Split shots are the creative shooting forms in which a picture is half above water and half under it. The technique is used to capture scenes above
and below water simultaneously.
These are also known as over/under images or split images which can be used to capture subjects in shallow and clear water along with an equally interesting part of the image above the surface as well. However, creating split shots can be very tricky.
Split shots are often taken with wide angle lens and a small aperture to create good depth of field. The shots give best results with calm and shallow water early in the morning. The difference in the refractive indices of air and water pose problem as the lens is required to focus at two different distances simultaneously. Also, the brightness in either half of the picture varies, where the top half is brighter than the other. Therefore, most of the photographers shoot with a wide angle lens in a housed camera system and strobes are used to light up the underwater area. Density and split filters are the devices used to reduce the difference in contrast between both the levels. Using very small aperture or a split diopter helps in capturing better images.
Reducing the aperture size increases the area in focus and thus can yield better results while shooting split shots. Increasing the ISO and/or lowering the shutter speed will give a clearer image. Larger dome ports help in achieving focus in areas both under and above water. Water on the dome port poses a big problem while shooting and therefore glass ports should be used, which shed water easily.
Split shots produce very interesting images as they cover subjects both above and under water at the same time. The technique can be used to capture aquatic animals, ships, foliage and other subjects that are partially inside water and the resultant effect is magical.