Book Description

Customer Reviews (12)

Husband Loves It
I bought this for my scuba diving photographer husband as a present. He said it is an excellent book as he leafed through it. Then he sat down to read it immediately. That's quite a positive reaction for him.

Denise

good intro
good basic intro to digital underwater photos and equipment

Underwater photography guide for beginner intermediate
Found this book very helpful.Have some experience with underwater digital photography but found the explainations and examples very helpful.Took it to Palau...and left it with the captain who kept picking it up to read.So am ordering my replacement!

Underwater photography book
Very disappointing.I was hoping for a more informative book.This was pretty basic photography.The previous reviews were misleading for me.This was a waste of money.

Very limited information for D-SLR cameras
This book is fine for point and shoot, and non-D-SLR cameras.It does have some inaccurate information - at least, information that most underwater photo pros disagree with.It has very limited information for those who are using D-SLR cameras. ... Read more

Book Description
A superb hand-on manual containing a wealth of underwater tips, hints and advice - all beautifully illustrated with brand new, full colour images.

Martin Edge, a leading authority on underwater photography, will help you capture stunning effects using his popular 'think and consider' system - offering a heightened awareness and understanding of the subject matter, lighting and environment to take the perfect picture. Practical examples take you step-by-step through the basic techniaques from photographing shipwrecks, divers, marine life and abstract images to taking photographs at night and 'dual lighting'.

In 1999 the late Jim Church, guru of underwater photography, said: 'As a member of the new generation of underwater photography writers, [Martin has] set a standard that will only be surpassed when [he writes] a third edition.' Here it is, we hope you enjoy it.

* Learn 'how that shot was taken' with practical case studies
* Beautifully illustrated throughout with inspirational full colour underwater images
* Covers the highly respected philosophy of the 'Think & Consider' System ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

what book????????????????????????????????????
this book did nothing for me, because amazon have never given me the chance to read it as it has taken 5 weeks to deliver it, tip from me, dont ask for a review untill you have actually delivered the goods.sorry amazon, my new name for you is"amazed-its-gone" because you dont seemed to be able to deliver the service in the right order!!!
happy new year!! only because i live in hope that i might get my book by then.

Excellent book for the SLR underwater photographer
The couple of poor reviews notwithstanding, this is the best focused reference on digital underwater photography I have seen so far. It is composed of bite-sized chunks of information that covers different aspects of the problem. I like the references to different techniques, lighting, burn-out, and all the other little tips that take a long time to figure out on your own. It also has great advice like how to set your camera if you are swimming around with nothing particular in mind to photograph. About the only thing I think is missing is better coverage of shooting with the ubiquitous compact cameras. That's the only reason I gave it a four. The compact photographer still has a lot to get from this book, but an awful lot is designed for the SLR shooter. Still, I recommend this book to my underwater photo students.

Great!
This is a great book - highly recommended by many divers. I am more than happy to recommend this book to other divers who have a decent understanding of photography and are looking to expand their knowledge of u/w photography.

Simple, Lucid and a great help for ALL
Having done a fair bit of photography on land..i had some basic concept of photography. Tried several books on underwater photography BUT found this one to be really simple to understand and apply practically. Even if you are not a "natural" photograher.....this book makes a difference in your compositions and final results.

The definitive underwater photography book goes digital..
Martin Edge's 2nd Edition was the definitive book on underwater photography.The new, completely rewritten, 3rd Edition, now thorougly covers underwater digital photography, without neglecting film photography or general considerations.It is what you will want to read, whether you are new to underwater photography or you are an experienced photographer who wants to improve digital or underwater skills.

Mr. Edge provides specific, detailed, practical, advice, based upon his considerable experience.He demonstrates technique with photographic examples.

If I were teachng a course on underwater photography, this would be the required text.

... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Nice book
This book offers a nice general introduction to underwater photography, and is relatively current with its equipment discussions, etc.It offers a nice introduction to both photography in general (f-stops, exposure, etc) and the special considerations you'll face when shooting underwater (color changes with depth, strobe usage, etc).While it's targeted to those with full underwater camera setups (its discussion of strobe placement is great), it would also be useful if you have a simple housing for a point-and-shoot.It's full of great recommendations on improving the quality of your photos, and some of the tips have already helped me make better shots. ... Read more

Book Description
"An excellent guide for both novice and experienced underwater photographers."Amateur Photographer magzine, UK

Diving is a popular hobby that attracts more enthusiasts every year, and many divers are keen to record the wonders they see underwater.

