Capture the Magic: How to Take Better Dive Photos in Hurghada’s Crystal-Clear Waters
Hurghada is an underwater photographer’s paradise. The Red Sea here is blessed with two of the most crucial ingredients for stunning images: incredible, vibrant marine life and consistently fantastic visibility. The clear, sun-drenched waters act as a natural studio, providing a perfect canvas for capturing the magic of the reef.
Whether you’re just starting with an action camera or you travel with a full professional rig, there are always ways to improve your shots and bring home images that truly do justice to your underwater experiences. At Scubadore Hurghada, we love seeing the reef through our guests’ eyes and helping them capture those perfect moments.
Here are some of our top tips for taking your underwater photography to the next level in our beautiful Red Sea.
1. Get Close, Then Get Closer
This is the golden rule of underwater photography. Water is dense—about 800 times denser than air—and it absorbs light and colour very quickly. The more water there is between your camera lens and your subject, the more colour, contrast, and sharpness you will lose. The solution is simple: get as close to your subject as you safely can. This will make your images punchier, more colourful, and more detailed.
2. Master Your Buoyancy
Before you can be a great underwater photographer, you must be a great diver. Excellent buoyancy control is the single most important skill. It allows you to:
- Get Stable: A stable body is a stable camera platform, resulting in sharper images.
- Get Close Safely: It allows you to approach marine life and delicate corals without touching or damaging them.
- Protect the Reef: It prevents your fins or equipment from kicking up sand or breaking fragile coral. We cannot overstate the value of a course like the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy specialty for aspiring photographers.
3. Understand Light and Composition
Shoot Upwards: Whenever possible, try to shoot your subject from a slightly upward angle. This separates your subject from the busy reef background, often placing it against a beautiful, clean blue water backdrop. It also takes advantage of the best light source available—the sun.
Rule of Thirds: Avoid placing your subject directly in the center of every photo. Imagine your screen is divided by two horizontal and two vertical lines. Placing your subject along these lines or at their intersections creates a more dynamic and visually appealing composition.
Know Your Subject: The best photos tell a story. Spend a moment observing your subject. Is it a clownfish tending its anemone? A bluespotted stingray sifting through the sand? Wait for a moment of interesting behaviour. And remember, always try to get the eyes in sharp focus—this creates a connection with the viewer.
4. Bring Back the Colour: The Magic of White Balance and Filters
As you descend, colours are absorbed, starting with reds and oranges. This is why many underwater photos can look overwhelmingly blue. There are two simple ways to combat this:
- Red Filters: For action cameras and some compacts, a simple red filter that clips over your lens can work wonders. It physically adds red light back into the scene, helping to restore a more natural colour balance, especially in shallower, sunny conditions (e.g., 5-15 meters).
- Custom White Balance: If your camera has this function, it’s a game-changer. By pointing your camera at something neutral (like a white dive slate or a patch of white sand) and setting the custom white balance at your desired depth, you tell the camera what “white” should look like. This brings all the other colours back to life with incredible accuracy.
5. To Use a Strobe, or Not to Use a Strobe?
An external flash, known as a strobe, is the ultimate tool for vibrant underwater photography. It provides a powerful, controlled burst of light that reintroduces the full spectrum of colour, creating professional-looking images with high contrast and sharp detail. If you are serious about photography, a strobe (or two) is the most important investment you can make after your camera.
However, if you don’t have a strobe, focus on shooting in shallow, bright conditions (above 15 meters) and getting very close to your subjects to maximize the available natural light.
The Scubadore Advantage: Time and Space
The secret ingredient to great photography is time. You can’t get that perfect shot when you’re being rushed from one point to another in a large, crowded group. Our small-group philosophy is perfectly suited for photographers. We give you the time and space to work a subject, to wait for that perfect moment, and to compose your shot without being bumped or having another diver’s fins swim through your frame. Our expert guides are also masters at finding the unique critters that make for the most interesting photo opportunities.
Your Hurghada dive trip is an opportunity to capture memories that will last a lifetime. By mastering these simple techniques, you can ensure your photos are as vibrant and beautiful as the reefs themselves.
