Hello, my name is David and I am currently a senior in high school. I have a passion for photography and I love to study marine life. I know that I want to be a professional photographer/videographer but recently I have really become interested in Underwater photography.
Over the last year or so I have looked into getting scuba certified and I am planning to do it this year. I really want to learn how to do underwater photography because it looks very fascinating. I already am experienced with film and digital slr cameras and I own a nikon d70s. The technical side isn't what I need advice on though.
I need direction. What is the best way I can become an underwater photographer? Should I go to a specific university that teaches underwater photography or take my chances at being self taught and go to a normal 4 year university? At this stage I feel very blind in my approach and I was hoping that someone here might have some answers. I don't plan on doing general photography like wedding. If I do anything photography related I really hope it will be underwater photography or nature/wildlife photography.
Currently I am working as a photographer shooting white water rafting and kayaks at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. It's definitely a great job for someone my age, especially since it involves photography. I just don't know where to go next. College is the big question for me. Not if I go, but where do I go? If I want to do underwater photography, what should be my next move?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
David