Basic Underwater Photography Course
Why this course?
Dive into the fascinating world of Basic Underwater Photography
Discover a new universe of images. This course provides you with the essential tools and knowledge to capture the hidden beauty beneath the waves, from setting up your equipment to lighting and composition techniques specific to the underwater environment. Learn to dive with a camera safely and responsibly, respecting the marine ecosystem while creating stunning photographs.
Differentiating Advantages
- Equipment Mastery: Get to know your camera, housing, and accessories inside and out to achieve maximum underwater performance.
- Lighting Techniques: Learn to use flashes and natural light to correct colors and highlight details in your photos.
- Underwater Composition: Discover the key principles for creating balanced and compelling images in the marine environment.
- Safety and Conservation: We prioritize diving safety and respect for marine life on every photographic dive.
- Practice in Real Environments: Includes guided dives to apply your knowledge and receive personalized feedback.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Cursos
- Hours: 150 H
- Start date: 24-07-2026
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- Certified divers who want to capture the beauty of the underwater world and improve their photography skills.
- Ocean and marine life lovers looking for a new way to express their passion through stunning images.
- Travelers and adventurers who want to document their underwater experiences with high-quality photos to share and remember.
- Photography beginners with an interest in diving who want to learn the fundamentals and essential techniques of underwater photography.
- Land-based photographers looking to expand their creative horizons and explore a fascinating new underwater world.
Learning Flexibility
Adjustable to your Pace: 24/7 accessible online lessons, guided practical exercises and personalized feedback from expert instructors.
Objectives and competencies

Mastering artificial lighting techniques:
“Select and configure equipment, adjust intensities and create lighting schemes to optimize visibility and ambiance in various environments.”

Identifying and compensating for underwater optical challenges:
“Adjust vision technique and focus, compensate for refraction through the use of optical aids or mental adjustments, and manage altered distance perception.”

Selecting and maintaining essential underwater photography equipment:
“Considering watertightness, functionality under pressure, and post-immersion cleaning and storage protocols.”

Compose attractive and balanced underwater images:
Master lighting, composition, and editing to capture the beauty of the underwater world.

Applying neutral buoyancy techniques for underwater photography:
“Maintaining stability in the water column, minimizing the impact on the environment and optimizing the framing and sharpness of the images.”

