The Underwater Photographer, Second Edition (Paperback)

~ MARTIN EDGE (Author) "Throughout this book I have assumed that the reader has a degree of knowledge on aspects of photography and how it differs under water..." (more)
Key Phrases: subal housing, wreck photography, distant diver, Red Sea, Ektachrome Elite, Ocean Optics (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Review of the previous edition:
'The book underwater photographers have been dying to get their hands
on...'
'..anyone interested in taking up underwater photography would benefit
from reading this book.'
Professional Photographer Magazine

"...it contains clear demonstrations of technique, illustrates the equipment and takes us through examples of how to achieve results similar to the author's"
Diver Magazine

Review of second edition:

"We liked the writing style, the extensive captions that explain how each of the tens of colour images were taken and the general layout of the book. If you have some experience in underwater photography and want to go beyond the snapshots, this is the book to buy."
Diver magazine, Oct/Nov 2000 -- Review

Review

Review of the previous edition:
'The book underwater photographers have been dying to get their hands
on...'
'..anyone interested in taking up underwater photography would benefit
from reading this book.'
Professional Photographer Magazine

"...it contains clear demonstrations of technique, illustrates the equipment and takes us through examples of how to achieve results similar to the author's"
Diver Magazine

Review of second edition:

"We liked the writing style, the extensive captions that explain how each of the tens of colour images were taken and the general layout of the book. If you have some experience in underwater photography and want to go beyond the snapshots, this is the book to buy."
Diver magazine, Oct/Nov 2000

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240515811
• ISBN-13: 978-0240515816
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #666,239 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most useful book on u/w photography I have read!, November 2, 1999

By A Customer

I have always said that underwater photography is not something a rational person should consider.

It is expensive and at times very frustrating, but when you get some good results it rewards you with a great feeling of satisfaction.

As someone who has persevered with underwater photography for nearly 15 years, I have bought many books on the subject in an attempt to learn why I keep making the same mistakes. Until reading Martin Edge's book I felt that only Howard Hall's book came close to showing me the answer.

Martin has managed to produce a book that is not only interesting and easy to read but really gets the message over. He covers all the aspects you need to know about, without the commonly made mistake of getting tangled up in the technical & equipment issues.

Sure he talks about the equipment, but the clear message is that you take the photograph...the equipment is just what you use to do it with.

If you are serious about underwater photography, then you need this book!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, February 27, 2001

By	Mark S. Mendelsohn (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews

Martin Edge's book should be considered a Bible for the underwater photographer, particularly for those diving with housed SLR's. Jim Church's books on the Nikonos system and on composition, are extremely helpful, but Martin Edge provides clear and to the point advice for the housed Nikon SLR user, as well as providing general instruction in uw photography. I'm a professional photographer on land, but a newbie to underwater photography, and I found this book appropriate for both levels of experience. If you plan to do uw photography, buy it. If you plan to use a housed SLR, buy it twice!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An up-to-date text, useful for the competent beginner, July 30, 2000

By	Robert Zuch "The Pomeranian" (Christchurch, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought the book after (and despite) the review of the Reader From Austin, TX; and I was not disappointed by this book. Martin covers all aspects of U/W photography in a concise way, giving just enough examples and explanations. It provides a lot of feedback on using common contemporary housed systems, which not many other presently available books do.

I agree that it offers little in terms of complete basics; and it will not stretch the professionals. But hey, I'd like to think that I fit in the middle. And I do not want to waste another 20 rolls of expensive slide film before finding out where I went wrong. Martin's book has warned me in advance about some of the pitfalls.

The only possible criticism is that the book could have provided more than just a couple of examples for each described situation. However, this would make the book big and pricey. And as it is, you can even take this reasonably slim volume with you on the liveaboard.