Get close. And then, get closer!
Underwater, the light doesn't travel as far as it does on land. So if you are too far from your subjects, your pictures will probably lack colour and contrast, especially if you are trying to use a flash. Try to get a bit closer and immediately, you will notice how much more vivid your photos turn out to be. If you can, try to position yourself below your subject to make it stand-out more.
Get to know your camera
F stops and depth of field aren't as complicated as you may think. All you need to know is that apertures towards f/11 or f/16 won't capture as much light as apertures around f/5.6 or f/8. Well, there are a few more things to learn about them. Pop down to the resort's dive centre and your PADI instructor will be able to show you how to get the most out of your camera.
Get to know the reef life
To take good shots, it's a good idea to understand a little about fish life. Learn to find that elusive frogfish, keep your eyes open for the camouflaged octopus and try to get close to the coral groupers without spooking them. If you're observant, you could even come back with some award-winning behavioral photos, such as shrimps cleaning the other inhabitants of the reef.
And where best to capture stunning images of the Red Sea marine life than at the Hilton Nuweiba Coral Resort or the Hilton Taba Resort, both of which offer great scuba-diving opportunities just outside your room. Dive after dive on the house reef, you will learn your way around and will rely less and less on your dive guide to find photographic subjects for you.
After a hard day of underwater photography, why not meet-up at one of the hotel's bars to watch the sunset over the Sinai mountains and show your images to other divers. Have they seen the guitar sharks yet?
Jane Morgan
Editor, Dive Magazine
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