From divers to divers
and friends of cozumel
Underwater Photo & Diving Etiquette
Dive Trip
When you book a dive trip any where in the world you don’t really know who else will be going diving with you or who will be on the dive boat. Many times there will be divers that won’t be taking pictures.
Regardless who is taking pictures, we all should have good manners went it comes to sharing the underwater world.
Having a camera in your hands does not give you the right of way, and doesn’t give you the ownership of that marine encounter. Having good diving etiquette makes the trip enjoyable and will help others by setting a positive example. Nobody likes those obnoxious photographers, the underwater paparazzi.
Following a set of rules and using common sense will help you to achieve good diving etiquette.
Onboard the dive boat
When you book your dive trip it is important to do research on your destination and your dive operator. If you are familiar with your dive operator you already know that many of them don’t really have any special arrangements for photographers, such as tables where you can rest you camera away from the commotion, fresh water ready for you to rinse off your equipment, or any towels to dry off your camera. The care of your photo equipment is very important. Always make sure you keep your gear in designated areas. If you are not a photographer, try to avoid dripping and congregating in the photographers' area.
When ready to enter the water
Many times dive masters or instructors suggest or assign dive buddies. It is important that you get familiar with your buddy to plan the dive in accordance with the particular site and the depth of the dive.
Have you gear ready to go. Whether you are shooting with a point and shoot camera, or with an SLR housing, make sure that your strobes are properly attached to the housing and that they are secure so that when the boat assistant hands the camera to you, the strobes do not separate from the camera. Also, never jump into the water holding your camera equipment, it could crack open with the impact. Enter the water first then have your camera handed over to you.
When you are underwater
Be polite to the environment. Don’t touch anything. Maintain you buoyancy. Having good buoyancy will enable you to take excellent pictures. When the dive guide points to an object or to a marine encounter, do not rush to iti, be patient and wait your turn. Many times divers follow photographers.Once you shoot your photos,be kind and retreat from that marine encounter without disturbing the sand so others can enjoy.
When you encounter a marine life fom
Be polite to the environment. Don’t touch anything. Maintain you buoyancy. Having good buoyancy will enable you to take excellent pictures. When the dive guide points to an object or to a marine encounter, do not rush to it, be patient and wait your turn. Many times divers follow photographers.Once you shoot your photos,be kind and retreat from that marine encounter without disturbing the sand so others can enjoy.
When you ready to come back onboard
Be aware of your surroundings. Many times that "Kodak" moment happens at the end of the dive while ascending or making your deco stop. Don’t try to get on board with all your gear. Wait your turn and hand your camera first, to the assistant on the boat.