In this beautifully illustrated, practical guide, underwater photography gurus Larry and Denise Tackett draw on their years of experience and learning to share everything the snorkeller and diver needs to know to capture the beautiful diversity of life beneath the sea. Underwater includes essential advice on choosing the right equipment, and in straightforward language discusses lighting, creative composition, making the most of a subject and macrophotography, showing how the basic principles of photography change when shooting underwater.

Underwater includes practical exercises, reassuring advice, illuminating anecdote, and, of course, awe-inspiring photographs. Welcomed and acclaimed by both the photography and diving press, this book is perfect for those new to underwater photography, it also offers both inspiration and up-to-date new techniques for the more advanced. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Look at the newer edition!
Amazon sells the exact same book (2007 printing) for cheaper than this version (I think the content is identical).See The Essential Underwater Photography Manual: A Guide to Creative Techniques and Essential Equipment

Beautiful ideas for photos
But this is mostly in Micronesia, Great Barrier and Red Sea, not much in Caribbean, however excellent info and worthwhile for the underwater photographing enthusiast.

Excellent
In my opinion this is the best modern book on underwater photography by a long way. It is clearly written, very informative, practical and inspiring. It covers an amazing amount of material in a concise and readable fashion. It is much more clearly written than The Underwater Photographer, Third Edition: Digital and Traditional Techniques and other popular competitors. It's the only photography book I find myself re-reading before I go on a dive trip. Highly recommended for readers with all levels of skill.

The "Ultimate" Underwater Photography...
As the subject suggests, this book should be titled Ultimate. Essential, yes, but where this book departs from the others on the subject is the chapter on Behavior, describing how to spot the critter's habits and make that part of the shot. Also excellent is the "How to Wow" chapter. Borrowing a page from Larry and Denise's seminars, this chapter explains how to add the "Pizzazz" that separates a good photo from an award winner. All the technical information is right on and very up to date with current digital technology as well as traditional film technics. Every underwater photographer needs this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (7)

GREAT Info for any UW Photographer
A great resource for those who know, or are just begining to use photoshop. It helps you apply this powerful program to the unique problems of underwater photography, with easy hands on demonstrations. Version differences sometimes get in the way a bit, but the concept is clear and you just have to figure out how a newer version does what they may have done on the version this was written on.

All in all a very helpful book, with many great tips and concepts. I have used photoshop for a while, and been shooting UW for several years, this has already helped me get better photos and I have not hit the water since I got the book. I revisited some shots with specific problems that I learned a fix from in this book. Paid for itself in the first week.

Great for Underwater Photographers
This book is real helpful. Has some great tips with a number of nice shortcuts

5-Star Worthy
I write this review with one purpose in mind: to affirm the 5-star rating this book has (so far).

As an experienced but not professional Photoshop user, I already had a good set of skills under my belt prior to color correcting underwater shots. I'd also done my internet homework and found plenty of good material out there. (YouTube, for example, has some great tutorials.)

I am cynical about most Photoshop books. Too often the same-old same-old just gets repackaged.

This said, I feel AP4UWP was excellent and well worth the price. In particular, AP4UWP helped me with those shots that really needed help but were worth preserving.

I've already recommended this book to every UW photographer I know.

Dr. Kirtland C Peterson

Good Buy, Even for a Professional
I purchased this book thinking that there might not be much information I could use, but boy was I wrong! I use photoshop professionally, and thought I knew the program-- but I am by no means a program guru--this book contains good grounding information about tools to use, and then has some great step by step examples to help people solve some pretty big image issues. If you know how to use Photoshop, but just can't seem to tweak your photos the way you want... IMHO Buy This Book.

Basic but complete
This book is targeted for beginner and intermediate photographers. It is clear and easy to understand. It has something for everyone from camera basics to tips for interemediate users. ... Read more

Book Description
The author shows how to find and choose subjects, position and guide models, and take the pictures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Terrific underwater photos don't just "happen".
Jim Church was an astonishing photographer and those that have followed in his footsteps owe much to him. This book is one that I recommend to ALL divers starting off in underwater photography. Have you ever come home with a bunch of shots only to find that none of them really "grab you"?....this boom is for you. Simply and clearly, the text and photo examples show you how to turn an ordinary shot into a "Wow!" shot.

