In this solo episode of Tech Diving On Air, host Tamara takes the mic to share a candid and insightful look at the nuances of being a model in underwater photography. Drawing from six years of experience working with various photographers in challenging environments like caves, Tamara discusses her personal "pet peeves"—the things she wishes photographers wouldn't ask her to do.

Far from being just a list of complaints, this episode offers valuable advice for photographers on how to work more effectively and respectfully with their models when trying to portrait realistic cave diving practices.

Tamara explains the safety concerns, practical limitations, prioritizing conservation and aesthetic preferences behind her dislikes, from being asked to look away from the guideline to dealing with uncomfortable posing requests like holding a static scooter. She also touches on the importance of authentic representation, explaining why she avoids wearing makeup for shoots and prefers capturing genuine moments of exploration over staged scenes. Whether you're an aspiring underwater photographer or a diver interested in modeling, this episode provides a unique perspective from the other side of the lens.

In this episode, I discuss:

• ​Safety First: Why asking a cave diver to turn their back to the line or swim away from it into decorated areas is a major "don't."
• ​Authenticity vs. Staging: The preference for capturing real action and movement over static, posed shots that can look awkward or fake.
• ​Lighting Logic: Why pointing lights in unnatural directions can ruin a shot and feel wrong for an experienced diver.
• ​The "Look" of Tech Diving: A discussion on makeup in technical diving photography and why a natural look is often more practical and compatible with the gear.
• ​Equipment Etiquette: The importance of giving models time to clean up their gear and align their trim before snapping the photo.
• ​Communication is Key: How discussing shots beforehand and respecting a model's comfort zone leads to better photos and a safer dive.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show, leave a review and share it with your dive buddy. Changing the culture starts with a conversation.

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