The Best Resources For Increasing Your Underwater Photography Knowledge

These days, the Internet offers a plethora of information—but much of it is clickbait and of little real value. For beginners, finding high-quality resources to truly expand your underwater photography knowledge can be a challenge. So, Andy and I put our heads together to compile what we believe are the best places to learn, grow, and deepen your understanding of underwater photography. What sets these resources apart from the typical clickbait churned out by big training agencies and media outlets is that they’re founded and run by real, active, and passionate underwater photographers—people who generously share the hard-earned knowledge they’ve gained over the years.

Keep in mind, the goal of this article isn’t to point you toward the prettiest photo galleries. We’re after something more valuable: a curated list of resources that will boost your knowledge of underwater photography, sharpen your skills, introduce new ideas and concepts, improve your gear awareness, and keep you connected with what’s happening in the hobby.

The Best Online Forum – Waterpixels.net

We’ll start with a forum—and the best of the best is Waterpixels.net. It was created a few years ago by a group of dedicated, hardcore underwater photographers who wanted to ensure this kind of valuable resource would remain available after the collapse of a previous forum. One of the greatest strengths of a forum is its interactivity: you can post your own questions on just about any topic, and you’ll usually get a variety of helpful responses from people who’ve faced the same challenges you're dealing with.

The forum is thoughtfully organized into different sections and categories. I regularly browse through them, reading comments and questions, and always come away having learned something new. It’s an invaluable tool for building knowledge—you can learn about techniques, equipment, post-processing, and much more. The range of topics is virtually endless. Best of all, the forum is well-managed, friendly, and genuinely supportive. Newcomers are welcomed, and no question goes unanswered.

Waterpixels will quickly become one of your go-to resources, especially when you’re starting out. But it’s equally valuable once you’ve gained experience—because then you can give back. Helping others is incredibly rewarding, and the forum thrives on its members actively contributing to the community. And it works brilliantly.

Lightroom and Photoshop Resource – GoAskErin.com

One of the most overlooked—and most intimidating—parts of underwater photography is editing. When you're just starting out, it can feel overwhelming. The first time you download Lightroom or Photoshop, chances are you’ll avoid using them simply because you don’t know where to begin. Sure, you can search YouTube for tutorials, but most of the content is geared toward topside photography. That’s exactly what makes GoAskErin.com such a standout resource.

Erin is a well-known figure in the underwater photography world and an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE). She regularly leads workshops and trips, but when it comes to building your editing skills, there’s no better place to start than her online video tutorials, available through the GoAskErin store. The site offers a wide range of video lessons on different topics, but a great starting point is the Lightroom: Zero to Hero bundle. It includes four videos—three focused on Lightroom and one on Photoshop—and teaches you the essential tools for organizing, editing, exporting, and becoming confident with the software.

All of the tutorials are designed specifically for underwater photographers. Erin’s passion for both shooting and editing is clear in every video, and her experience as an educator makes the content easy to follow. She’s especially talented at breaking down complex processes into simple, digestible steps. After watching her videos, you won’t just know what to do—you’ll understand why you’re doing it, and how and when to apply those skills to your own image

Best YouTube Channel – The Underwater Photography Show

The Underwater Photography Show is hosted by Dr. Alex Mustard and Mathew Sullivan—some would say the perfect blend of British expertise and American flair, though since they’re both personal friends, I’ll refrain from making that call.

Alex is arguably the most well-known underwater photographer in the world, especially within the photography community. He’s the author of multiple books on the subject and leads workshops across the globe every year. Matt brings charm and humor to the show—and he’s also an accomplished photographer in his own right. He runs workshops in various locations and writes prolifically on many aspects of the hobby.

The show is geared toward more serious shooters. If you’re new to underwater photography, you’ll learn a lot—but be prepared for a bit of a learning curve, as they often dive into advanced topics. That said, Alex is excellent at breaking things down so they’re easy to grasp. If you’re looking to take your photography to the next level, this is without question an essential resource.

Episodes vary in format and content: they cover dive locations and destinations, review gear (often before it's publicly available), discuss techniques and competitions, explain how they captured certain shots, and highlight their favorite Instagram accounts. If you’re considering new equipment or planning a dive trip, it’s worth browsing the archive—chances are there’s an episode that covers exactly what you’re interested in.

It’s easily my favorite thing to watch on the drive home from work. Episodes typically run around 30 minutes, with one or two new installments released each week.

The Best Magazine – UWP Magazine (Digitial)

Underwater Photography Magazine (UWP) is a free digital magazine dedicated to all aspects of underwater photography, making it an incredibly valuable resource for photographers of all levels—whether just starting out or working professionally in the field. Published bi-monthly and available as a downloadable PDF, UWP offers a broad range of content that spans equipment reviews, field reports, technique tips, interviews, news, and inspiring image galleries.

One of UWP’s standout features is its focus on real-world, practical advice from experienced photographers. Articles often include detailed insights into how particular shots were taken, what gear was used, and what challenges were encountered, offering readers a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts who are actively diving and shooting around the world. The magazine also regularly features product reviews and side-by-side comparisons of cameras, housings, strobes, and accessories, helping readers make informed decisions about gear choices

In addition to technical knowledge, UWP provides exposure to new diving destinations, marine life behavior, and environmental issues, expanding a photographer’s understanding not just of how to shoot underwater, but why. The magazine’s commitment to showcasing reader submissions also fosters a sense of community, allowing aspiring photographers to gain recognition and learn through constructive comparison.

Most Useful Instagram – Kate Jonker

Instagram isn’t typically known as an information-rich platform—it’s more often used for research, browsing others’ photos, and gathering inspiration. But Kate Jonker is doing something a little different, and she’s built a significant following because of it.

Kate is an underwater photography instructor and workshop leader who runs trips to destinations like Bali and Lembeh. Unlike most photographers who use Instagram primarily to showcase their images, Kate has leveraged the platform’s Reels feature to create engaging and educational short videos on underwater photography. Her content covers everything from basic tips on composition and lighting to environmental topics, such as how to shoot responsibly without disturbing marine life.

These bite-sized clips are especially helpful for newer shooters, but they also serve as excellent reminders for more experienced photographers who might occasionally lose sight of the core principles—principles that Kate presents clearly and effectively in her Reels.

Conclusion

Given all the clickbait on the internet, we hope you’ll find these sources genuinely useful. If you keep up with them, you’ll always feel up to date with the hobby, and your knowledge will continue to grow. And don’t forget—at Inside Scuba, all of our articles are permanently available for free on our website. We’ve got over 35 different underwater photography articles and growing, covering a wide range of topics, ready for you to dive into anytime.