Becoming a Spinmaster: Perfecting the Spin Shot Technique in Underwater Photography

Spin shots are undeniably gimmicky. The first time you see one, you'll probably love it—but, like circular fisheye shots, the novelty wears off quickly. However, the real value in mastering spin shots lies in what you learn along the way. To get them right, you’ll first need to perfect inward lighting, then refine your ability to balance ambient light with precise shutter speeds. The skills you develop through this process are invaluable and will serve you well in countless other photographic scenarios. So even if spin shots don’t become your favorite technique, I highly recommend learning them for the lessons they offer.

Another great thing about spin shots is how impressive they are to others—especially non-divers and even divers who don’t shoot photos. They often find these shots hard to wrap their heads around, but they absolutely love them. Mastering this technique is sure to earn you admiration from everyone else on the boat.

So, What Are Spin Shots?

A spin shot, in essence, involves creating a circular blur effect around a central subject. This effect is achieved by rotating the camera during the exposure while keeping the subject steady in the frame. The resulting image features a sharp subject surrounded by a swirl of motion. 

Spin shots are versatile and can be applied in various underwater contexts, including:

• Highlighting marine life (such as coral, fish, or macro subjects) with a dynamic background.

• Adding creative flair to wide-angle reef shots.

Key Equipment for Spin Shots

To execute spin shots successfully, you’ll need the right gear and settings:

Camera and Housing

Any DSLR or mirrorless camera in an underwater housing will work for spin shots, provided it allows manual control over exposure settings.

• Wide-angle lenses are ideal for learning this technique, with fisheye lenses being particularly useful. Getting close to your subject makes it much easier to manage lighting effectively.

• Strobes: are essential, and the more powerful, the better. They provide the critical separation between your sharp, strobe-lit subject and the blurry, ambient-lit background.

• Accessories: like a housing with a stable handle system and high-quality clamps are invaluable. Secure clamps ensure your strobe arms stay locked in position once your lighting is set, preventing movement between shots and maintaining consistency.

Techniques for Taking Spin Shots Underwater

Spin shots require a balance of technical skill and creative experimentation. Here’s how to get started:

Select the Right Subject and Background

The success of a spin shot depends on selecting a subject that stands out from its surroundings. Look for:

• High-contrast subjects: Brightly colored subjects like fish, coral, and other marine life that contrast against the blue water background work exceptionally well. Vibrant hues such as oranges, reds, and yellows create striking visuals against the blue.

• Isolated subjects: A single, isolated subject—like a coral protruding from the reef—is ideal for this technique. Avoid subjects surrounded by others on the same plane, as you need clear separation to make the shot stand out.

Master Your Lighting

Before starting the spin, set your camera to a low ISO, f/18, and a shutter speed of 1/250. The goal is to create a black background by blocking out all ambient light. Next, position your strobes for inward lighting. This involves placing the strobes wide on the arms, set to high power, and angled back toward the housing. The aim is for the strobe light to illuminate only the subject, leaving the area below and around it completely black.

Adjust the angle of the strobes as needed to perfect the lighting. If light is hitting the seabed, angle the strobes more toward the camera. If you’re seeing strobe flare on the edges of the frame, move the strobes slightly farther back or outward. Take a few test shots and refine the setup until you achieve the desired result: a fully lit subject with no strobe light spilling onto anything else, set against a completely black background.

Master Your Camera Settings

Spin shots rely on controlled motion blur, which means you’ll need to carefully balance your exposure settings:

• Aperture: A narrow aperture (e.g., f/18 or f/22) ensures a greater depth of field, helping to keep your subject sharp. It also blocks out ambient light, especially in bright sunlight, and allows you to use a slower shutter speed to create more pronounced spin blur.

• ISO: Keep ISO low (50-100) to block out the ambient light and keep the image noise free.

• Shutter speed: Use a slower shutter speed, typically between 1/10 and 0.5 seconds. The slower the shutter, the more blur you’ll create, but it will also allow more ambient light, making the background brighter. Adjust the shutter speed to achieve a rich, vibrant blue. If the blur starts appearing too white, increase the shutter speed slightly. Conversely, if the blur is too sharp at the desired blue, try spinning the camera faster to enhance the effect.

Focus and Framing

• Focus on the subject: Use your standard wide angle autofocus set up for this, nice and simple

• Center your subject: For maximum impact, position your subject in the center of the frame to ensure the motion blur radiates evenly around it. Use front curtain sync so the flash fires at the beginning of the exposure, capturing the subject when the composition is correct. Expect some trial and error—some shots will turn out better than others as you refine your technique.

Execute the Spin

The spinning motion is what gives this technique its signature look. Follow these steps:

• Stabilize your position: Achieve neutral buoyancy and maintain a steady position to avoid unintended movement.

• Start rotating: Hold the housing handles firmly and rotate the camera in a circular motion, either clockwise or counterclockwise, begin the rotations and press the shutter when you have the desired composition, then continue the spin. This gives you a nice smooth look, rather than pressing the shutter then at the beginning of the shot then starting the spin, this will not be as smooth.

• Maintain control: Keep the rotation smooth and consistent to avoid jagged or uneven blur.

Spin shots are less predictable than regular shooting, so take several exposures to ensure you capture a well-composed image with the desired motion effect.

Post-Processing for Spin Shots

Editing plays a significant role in enhancing spin shots:

• Mask the subject: Use selective masking to edit only the sharp subject. Apply clarity adjustments to enhance details and fine-tune the white balance to ensure the colors look natural and balanced.

• Enhance the blur: Reverse the mask and reduce clarity and texture to create a softer blur effect. Adjust the white balance separately for the background to maintain a consistent and natural look, distinct from the subject.

• Crop and straighten: Align the spin effect symmetrically to create a more polished and cohesive final image.

 Overcoming Challenges in Spin Shots

1.  Avoiding Backscatter

   Spin shots can amplify backscatter if strobes are improperly positioned. Adjust the strobes accordingly to avoid backscatter and flare especially. Backscatter will appear as very sharp white specs in the blurry part of the image.

2. Timing in Dynamic Environments

   Underwater conditions, such as currents or surge, can make controlled spinning difficult. Practice in calmer waters to refine your technique before attempting spin shots in more challenging environments.

3. Timing the daylight

   These shots are much easier to create on late afternoon dives when ambient light is getting less, it’s a great thing to practice on those types of dives.

Final Thoughts

The spin shot is more than just a flashy technique—it’s a gateway to learning multiple techniques and skills and the images you produce will still add an extra dimension to your portfolio.

For those willing to experiment and refine their technique, the spin shot rewards persistence with striking results. Like any creative skill, mastery comes with time spent in the water, trial and error, and a willingness to embrace failure as part of the learning process. So, the next time you find yourself looking for inspiration on a dive, slow down, steady your subject, and give the spin shot a try. You might just capture something a little different, and you will for sure learn some new skills that will hold you in good stead for future shooting.