Underwater Session Help

[PaperDoll]

Hi there. I'm new and this is my first post. I found this board late last night after hours of frustration with something I'm attempting to accomplish.

I am trying underwater photography at night. Not shooting fish, but session-style. After purchasing the required housing for my D700, two lens ports, and a strobe, I have come to discover that this is the hardest thing I've ever tried to do photography-wise.

I know there was a recent post close to this subject, but this is more of an SOS to anyone who is familiar with this type of work. I am struggling badly and could use any tips, advice, etc. that might help me get through what seem to be "the basics".

My main problems are:
-Lighting
-Focusing (I know that sounds horrible)
-Framing
-Clarity in the water (I'm in a pool)

The following is the equipment I'm using:
-Ikelite housing for D700
-Lenses and Ikelite ports for a 105 prime and a 12-24 wide
-Ikelite strobe (small but powerful. I turn it behind my subject)
-I've also resorted to using my 50 1.4 prime in one of the lens ports because I'm struggling so bad with the other two lenses.

The 12-24 refuses to focus and this is very frustrating. It works on land, but not underwater. I don't understand what I am doing wrong.

I'm trying to use both pool lights as well as the strobe, but am failing miserably at it. I was told the light setups are very similar to those you would use at night on land... I'm not seeing this happen. I have no shame in admitting the problem is the person behind the camera... I'm just looking for the obvious things I may be missing to get this started right.

Many thanks.

[Imagebuffet]

I am far from an expert in this field, but some ideas off the top of my head would be that your autofocus sensor is having trouble picking up enough contrast to be able to focus on something. There are a number of things that you could do to correct that problem. One would be to increase the amount of light in the pool. Another would be to have a bright spot where you want the focus, perhaps from a card temporarily in the shot (might mean you need an assistant).

Autofocus sometimes has trouble working through glass. I find this is true on land. It helps to hold the lens against the glass, and to photograph objects that show clearly.

Clarity in the water sounds like you have extremely bright, but concentrated light. You might need more diffuse (bigger) lights, something to spread out the light more evenly. If the background is about as bright as the foreground, it should hide dust motes.

[PaperDoll]

Thanks Richard! My assistant comes back from vacation tonight so she will be here for the "big session" tomorrow night. I'm so very nervous...

I'm going to buy a dive light today and hope that this will give me a focusing light to work with. I also think my model placement might be off... I've been putting her in front of the pool light and off to the side. My camera is probably very confused by this but I'm not sure. I can't get the lens any closer to the glass because it's enclosed in the lens port.

I found this guy (http://www.anril.com/) and contacted him because he's doing very much what I'm going for. He mentioned a focusing light as well. Said what I'm using isn't enough. He also told me to get as close to my subject as possible for clarity. UGH! I need my wide lens to work!!!

Thanks again and if anyone else has any tips, PLEASE chime in.

I feel so "wet" behind the ears!!!

[jamesw]

Let me guess, you are using the 6" Ikelite port.

The Tokina probably won't focus underwater because it can't focus close enough to focus on the virtual image projected by the dome port. Underwater the dome acts as a negative diopter and projects a virtual image about 10 inches away. Do a search on Wetpixel to learn more about this.

Try using the Tokina with a +2 diopter.

Cheers
James

[bondarnes]

This is one of the best that I have seen:

http://seniors.petersphotography.com/underwater/

Larry Peters has been an instructor at the Texas School of Professional Photography for the last 20 something years. He has always been willing to share with other photographers. He and his son-in-law have been doing underwater portraiture for over 5 years now. You might also contact Elena Hernandez in Dallas. She has been doing UW bridals & maternity shoots for several years.

[lscottpht]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

This is one of the best that I have seen:

http://seniors.petersphotography.com/underwater/

Larry Peters has been an instructor at the Texas School of Professional Photography for the last 20 something years. He has always been willing to share with other photographers. He and his son-in-law have been doing underwater portraiture for over 5 years now. You might also contact Elena Hernandez in Dallas. She has been doing UW bridals & maternity shoots for several years.

Wow, those are awesome! Best I've seen!