If you’re not looking for other divers in the frame, shoot off to the side, away from the drift path of the other divers.Īdditionally, stopping for a photo while at the front of the group allows the guide to know that you’ve intentionally stopped. This is helpful to gain extra shooting time and can allow you to compose images with silhouettes of the approaching divers.

In Cozumel, divers will often find green moray eels and nurse sharks under ledges - sometimes in the same spot!ĭiving at the front means that you’ll have more time to shoot before the group has drifted to the edge of sight, whether you’re diving with 3 or with 20. Grunts and many other fish like to hide away from the current - great subjects for those searching nooks and crannies for photo opportunities. Once you’ve properly exposed for the water in a direction relative to the sun, try to shoot in that direction for a while before changing the camera settings again. With a basic position set, all that is required are minor adjustments of strobe position and power.Ĭamera settings like ISO, aperture and shutter speed are critical for properly exposing ambient light in the water (wide-angle backgrounds). If you set your strobe position for vertical compositions, leave that position for a while and scan the reef for elements that will create a good photo. The less there is to change between shots the more quickly you can frame and capture an image. One must constantly scan for reefscape composition elements while drift diving.

The magnifying glass was a pleasant surprise. I drifted into position for a shot after noticing this diver examining the back of a coral head. This idea also applies when searching cracks and ledges for nurse sharks, fish and smaller critters. As soon as you can, take note of the surrounding area so that you can position yourself properly to duck quickly out of the current without disturbing reef or sand. At that point it’s often too late to try and swim up current.Īs soon as a potential photo opportunity comes into sight it’s wise to start preparing to duck out of the current. If you’re not thinking ahead to the next shot, chances are you’ll already be drifting by a beautiful composition or interesting critter by the time you notice the photo potential. This is the best way to capture photos on any dive, and it is particularly important while drift diving. The good news is that there are a few techniques to keep in mind that will make capturing great images much easier. There are a number of additional challenges, including swimming against the current, losing sight of the group and stabilizing for a shot without touching the reef (with body or fin wash). Drift diving requires close contact with a constantly moving group, meaning that photographers have very limited time to spend with subjects and compose photos. Planned drift dives are a sublime experience as one floats weightless through a colorful reef amongst the fish.

Water drift focus