Reefspotter

Underwater photography can be a absorbing hobby. Every avid underwater photographer has had moments so lost in his own world that they momentarily forget about everything else around them.

But we photographers have a responsibility to behave ourselves underwater and set a good example.

Find out how with our guide to photo etiquette...

Do you struggle to know your arm from your socket, your port from your bracket, your flash from your fisheye and your light from your lens? 

Well, you're not alone. Underwater photography has it's own dictionary of parts, accessories & technical terms and it's tough to sound like an expert.

So before you head out and start to talk shop, brush up on your technical knowledge with our interactive guide to underwater cameras and accessories...

If you are reading this article, then you probably have the bug. No doubt you’ve seen some incredible underwater photos in dive magazines or had a go and are eager for more. 

There’s no doubt that having your own camera & housing is essential for your new hobby. There is such a wide range of options available today though, so how do you begin to choose?

So, you are interested in getting into underwater videography? There’s no doubting that it’s an expensive hobby, especially in terms of the equipment you need to buy. 

So this means it’s really important to buy the right camera & housing set-up first time - but without experience or being able to test different models underwater, how do you choose the right system for you?

Buying all the kit to allow you to take photos underwater is not cheap, so you need to make your equipment lasts the test of time.

One of the major and most vital expenses is your underwater housing. Housings are often fragile and can require a lot of care and attention though. So what should you be doing to look after your housing and to make sure it has a happy and healthy life?

For most people, Borneo conjures up visions of pristine rainforests and incredible wildlife encounters. This is all true, however for scuba divers, the magic continues beneath the blue.

Scuba diving in Borneo promises world-class dive sites, vibrant reefs and incredible marine life, from the green turtles of Sipadan Island to remote and spectacular diving in Borneo Indonesia.

If you are an avid underwater photographer, choosing the right destination for your dive holiday or expedition can make a huge difference to your overall experience and enjoyment. It can also make a huge difference to the results on your camera.

The truth is that a great dive site isn't necessarily and great site for underwater photography. So what does make a destination ideal for photography and what criteria should you use to help you make a decision.

Read on to find out....

If you are learning to dive or taking a diving course, it is important to have the right people around you and to learn in the right environment. Likewise, if you are already a diver who is planning a diving break, you want to make sure your dives are remembered for all the right reasons.

Have you ever found yourself diving on a reef wall and wondering what lurks in the depths below? Or longed to spend more than a few fleeting moments exploring a mysterious & historic shipwreck?

Then maybe technical diving is the sport for you. Increasing numbers of divers, eager to explore beyond the bounds of recreational limits, are taking an interest in technical diving.

But what is technical diving, what exactly does it involve, what are the risks and how can you get involved?

Like many people, especially those who dive & love the oceans, you are no doubt concerned by the plight of our oceans and worried what the future may hold. The marine world needs our help, but sometimes it is easy to feel like you can't make a difference.

For many divers the thrill of spotting and identifying a new fish is one of the reasons they love to dive. 

But identifying a new fish is never that easy, especially considering the sheer abundance of different species that make their home in Asia's incredible reefs.

So we've put together some tips to help you to improve your identification skills and get more out of your diving.

Asia is home to some of the most diverse habitats in the world, both above and below the water, but it is estimated that more than one in three species are endangered... and the figure is rising alarmingly fast. 

Underwater, a whole range of pressures are putting marine life under immense pressure. Intense population pressure is leading to over-fishing, pollution and the destruction of crucial habitats. 

The countless islands and complex geography of Southeast Asia have given rise to many remote regions, and some of the best liveaboard diving in the world.

All over the region, there are world-class liveaboard boats offering itineraries to some truly magical destinations.

In our Guide to Asia's top Liveaboards, we take a journey together around the very best liveaboard itineraries in Asia with detailed information, top tips and how to book your perfect liveaboard adventure...

With almost 100,000 sq km of coral reefs, 51 different species of mangrove and 23 species of sea-grass, South-east Asia supports the most diverse collection of life on earth. 

Unfortunately, this kaleidoscope of life may be on the brink of collapse. The consequences of human activity are putting pressure on this environment & its inhabitants every day, with south-east Asia's reef considered to be the most threatened on earth. 

Of the many intricate and incredible forms that coral reefs take, atolls are possibly the most majestic. Rising straight out of the deep ocean, these relatively tiny specs of coral attract huge amounts of marine life and make for a spectacular sight, both above and below the water. 

But how did these oases in the middle of the ocean appear? What forces created them and why do they attract so much life?

Every diver has had experience dealing with currents - in some way they affect every single dive we make. Sometimes they are in our favour, providing a delightful drift dive. 

Other times, they turn against us, making a dive difficult & strenuous. They have a big impact on marine life too, bringing nutrients that feed entire communities, from the corals themselves up to mighty Whalesharks. 

But what is a current, where do they come from, where are they going and why?

Coral Reefs are the most complex and productive of all eco-systems on earth. As divers, we often marvel at the incredibly beautiful and complicated coral reef structures we see and maybe wonder how how they came to be. They have been created over many thousands of years using a complex, unique combination of ingredients and circumstances. 

Here is nature's incredible recipe...

The underwater world of South-East Asia has long been famed for its wealth & diversity of marine life. But it is only relatively recently that scientists have begun to get a hold on just how diverse and special the area is. 

Their research has led to the birth of the Coral Triangle - an area encompassing Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papau New Guinea & the Solomon Islands - that has been identified as the most diverse marine ecosystem on our planet.

It's a tough world out in the seas & oceans. Predators come in all shapes and sizes and use speed, strength, deception and sometimes outright determination to catch their prey.

But its not all bad news for the smaller fish that are vulnerable to attack. They have devised a whole host of cunning strategies to avoid ending up as someone else's lunch.

Some team up with others, while some prefer to go it alone using disguise, deception or good old-fashioned deceit.