Underwater Gear -- Where To Begin

Without a doubt, the number one question I get asked is what do I use to photograph underwater. I wish there was a simple answer...mostly, because I think that photographic gear is not a one solution fits all kind of thing. You need to be able to define what you want to shoot under water. You need to understand what you want those images to look like and then go ahead and figure out what kind of gear you need to get those images. And, when you can't even begin to photograph underwater to learn what it is you want to photograph without investing in some sort of gear, that makes those decisions even more difficult to make. So, here is some advice as to how to begin. Before you go out and invest thousands of dollars in a hard case for you dSLR, consider some other options. What I started with was a simple bag which I placed a back up Canon 30D into so I could see if I liked it. It is made by DiCapac and retails for about $100.

Now, where this fell short for me was the inability to adjust my settings once the camera was in the bag. Also, I ended up duct taping the lens port so that it didn't flop around like a ... well ... limp noodle. Still, it gave me a good taste for what to expect under water. I even captured these images with it.

I got a sense of what I wanted out of my gear and how I wanted whatever I bought to perform. There are other cameras out there now that allow you to photograph under water without investing a huge amount of money. Two that are quite popular are the Lifeproof case for the iPhone and the Panasonic Lumix. I have tried the GoPro underwater and it works super well in bright light situations, but the one thing that I learned really quickly was that it gets dark faster than you think under there. So, for me, the GoPro is a fun camera for my kids, but lacked what I required to get the shots that I love. ISO capability is huge when choosing a camera to take in the water. The other thing(and GoPro got this right) that is most important is that you will want a wide angle lens. At least to start...you are often limited in space(such as a pool) and need to be physically close to your subject. OR, like in the image of Georgia with her inner tube, there is a lot of 'stuff' floating in the water making it tough to see your subject. So, the only way to actually get the image is to get up close.

I knew I wanted to get in the water with my camera. But, I am so a big camera girl. I like flexibility from my gear and I hate feeling limited. The bag was suggested to me by a number of other photographers who also do underwater work and it was a wonderful way to 'test the waters'....BUT...the truth is, it did fail me once. And, I have heard stories of the plastic on it cracking or getting a hole...so, it is not something I would suggest long term. Nor would I suggest putting a primary camera into it. If you are a professional, you should always have multiple bodies, so this shouldn't be an issue for you...BUT, if you are a hobbyist, I suggest starting out with either the LifeProof case or the Panasonic Lumix. Always keep in mind that electronics were never intended to go in the water ;) So, failure is always a possibility. Just know how much you are willing to risk to get some really cool underwater shots ;)

Hope this helps everyone on their way to learning what gear would work for them underwater. I have since upgraded to a full on hard case. I will write a post all about that one of these days as well...

~ Dana

PS--I am going to start answering photography related questions on a regular basis soon, soooooo...is there anything specific you wanted to learn? Just ask the question in the comments and I'll keep record of them :)

YYC Memories

I don't even know where to begin.

One week. It's been one week...wow. Living here in Okotoks and seeing the change in our small town as we take in the many displaced people from High River, it is hard not to feel an urgent need to help out. In any way possible. And, we've done some physical helping...down at the Blackie shelter and donating to the food bank. Offering help to the families we have met. But, nothing seems like enough. NOTHING. And, I know that this is how everyone feels from Canmore to Calgary and out to Turner Valley and Bragg Creek...and, of course, High River.

The other day, while we were buying items to donate at Walmart, the cashier asked us if we were 'lucky or displaced'. She had asked everybody this and everyone else in line had said 'displaced'. When we got to the till, I said 'lucky'. She told me her story...of living in a camper in the campground and getting only a little bit of silt and mud in her trailer. She said, 'I'm lucky, too.'

How can you not want to help? So, when my dear friend and amazing wedding photographer, Gabe McClintock put out the call to donate sessions to those people who weren't so lucky, I was immediately on board. And, so many photographers wanted to join us. I mean...MANY, MANY photographers. It was obvious in a very short period of time that organization was needed to help bring all of these amazing photographers together with families who could use their help in creating new memories. Together with my friend, Jennifer Kapala (wow...a more organized person I have never met...truly) and the amazing people at FLIPP advertising, we now have a home for this wonderful movement started by Gabe.

So, if you are a photographer who is wanting to help, please sign up at our new, amazing website made by the people at FLIPP. The fact that they created this website in about 48 hours completely BLOWS.MY.MIND.

And, to all of my families, if you have been affected or know of someone who has been affected by this terrible disaster, please sign up to receive this gift we'd all love to give you. We know you have a lot on your plates right now, but we are a patient lot. We can wait until your ready for our help.

I know that some of my clients are facing losing their homes. I want you to know that my heart and thoughts are with you now. I consider you all 'my families' and I don't take that idea lightly. If you need help recovering images from past sessions, please contact me and I'll happily go through my archives for you.

Finally, so proud to be Albertan this week. We are a generous, hardworking bunch. Salt of the earth. There is no better place to raise my kids.

~ Dana

Bubbles and Buckets

This is my new friend. She is super duper cute. And, like many kids, she loves bubbles.

She is super thrilled to announce that she recently became a big sister.

Together, they make a pretty gosh darn cute family. While playing in her front yard, she discovers a big bucket of water. Hmmmm, what's that for? She wonders. Well now...this won't work at all. Ahhhhh...that's better.

Summertime sessions rock :)

~ Dana

The 5 Minute Project: Okotoks Flood 2013

I have been doing what I call 'The 5 Minute Project' for a little while now. It is always on my personal blog(Pughville.com) and usually about my kids. Well, today, I decided to show my images from my two little 5 minute walks about the community here on my Short and Sweet Blog. The water is way down...last night, I estimate it was down at least a meter from the worst and this morning it is thankfully down even further. These are some familiar sights in Okotoks--Riverside Park, the bike path, the old train bridge. Hard to tell actually. It was good to get out and talk to the neighbours. Hearing the stories of the evacuees from High River has really hit me hard. These images show the physical destruction, but they don't even begin to get at the heart of it. As the shock of it all is starting to wear off, I imagine the heart of it will become more and more apparent. I'm not sure yet how to get in there to photograph it, but I sure would like to...I guess we'll see.

Still in a State of Emergency...still so much of the area under water. We are lucky our house is in the high part of Okotoks. But, we feel a strong urge to help the people we met on the street last night. The people whose hastily packed trucks told the story of how quick this all happened. The grandmother telling us how her new granddaughter was born just Sunday at the High River Hospital. The story of the little girl who lost her backyard which was newly completed. Small things like that...they hit you hard.

Donate to the Red Cross to help http://www.redcross.ca/