New Technique: Shooting Blind

Capture the Shots you Never Could with this Innovative Technique

Text and Photos By Scott Gietler

Shooting blind is my new technique for capturing photos you never could have otherwise - like speeding sea lions or a fast-moving bait ball. I highly doubt that I invented this technique, but I haven't ever seen anything written about it, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

I showed this technique to my students at Bluewater Photo's recent La Paz workshop and everyone got some great photos, so now it's time to share it with you, on the Underwater Photography Guide.

Blue shark and divers, in Southern California, shot blind leaning camera back for sun rays

The concept is quite simple, and some of you may have tried it before. If you are using a dSLR with a fisheye lens or wide-angle lens, and are used to shooting through the viewfinder, you simply push your rig out towards the subject with your arms extended, point the rig at a slight upwards angle, and take the photo without shooting through the viewfinder.  I'll often take several shots at slightly different angles.

This allows the camera to get much closer to a subject like a sea lion, shark or baitball then you normally would, and it also allows for a better upward angle than you could get keeping your eye on the viewfinder. It takes a little practise to be able to compose correctly, but it is not that difficult to learn.

Demonstation of shooting blind underwater

Blind Shooting Underwater Photos

Baitball shot with the blind shooting technique.

Selfie in a bait ball shot with the blind shooting technique.

Huge bait ball in La Paz.

A school of fish swims away under a sunburst. By pushing my rig forward and shooting blind, I was able to get the rig under the fish and shoot upwards, getting the sun in the photo.

My dive buddy engulfed in a bait ball. Shooting blind allowed me to get a better upward angle on this shot, than if I had kept my eye on the viewfinder.

Further Reading

• 10 Essential Ambient Light Photo Tips

• Lightroom for the Rest of Us

• Must-Pack Items for your Underwater Photo Trip

About the Author

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel and the Underwater Photography Guide. He enjoys helping others learn underwater photography online, in the store and during international photo trips he attends with customers.

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