Part 1 of a Three-Part Series on Underwater Photography Etiquette
A large sea turtle glided through the warm tropical water off the reef next to the dive group, its shell catching glints of sunlight. Just as I raised my camera to capture this moment, a blur of bubbles and fins rushed past us. Another diver charged straight at the turtle with her action camera extended forward like a deranged magician wielding his wand. Our serene encounter transformed into a confusing nightmare of stirred-up sand and a disappearing turtle. That day, I vowed never to become ‘that photographer’ who leaves a bitter aftertaste for the group. The truth is that she spoiled the sighting for herself, too.
Let’s be honest — we’ve all been there. You’re faced with that split-second decision: do you go for that perfect shot, or do you hang back so everyone can enjoy the moment? As cameras become more accessible and diving grows in popularity, the line between capturing marine life and disturbing it narrows.
In this first article, I’m going to walk you through the must-know basics of being a considerate underwater photographer. Look, we all mess up sometimes — especially underwater, where everything’s trickier — but knowing these basics will help you skip the rookie mistakes.
“Excellence in underwater photography is not only in the final image, but in the grace and respect it was obtained with.” — MadeleinWolf
Here are my 4 Basic Tips to go from novice to pro in underwater etiquette:
1. Make Manners Your Ally
Good manners underwater are like the invisible current that keeps a reef healthy. They create a flow for everyone to move harmoniously through the same space. Just as that current brings nutrients to every coral polyp, good etiquette ensures every diver gets a fair share of the experience.
Now, you might be thinking, “How do I show good manners when I can’t even talk underwater?” but there are universally understood hand gestures to navigate this. Give others the right of way, ask if they’re done at a sighting before moving in with your camera, show an apologetic gesture if you bump into someone, and respect others’ space.
Ghost Pipefish in Sodwana Bay, South Africa.
While diving in Sodwana Bay, the divemaster pointed out a pair of ghost pipefish. Everyone needed to take turns to see them, being so small. Just a side note: A camera doesn’t give you the right of way. But that day, people with cameras were pushing past others. In my mind, taking a shot like that isn’t worth it. I’d rather the whole group enjoy the sighting so everyone can be excited and chat about it after the dive. Then, people will show interest in your pictures and craft. I have a great tip for how to Time Your Turn in Part 2.
“Manners are the sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” — Emily Post
2. Consider Your Dive Buddy
Here’s a pro tip: Grab your buddy for a quick chat before you hit the water to avoid misunderstandings. Trust me, it’ll save you both from those awkward underwater moments when you’re trying to mime “I want to stay here for 20 minutes photographing this tiny shrimp!” What if they’re not up for that? It’s best to talk about what your expectations are for the dive so you can plan accordingly and make sure both of you are happy with the plan.
A well-planned dive is a pleasant dive, but miscommunication can lead to upset or lost buddies. I remember a dive where my buddy had a GoPro, and I had my macro lens. On this particular dive, the site had loads of schooling fish darting across the reef. It was beautiful, but my buddy was high above the reef videoing while I was hugging the reef looking for small creatures. We weren’t in sync and too far apart to dive safely. I left the reef to move closer to him and enjoyed the yellow snappers dancing in the blue, wishing I had chosen my wide-angle lens that morning.
3. Stay Alert and Connected
Have you ever gotten distracted or focused on something for too long? When you looked up, did you find yourself separated from the group? Your heart skips a beat, and it feels like your blood runs cold. You look in the direction you last saw your buddy, frantically searching for bubbles, fins flashing in the light or shadows moving in the distance. “Shit,” I would think, “I wasn’t paying attention and now I’m lost!” This happened a lot when I was a newly qualified diver with a camera in areas with low visibility.
You know that feeling when the visibility is amazing, and you think, “I can see for miles! What could go wrong?” Well, that’s exactly when we tend to get a bit too comfortable and drift away from our buddies. Even a few meters of separation can be dangerous underwater. In an emergency, you might not get your buddy’s attention or reach them in time for help. Always keep this in mind.
A group of divers slowly shollowing up at the end of a dive in the Red Sea.
When focusing on taking pictures or videos, it’s easy to get carried away and move too far from your buddy or fall behind the group. Keeping track of the group is essential. It may feel like you’re spending a minute taking two or three pictures and adjusting settings or angles, but in reality, it’s taking much longer.
Make it a habit to pop your head up every now and then to check where your buddy and the group are. I know it’s difficult because it breaks your concentration while you have a lot to keep track of, but it will become second nature.
4. Respect the Reef: Your Role as an Ocean Guardian
One basic rule for divers is: Look, but don’t touch.
This is to protect our reefs, and also ourselves. The ocean houses some of the world’s deadliest creatures, from the lethal box jellyfish to the beautiful blue-ringed octopus, to the camouflaged stonefish and scorpion fish. Even seemingly harmless ones can pack a dangerous punch.
My top rule is to never take a shot that will damage the reef and frighten or upset the marine life. As divers, we are privileged guests in their underwater realm, and with that privilege comes the responsibility to show respect.
A large school of snappers on a reef in Madagascar.
What does this respect look like in practice? It’s pretty straightforward: keep your buoyancy in check (no bouncing around like a yo-yo!), stay alert to what’s around you, and don’t squeeze into tight spots where your fins might knock into the reef. Remember, there’s no “minor” impact — every interaction matters, and conservation starts with each individual photographer’s choices.
“The more we go to the ocean, the more we understand that it’s really important to go with respect. Not to conquer, but to connect.” — Sylvia Earle
I’ve heard hair-raising stories of people repositioning marine life for better shots, and I’ve seen videos of divers touching them for likes and views. This behavior is unethical and deadly for the marine life and the diver. Many have protective mucus layers that prevent disease. Touching them can damage this layer, leaving them vulnerable to infection. As underwater photographers, we must be ambassadors for ocean conservation.
Sometimes, this means accepting that some shots are better left not taken. If you want a nudibranch to face a different direction, move yourself — not the creature. If a turtle is resting on the reef and you wish it were swimming majestically into the blue, wait for another opportunity. Nature operates on its own schedule. The best underwater photographers understand that patience and respect often yield better results than forced interactions.
Conclusion: Building Your Foundation
So there you have it. These four basic rules will improve your photos and help you become the kind of underwater photographer everyone loves to dive with. It’s beneficial and rewarding to not only improve your photography but also to become a better diver who displays model behavior in the underwater environment.
Read Part 2 of this series, where we’ll explore advanced equipment handling and community-building techniques that will take your underwater photography to the next level.
We Protect what we Love. Join the movement!
by Madelein Wolfaardt
Images ©️ by @sealife_madeleinwolf
Capture the ocean’s magic with my Underwater Photography Course! Build your skills, learn expert techniques, and create stunning underwater images. For those aiming for certification, I also offer the PADI Underwater Photography Specialty Course. Dive in and turn your passion into incredible photos!
