Underwater Photography | Eric Cheng | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Eric Cheng explains that effective underwater photography combines suitable camera housing, manual exposure, manual strobes, and full-spectrum light to restore colors lost underwater. Equipment ranges from $150–$180 plastic point-and-shoot housings to professional SLR rigs costing more than $12,000. Drawing on locations such as Raja Ampat and his transition from software engineering to photography, Cheng offers practical context and compelling stories worth reading on for.

Transcript

Presenter: Welcome everyone to Photographers at Google. My name is Ricardo Lagos. Iím a software developer. Itís my distinct pleasure to introduce you to our special guest, photographer Eric Cheng. Ericís award-winning photography has been published in over 60 magazines and books worldwide. He has won contests such as Natureís Best Magazineís Pho... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 Underwater photography requires a combination of technical knowledge, patience, and understanding of marine life behavior.
• 🙂 Lighting techniques, such as using strobes and adjusting angles, are crucial for capturing colors and enhancing subjects.
• 📌 Specific locations, like Raja Ampat, Galapagos, and the Bahamas, offer diverse marine ecosystems and unique photography opportunities.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does lighting work in underwater photography?

Water strips out light, beginning with red and continuing down the spectrum, so underwater scenes contain little visible color. Cheng uses full-spectrum lighting, exposes for the background, and fills the foreground with manually controlled strobes to make colors stand out.

Q: What gear is needed for underwater photography?

A typical rig includes a camera housing, a large dome port for clear wide-angle images, strobes, and articulating arms that support the lights. Cheng describes underwater photographers as carrying mobile studios because they bring their lighting equipment with them.

Q: How much does underwater photography equipment cost?

OEM plastic housings for point-and-shoot cameras can cost $150–$180. At the professional end, a complete setup with a machined aluminum SLR housing, strobes, and supporting arms can cost more than $12,000.

Q: Why is underwater photography usually done manually?

Cheng says underwater photography is almost completely manual, including both exposure and strobe control. The photographer exposes for the background and adds light to the foreground, balancing the surrounding water with the illuminated subject.

Q: What is a dome port used for in underwater photography?

A large dome port provides the optics needed for clear, sharp wide-angle photographs underwater. Cheng’s rigs used one alongside external strobes and articulating arms.

Q: Which underwater camera systems does Eric Cheng discuss?

Cheng mentions GoPro housings, Nauticam housings, the Sony NEX series, the NEX 7, and the Olympus OM-D E-M5. He also shows older professional rigs built around a Canon D60 in a Sea & Sea housing and a Canon 1DS Mark III in a Seacam housing.

Q: Why did taking a camera underwater change Eric Cheng’s career?

Cheng began as a software engineer and had previously approached photography mainly as a technical exercise. Taking a camera underwater gave his work the inspiration he felt it lacked, and he subsequently worked as a photographer and publisher for about ten years before returning to industry at Lytro.

Q: Why does Eric Cheng highlight Raja Ampat for underwater photography?

Cheng describes Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia as an incredible and highly diverse location. He presents a very wide-angle photograph from there and says divers recognize it as a place with exceptional reefs.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Eric Cheng is an award-winning underwater photographer whose work has been published in numerous magazines and books worldwide.

• Through his website wetpixel.com, he has created an online community where photographers can share their work and discuss ocean-related issues.

• Eric shares insights into the gear and techniques involved in underwater photography, as well as stories and specific shots from various locations, such as Raja Ampat, Galapagos, and the Bahamas.