A Guide to Mastering Shipwreck Photography Underwater

As underwater photographers it is our job to tell the story of what we see when we dive, and share that with captivating images. Shipwrecks offer us as photographers an incredible opportunity to tell those stories to our viewers, both to divers and non-divers alike. A shipwreck is a man-made object, it is something that all people can connect with and understand so therefore makes an appealing and powerful subject for us to shoot.

Underwater shipwreck photography combines the thrill of exploration with the artistry of photography, offering unique opportunities to capture hauntingly beautiful and historically significant scenes. This guide will provide you with the essential tips and techniques to create stunning shipwreck images, from preparation to post-processing and everything in between.

1. Research and Preparation

1.1. Know Your Wreck:

• Historical Context: Understanding the history and story of the shipwreck can help you capture its essence. Research when it sank, its purpose, and any notable events associated with it.

• Layout and Structure: Familiarize yourself with the wreck’s layout. Knowing the key features, such as the bow, stern, cabins, and cargo holds, will help you plan your shots.

• Position on the Sea Floor: Understanding how the wreck is positioned will help you with planning. If you want to shoot the bow of the wreck and you know the position of the ship, you’ll be able to schedule your dive so that the sun is in the correct position for the shot you are trying to achieve.

• Look at Images:  The more images you can look at of the wreck from other photographers the better chance you have of capturing unique images that are true to your own style and preferences.

1.2. Dive Planning:

• Depth and Conditions: Check the depth of the wreck and current conditions. Ensure you have the necessary certifications and experience for the dive.

• Permits and Regulations: Some wrecks are protected and may require special permits. Ensure you comply with local regulations.

• Consider a Guide: especially for penetration dives, by using a local guide with a lot of experience they can help take you to those key areas of the wreck in an efficient manner.

• Be Aware of Buoyancy: Shipwrecks can have silty interiors and you need to be mindful of this to ensure you produce clean images.

2. Techniques for Capturing Shipwrecks

2.1. Exterior shots:

• The Big Shot: The most powerful wreck shots are what I like to refer to as the big shot, an image capturing as much of the wreck as possible, generally of the bow but can also be of the most aesthetic view. Most wrecks have a preferred view and you need to seek that out. These are the most powerful for the viewer and resonate the most.

• Show the Scale: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the grandeur of the wreck. My favorite lens for shooting exterior shots is the fisheye lens, the bulbous effect generated by this lens really makes wrecks pop from a blue water background.

• Using Models: Models can be great to show scale and human connection. When using models it is best to position them in the blue water part of the image so they stand out. It is important the model is making the viewer connect with the wreck, so they need to be looking at the wreck and not the camera. Also it can be advisable to give the model a torch so they can shine it on to a key feature of the wreck and highlight that part.

• Depth and Perspective: Shoot from different angles and perspectives. Capture the wreck from above, below, and at various distances to convey its three-dimensionality. Use the leading lines that the wreck offers to your advantage, for example some wrecks have an anchor chain, you can use this as a leading line to draw the viewer into the wreck.

• Use the Sun: When shooting wrecks you are mainly using ambient light so its vital to use the sun to your advantage. In general terms it is best to have the sun coming from over your shoulders and lighting the wreck in front of you. This will give you the best color, especially in post processing. When shooting against the sun you will end up with images with more contrast in them, darker shadows and stronger highlights, these images can work well as black and white images with lots of contrast.

• Negative Space: Incorporate areas of open water to balance the composition and emphasize the wreck’s isolation. A big shot of the wreck will look better if you show it’s surroundings and a little negative space can be very good for doing this.

• Natural Colors: When shooting these big scenes be aware of white balance. You will need to fix this in post production, but it is a lot easier to do this if you manage to shoot the wreck from a short working distance. This is another reason we need to use a fisheye lens to get as close as possible and also use the sun to our advantage.

2.2. Interior shots:

• Close-Ups: Focus on interesting details such as the ship’s nameplate, machinery, or marine life that has made the wreck its home. You can use your strobes to highlight these key features in a wreck and then use the rest of the wreck as background.

• Textures and Patterns: Highlight the textures and patterns formed by rust, corrosion, and encrusting organisms. This can be done by using cross lighting to show texture.

• Off-Camera Lighting: By using off-camera lights you can add a lot of depth to wreck interior shots. You can use them to highlight key features such as vehicles inside the wreck or also to light walls and corners of engine rooms etc. Off-camera lights are used a lot inside vehicles and other objects to make them stand out in the image.  

• Use Models for Scale: When using models inside the wreck, good communication and preparation are essential as you will likely be in a dark space and struggle to communicate. When shooting models, it is important to separate them from the wreck. This can be achieved by using them as silhouettes against any incoming ambient light, or by strobe light to illuminate their faces, or to backlight them.

• Burn in the Blues: When shooting inside the wrecks it is important to incorporate ambient light where possible. By using slower shutter speeds, you can burn in a natural blue into your images which contrasts very well from the dark interior and strobe lit parts of the frame.

• Composition: Frame your shots using portholes, doorways, or natural elements like coral formations. By using these key features you can use natural frames and create that connection with the images.

  

  Using a model, supplemental lighting and ambient light for an interior shot

   

3. Post-Processing

3.1. Color Correction:

• White Balance: Correct the white balance to restore natural colors lost underwater. In Photoshop or Lightroom you can use the white balance dropper on a neutral part of the frame. This will get you in the right ball park but you will still need to make manual adjustments to perfect it.

• Use Masks: By using masks you can separate the wreck from the blue water and process each part of the image separately. This allows you to have independent masks for the wreck part of the image and the water part of the image. Doing so would allow you for example to add clarity and contrast into the wreck part but not the water, and conversely allow you to change the white balance of the water but not the wreck.

• Contrast and Sharpness: Enhance the contrast and sharpness to bring out the details of the wreck.

3.2. Backscatter Removal:

• Clone Tool: Use the clone tool in your editing software to remove backscatter and other unwanted particles. This works well on the more tricky parts of the frame where there is more detail.

• Spot Healing Brush: The spot healing brush in Photoshop is my favorite tool for removing backscatter. It is quick and efficient and by removing these unsightly parts you will have a clean and powerful image.

3.3. Artistic Adjustments:

• Black and White: Consider converting some images to black and white for a dramatic, timeless feel. This conversion works especially well on images that already have a lot of contrast due to strong directional sunlight.

• Vignettes: Add a slight vignette to focus attention on the central subject. Brightening the subject and darkening the edges really makes the wreck pop from the page.

Conclusion

Underwater shipwreck photography offers a unique challenge in underwater photography. It is a challenging subject that can be done in many different ways. But ultimately the most powerful way is to incorporate the main features of the ship so you can create images that resonate with both divers and non divers. Everyone knows what a ship looks like so it is your job to show how they are when they lay on the seabed.

Remember to do your research, take the expertise of a local guide to get you to the most prominent parts of the wreck as efficiently as possible and then make the most of your time at these key features to make your own scene. Blend both natural and ambient light, and incorporate models into you images to resonate even further with the viewer.