Many underwater photographers complain that majority of underwater photos appear bluish green. This is due to loss of color phenomenon. As one goes deeper in the water, more is the loss of light as well as color. Red color gets lost at 15 feet followed by orange at 25 feet, then yellow at 40 feet and then green at around 75 feet. This phenomenon is very tricky and frustrates many underwater photographers. Hence, one has to compensate for the loss of color underwater.
Following are some tips to get better colors in your underwater photographs –
- The amount of light as well as the colors depends upon the weather conditions of the place. Obviously, a bright and sunny day will help in capturing great shots with good colors.
- The colors also depend upon the amount of light available which in turn depends upon the position of sun. The time duration between 10 am to 2 pm is the best time to click photographs, as this is the time when best colors can be captured.
- One should also make sure that the photography is carried on, in calm waters. Calm water allows good passage of light and thus it adds true colors to the photos.
- Try and shoot from close range. Get as close as possible to the subject. This reduces the distance traveled by the light and hence it helps in capturing pictures with maximum colors.
- To compensate for the color loss one should use color correcting filters. The color correcting filters change the color balance as they selectively allow some colors to pass through. These help to restore red spectrum at different levels underwater.
- One can also use strobes to bring back the lack of color in underwater photographs. Strobes help in lighting up the subject and hence the colors of the subject are enhanced.
- Color loss can also be compensated by controlling the white balance setting on the camera. This helps in automatic color balance by setting the camera to a predefined condition suitable for differing conditions and light sources.
- Another way of adjusting the color in underwater photographs is by using a preset.