in any case, to become a student of
light to take your image making to the next level.
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