Start here and you can't go wrong
This is Jim Church's answer to those who say that you must have a "God given eye" to take great photographs. Jim is above all a teacher. His ability to bring complex ideas down to the level where a novice can comprehend is legendary. His method, rather unique in the world of underwater photography and videography, is not to show you great stuff and say "beat this", but to start with basic principles and work you through until you are automatically seeing the right solution to the situation before you. I would bet that any "name" underwater photographer if asked "where do I start?" would answer "pick up Jim Church's books and read them 3 or 4 times then get in the water.". This book, at less than the cost of 2 rolls of underwater film and developing, should be considered mandatory reading for anyone with a desire to take photographs (or video) underwater.

TIMELESS TEACHINGS
When I started in uderwater photography, I was told by a very wise and respected professional, "Composition cannot be taught ... it is not a concept or a method.The photographer is born with an eye for composition and it is an art."To which Jim Church's book has proven that statement to be "Hogwash, INDEED!"Composition may be a gift, but it is a gift that can be honed and trained, just as Jim Church has done with this book.He has given the reader all the tools, tricks and tips to develop that skill into an art.Liberally sprinkled with the Jim Church wit and humour, this book stands up to reading after reading after reading.This book stands alongside his "Guide to the Nikonos" and his "Underwater Video" books as "bibles" for the ardent underwater photographer.As for Jim Church's method of teaching and guidance, I can tell you that nine years ago I was using a disposable underwater camera.I have studied the books and travelled with Jim Church as often as possible and I am now a contributing editor and Photo Pro for an international dive magazine.So, if you ask me if Jim Church's methods work, I would resoundingly answer "YES."If you aks me if this is a book worth buying, I would answer resoundingly "YES!" No matter how many times you read this book and no matter what level of photographer you might be, there is always something new in this book that you can apply in your pursuit of great photos.These concepts of composition are NOT restricted to the ocean floor, either.The methods and concepts explained in this text --- in easy to understand terms --- also apply to land photography. This Essential Guide is exactly that---- ESSENTIAL!I regret that five stars is the highest rank offered for this book.The only thíng wrong with this book ---- it wasn't written sooner! I could have saved a lot of film on badly composed shots!!!!

"Something Here for Everyone"
People come to photography by many strange and varied routes and my own is as different as the next - though I shall not bore you with that particular story here.Suffice to say that, my first photograph was published in 1974, my first underwater photograph in 1980 and, right at this time, my work has appeared (somewhere) every month since December 1998, I am in the process of completing my fourth book and my photography has even been purchased by National Geographic.

The relevance of all this, however, is that I am largely self-taught and that always leaves me wondering if I am missing some of those basic lessons that would have been explained on the very first day of any professionally run photography course."Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition" goes a long way to fill any gaps there might be.

This book has two outstanding qualities; Firstly, it is written by a man who really does know about every aspect of underwater photography.Secondly, and most important of all, however, Jim Church has the power to explain his knowledge in words we can all understand.In so doing he has produced a book for the professional underwater photographer and the amateur diver alike.If you have just bought your first camera and are about to embark on a very expensive trip to try it out, this is your in-flight reading material.Believe me, you will come home with better pictures - I did.

"Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition" is a 9in x 6in paperback book containing 136 pages, 80 colour photographs and 8 line drawings.Each photograph and drawing serves a purpose and are used to explain each of the many lessons involved with composing underwater pictures and, basically, the difference between taking a good photograph and not.All of which is, of course, supported by the non-technical information imparted in an easy-to-understand style.

The book begins with absolute basics - and what could be more basic than explaining the function of the human eye and then adapting that information in order to provide a better understanding of the function of a camera lens.In short, this is a book about "stepping stones" and each time a relevant point has been explained and demonstrated, the book builds on this knowledge as we step forward onto another stone for even greater knowledge of the subject in hand.

In Summary, this is one of the few books I have ever read which achieves exactly and precisely what it sets out to achieve and is made all the more valuable because the Author is a man who knows his stuff and is able to explain things without getting bogged down in technical jargon.

