Discover the World Beneath the Surface

Underwater photography reveals a world most people never truly see — silent, fluid, and filled with motion, color, and life. From ocean waves and coral reefs to rivers, lakes, pools, and even rainstorms, water transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary images.

For many photographers, the biggest obstacle isn’t creativity or skill.
It’s fear of damaging expensive camera gear, or not knowing they a multitude of options, rather than being limited to action cams or cheap waterproof cameras.

The good news: modern waterproof protection systems make underwater photography accessible to anyone, not just professional divers with heavy, expensive hard housings that only work for specific cameras.

This guide shows you how to get started safely, affordably, and creatively, and how to expand your waterproof gear as your needs evolve.

Do You Need to Be a Diver to Shoot Underwater?

Not at all. 

Many powerful underwater images are created:

• While standing in shallow surf
• Floating in calm water
• Snorkeling near reefs
• Shooting in pools, rivers, or waterfalls
• Capturing over/under split-level scenes

You don’t need deep-water dive training to begin — just the right protection and preparation.

Choosing the Right Camera Setup

Almost any modern camera can create beautiful underwater images:

Mirrorless & DSLR Full Frame Cameras
Best for image quality, exchangeable lenses that fit your needs, and creative control. It's hard to go wrong with modern single lens reflex or mirrorless cameras these days. They offer the best combination of imaging optical finely, lightweight, compact design, and are the ideal tool for underwater photography for any skill level.

Compact & Micro Four Third (4/3) Cameras
Great for travel and casual exploration, compact and Micro 4/3 cameras are similarly capable and mimic many of the afore mentioned capabilities. These small, point and shoot cameras are even more travel friendly, compact and lightweight, and offer outstanding visual capabilities, options, and control for underwater imaging. Like film, and medium format cameras, the challenge for such cameras can be finding compatible underwater housing solutions that offer professional results, functional control, and affordable pricing.

Smartphones
Surprisingly capable in, specially for video, in bright, shallow conditions. Smartphones continue to improve in the imaging space. And while they rely on software for more of its capabilities compared to cameras with much larger lenses and sensors, they can provide remarkable results when a camera isn't available. 

What matters most is not the camera — it’s keeping it safe and usable in water.

Waterproof Protection Without the Bulk

Traditional hard housings are:

• Expensive
• Heavy
• Model-specific
• Difficult to travel with, comparatively speaking 

Modern flexible waterproof housing systems solve these problems by offering:

• Universal camera compatibility so you can use DSLR, Mirrorless, medium format, film, and cinema camera bodies and lenses.
• Professional optical glass ports for sharp images - not plastic or acrylic
• Lightweight, packable design for travel - so you don't need a case for your case
• Support for tripod mounts, lighting, triggers, strobes, tethering, and other imaging accessories
• A fraction of the cost of hard housings

This shift is what’s opening underwater photography to beginners, travelers, and adventure creators worldwide.

The Outex waterproof camera system is universally compatible with any camera or lens, maintains tactile functional control over all settings during use, offers optical glass ports (instead of acrylic/plastic), and it floats. 

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In the above example, professional photographer Brett Stanley is using a Canon Mirrorless Camera & Lens, tethered to remote lights above and below the water thru a trigger, all inside of the Outex underwater camera housing system. More details in the Accessories product pages at Outex.com

Essential Camera Settings Underwater

As with all things photography, settings should reflect desired outcomes. So the below guidelines are meant as helpful points to assist you in getting started. You will adjust accordingly as you comfort and skill level advances.

1. Use Fast Shutter Speeds and Burst Mode
Everything underwater is in constant motion. The water itself, light reflections, and subjects are all moving constantly. Faster shutter speeds and occasional burst modes minimize the risk of unwanted occurrences such as hair, dress, or reflections in undesirable places.
Start around 1/500s or faster in bright conditions.

2. Shoot Wide
Water reduces contrast and clarity with distance. Wide-angle lenses keep subjects close and sharp. Use focal lengths shorter/wide than 24mm, for example. There are a number of fast, wide lenses that offer excellent light ratings and sharp optics for underwater use. Examples include 12-24mm, 14mm, 16mm, and 20mm rectilinear lenses, and some even wider fisheye lenses like 8-15mm.  Even crystal clear pool water can contain specs of dust and dirt that become more visible as distance increases. Limiting the distance from the subject maximizes results. 

3. Increase ISO Gradually
Light drops quickly underwater. Modern cameras handle higher ISO well. Find the right balance by increasing ISO as needed.

4. Explore weightlessness
Specially when shooting in natural light, take advantage of weightlessness in the water to position yourself and the subject in the best light. Unlike a regular studio, you can position yourself in three-dimensional ways in relation to the subject to capture them at angles that would not be possible on land. 

Lighting Makes Demonstrates the Magic

Natural light near the surface can be stunning.
But adding strobes or video lights unlocks:

• Rich colors
• Clear detail
• Professional depth

Look for waterproof systems that allow external lighting connections and mounting so your setup can grow with your skills.

Creative Ideas for Beginners

Start simple and build confidence:

• Over/under split shots at the shoreline
• Swimming pool portraits
• Waves breaking in shallow surf
• Water droplets and splashes
• Snorkeling marine life in clear water
• Rainy city reflectionsUnderwater photography rewards experimentation more than perfection.

Get inspiration from those more experience than you, at Blogs or Social Media

Why Accessibility Changes Everything

When gear becomes:

• lighter
• affordable
• travel-friendly
• easy to use

More photographers try underwater shooting — and discover an entirely new creative path.

That accessibility is what’s fueling the rapid growth of water-based photography worldwide.

Your First Step Beneath the Surface

You don’t need to be a professional diver.
You don’t need massive equipment.
You just need safe protection, curiosity, and the willingness to get a little wet.

And once you capture your first successful underwater frame,
you’ll never see photography the same way again.