The Evolution of Underwater Photography: From Scuba to Rebreathers

Fernando Lessa · Issue 143, Mar/Apr 2025 · pp. 53–58

Products mentioned: Sony A7III, Tamron 17-28mm f2.8, Sigma 15mm f2.8, Sigma MC-11 adapter, Sea & Sea YS-D3, RD1 rebreather

Underwater photography has always felt like a high-stakes game of cat and mouse: how quickly can I find my subject, and how long can I stay with it before the scene vanishes? But in reality, it’s more than just a race against time; it’s a complex balance of technology, science, and human physiology. The desire to document the unseen underwater world is hardly a new pursuit. In fact, the initial challenge was simply to get a camera underwater—a goal achieved in the late 1800s. Early gear was rudimentary, and creativity was often limited by the functionality of the equipment. The holy grail was to stay submerged long enough to capture truly unique moments. The Advent of Scuba Gear The invention of diving suits—from basic rebreathers in the early 1900s to the mass popularization of scuba gear by Jacques Cousteau— was a game-changer for photographers. Equipment became more accessible, reliab…