Five Stars are not enough for this little gem.

NM

Another Good Effort from Jim Church
For all UW imaging systems users, this book is less about the technique(which can be found in Jim's books on Nikonos and Video systems), and moreabout the art of UW photography.Jim again uses the Situations approach,and helps you develop an eye for good pictures.Really useful stuff onworking with models. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

best general underwater photo book i have
i have purchased many underwater photo books and this is my favorite . i also love jim church's guide to nikonos systems but the two should not be compared because they have a different subject matter. this book is geared more towards film systems than digital. the pictures are a great break from the usual because they are mostly from scotland and other less common areas. this book stands alone in its style. i was very impressed when i checked it out at a book store and had to have it. P.S. it was recently published and is modern in its content.

Outstanding introduction to marine photography
This is a very satisfactory book for three reasons: (1) The text is well written, no-nonsense, to the point, and technically accurate as far as I can tell, (2) the photographs are the best that I have seen so far and, more importantly, they complement the text, and (3) it emphasizes photography in temperate waters. Because I live in the temperate zone and cannot afford to casually visit tropical reefs, this aspect is particularly interesting. The only thing that I would improve in this book is to expand the discussion on evaluating mixed-light scenes (p. 141). From my land experience, this makes or breaks a photograph. Because this book assumes little or no prior knowledge of photography, this is a point worth emphasizing. Also, I find incident light meters indispensable on land, are they usable in underwater photography? Overall, this book is a great value. ... Read more

Book Description
With a focus on coral reefs, Underwater Eden illuminates the fantastic colors, array of textures, and countless bizarre shapes and forms of undersea life.

Beneath the surface of the world’s most exotic seas and oceans—from the Red Sea and the coast of Costa Rica to the Great Barrier Reef and Palau Islands—lie spectacularly diverse ecosystems that only a privileged few have had the opportunity to view up close and in person. Jeffrey Rotman has spent more than thirty years diving in these waters to capture their breathtaking beauty and the stunning richness and variety of the creatures that inhabit them. .

The book’s extended captions are written by Rotman and contain scientific facts and trivia interspersed with personal anecdotes and insights gained from decades of observation. Underwater Eden grants readers 365 days of unprecedented access into a strange and captivating world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful work
As someone with the nickname "snorkelgeek" you know I don't take these kinds of books lightly!This is an amazing look into the undersea world that even those of us who snorkel, don't often see.There are creatures in this book that I never knew existed and am now excited about possibly seeing the next time I'm under water.

This book will be flipped through often enough to become dog-eared, I'm sure!Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description
From fundamental principles of photographing marine life to making a living selling underwater photographs, Successful Underwater Photography provides an unlimited wealth of practical advice, surefire strategies, and tested tips for taking extraordinary photos of elusive underwater subjects.Written by two top photographers who specialize in marine photography, this solid, lavishly illustrated field guide provides no-nonsense information on such topics as taking available-light photographs, silhouettes, marine wildlife portraits, close-focus wide angle photographs, and extension tube photographs to name just a few. Readers will also find proven guidance for purchasing underwater photographic equipment, taking photos of shipwrecks, and repairing and maintaining field equipment. Plus, 150 stunning, full-color photos demonstrate the authors' successful techniques in action. For all aspiring underwater photographers who want to unlock the secrets of how top names in the field achieve spectacular results, Successful Underwater Photography is your definitive one-stop guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Real pros at work in this book!
Worth owning just to see the beautiful photography within!Designed for the professional and avid amateur, this book is full of useful advice and discussions of such topics as: what happens to light underwater, shooting wildlife and people underwater, angle choices, and even suggestions on how to sell underwater photography.A great choice!

Underwater Photography
Excellent book for the beginner. It is well written, and concise. Plenty of great shots and how to take them.

FINE BOOK ON UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
This outstanding effort by Brian Skerry with Howard Hall is very definitely one of the finest books I have ever read on the art and wizardry of taking pictures in the hostile environment of a watery world. Lots of good info here on equipment and techniques for the aspiring underwater photographer. Although published at the dawn of the age of the practical high definition digital camera it shows that the essence of photography is above all to work with light and that the rules are the same for any camera. Packed with splendid images and insightful text this book belongs on the bookshelf of all divers who aspire to excellence in the world of underwater photography.

