drob 0 Posted June 30, 2008 (edited) 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 Edited June 30, 2008 by drob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DiveMasterMark 0 Posted June 30, 2008 David, I have no experience with specific schools that would be best for underwater photography. I would advise considering schools that give you a broad base of knowledge, skills, and experience in the field you choose. Think about related occupations and industries that will allow you to earn a living as you develop your skills (and passion) as a photographer. You'll want to have excellent business, communication, and management skills, whether you're working for yourself or a company. Look at schools that prepare you in areas such as that, along with arts, graphics, etc. Now, if you can find all that at a school near the ocean, you're set. Seriously, best wishes to you. Start diving as soon as you can so that you can be working on being comfortable and safe in the water. Shoot pictures all the time, honing your skills and your vision so that when the time comes to take a camera underwater, you can focus (no pun intended) on what's different about shooting underwater. Good luck to you. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted June 30, 2008 David, I think Mark's advice is excellent. It sounds as though you're inclined toward Marine Biology so choose your school based on your major. You can integrate photography along the way. There are many pros on here who offer great underwater classes (Stephen Frink comes to mind) that can help you exploit your underwater photography. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SFLDiver 0 Posted June 30, 2008 David, I think Mark's advice is excellent. It sounds as though you're inclined toward Marine Biology so choose your school based on your major. You can integrate photography along the way. There are many pros on here who offer great underwater classes (Stephen Frink comes to mind) that can help you exploit your underwater photography. First, I'd definitely get certified asap. I also think the suggestion to consider majoring in marine biology sounds like pretty sound advice, especially since it will give you a greater understanding and appreciation for the ocean and may even open other career avenues for you. Also, most universities offering that major tend to be close to the ocean and will allow you the opportunity to dive and practice your craft while going to school. I'm not saying this is the solution, but the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale does offer a Bachelors of Science in Photography. It might be worth making a telephone call and having a conversation with one of the photography professors there and seeking a bit of additional practical guidance. Plus, Ft. Lauderdale is on the ocean and not a bad place to focus on underwater photography. I'd talk to as many people professionally in the industry as possibe before making any concrete dicisions. I wish I would have been so sure about what I wanted to do at that age! Good luck to you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidScubadiver 0 Posted July 1, 2008 I never would have considered choosing a college based on its proximity to good dive sites, but I suppose its something to consider. Another option is to "apprentice" with a photographer. And by that, I mean, pay tuition to someone to teach you the ropes and techniques. Or spend a lot of time in the water, shooting. Practice makes perfect. It seems a very difficult way to make a living, but if you can do so, it seems a nice way to do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmoss 0 Posted July 1, 2008 (edited) David If you want to pursue underwater photography as a profession, it may be helpful to learn as much about your subject as possible. A few years ago a young lady gave a presentation to my local dive club on some volunteer work she had been involved with in Bimini. It was a project I hadn't heard of and the work seemed facinatinig. If you have a love for marine live and research this may be worth checking into. Perhaps not immediately, but somewhere in the future. Some of the students have posted some nice images so I would imagine underwater photography opportunities would be plentiful. They have some specific requirements that must be met in order to be accepted. I remember thinking to myself at the time that this would be an amazing experience for a young, unattached person. Some others here may be more informed with this operation than I am and could offer more specific information. My suggestion would be to get certified, spend time in the water perfecting your diving skills, and then take a camera down. Sounds like you have your goals established at a young age, which is admirable. Bimini Biological Field Station Edited July 1, 2008 by dmoss Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMSushi 0 Posted July 1, 2008 Hey, David, give this a thought. If you don't mind moving across the country, the University of California Santa Barbara, UCSB, has a Marine Biology major. You've got to remember that a good solid knowledge base is essential! You're going to need business skills, computer skills, and of course the science knowledge. When you're done with that, you can check out Brooks Institute, also in Santa Barbara. They offer courses specifically in Underwater Photography. All the while, you can be brushing up on your diving skills and photography in and around beautiful So. Cal. Santa Barbara area and the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Had I known then what I know now... Best of luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drob 0 Posted July 1, 2008 Hey, David, give this a thought. If you don't mind moving across the country, the University of California Santa Barbara, UCSB, has a Marine Biology major. You've got to remember that a good solid knowledge base is essential! You're going to need business skills, computer skills, and of course the science knowledge. When you're done with that, you can check out Brooks Institute, also in Santa Barbara. They offer courses specifically in Underwater Photography. All the while, you can be brushing up on your diving skills and photography in and around beautiful So. Cal. Santa Barbara area and the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Had I known then what I know now... Best of luck! Thanks for the advice everyone it's really been a big help. Also, IMSushi I am really glad you said that because I was actually looking into UCSB and it looks like a really nice school. That transition to brooks might be excellent as well. It's definitely something to consider as I was already wanting to go out of state anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randini 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Thanks for the advice everyone it's really been a big help. Also, IMSushi I am really glad you said that because I was actually looking into UCSB and it looks like a really nice school. That transition to brooks might be excellent as well. It's definitely something to consider as I was already wanting to go out of state anyway. I did my undergrad at UCSB in aquatic bio (there was no marine bio program at the time) and am now a marine biologist. The progam is definitely dedicateded towards training researchers in marin bio (read=scientist). Since you're more interested in UW photo than the science itself and are interested in SB, I'd say you take a look ar Brooks Institute in SB (LINK). They are a photography based school (I had a friend that went there and claimed that they had a very good UW photo & video programs) and IIRC they can make arrangements with SB city college (which has an excellent techincal diving program) and UCSB to let you at least assist some of the courses that these schools offer and get credit for them while actually concentrating on UW photography/videography. But overall I'd agree with a previous poster in that your first priroty should be getting certified and comfortable with you diving skills before attempting UW photo. Diving alone can be challenging enough - several people die each year from making stupid mistakes. Add a camera and it can be a recipie for disaster if you're diving skills aren't second nature. Get the diving down then deal with the camera. In the mean time, I'd suggest you check out Brooks. If you're not afraid of slightly colder water, SB is a great place to dive! I learned to dive there and still miss diving in the kelp forests and out on the Channel Islands. The diving community there is great - lots of dive shops, several clubs & lots of dive spots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vetdiver 8 Posted July 9, 2008 (edited) I just wanted to suggest an option to marine biology that isn't already listed here - veterinary medicine with a specialty in exotics/marine creatures. (You know I had to say it, right?) It certainly involves a lot of schooling (though no more than some advanced degrees in marine bio/other advanced degrees), and getting into vet school can be a bit of a bear. But it is definitely another way to connect your hobby and your career...one caveat - unless you are superman, don't be surprised if you find yourself having to push away your dive gear for books or a few years. I had to, but I don't regret it at all. I think it's commendable that you have a passion at such a young age - and now - for the love of God, GO GET CERTIFIED!!!! Good luck to you!! Allison (I second SoCal - it's awesome here.) Edited July 9, 2008 by vetdiver Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
