PADI Dive Centre Pro Photographer Course

The PADI Dive Centre Pro Photographer Course is a 30-Dive PADI Distinctive Speciality Course written by professional underwater photographer Alex Tyrrell. The course is aimed at experienced divers who would like to learn advanced underwater photography skills. The first 10-dives concentrate on close-up and macro techniques; the following 10-dives focuses on wide-angle and the final section of the course gives you two options depending on your personal interests and future career goals. Option A will teach you how to implement photographic services within a Dive Centre or Dive Resort, whereas Option B will show you how to understand and document marine life behaviour. This course will provide a level of underwater photography training not previously available from any Scuba Diving Training Agency! Utilising the most current underwater photography theory and techniques, at the end of this intensive three-week course you will be proficient in many aspects of underwater photography, marine life behaviour, workflow management, post-processing techniques and image presentation.

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Why Choose the PADI Dive Centre Pro Photographer Course?

The PADI Dive Centre Pro-Photographer Distinctive Speciality course can be broken down into four main objectives. First of all to teach the student underwater photography theory and techniques through knowledge development sessions, together with post-dive image review sessions and continual reinforcement of advanced diving & underwater photographic techniques. Then, through knowledge development sessions and continual practice, the student will learn file management workflow and post-processing techniques using professional-level image organisation, manipulation and presentation software packages. They will then apply the information and techniques covered in the knowledge development sessions to practical experiences during photo-dives, image post-processing and the completion of photographic assignments. Finally the student will apply the knowledge and experience from the first three objectives to the practical application depending on which option they elect; either photographing divers within a dive centre or dive resort environment, or alternatively documenting marine life behaviour.

PADI-Dive-Centre-Pro-Photographer-Great-Barracuda

The course outline is structured into three main sections and the techniques that are covered, equipment used and tasks that are set gradually become more advanced as the course progresses.

Photo-Dives 1-10
Concentrate on basic underwater photography knowledge and skills, starting off with a simple single strobe macro set up, then introducing close-up lenses from dives 6-10. Basic file management and post-processing techniques will be covered in this section.

Photo-Dives 11-20
Concentrate on wide-angle photography, using a dedicated wide-angle lens that is essential for high quality images. Starting with ambient light and colour correction filter photography, progressing onto the more the challenging skill of balanced lighting using strobes during photo-dives 15-20. Advanced file management options and post-processing techniques specific to wide-angle images will be then covered.

A Photographic Assignment is set after the completion of Dive No. 10 and Dive No. 20. The student is required to a present a portfolio of 20-images that demonstrate specific photographic techniques and compositional styles.

Photo-Dives 21-30
Option (A) will specifically concentrate on photographing divers, covering the techniques needed for wide-angle images of both underwater models and certified divers/student divers in training, plus the preparation and planning stages. Batch-processing techniques will be introduced enabling an efficient workflow, and image presentation options will be covered, including the creation of slideshows. During photo-dives 27-30 the student will practice independently planning and executing photo-dives to shoot both certified divers and student divers in training.

Option (B) focuses on documenting marine life, so photo-dives 21-26 will cover the techniques needed for photographing marine life and marine life behaviour, as well as outlining the research, preparation and planning stages essential for maximising the chances of encountering the target species and capturing behavioural images. Batch-processing techniques will be introduced enabling an efficient workflow, and image presentation options will be covered, including the creation of slideshows. During photo-dives 27-30 the student will practice independently planning and executing photo-dives to document a specific topic (species, dive site, environment, etc.), based on prior research and experience gained on previous photo dives and then build a mini-slideshow to showcase the images captured.

PADI-Dive-Centre-Pro-Photographer-Gorgonian-Shrimp

The final Photographic Assignment to finish the three-week course is for the student to compile a 30-image portfolio taken during the course, presented in a slideshow. There should be a minimum of 10 images taken during dives 21-30 included.

The maximum student to instructor ration for this course is 4:1 however to ensure personal attention we limit to 2:1. We only teach more than 2 students upon special request. If you would like to guarantee 1-on-1 tuition ratio please Contact Dive4Photos for details of the additional cost.

Not all underwater photography is conducted using SCUBA, so the student may also complete a 2-hour snorkelling photography session, normally conducted towards the end of the course to ensure familiarity with the camera equipment and underwater photographic theory and techniques. We are fortunate to have a population of Black-Tip Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) resident for the majority of the year around the south-east beaches of Koh Tao, and it is also very common to encounter large Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) while snorkelling in this area. The snorkelling session is a recommended skill, so if the conditions are unfavourable or time is limited, then this will be omitted.

