|
Part
2, 'Theory', covers light and the underwater environment,
basic photographic theory and film. The physical attributes
of light, colour perception, absorption, reflection refraction
and diffusion are discussed. Types of cameras and their format,
types of shutters, shutter speed, aperture, film, exposure,
lenses, dome ports are covered. Choice of film, colour balance,
resolution, technical specifications, sharpness, latitude,
development, size, availability, storage and transport conclude
the theory section.
Part
3, 'Equipment', starts by discussing cameras and housings,
although greater detail and emphasis are provided for the
Nikonos range of amphibious cameras. Strobes or flashguns
and accessories, advice on buying secondhand equipment and
care and maintenance of Nikonos cameras follow.
Parts
4 and 5, 'Basic Techniques' and 'Advanced Techniques', cover
just about an technique you can think of under the headings
of 'Available light photography 'Strobe photography', 'Close-up
photography', 'Wildlife portraits', 'Wide-angle photography',
'Modelling', 'Underwater photography at night', 'Plankton
photography', 'Image alterations', 'Composition' and 'Selling
your pictures'.
Part
6 includes depth of field tables, manufacturers' addresses,
a useful glossary, a bibliography and index.
Each
chapter begins with a summary and important points made are
repeated in larger type face in boxes.
The
book is illustrated throughout with some excellent black and
white line drawings by Hans-Peter Heuser, numerous black and
white photographs of equipment etc and nearly 60 colour plates
including some exceptional photographs taken mainly by the
authors.
The
book is written more or less along the lines of a BSoUP's
basic course series of lectures, starting with early attempts
with a minimum of technical knowledge and progressing to more
advanced techniques and covering nearly everything you are
likely to need for successful underwater photography.
As
the authors point out, any book including a discussion on
equipment is likely to become outdated within a few years.
But in their manual, Couet & Green include so much more
that it is likely to be a standard reference for many years
to come. There are probably less than a dozen books published
specifically on underwater photography, but de Couet &
Green's 'The Manual of Underwater Photography' is certainly
one every photographer should have for reference. But to improve
your underwater photography there is only one way - put film
in your camera and get on down. |