More pictures than information
Not much information in this one.I read the whole thing in just a few hours, and I read slowly.Not what I expected at all.Did not cover digital photography much at all.Of course, digital was new when the book came out, but now books like this are bound (no pun intended) to go the way of the 35MM cartridge.

Excellent, detailed manual with inspiring examples
This is by far the most helpful book on underwater photography that I have read up to now. It is not just a coffee-table book of gorgeous images. The authors have genuinely set out to teach the craft of u/w photography. Each photograph is discussed in detail - how it was taken, how the exposure was determined, shooting angle, the instructions to the model, how they got the fish to look through the hole, etc. Best of all, they teach you how to appraise other photographs, to identify the technique used and to criticise weaknesses. The images and the technique data are mainly from film cameras, but digital cameras are discussed too. An excellent, inspiring, articulate, readable and beautifully-presented book. Sits next to Jim Church's Essential Guide to Composition on my quick access bookshelf. ... Read more

Book Description
Coral reefs are often called "the rainforests of the sea"because of the quantity and diversity of life they support, and becausethey are highly sensitive and threatened ecosystems. Building on thesuccess of DK's Rainforest, this unique pictorial celebration of theworlds reefs progresses through an ecological chain that goes from algae,sponges, and mollusks to the thousands of fishes that make their homesthere. This vivid collection of photographs, from underwater photographycollective Scubazoo, reveals reefs as they've never been seenbefore.

• Features reefs worldwide, from Southeast Asia to the RedSea and Hawaii
• Captions identify plant and animal life and quotes giveadditional background information
• Photographic narratives demonstratehow reefs live/die, and how creatures depend on them
• Published incooperation with the American Museum of Natural History

Customer Reviews (15)

If you love scuba
If you love scuba diving then you will enjoy this book. It includes a beautiful DVD with great music as you watch the fish.Informative pictures and expression of reef and the living creatures contained there. Very enjoyable.

Gorgeous!
I checked this book out from the library, but now I want it for my OWN!The pictures are beautiful and the DVD is a great bonus.

Spectacular
This book is more than I expected.And the bonus was the DVD.Soooo many U/W videos are poorly managed, filled with backscatter and murky green.This was obviously done by people who wanted to produce a book and DVD which stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Clearly worth the price.

A must have!
This book & dvd are spectacular in presentation & message.The photography is stunning throughout. Very reasonably priced and the fact that proceeds go to Coral Reef Alliance make it an even sweeter deal.My son's environmental dive club purchased the book & donated it to our school's library.We've had nothing but positive feedback from everyone who's watched the movie or looked at the book.We plan to show it school-wide during our Environmental Awareness Week.Highly recommended for school libraries, dive shops & dive resorts; display this book & help others get on board with making responsible choices in favor of our underwater world.

Nice coffe table book
This is a great coffee table book for yourself or your diver friends.I bought it for a friend for Christmas and thumbed through it before wrapping.I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because from what I saw, it could use more explanation of what you are looking at, behaviours, etc. ... Read more

Product Description
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Customer Reviews (6)

Photographs alone are worth it
The photographic tips and lessons were helpful but what impressed me the most was the quality of the photographs.More than any other book on underwater photography I have read, I would like my underwater photographs to look like the ones contained in this book.In most other books on underwater photography I have read, by some of the most renowned photographers, although the text is helpful, the sample or example photos leave me thinking "Is this the best they can do?".Whereas in this book, the sample photographs are stunning, in composition, texture and sharpness - and are alone worth the price of the book.

Good, but only for Nikonos?? not Sea and Sea or others cams?
Maybe for those people that buy Nikonos cameras this book is Ok, but whathappenned with those who have Sea & Sea or others amphibians cameras??This book only explain how to use Nikonos cameras and show tables withaccessories of Nikonos, not others... In page 19: "For 90% of amateurphotographers, the Nikonos system is probably the best choice" maybethis was true in past time, but I'm sure that now this words are wrong,because Sea and Sea or others good cameras are bests buys and testerschoices...

In generals contents of UW Photography this book explain verygood from basics to professionals tips.

