Exploring New Creative Frontiers with 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography

For underwater photographers looking to push their creative boundaries, Alex Mustard’s newest book, 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography, is an excellent resource. Originally released in the UK in Autumn 2024, it is set to be available in the US on April 1, 2025. The book provides a structured and engaging way to refine your skills, making it an ideal companion for divers both between and during trips.

At its core, 52 Assignments is designed to inspire photographers to experiment with different techniques and expand their underwater portfolios. The book is part of a series by Ammonite Press that challenges photographers with practical assignments. Within its pages, Mustard covers a diverse range of techniques, from classic approaches like Wide Angle Blues (Assignment #11) and Snell’s Window (Assignment #20) to more niche methods such as Photogrammetry (Assignment #46) and Macro Flashlight (Assignment #47). Whether you are a beginner or an experienced shooter, the structured nature of these assignments offers fresh perspectives and new ways to approach underwater scenes.

One of the most appealing aspects of the book is its portability and affordability. Given its compact size, divers can easily bring it along on dive trips and reference specific assignments between dives. The assignments are crafted to be actionable, allowing divers to immediately apply new techniques underwater. Mustard also encourages engagement by inviting readers to share their results on social media using the hashtags #UWAssignments and #UnderwaterAssignmentXX, where XX corresponds to the assignment number.

I personally tested out one of the assignments—Zoom Blur (Assignment #42)—during a recent dive and dedicated an entire session to experimenting with the technique. The challenge involves adjusting the zoom during exposure to create dynamic motion effects. After some trial and error, I managed to capture a few compelling shots of a goliath grouper, emphasizing the sense of movement and power in the image. This hands-on experience reinforced how valuable structured experimentation can be in developing new creative approaches.

For any underwater photographer seeking inspiration, 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography is a must-have addition to their library. Whether used as a guide for structured practice or as an occasional spark of creativity, this book offers something for everyone. I highly recommend picking up a copy and diving into these assignments—who knows what unique images you might create?