Underwater Tethered Shoot With Ric Lewis At Bokeh Summit - Unexpected Conditions, Expected Results
Jul 30, 2026
When Conditions Changed Dramatically, the Vision Didn't: How Ric Lewis Used Outex to Deliver a Live Tethered Underwater Fine Art Shoot
A murky pool. A camera change. A lens swap. One creative vision—and the flexibility to make it happen.
Every professional photographer knows that the perfect plan rarely survives first contact with reality. Conditions change. Light shifts. Locations surprise you. That's exactly what happened at the recent Bokeh Summit in Atlanta, GA this year. Ric was scheduled to teach an underwater photography class while tethering to a poolside computer so he could optimize his settings and so participants could see the results in real time. But to both Ric and the organizer's surprise, the water was murky and filled with debris, which would inevitably show up in the photos. The event could not be re-scheduled. As they say, the show must go on...
The photographers who consistently create extraordinary work aren't the ones who avoid challenges—they're the ones who adapt and overcome. That lesson was on full display at the recent Bokeh Photography Summit, where portrait photographer and educator Ric Lewis demonstrated not only creative excellence, but the ability to solve problems in real time.
His objective never changed: Create a stunning tethered underwater fine art portrait featuring an ethereal, angelic backdrop while allowing the audience to watch the creative process unfold live.
Ric designed the demonstration around a sophisticated underwater workflow. The camera would remain submerged while tethered to a laptop above the water, allowing every image to appear instantly on screen. As each frame was captured, Ric could evaluate exposure, lighting, composition, and color in real time while spectators watched the image evolve from concept to finished artwork. But what began as a masterclass in creative imaging developed into a masterclass in decision-making.
Water Conditions Changed Everything
Upon entering the pool, the realization was immediate: the water was dirty and murky, requiring Ric to change his approach entirely. He knew he needed to be much closer to the model to reduce debris interference in the shot and increase clarity in the results.
Rather than forcing his original setup to work in less-than-ideal conditions, Ric made a strategic decision. He swapped his original Sony Alpha 7 full-frame mirrorless camera for a Sony Alpha APS-C camera paired with an ultra-wide 9mm lens—providing a field of view roughly equivalent to a 14mm lens on a full-frame camera.
That wider perspective allowed Ric to position the camera significantly closer to his subject and dramatically reduce interference while still capturing the model in full on frame. In underwater photography, that seemingly small adjustment makes a dramatic difference.
The less water between the lens and the subject, the less suspended particulate matter the camera must see through. Reducing that distance improves contrast, clarity, and sharpness—especially in water that isn't perfectly clear. By moving closer with a wider lens, Ric preserved the clean, crisp fine art aesthetic he had envisioned from the beginning. The creative goal never changed. Only the tools did.
Why Outex Made That Possible
Switching camera bodies underwater is rarely simple when using traditional hard-shell housings. These housings are engineered around one specific camera body—dedicated controls, dimensions, buttons. You can't simply swap from one camera model to another, let alone change to an entirely different camera type. It's an expensive and impractical solution during a live production.
Outex approaches the problem differently. Its patented universal, modular design is built to accommodate an exceptionally wide range of interchangeable-lens cameras. The combination of a soft, tactile-rich, flexible cover and optical-glass ports delivers universal compatibility and optical results that are often better than the acrylic or plastic ports found in hard cases.
That meant Ric could move from one Sony camera type to another while continuing to use the same Outex waterproof system, simply configuring it for the new lens combination. The result:
- No creative compromise.
- No interruption to the production.
- No need for a second housing.
Just the flexibility to adapt when conditions demanded it. Click on the image below to learn more about the Cable/Tethering Add On Kit on our Accessories page.
Live Tethering Underwater: Interchangeable Accessories Too
Changing cameras solved only one part of the challenge. Ric still needed to maintain the workflow that made the demonstration so compelling. Using Outex's modular, patented cable pass-through system, the submerged camera remained tethered to a laptop above the water—compatible with any cable and any camera combination.
Every image appeared instantly on screen. This allowed Ric to:
- Evaluate lighting in real time
- Fine-tune exposure between frames
- Review color accuracy immediately
- Refine posing and composition
- Collaborate with assistants during the shoot
- Let the audience watch the image evolve as it happened
Instead of waiting until the session ended to discover what worked, everyone experienced the creative process alongside him. The audience wasn't just watching a photographer—they were watching creative problem-solving unfold in real time.
Outex also offers a T2 version with 2 additional cable or mounting waterproof openings so you can run two cables (power, HDMI, other...), or tripod mount it while teetering simultaneously. See related examples in our Blog.
Built for More Than Underwater Photography
Ric's demonstration highlighted another advantage of the Outex system: it's not simply a waterproof housing—it's a modular creative platform. Because the system is designed to work with professional imaging accessories, creators can integrate equipment such as:
- Tethering cables
- External monitors
- Remote triggers
- Remote lighting
- Tripods and mounts
- Custom production accessories
Rather than forcing change, Outex adapts to the workflow already developed.
Below is a different example using tethering and light triggers simulteneously for an Olympic commercial photoshoot in Toronto.
Professional Optics for Professional Results
Professional photographers invest heavily in premium lenses because every element in the optical path matters. Outex incorporates precision optical glass ports instead of the acrylic ports commonly found in hard-case underwater housings.
Optical glass better preserves the sharpness, contrast, and color fidelity produced by today's professional lenses while offering greater resistance to scratches during demanding productions. For fine art photography, such details matter.
Technology Is Evolving Quicker Than Ever
Many creators upgrade camera bodies every few years while continuing to use the same collection of lenses and accessories. Traditional underwater housings often require another significant investment with every camera upgrade. Outex's universal architecture changes that equation. Whether a creator shoots Film, DSLR, Mirrorless, Medium Format, or Cinema cameras—Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, OM System, Leica, Hasselblad, Blackmagic, RED, or any other interchangeable-lens camera—Outex is designed to adapt alongside their evolving kit.
For professionals like Ric Lewis, that flexibility isn't just convenient. It's empowering.
Creativity Isn't About Perfect Conditions
The most memorable moment from Ric Lewis's presentation wasn't the finished photograph. It was watching an experienced artist adapt without abandoning his vision. The water wasn't ideal. The camera wasn't ideal. But the creative objective remained intact.
By changing cameras, selecting a wider lens, moving closer to the subject, and continuing to shoot tethered with the Outex waterproof system, Ric transformed an unexpected challenge into a demonstration of professional craftsmanship. Because great photography isn't defined by perfect conditions—it's defined by the ability to create extraordinary images when conditions aren't perfect. And sometimes, the most valuable piece of equipment isn't the camera itself. It's the freedom to keep creating when everything else changes.
See more of Ric's work at: riclewisphotography.com or @riclewisphotography
About Ric Lewis
Ric is an internationally published photographer specializing in fine art portraiture, underwater, fashion, maternity, and boudoir. Of all the genres of photography, his two main passions are maternity and underwater portraiture. Ric travels the US teaching workshops and speaking at photography conventions. When he's not behind the camera, Ric is an electronic engineer. He loves meeting new creatives and has a passion for teaching and helping—ensuring every client, photographer, and creative walks away from every interaction feeling loved, inspired, and valued.