Excellent comprehensive guide
I bought this book having just purchased a Sea & Sea Motormarine 11-EX for a 2 week dive holiday in the Red Sea.For someone coming from land photography, the book explains the different principals, theories andtechniques of underwater photography very clearly with excellent visualguides. The proof of the success of the book was that office colleaguesactually wanted to see my holiday photos.

Excellent Buy!
I've been shooting underwater photos for 10 years and never have I read a book that so throughly explains the technology of cameras, and relates it so well to the underwater realm. The crew of the Turks and Caicos Aggressorliked it so much I gave Captain Piers a copy and have come back toAmazon.com for another for myself.

An indispensable literature for the underwater photographer
I did not expect too much when I purchased this book.To my surprise, I found the insights it contained very practical and indispensable, as I read through it.In fact, I plan to read it all over again.It is full of veryuseful information.It think the quality of this book mirrors the otherwork done by the authors.I'm going to get a copy of their other books onmarineadventures.I recommend it a 100%! ... Read more

Book Description
The Manual of Underwater Photography is the first truly comprehensive work on underwater still photography.The authors are internationally renowned underwater photojournalists who have won several international awards for their work.The Manual of Underwater Photography is a comprehensive and indispensable source of information, and an invaluable tool to improve your standard of photography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent manual for the technically-minded
This is a well-written, thorough and detailed manual on all aspects of underwater photography, from the basic operation of cameras, through the diving techniques needed to photograph shy fish, up to the vagaries of photography competitions. It is now somewhat out-of-date with regard to equipment, and does not cover digital cameras at all. However it is an unrivalled source of information on key topics (such as underwater optics, the repair of flooded equipment, and the weaknesses of different manufacturers' designs) that are not available in other books.

Excellent book for beginners and experienced photographers
De Couet and Green have done a tremendous work. Written in true textbook format, this is the perfect book for the intermediate and the advanced photographers.Beginners will like it as well but its sheer size mightdiscourage inexperienced photographers. This is THE book any aspiring u/wphotographer should have in his personal library.

Jim Church's NikonosSystem Handbook would be a comparable good choice for the beginners.

Anew edition is coming soon. ... Read more

Book Description
This book is aimed at anyone who is considering or beginning underwater photography, but also has the scope to help the more experienced photographer develop specific techniques, perfect particular subjects, and give advice on entering competitions and selling your work.

The subjects covered by each chapter are designed to allow you to pick your entry level and then aid both the beginner or more experienced photographer to expand and hone their skills within each technique before moving onto the next.

Photography underwater is potentially the most difficult of photographic disciplines, as most techniques that work well on the surface usually fail miserably underwater, and monitoring one's life support system, buoyancy and sea conditions complicate things even more.Using the step-by-step techniques helps the reader find all the information required for a particular technique presented in a relaxed and easy-to-grasp style.

Also Recommended: "Nature Photography," "The Art of Wildlife Photography." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Good for all skill levels
Also check out the words of Howard Hall - and for some great examples of video underwater, check out Captain Jon Explores the Ocean.

great!
i've taken a few pictures before ive gotten this book. but i loved the way it broke down everything and basically taught u from scratch. everything u need to know about underwater photography. when i got this book it was my bible for about a year i read it in and out multiple times and still use it today as a reference. i think the best part about this book is the pictures. and the fact that he tells u different techniques and shows how it ends up on the exposure. and how every single picture in the book (hundreds) was obtained, from shutter speed to strobe setting was also very helpful. lots of time underwater and film was used to make this book. i suggest this book to anyone who is even thinking of taking a camera below the surface. or someone who already has. because of this my photoalbum is stunning and better than i ever thought it could be.

All-in-one for beginning as well as advanced photographers.
As an amateur surface photographer, I truly enjoyed reading this book. It provides me comprehensive basic knowledge on the subject as well as more in-depth knowledge to build on down the road. The photos throughout the book greatly help convey the author's ideas and the readers to quickly grasp the concept. I recommend this book to anyone considering taking up underwater photography. Note: Since the book was written by a British author, at the beginning I was bit confused with the measuring system (meters instead of feet) and the currency (pounds instead of US dollars). To know the conversion rate at the start would be very helpful.

Beautifully illustrated book
With over 250 photographs and illustrations, each with a fully detailled description on strobe and apperture settings. If you own a housed camera, this book is a must.