PADI-Dive-Centre-Pro-Photographer-Snorkel-Session-Blacktip-Reef-Shark

Throughout the course students will receive continual emphasis on diving in an environmentally friendly manner and practicing environmentally friendly photographic techniques. They will be taught to respect the marine environment and the unique creatures that inhabit this realm. There will be special consideration to fine-tuning buoyancy control, perfecting finning techniques, emphasising the need for spatial awareness and multi-tasking abilities, and to develop photo-dive planning skills to incorporate safe diving procedures and practices, while simultaneously accomplishing the photographic tasks in hand.

Alex will be in the water with you during all your dives, so he can assist you with camera settings, strobe positioning, composition, approach techniques & subject selection, for hands-on teaching at the time of shooting, as well as making notes to provide feedback after the dive. He will review your photos and provide advice on how to improve your images on subsequent dives. You will get approx. 7-hours of training per day with a professional underwater photographer, so over 100-hours throughout the duration of the course!

With the digital age the darkroom has moved onto our computer screen, so digital file management and photo editing software knowledge is now an essential skill. In this regard a large proportion of the planned classroom time will be dedicated to workflow management and post-processing techniques, using the professional level software package, Adobe Lightroom. The student will be shown basic workflow management and post-processing techniques, and when these have been mastered, they will progress to more advanced techniques, including local adjustments, batch processing and building slideshows. Throughout the classroom sessions, the students images will be critiqued and suggestions provided on how to improve. By the end of the course they will be proficient in both file management workflow and post-processing techniques, enabling them to perform both tasks independently and efficiently.

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Course Summary:
Duration:
No. Dives:
Classroom Time:
Student to Instructor Ratio:
Camera Equipment Included:
Prerequisite Certification:

3-Weeks (15-Diving Days)
30-Dives
Approx. 45-Hours
2:1 Maximum
Yes, compact camera system with upgrade option
PADI Rescue Diver with 50+ Logged Dives
(or equivalent level from another training agency)

Course Summary:
• 3-Weeks Duration (15-Diving Days)
• 30-Dives
• Approx. 45-Hours Classroom Time
• 2:1 Max. Student/Instructor Ratio
• Compact Camera System Included
• PADI Rescue Diver & 50-Dives Min.
• (or equivalent from another training agency)

Dive4Photos-Pro-Camera-Equipment-Options

Pro-Camera Upgrade: 3-weeks 12,000 THB or 1-week 6,000 THB
Two complete systems available that Include: Nikon DSLR's in Subal housings with Backscatter AirLock System, Subal 8” Dome Port, Flat Ports & Extensions, Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye Lens, Nikon 105mm VR, Nikon 60mm & Nikon 40mm Macro Lenses, Inon Z330 Strobes, plus Kraken Hydra 1500 Focus Lights

Pro-Camera Upgrade:
Two complete systems available that Include: Nikon DSLR's in Subal housings with Backscatter AirLock System, Subal 8” Dome Port, Flat Ports & Extensions, Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye Lens, Nikon 105mm VR, Nikon 60mm & Nikon 40mm Macro Lenses, Inon Z330 Strobes, plus Kraken Hydra 1500 Focus Lights

3-weeks 12,000 THB
or 1-week 6,000 THB

Please check the Course Calendar for available dates & scheduled courses

Check the Course Calendar for available dates & scheduled courses

Booking Enquiry

79,000 THB (30-dives included)
PADI Digital Underwater Photography manual & certification fees included

If you would like to complete both Option (A) Shooting Divers & Option (B) Documenting Marine Life please schedule for 1-week extra to be added to the course duration, at an additional cost of 25,000 THB

Buddy Promo: Bring a friend who enrols on the same photo course and you both receive a 10% discount

Includes use of the following camera equipment:
• Sony RX100V digital camera with full manual controls
• Nauticam NA-RX100V aluminium housing
• Inon Z330 & AOI Q1 strobes
• Ultralight trays & handles, arms, clamps, buoyancy arms, Stix floats
• Wide-Angle Lens - Inon UWL95S-XD & UWL-H100 with Dome Units
• Macro Lenses - Nautical CMC-2, SubSee +5 & +10
• Nauticam Flip Adapter, Inon XD & Saga Bayonet Mounts
• Kraken Hydra focus lights
• Magic Filters (blue-water colour-correction filters)
• Special reduced-rate DSLR camera hire (Nikon Camera & Subal Housing)

