MacDirectory 73
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73 MacDirectory
MA: Please share about the equipment used
in order to shoot underwater. If you choose any
specific equipment brand, please explain why.
CM: Hard underwater cases cost thousands
of dollars and only fit one designated camera
model, so I use an Ewa-Marine flexible housing
that gives me the freedom to use a variety
of cameras. Inside the housing is room for
an on-camera flash or a trigger, an excellent
feature for someone just starting to explore
underwater photography.
It's important to carefully tighten all the
closures on the housing, I once drowned a
camera with a slow leak caused by a loose
closure. Flexible housings aren't as easy to use
as hard cases, but they allow me to use lighting
not normally used for underwater work.
I already own Paul C. Buff lights, so rather than
invest in waterproof lighting I use above water
lighting to enhance my underwater setting.
Water blocks a trigger's signal if it is more than
one inch below the surface, so I use a custom
built, waterproof Coaxial cable with an antenna
on each end that attaches to the outside of
the case. It's not a perfect solution, but the
cable allows me to create work that is custom
lit while positioning myself in interesting angles
deep underwater.
Another option is to stay right below the
surface where the trigger's signal can set off
the strobe lighting while the camera is still
completely immersed.
MA: What are some of the challenges you
experienced photographing underwater?
Lighting, make-up, hair, composition?
CM: Absolutely everything about working
underwater is a challenge. The usual
challenges of a fashion photo-shoot are
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