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Focusing and Shutter release control:
Get used to operating this control on the camera in both half depress,
and full depress movements. You will frequently depress the shutter
release only half way to activate the exposure meter and auto focus
to preview the shooting conditions and make setting changes. Once
you get the feel for operating the camera control directly, you can then
try it in the FD-50, using the housing’s controls in the same manner.
Compose and view exposure information display. It is very important
that you become familiar with the information display in the viewfinder
so you can make proper exposure settings and know what other settings
have been made. You will use this often and it is good to become
familiar with it before attempting to read it underwater. Also practice
composing and focusing the camera by eye, before using it underwater
to get the feel for this operation as well.
Use the viewfinder eyepiece:
It is important to vary each shot by changing exposure settings or
composition. This will give you a good sample of shots from which
to select the best one.
Take lots of shots of any subject or scene
When locking in the exposure value of the background before recomposing and taking the photo.
Sometimes it is good to operate the AE-L button:
There are three light meters in the D-50; Matrix, Center Weighted,
and Spot. Read the D-50 instruction manual for complete descriptions
on each of these meters and when to use each. No matter which one
you choose, they all help guide you to the proper shutter speed and
aperture combination for proper ambient light exposure. Where you
aim the meter is also important. In underwater photography, it is
important to remember to aim the meter at the background water or
“sky” to get the proper exposure information. It is often necessary to
gather this information, make your exposure settings, and then recompose the scene before shooting.
Using the camera’s light meter to determine ambient light:
Utilizing each housing control to properly and efficiently change
camera settings. Some controls only require a straight pushing
movement, while others may require pushing and rotating
simultaneously to operate.
Familiarize yourself with the movements required:
Changing Exposure Settings:
Using the camera in its Manual (M) Exposure Mode gives you the
ability to change either shutter speeds or apertures to control the
exposure the way you want. Get used to making these changes while
your eye is in the viewfinder and you are referencing the LCD display
for guiding you in the exposure process. The command dial is set to
change shutter speeds, and the sub-command dial is set to change
apertures. Practice operating each of these controls so they become
instinctive in operation.
The ISO Sensitivity setting on the camera:
This is the same as the film speed that photographers set on film
cameras, with one small difference: There is no film. This setting is
the equivalent of the film speed you would normally set. The higher
the ISO sensitivity number, the more light is captured and the brighter
the image. Higher ISO sensitivity numbers have more “Noise”, a term
that is the digital equivalent of grain in higher speed films. Try starting
out with a lower ISO sensitivity such as ISO 200 if the lighting
conditions permit.
This will improve the effectiveness of your strobe in restoring lost
color. It will also expand the sharpness of the image by reducing the
amount of backscatter between the lens and the subject.
Get close to you subject when shooting underwater
Those that are easy to approach and will not scare off readily when
you approach. Choose subjects that will result in a large image size.
This will make a more dramatic image.
Begin by choosing subjects
Change F/Stops and shutter speeds to “bracket” your exposures
This will give you a range of image exposures, from which you can
choose the one that you like the best. It improves the probability of
getting a good shot.
This will restore the vivid colors lost through selective light absorption.
Get to know the full manual power rating of your strobe, by shooting
at a constant distance from an average reflective subject, and take
several shots at different F/stops.
Use flash all the time
Practice depressing the shutter release half way, and hold the focus
until you are ready to record the image. If you are shooting a moving
subject, it may be helpful to focus lock on a nearby part of the coral
reef and wait for the subject to enter into your plane of focus.
Focus lock on your subject