Process and edit underwater photographs to improve their visual quality:
“Using specialized software for color correction, noise removal and sharpening, while preserving the authenticity of the marine environment.”
Curriculum - Modules
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Underwater Photography Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, Flashes, and Accessories
- Basic Principles of Photography: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Exposure
- Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, and Color
Color Compensation
Underwater Lighting Techniques: Using Flashes, Natural Light, and Backlighting
Composition in Underwater Photography: Rules, Perspectives, and Points of Interest
Focus and Depth of Field: Techniques for Achieving Sharp Images Underwater
Zoom-in Techniques: Macro and Wide-Angle Photography in Underwater Environments
Underwater Image Processing and Editing: Workflow and Software
Ethical and Conservation Considerations in Underwater Photography
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History and Evolution
- Basic Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, and Flashes
- Principles of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, and Color
- Underwater Composition Techniques: Rules and Creativity
- Camera Settings: ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, and White Balance
- Focus and Sharpness: Manual and Autofocus Techniques
- Artificial Lighting: Using Flashes and Lights
- Diving Safety: Considerations for Underwater Photographers
- Image Processing: Development and Basic Editing
- Ethics and Conservation: Respect to the marine environment
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Physics of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, Color, and Visibility
- Underwater Photographic Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, and Flashes
- Safety in Diving Photography: Planning, Risks, and Emergency Procedures
- Basic Lighting Techniques: Natural Light, External Flash, and White Balance
- Underwater Photographic Composition: Rule of Thirds, Guidelines, and Perspective
- Buoyancy and Control in the Water: Stability, Breathing, and Finning
- Environmental Considerations: Respect for Marine Life and Non-Invasion
- Basic Underwater Image Processing: Color Correction and sharpness
- Ethics in underwater photography: no manipulation and faithful representation
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications.
- Physics of Light Underwater: Absorption, Dispersion, Refraction, and Color.
- Underwater Photography Equipment: Cameras, Lenses, Housings, Flashes, and Accessories.
- Principles of Underwater Composition: Rules, Lines, Perspectives, and the Use of Color.
- Underwater Lighting Techniques: Using External Flash, Natural Light, and White Balance.
- Dive Safety: Dive Planning, Depth and Time Limits.
- Dive Risks: Decompression Sickness, Nitrogen Narcosis, and Oxygen Toxicity.
- Safety Protocols: Hand signals, emergency procedures, and communication.
Marine conservation: Photographic ethics, respect for the environment, and protection of marine life.
First aid and incident management while diving.
‘
- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
Plan de estudio - MĂłdulos
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Underwater Photography Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, Flashes, and Accessories
- Basic Principles of Photography: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Exposure
- Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, and Color
Color Compensation
Underwater Lighting Techniques: Using Flashes, Natural Light, and Backlighting
Composition in Underwater Photography: Rules, Perspectives, and Points of Interest
Focus and Depth of Field: Techniques for Achieving Sharp Images Underwater
Zoom-in Techniques: Macro and Wide-Angle Photography in Underwater Environments
Underwater Image Processing and Editing: Workflow and Software
Ethical and Conservation Considerations in Underwater Photography
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History and Evolution
- Basic Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, and Flashes
- Principles of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, and Color
- Underwater Composition Techniques: Rules and Creativity
- Camera Settings: ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, and White Balance
- Focus and Sharpness: Manual and Autofocus Techniques
- Artificial Lighting: Using Flashes and Lights
- Diving Safety: Considerations for Underwater Photographers
- Image Processing: Development and Basic Editing
- Ethics and Conservation: Respect to the marine environment
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Physics of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, Color, and Visibility
- Underwater Photographic Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, and Flashes
- Safety in Diving Photography: Planning, Risks, and Emergency Procedures
- Basic Lighting Techniques: Natural Light, External Flash, and White Balance
- Underwater Photographic Composition: Rule of Thirds, Guidelines, and Perspective
- Buoyancy and Control in the Water: Stability, Breathing, and Finning
- Environmental Considerations: Respect for Marine Life and Non-Invasion
- Basic Underwater Image Processing: Color Correction and sharpness
- Ethics in underwater photography: no manipulation and faithful representation
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications.
- Physics of Light Underwater: Absorption, Dispersion, Refraction, and Color.
- Underwater Photography Equipment: Cameras, Lenses, Housings, Flashes, and Accessories.
- Principles of Underwater Composition: Rules, Lines, Perspectives, and the Use of Color.
- Underwater Lighting Techniques: Using External Flash, Natural Light, and White Balance.
- Dive Safety: Dive Planning, Depth and Time Limits.
- Dive Risks: Decompression Sickness, Nitrogen Narcosis, and Oxygen Toxicity.
- Safety Protocols: Hand signals, emergency procedures, and communication.
Marine conservation: Photographic ethics, respect for the environment, and protection of marine life.
First aid and incident management while diving.
‘
- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Current Trends
- Basic Principles of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, and Color
- Underwater Photography Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, and Flashes
- Safety in Diving Photography: Planning, Equipment, and Protocols
- Artificial Lighting Techniques: Use of Flashes and Underwater Lights
- Underwater Composition: Rules, Perspectives, and Making the Most of the Environment
- Camera Settings in the Underwater Environment: White Balance, ISO, and Aperture
- Diving Techniques for Photographers: Buoyancy Control, Finning, and Positioning
- Basic Editing of Underwater Photographs: Color Correction, Sharpness and contrast.
- Ethics in underwater photography: respect for the environment and marine life.
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Principles of the Physics of Light Underwater: Absorption, Dispersion, and Refraction
- Underwater Photography Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, Flashes, and Accessories
- Equipment Preparation and Maintenance: Cleaning, Lubrication, and Leak Testing
- Safety in Diving Photography: Risks, Planning, and Emergency Procedures
- Basic Techniques in Diving Photography: Buoyancy, Fin Control, and Underwater Communication
- Underwater Photographic Composition: Rule of Thirds, Guidelines, and Viewpoint
- Lighting in Underwater Photography: Use of Natural and Artificial Light, and Light Balance whites.
- Editing and post-processing of underwater photographs: Basic adjustments, color correction, particle removal.
- Ethics and conservation: Respect for the marine environment and wildlife.
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Applications
- Principles of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, and Color
- Underwater Photography Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, and Flashes
- Basic Diving Techniques for Photographers: Buoyancy, Control, and Safety
- Underwater Photographic Composition: Rule of Thirds, Lines, and Perspective
- Artificial Lighting: Use of Flashes, Strobes, and Flashlights
- Underwater White Balance: Manual and Preset Settings
- Macro and Wide-Angle Photography: Techniques and Specific Considerations
- Post-Processing of Underwater Images: Color Correction and sharpness
- Ethical and conservation considerations in underwater photography
‘
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Current State
- Physics of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, Color, and Visibility
- Basic Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, Artificial Lighting
- Diving Equipment for Photography: Setup, Weights, Safety
- Diving Techniques for Photographers: Buoyancy, Control, Finning
- Principles of Underwater Composition: Rule of Thirds, Lines, Perspective
- Artificial Lighting: Flashes, Lights, Angles, Power, and Balance
- White Balance: Predefined and Custom Settings
- Exposure: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Their Effects Underwater water
- Safety in Underwater Photography: Risks, Planning, and Protocols
‘
Career opportunities
- Freelance Underwater Photographer: Covering events, conducting custom photo shoots, and selling stock images.
- Dive Guide with Photography Skills: Adding value to guided dives by capturing memories for clients.
- Underwater Documentarian: Working on marine research, conservation, and science outreach projects.
- Underwater Photojournalist: Collaborating with media outlets to cover news and events related to the underwater world.
- Underwater Photography Instructor: Teaching other divers to improve their underwater photography skills.
- Marketing and Social Media Specialist for Dive Centers: Creating engaging visual content to promote services and destinations.
- Underwater Photography Equipment Technician: Repairing and maintaining cameras and Housings for professionals and amateurs.
- Participation in underwater photography competitions and exhibitions: gaining recognition and professional opportunities.
“`
Admission requirements

