Behind the shot

Martin Edge · Issue 41, Mar/Apr 2008 · pp. 67–69

Products mentioned: Nikon D200, Subal housing, Inon Z220 flash guns, Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens, 17mm-35mm lens

There is a wonderful quality of natural light present underwater, which I believe is very misunderstood. I and many other photographers refer to it as ‘dapple light’. Another popular term is ‘crinkles’. The name doesn’t realy matter, it’s how to achieve it that is the most important. Just after sunrise or towards twilight time the sunbeams, which enter the surface of the sea, are at the most acute angle by virtue of the dramatic angle of sun and surface. These sunbeams produce a golden light and this effect is amplified into strong golden shafts of light as the beams pervade the surface. Underwater photographers have been using this quality of light as a dramatic backdrop to their images for as long as I can remember. Doubilet’s wide-angle images from his coffee table books are wonderful examples. The UK godfather of underwater photography – Peter Scoones, patiently explained it to me so…