Shooting technique
You are now equipped, it is now necessary to jump into the water. The ideal is to be in the water to take the pictures. You've just caught a nice fish with your sidekick and you want to take a half air half water photo. Take a deep breath and prepare yourself step by step until you press the shutter.
I will try to list the most exhaustive reflexes (no pun intended) to have before taking a half-air half-water picture... There are a number of parameters to take into account...
The background, the composition of your image
- It is much better to be at least two: one holding the rod and/or presenting the fish, the other behind the lens.
- the fish must be healthy and well pricked. Besides the fact that a wounded fish is ugly and not classy in photo, in half air half water it is impossible to take correctly. A fish that is tired is going to be on its back, not having a nice posture. It is necessary to release it quickly and to try a next time if the fish show signs of fatigue.
- The landing net is almost indispensable. It allows you to keep the fish in the water while you prepare the camera (put it in the box), check and prepare to enter the water (shoes, socks, pants...)
- The background must be watched. It is easy to forget the bag of the box, a piece of clothing...which spoil the image.
- The water must be very clear. Otherwise the focus is difficult (particle in the water) and the picture is too hard to expose correctly (lack of brightness).
- The sun should ideally be at its zenith. If it is in front of you, you shoot against the light. You will see the reflection of the inside of the dome on the glass of the dome. The stripes, even if invisible, will stand out and be seen. Aesthetically, it's not great either, except for a voluntary effect. If the sun is behind you, your shadow will be on what you want to photograph. It's ugly and unmanageable to retouch...
The form, what you need to know
- Pre-set the camera before putting it in the dome, so that you only have to make fine adjustments. To save time, avoid having accessories such as a flash, tripod or headband on your cameraâeuros¦
- The water should not be too cold. Or equip yourself with an anti-fog bag...
- To avoid water drops on your dome, dip it regularly between shots so as to create a thin film of water on your dome. Before putting the whole thing in the water, it is not very glamorous, but I spit on the dome and spread the saliva on it... It works pretty well as long as you haven't eaten chips or a sausage 2 minutes earlier. Others advise the motorcycle helmet spray or a cut potato rubbed on it... But I have never tested it (I don't carry potatoes around much when I go fishingâ?¦). The water drops, besides the aesthetic aspect, disturb the focus of the lens.
- Store your box closed with moisture-proof bags to prevent fogging and dusting.
- I quickly put the chamber in the water and check that there are no bubbles coming up which could indicate a problem with the waterproofing.
- I always look quickly if the pictures look good. There is nothing worse than arriving home to find that none of the pictures are good.
Feel free to ask questions and give us feedback. I am only a self-taught "photographer", but if I can help you, it will be with pleasure.
