In the deep end

As a professional photographer, he says his foray into underwater photography made him rethink his approach. "It was no longer about composition. Rather about refraction, objects appearing closer than they are and loss of colour scale as you go deeper."

Underwater photography taught him to observe marine life and marvel at the details of colour and pattern. And despite his active association with shooting underwater, he finds that it takes the "work aspect" out of his job. "Underwater photography is compelling and relaxing," he says, adding, "it is also the most legitimate excuse for travelling."

Khan is currently shooting SharkQuest Arabia, a two-part documentary on the film project that hopes to tell the true story of the status of Arabian sharks and the scale of overfishing in the seas of the region.

Familiar as he is with international and local waters, he says there are several dive sites on the UAE's East Coast with amazing marine diversity, even though they aren't as clear or blue as the Red Sea or the Maldives. "Martini Rock has soft corals and is great for macro photography while Dibba Rock has great large marine life like turtles and whale sharks."

For most of his career, Khan has used Canon cameras. For underwater photography, he says, "The EOS 5D Mk II in particular is wonderful. It can even shoot full HD video."

While we may never be as adventurous as Khan, we can enjoy his passion for underwater photography. Canon Middle East's latest underwater camera, the Canon Powershot D10, might be a good place to start. It promises to tackle issues faced by underwater photographers like loss of colour and contrast when submerged in significant depth; and how longer wavelengths of sunlight cause everything to appear blue-green in colour.

Jason Rego, DSC product manager of Canon Middle East, provides a few tips for discerning enthusiasts:

Ensure your safety. In a pool, avoid diving spots. In the sea, don't disturb marine life as this may be distressing for the creatures and yourself.

Ensure your camera's safety by strapping it. The Canon D10, for instance, comes with a variety of add-on accessories like shoulder and carabineer straps, which make it easier to secure the camera.

Choose a camera with features like a built-in multi-mode flash that provides a selection of artificial lighting options. And look out for a flash range of about 10 feet to guarantee good underwater shots. The best time to take photos is mid-day when the sun illuminates the water and brings out colours and enhances contrast.

Also choose a camera that is shock-proof, dust-proof and one that can operate in low underwater temperatures without compromising the quality of the images.

When shooting, choose the right technique. To photograph a fish, learn its movements; don't make sudden movements or get too close. Pick a spot along its regular route and wait for it to arrive. To photograph schools of fish, learn to show its shape. If a school is circling in a current, shoot a portion that shows the shape of the current.

To photograph big fish, set the zoom to a wide angle. And to photograph underwater formations like caves, add light or people to the composition.