Many people don't know this, but I actually grew up no where near the ocean, in a small country town. And although I didn't start underwater photography until around 2021, I have always had a deep passion and connection to native wildlife and beautiful national parks that bordered and sheltered my small home town in rural New South Wales. I spent many years exploring the bushland, having the chance to observe native flora and fauna up close. It was in the dense Aussie bushland, I found my spark and drive, what I wanted to do with my life, spend as much time photographing and observing wildlife and the natural world.
I started expanding my search for wildlife, long story short I ended up scouting all around, including the closest coastline (almost 2 hours from home). I learnt about the local Grey Nurse population there, made an impulse purchase of a camera, a wide angle lens and the cheapest underwater housing I could find at the time, a cheap snorkel, mask and set of fins and jumped in. The water was FREEZING (okay not literally... but between 14-15 degrees and I was in nothing but a bikini and rash shirt because I had no clue what I was doing and thats okay! I spent over 40 minutes in the water, photographing the Grey Nurse Sharks. I have never been as cold as I was that day but I couldn't bring myself to get out, there was something magical about that moment—the way the sunlight filtered through the water, casting golden beams on the swaying kelp below, how I felt more connected to the world than ever before. When I finally got back onto the rocky shore, I sat there freezing, sobbing, laughing (I would have looked extremely unstable) and I knew, I had just found my purpose.
I had no idea that this one moment would spark a journey that would take me into the depths of multiple oceans, exploring some of the most remote underwater locations around the world and connecting with marine life in ways I had only dreamed of. What started as a curiosity, granted it was definitely fuelled by the diagnosed ADHD that kicks off most of my spontaneous endeavours, (none of which I regret by the way hehe) has turned into a passion. I’m excited to share with you not just the stories behind my photos, but the lessons I’ve learned along the way as I continue to dive deeper, both in the water and in my craft.
Underwater photography is nothing short of magic. Whether you're photographing the cutest pufferfish you've ever seen in your life, majestic ocean giants, coral reefs, scuba sessions or serene freediving moments, capturing the underwater world is an incredible experience. But editing these photos? That's a whole different challenge. As my career blossomed and I continued pouring energy into to growing my social media, I received countless messages from others starting out in marine wildlife photography and although this is a rapidly growing field, I realised there really aren't many resources.
Why Editing Underwater Photos is So Tricky:
- Water acts like a filter, absorbing light and colours the deeper you go
- Water scatters light, leading to soft, low-contrast images
- Strange/uneven lighting
- Particle interference/ backscatter
Underwater shots often require a little extra care to truly shine. If you're like me and prefer shooting without artificial lighting (hello, friend!), you've probably looked at an underwater photo and thought, "Why does this look so dull?"—trust me, you're not alone! In fact, that's 90% of my shots before post-production. So, please don't be disheartened—it just means we need to work a little harder to bring back those stunning colours and details. And honestly, it's a really fun process once you know how to do it!
To aid other photographers in what I've learnt (painfully through trial and error), I have developed two separate resources I wish I had when I was starting out.
1. A Complete Guide to Underwater Photo Editing, that teaches every skill and technique I use to edit now (I WISH I had this when I was starting out, I was just completely winging it and it hurts when I look back at how unhinged and inconsistent my portfolio was haha!)
2. 75 Pack of Adaptive Photo Presets. This product is for those who want beautiful edits but don't currently have the time to learn.These presets help you fast-track your editing process and get those vibrant, beautiful underwater shots."Adaptive" means that they detect the main subject of the image so that the different editing I do to the subject and the background can be applied to the same aspects of your images. This basically just means that your images look AMAZING with variations of edits applied where they need to be.
3. Link to both products in a bundle.
Learning how to edit means that you will be able to:
- Develop a high quality and professional portfolio with stunning images
- Demand attention to the subject you're shooting
- Bring back vibrant colours that were thought to be lost
- Add contrast and sharpness
- Correct blue/green tints
- Reveal hidden details (a game changer for those close up shots!
The Power of Underwater Presets My underwater Lightroom presets are specially designed to handle the most common problems you face with underwater images. They instantly correct colours, boost clarity, and give your photos that polished, professional look.
