Just like nature watchers everywhere, scuba divers want to bring back photographs of their adventures. But the underwater environment is not very kind to electronics, nor is it an easy place to take pictures. Scuba diving with a camera requires adding a number of steps to your dive preparation, as well adding one more piece of gear that must be cared for on your dive.

Items you will need

  • Digital camera with underwater housing
  • Underwater flashlight
Step 1

Purchase an underwater housing for your camera. Underwater housings are made for a wide variety of pocket digital and mid-sized professional cameras. Choose a housing rated for 100 feet or deeper to maximize your ability to take your camera with you while diving. If your existing camera does not have a matching housing, buy a purpose-built dive camera and housing.

Step 2

Check the o-ring in the dive camera. Even in a new camera, do not assume the o-ring is a good one. If there are any cracks or other damage in the o-ring, replace it. The slightest leak could destroy your camera.

Step 3

Press the camera firmly into place inside the o-ring, shut the underwater housing and close the housing's lock as directed by the manufacturer.

Step 4

Secure the camera to your wrist with a lanyard. One should be already tied onto the underwater housing, as this is a common feature for underwater cameras. Things tend to float away underwater and you need your camera handy if you want to make the most of your photo opportunities. The lanyard will keep your camera available and secure.

Step 5

Turn the camera on prior to getting into the water. Underwater cameras are manipulated through the housing with spring-loaded buttons, and these buttons do not always align properly with their mates. Once you are in the water, you can do nothing about fixing a misaligned camera. If you can turn your camera on, the other buttons will work as well. If not, open the camera, turn the camera on, reseat it in the o-ring, shut the camera and take a practice picture to make sure the "shoot" button works.

Step 6

Leave the camera turned on throughout the dive. The on-off button on a digital camera is among the smallest on the camera. If you turn the camera off, there is no guarantee that the spring-loaded button will be able to turn it back on. It is safer to just leave the camera on.

Step 7

Keep your camera under control and safe from snagging on rocky outcrops or the wreckage from a shipwreck. The camera is always floating somewhere around your wrist, but it might not be exactly where you think it is. Unless you need your hand for something else, keep hold of the camera.


  • Underwater photography is very different from land photography. Water absorbs more light than air, especially colors like red and yellow. Sand and other particulates in the water cause back scatter, and even the slightest current is enough to buffet you out of focus. Take pains to anchor yourself before taking a photo, either by standing or kneeling on the bottom or grabbing something with your free hand. Get as close as you can to your subject to minimize back scatter, always use your flash, and put more light on the subject with an underwater flashlight if you can.

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