Academic/professional profile:
Degree/Bachelor's degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in bridge/operations.

Language proficiency:
Recommended functional maritime English (SMCP) for simulations and technical materials.

5. Induction
Updated resume, copy of degree or seaman's book, ID card/passport, letter of motivation.

Technical requirements (for online):
Equipment with camera/microphone, stable connection, ≥ 24” monitor recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admission process and dates

1. Online
application
(form + documents).

2. Academic review and interview
(profile/objectives/schedule compatibility).

3. Admission decision
(+ scholarship proposal if applicable).

4. Reservation of place
(deposit) and registration.

5. Induction
(access to campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and grants
- Master the Art: Learn the fundamentals of underwater photography in a safe and exciting environment.
- Equipment and Techniques: Discover how to choose the right equipment and hone your skills with proven techniques.
- Composition and Light: Create stunning images by playing with natural light and mastering underwater composition.
- Safety First: Prioritize your well-being by learning essential safety protocols for underwater photography.
- Editing and Workflow: Optimize your photos with basic editing tools and establish an efficient workflow.
Testimonials
Mastering the fundamentals of underwater photography in this course allowed me to capture the vibrant beauty of a coral reef with stunning clarity. I confidently adjusted buoyancy and camera control, achieving balanced compositions and proper lighting, even in low-visibility conditions. The resulting images are not only technically sound but also convey the magic of the underwater world in a way that fills me with pride.
Mastering underwater photography and videography through the course allowed me to document a scientific expedition in the Sea of ​​Cortez, capturing stunning images of marine biodiversity that were later published in a prestigious nature magazine.
Basic underwater photography training gave me the tools and confidence to capture stunning images of the underwater world. I learned buoyancy control, how to operate a camera underwater, and how to use natural light to create impactful compositions. Now I can document my dives with professional-quality photographs that allow me to relive and share the hidden beauty beneath the waves.
Mastering buoyancy and equipment control during basic underwater photography training allowed me to capture sharp, well-composed images of marine life, exceeding my initial expectations and awakening a true passion for this art.
Frequently asked questions
An underwater camera, a submersible housing or a waterproof bag, and a light source such as a flash or a diving flashlight.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
An underwater camera (or a regular camera with an underwater housing), a light source (flash or underwater spotlight) and a buoyancy system (jacket or wetsuit).
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Introduction to Underwater Photography: History, Evolution, and Current State
- Physics of Light Underwater: Absorption, Scattering, Color, and Visibility
- Basic Equipment: Cameras, Housings, Lenses, Artificial Lighting
- Diving Equipment for Photography: Setup, Weights, Safety
- Diving Techniques for Photographers: Buoyancy, Control, Finning
- Principles of Underwater Composition: Rule of Thirds, Lines, Perspective
- Artificial Lighting: Flashes, Lights, Angles, Power, and Balance
- White Balance: Predefined and Custom Settings
- Exposure: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Their Effects Underwater water
- Safety in Underwater Photography: Risks, Planning, and Protocols
‘
Request information
- Complete the Application Form
- Attach your CV/Qualifications (if you have them to hand).
- Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you want the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
Teachers
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. SofĂa Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. SofĂa Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor