Underwater Photos for Your Canvas Art

Once you get into canvas prints and see your memories and family photos big and bold on the walls, it’s easy to start making everything into gorgeous canvas art. After a while, though, you start to hit ‘peak canvas’ when you’ve already turned every possible subject in your photo collection into wall art. You can only have so many photos of your children, your favourite vacation spot, and your wedding on the wall, after all. When this happens, it’s time to branch out and think creatively.

One field of photography most people don’t have any examples of is underwater photography. Imagine your family portraits take underwater instead of in the living room wearing matching sweaters? The possibilities are endless, and bring with them a unique perspective that will punch your canvas prints into the next level. Here’s a guide to taking great underwater pictures.

Underwater Art Prints: The Camera

You don’t need to rush out and buy a super-expensive camera just to take a few casual underwater shots. There are several waterproof smartphones you could choose next time you need to upgrade your phone, like the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active. If you’d rather not spend hundreds of dollars on a new phone just now, you can opt for a waterproof case like the EscapeCapsule or the Rain Ballet. These cases are designed to allow photography underwater, so can be the perfect low-cost solution; most of these cases will run you about $50-$60.

Underwater Art Prints: Tips

Once you’ve got your gear ready to go, it’s time to pack the family into the car and head for the lake, the beach, or the pool. But to ensure you come home with photos that are worth turning into canvas prints, keep these tips in mind.

• Use a Flash. If you’re deeper than 2 feet underwater, make sure you use a flash. Set your flash to ‘force flash’ – not ‘auto flash’. Without the flash your subjects will look blue-tinged.
• Get Close. Water, you may have noticed, bends light. The closer you are, the clearer and crisper the final photo will be.
• Lock the Focus. Your focus may try to constantly adjust itself because it’s not used to the rippling light conditions underwater. To stop this maddening process, lock it in using your settings and physically move the camera closer or further away to achieve focus.
• Be Prepared. If you’re using a waterproof case for your phone, make sure you read the manual and know how long it’s rated for. Many ‘waterproof’ cases are only guaranteed for specific times – thirty minutes underwater is common. Make sure you know the limitations of your gear before you spend an hour underwater and ruin your phone.
• Ditch the Gear. If you’re trying to get a family portrait underwater for a unique piece of canvas art, try to get everyone to take off any masks or goggles for the photo. It takes timing and coordination, but you won’t recognise your family if they’re wearing masks – and neither will anyone else.

There you have it – a whole new field of possibility for your photography and your art gallery at home. Click here to start your newest underwater adventure with some gorgeous canvas prints!