Getting your camera settings right underwater can be the difference between disappointing blue blurs and photos you're proud to share. In this episode, you'll learn exactly how to configure your camera for underwater photography—from shooting modes and aperture to ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and focus settings—with practical advice that works for beginners shooting their first few dives.

• Start with Aperture Priority mode at f/8 and ISO 400, then transition to full Manual mode once you've completed five to six photo dives and feel comfortable controlling exposure independently.

• Use a shutter speed of 1/125th of a second or faster to freeze motion underwater, adjusting to 1/160th or 1/200th for fast-moving subjects like sharks or schooling fish.

• Set white balance to Daylight or Flash preset (5500K) when using strobes, or shoot in RAW format and correct color cast in post-processing for available light photography.

• Always shoot in continuous burst mode and RAW format to maximize your chances of capturing sharp, well-exposed images with full editing flexibility later.

• Review your first few test shots at depth and adjust settings on the fly—depth, water clarity, and lighting vary so much that no single preset works for every dive.

Links to any products or resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://thescubagearlab.com/how-to-set-up-your-camera-settings-for-underwater-photography.