Macrophotography
in underwater surroundings

When you want to shoot anemones and sea slugs up close, select the Scene Mode menu and then Underwater Macro Mode. The lens will automatically adjust and the flash will function automatically. As a result, the subject will be revealed in natural coloring. White balance, auto focus and other functions are all tuned and adjusted in great detail. So it's best to try underwater macro photography in this mode first, and then experiment to develop your own style. Getting great results may take a few attempts; give it some time and keep on shooting!

To get the best results you've got to get closer to your subject when shooting underwater. When there is too much distance between the photographer and the subject, seawater can act as a murky filter due to floating organisms and you may not get a clear picture. Red colors in particular can be absorbed by water and turn bluish. In order to accommodate for this absorption of color, you need the light from the flash. However, it is very difficult to reach underwater subjects with your flash. In order to recreate natural coloring, you must ignite the flash as close as possible to your subject.

The basic trick of macro photography is simple. Zoom out wide and move up close to the subject so it fills your LCD screen. However, your subjects may not always cooperate. Shrimp, crabs or sea slugs might scurry away as you try to get close. So you may need to try zooming in shoot by moving closer very slowly. How close you can get will differ according to the type of subject you are photographing. And keep your camera's specifications and limitations in mind when shooting.