Outstanding for advanced land photographers going U/W !
Excellent "how to" guide covering technical and asthetic aspects of U/W photography. The author spends little time on basics and equipment, and plunges into artful considerations: composition, lighting, perspective,using models, etc. A Londoner who competes internationally in U/WPhotography, Webster lays out ideas and creative techniques such as doubleexposures using macro first then wide angle, entering competions, beginnermarketing, etc.A must for U/W housing shooters! ... Read more

Product Description
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Customer Reviews (3)

very basic
doesn't give any advice for seasoned photogs. Was looking for light placement...specifics of film ratings vs light position vs full or qtr power, etc for specific lenses/situations. Nothing there.

An excellent text for someone who already knows the basics.
The author does not include the basics of photography (f-stops, filmspeed, etc) in this text as other authors do.(For an excellent chapter onthe basics, see Jim Church's Essential Guide to Nikonos Systems.)Rather,the author intends this text for photographers with some experience.Iappreciated his opinions and reasoning.Rather than try and present alltypes of strobes, Norbert Wu states what he finds successful and why heuses them.Considering his list of accomplishments, I take hisrecommendations seriously. The chapter on films I found very helpful. The photo captions were great, too.I also liked that the book was veryto-the-point. Again, this text is not meant for a beginning photographer,but rather someone with a few frames under his weight belt.

Know basic underwater & land photo skills before reading.
Mr. Wu primarily covers the difference in the photographic requirementsunderwater as compared to land photography including the effects of using aspecific manufacturer's film.If your knowledge of photography basics isminimal you will be best served to grasp these elsewhere before readingthis concisely written book.He all but eliminates the clutter of thebasics.I felt he may have been too brief.It is definitely notexhaustive.I think that more examples of the various lenses available andtheir effects, camera manufacturers who make special cameras for thispurpose, and lighting requirements that exist underwater could have beenexpanded without going beyond the scope of the writer's intent.If youneed or want more detail, then this book is not for you.Overall, I thinkit's a good refresher book. ... Read more

Book Description
Designed to help the underwater photographer make a smooth transition to digital imaging, this book discusses how to digitally refine, correct, and enhance underwater photographs. It details the equipment necessary for digital imaging for underwater photography, and includes a discussion on the essentials of scanning. There is extensive information on Adobe Photoshop, and how it can be used to edit underwater pictures. This book also investigates the ethics of photo manipulation and discusses the future of underwater photography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

shoot underwater
The book seems to cover some of the basics.It does an ok job of covering the shoot part and and ok job of the editing part.If you are looking for details, I would consider a different book or two books...one specifically about getting the shot and one specifically about fixing the shot.

Good Start
This book is a good start for someone considering underwater photography with a digital camera. It touches on the important aspects of the subject and gives a very basic overview of what is involved. For the serious photographer, I would recommend the authpr's professional guide on the same subject. It has more detail and better images.

I should have read the reviews
It is a complete waste of money, like it sais in one of the reviews.Should have listened!!!This book is completely useless, the authors assume that you already know all about digital imaging and the book is just a review.You won't learn.Don't buy it.

Not what I was expecting at all
When I bought this book, I thought I would learn some ways to enhance my pictures with detailed examples. I was really disappointed when I saw that it wasn't the case. They show what they did with what tool but without any detailed explanations. "Before-and-after-color-balance" wasn't what I had in mind when I bought this book. I didn't need to pay 50$ to know that if I go through photoshop menus and do some tests, I would learn it sooner or later. I really think it should be mentionned that this book is intended for people that have beginner skills with computers. 30% of the book explains how to use a scanner...

The only way I would recommend this book is if you don't know much about computers and have no clue what photoshop is and want to know where the menu for Hue/Saturation is. Otherwise, don't waste any penny on that, instead, go to specialized website, you'll find tutorials that are a 100 times better than this book with real detailed examples.

