It would be quiet difficult to define the beauties of underwater world to someone who has never experienced such a glamorous adventure.
Swaying of groupers to the depths after being aware that foreigners have been watching them, camouflaging of octopus with the help of sea stones and shells, looking of angry-faced muren fish to the visitors, red mullet stirring the sand with the mustache, lovely gilt head breams wandering around with the whole family and relatives, rabbit fish, large bonitos and barracuda fish have all been very difficult to describe. In order to bring out the above mentioned beauties to the attention of other people water-resistant underwater cameras and video-cameras have been invented.
To become an underwater photographer, one should be able to swim first and then become a scuba diver (One star diver certificate given by World Underwater Federation) in order to have a good buoyancy under the water. In Turkey, certificate for diving is given by sports clubs under the authority of Turkey Underwater Sports, Rescue and Water-ski Federation. Federation in Turkey works in collaboration with the system in France (CMAS-Confederation Mondiale des Activities Subaquatiques). Other establishments that have no connection with the above mentioned system are PADI, NAUI, BARACUDA, SSI, etc. To become an underwater photographer, one should be able to swim first and then become a scuba diver (One star diver certificate given by World Underwater Federation) in order to have a good buoyancy under the water. In Turkey, certificate for diving is given by sports clubs under the authority of Turkey Underwater Sports, Rescue and Water-ski Federation. Federation in Turkey works in collaboration with the system in France (CMAS-Confederation Mondiale des Activities Subaquatiques). Other establishments that have no connection with the above mentioned system are PADI, NAUI, BARACUDA, SSI, etc.
It requires time and patience to capture nice photographs. The photographer has to balance his/her body weight and capture the scenes reflecting the whole theme. Think of a fish swimming away from you and in the meantime you're trying to keep your buoyancy against powerful a stream. Strong flashes should be used because red color disappeares by the first 5 meters. As the depth increases other colors also disappear. After 31 meters all colors turn gray. If you hold light to a subject, true colors take the place of the gray color. So you can come to a conclusion that you cannot take the photograph of a subject before you see the real color of it.

In Turkey, there are only a limited number of underwater photographers. Among them are Ferda BÜYÜKBAYKAL, Tahsin CEYLAN, Erhan ÖZTÜRK, Ateş EVİRGEN, Engin AYGÜN, Ozan ÇOKDEĞER and Cem BOYNER.

In Turkey, underwater photography is advancing slowly due to the expensive equipment used. The price of an average set of photography equipments starts from 1500 US dollars. Underwater photography equipment with different trade marks and models are available on the market such as NIKONOS V, SEA&SEA, IKELITE, etc.

The bodies and lenses of these cameras are water resistant. They can stand against 5.5 atmospheric pressure (45 meters depth) and have strong flashes on them. Besides, there are models kept in housings made from acralite or aluminum. The superiority of SEA & SEA models above other models is that it can carry 16mm or macro lenses on 35mm lenses.

They can easily switch to close-up mode. In contrast, NIKONOS V has no ability to change lenses in the water SEA&SEA cameras have different models on the market. For beginners MX5 is suggested. Advanced models like MX, MM IIEX are for professionals. The advantage of cameras used with housings is their zooming property. They are for professionals. Inevitably, having a good or a professional camera always doesn't mean professional quality photographs.

Hoping to meet you in the depths of water one day,

Osman Karacan

Education