Here's what they do:
- Restore natural tones (without making things look fake)
- Balance highlights and shadows for more depth
- Sharpen soft underwater scenes without adding noise
- Adjust blues and greens to keep the water looking crystal clear
Before and After Examples
See the difference? The first image was edited using one of my presets, the second was edited using the exact process I teach in the editing Guide. The beauty of it is that you can adjust the settings/masks/strength of your edit to make it exactly what you envision it to be. It is your art, its what you make it!
Who These Products Are For:
- Divers and freedivers wanting to level up their underwater shots
- Ocean photographers capturing marine life
- Adventure travellers who love snorkelling and beach life
- Anyone who struggles with editing underwater photos from GoPros, DSLRs, or mirrorless cameras
- Those that are just starting out and wanting to advance quickly in underwater photography
What’s Included in the Editing Guide
Comprehensive Editing Techniques: Learn how to enhance colours, correct exposure, and bring out the best in your underwater shots.
Beginner-Friendly Approach: The guide is designed to be accessible, even for those new to photo editing.
Practical Application: Includes four unedited images for hands-on practice, allowing you to apply the techniques immediately.
Device Compatibility: Suitable for both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Mobile, ensuring flexibility in your editing process.
What’s Included in the Preset Pack
75 + professionally developed AI Lightroom photo presets: Presets for shallow water, deep dives, coral reefs, big animals, snorkelling trips and more!
Device Compatibility: Suitable for both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Mobile, ensuring flexibility in your editing process.
10 Free Video Presets: A bonus of 10 free video presets that work in Lightroom too!
Easy installation: A complimentary installation guide is included
Top Tips for Achieving the Best Results in Underwater Photography, allowing the best results with these products
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Shoot in RAW
Always shoot in RAW whenever possible. RAW files retain much more detail and allow for greater flexibility during editing, especially when working with underwater images that often require colour correction and exposure adjustments. This gives you more control over the final look of your photos, ensuring that you can bring out the best in every shot. -
Don’t Be Afraid to Tweak the Presets
Every underwater scene is unique, so don’t hesitate to adjust the strength of the preset with the amount toggle, allowing you to strengthen or weaken the preset application. This can be extremely beneficial if you're in beautiful blue water and you don't really need colour or white balance corrections, just a more defined subject. You can also adjust all aspects of the edit, such as the exposure, white balance and masks within the preset if you'd like to customise them to suit the individual characteristics of each shot. -
Use a Strobe or External Light Source If needed
If you're photographing deeper or in low-light conditions, using a strobe or external light source can make a huge difference. It helps illuminate your subject, improves colour saturation, and reduces the blue/green tint that often dominates underwater shots. Be mindful of positioning to avoid harsh shadows or overexposure. -
Keep Your ISO as Low as Possible
While shooting underwater, try to keep your ISO low to avoid introducing noise in your images. Higher ISO values are often necessary in low-light conditions, but they can result in grainy, less detailed photos. Whenever possible, rely on natural or artificial lighting to keep your ISO at a minimum. -
Focus on Composition
Just like any other type of photography, composition is essential in underwater photography. Take the time to frame your shot thoughtfully—consider the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry. Avoid cluttering the frame, and always look for ways to highlight your subject or create a balanced image. -
Be Mindful of Your Depth and Angle
Pay attention to the depth of your shot and the angle you're shooting from. Shallow water can provide crystal-clear visibility and vibrant colours, while deeper shots may require additional lighting to reveal fine details. Experiment with angles to find the most compelling perspective, whether it’s shooting from above, below, or side-on to your subject. -
Be Patient and Mindful of Your Environment
Underwater photography often requires a great deal of patience. Marine life can be unpredictable, and you may need to wait for the right moment. Be mindful of your surroundings, respect the marine life, and avoid disturbing natural habitats. The more you blend into the environment, the more likely you are to capture natural, stunning shots. -
Use Auto Focus Tracking for moving subjects
Autofocus can be great for underwater, especially for moving subjects that are in and out of different focal points. Switching to auto focus for these moments ensure the sharpest possible image.
The ocean is an incredible place to explore. Your photos should reflect its beauty.
Link to Editing Guide: Here