And the use of the following facilities:
• Private air-condition edit suite
• Dedicated camera-prep area with individual spot lights
• Charging Station with surge protection
• Silicon grease, towels, tools, & air blowers
• Protective transport boxes for camera
• MacBook Pro with Lightroom Classic for image review & post processing
• USB3/C memory card reader
• Internet access for research & photo uploads
• Marine life ID & magazine library

Plus on the dives:
• Koh Tao's most spacious & comfortable dive boat
• 60-90 minute dive times (air supply & NDL's permitting)
• Separate rinse tanks for cameras & dive gear
• Secure area for camera storage pre & post dive
• Dry area for safe lens & battery changes
• On-board equipment room (no carrying of dive-gear)
• Free tea, coffee, Ovaltine & drinking water
• First-Aid room with Oxygen on-board
• Nitrox available for extended NDL's (extra charges apply)

Cost: 79,000 THB
(30-dives included)
PADI DUP manual & certification fees incl.

Buddy Promo: Bring a friend who enrols on the same photo course and you both receive a 10% discount

If you would like to complete both Option (A): Shooting Divers & Option (B): Documenting Marine Life please schedule for 1-week extra to be added to the course duration, at an additional cost of 25,000 THB

Price includes:
• Sony RX100V digital camera
• Nauticam NA-RX100V housing
• Inon Z330 & AOI Q1RC strobes
• Fibre-optic cables
• Sync Cords (Nikonos & Ikelite)
• ULCS trays, arms & clamps
• Stix & ULCS buoyancy arms
• Inon Wide-Angle Lenes
• SubSee +5 & +10 Macro Lenses
• Nauticam CMC-2 Macro Lens
• Nauticam Flip Adapter
• Inon XD & Saga Bayonet Mount
• Kraken Hydra 1500 focus lights
• Magic Filters (colour-correction)
• Special price DSLR camera hire

Facilities:
• Private air-condition edit suite
• Dedicated camera-prep area
• Charging Station
• Silicon grease, towels & tools
• Protective camera transport boxes
• MacBook Pro for image review
• Lightroom CC for image editing
• USB3/C memory card reader
• Internet access for research
• Marine life ID & magazine library

Dive Boat:
• Koh Tao's most spacious dive boat
• No maximum dive-time limits
• Rinse tanks for camera & dive gear
• Secure area for camera storage
• Dry area for lens/battery changes
• On-board equipment room
• Free tea, coffee, Ovaltine & water
• First-Aid room with Oxygen
• Nitrox available (extra charge)

Additional Costs (if needed):
• Full Scuba Equipment hire 300 THB per day
• Suunto Dive Computers hire 100 THB per day

Additional Costs (if needed):
• Scuba Equipment 300 THB per day
• Dive Computer 100 THB per day

Upon completion of this course you will earn a PADI Certification Card

Upon completion of this course you will earn a PADI Certification Card

Upon completion of this course you will earn a PADI Certification Card

It is highly recommended that students have their own laptop computer to perform workflow management and post-processing. This will enable image review and practice of editing techniques outside of the normal training hours for improved knowledge retention. However, Dive4Photos offers free use of a MacBook Pro if necessary.

If you do not already own a license for the industry standard professional level editing software package Adobe Lightroom CC Classic, you can utilise Adobe’s free 7-day trial option at the start of the course and then activate a monthly subscription.

When using your own camera, it is recommended to bring at least one spare camera battery (especially for compact cameras) to ensure you have sufficient power to complete two long dives where you will be shooting and reviewing images more frequently than usual. Dive4Photos cannot give refunds for dives where you are unable to shoot due to depleted batteries!

Are you planning on making a career from underwater photography?

This is the ultimate underwater photography course, especially for dive professionals, adding extra skills and knowledge to your diving skill-set. Learn how to improve your underwater photography, gain a PADI Certification and add a valuable skill to your Diving CV. Past students are now working as full time photographers and Photo Pros in Dive Centres on Koh Tao; Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia; and Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Dive4Photos can also assist with work placements upon completion of the PADI Dive Centre Pro Photographer Course, as we have contacts at many of the Dive Centres on the island.