A complete waste of money
I found this book to be a very poor educational source for digital photography and image editing. As a photographer who is switching from slide film to digital, I have read three other books on digital photography, including Peter Burian's "Mastering Digital Photography and Imaging". Burian's book (and the other two books) blow's the Drafahl's book out of the water(no pun intended). It's like comparing a Lexus to a Hugo. The Drafahl book is vague, poorly written, and provides minimal imformation on various topics. What's with the large print and skipped lines--it's as though they wanted to increase the number of pages to make it look like your getting more for your money. I have wasted my money to finance one of their dive trips. ... Read more

Book Description

Product Description
Cathy's underwater photo journey extends from the Caribbean to the South Pacific, from the surface to 150 feet deep. This delightful book is the first time she has shown us so many of her lovely photographs; they show her sense of whimsy and art, yet are balanced by her education in marine biology. This is a brand new book, published in November 2004. It includes one FREE black & white 8 x 10 photo, AND a special online photo lesson for each of the photos in the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

davejeff99@comcast.net
If you have to own only one UW photo book, this is the one. I know I own nearly all of them. Have had the privilege of viewing Cathy's black and white photos with her in the Maldives,
she works the picture more than most not just merely capturing a
shot but sculpting it. This book took my breath away. I hung up my UW camera after viewing this book, this book has what I had been trying to capture for so long

A Masterpiece of underwater photography books
My own experiences eye to eye with fish on the bottom did notprepare me for the breathtakingly beautiful photos of animals and plants taken from inches away by one of the world's greatest underwater photographers, Cathy Church. The clarity of the picture, the designer's eye for color juxtaposition, the artists mind for composition and framing her exotic subjects just blew me away. My own experiences with closeup photos on dry land gave me a huge appreciation for the difficulty Cathy must have had while composing portraits of tiny fish, snails or coral polyps less than an inch in size, while trying to stay put in the natural flow of the sea's currents and waves.

While children will be mesmerized to look face to face, eye to eye with strange and colorful creatures from far away oceans, adults will also be thrilled to see what most will never encounter personally.

Not only is the book a huge collectible for it's beauty and art, but it's the first stage of a comphrehensive, free, instruction method so the reader can learn how to prepare for the same kind of underwater journey. Like every master teacher, Cathy shares with humor and environmental sensitivity how to do what she does with hints with every photo. And even better yet, follows up the basics with much, much more at her website, so on the next dive the reader goes on, they might copy with success what took Cathy years and years of experimentation to achieve.

This book is a treasure, worth twice the modest price, to be kept at home, but shared for a lifetime with children and young adults who will be responsible for protecting and preserving in the future what is a world seldom seen but vital for all life on any part of our increasingly fragile planet.

Make My Underwater Photo Journey by Cathy Church a gift to yourself and your family, then to everyone you know during the holiday season, for birthdays, and especialy to anyone interested in SCUBA, marine biology or environmental issues.
Great photos, text and design all together in one book, plus extended instruction on Cathy's website. What a masterpiece!

Exquisite book
Cathy Church's stunning collection of underwater photographs in this exquisite book literally took my breath away when I first opened it. The eye-popping color alone is enough to astonish anyone--but the appeal of the book that brings me back to it again and again is the author's marvelous choice of subject matter and her passionate observation of detail...whether it is to be found in the simple beauty of an algae leaf or in the natural abstraction of a stonefish portrait. The book is filled with unique creatures such as a seahorse which is the size of a grain of rice as well as captured moments of fascinating sealife behaviors that few people have ever witnessed. Not only are the pictures of marine life extraordinary, but Ms. Church is one of the very few underwater photographers who has turned her lens to "landscapes" beneath the sea--- with dramatic results. The pictures give one the feeling of being there as the photograph was taken. The captions are informative, filled with personal insight and often humorous.

There are many aspects of the book that are special--among the most useful and enjoyable are the online photo lessons that can be accessed for each photograph. These are not your usual dry listings of f-stops and film type (although that is available)...but offer a wealth of information regarding everything from appropriate gear to wear for underwater photography (including tips on subjects such as proper weight balance and fin technique), safety concerns, compositional advice, advantages and disadvantages of different camera equipment and even hints regarding working with various subjects for the best shot! (Trumpetfish "can be maneuvered or slowed down by placing your hand directly in front of their mouth") The information is written in a delightful conversational style and great fun to read.

I originally purchased this book for my husband, but everyone in the family has been enthralled with it. My eight-year old son has proclaimed it as his "most favorite book" and has given names to all of the fish in it.

This is a perfect gift item for anyone-- divers and non-divers alike. ... Read more