Congratulations to David Welch and Reece Swart for winning our underwater photography competition!

The categories were Free-Swimming Fish and People, and each winner walks away with a R500 voucher from Dive Team for their incredible photos. A big thank-you to Dive Team for sponsoring the prizes and supporting our divers’ creativity!

Our judge, Guido Zsilavecz, shared some valuable insights on underwater photography that we just had to pass along.

📸 Tips on Photographing People Underwater

Photographing divers can be surprisingly challenging. As soon as your buddy spots your camera, they often pose, flash the “OK” signal, or stare straight into the lens — which doesn’t always make for the most natural shot.

A diver in the frame can add a great sense of scale and immersion, but the key is making them look natural. That means learning how to position yourself, control your buoyancy, and choose where to look — none of which comes instinctively underwater.

From the photographer’s perspective, the challenge is to make the image interesting and balanced while ensuring the subject’s face is well-lit (if they’re close enough). With limited visibility and the dark wetsuits common in our local waters, lighting becomes even more complicated.

The best approach? Practice. Talk to your dive buddies beforehand about what kind of shots you’re aiming for and how they can help. Then, it’s just a matter of waiting for that perfect moment when everything aligns — and clicking the shutter.

🐟 Tips on Photographing Free-Swimming Fish

Capturing fish on the move is all about patience, awareness, and respect for your subjects. Avoid chasing or crowding the animals; instead, position yourself where they’re likely to pass and let them come to you.

Use slow, controlled movements to avoid stirring up silt or startling them. Keep an eye on your lighting — fish are often more reflective than we realize, and a poorly balanced strobe can wash out their colors.

Finally, just like with people, the magic comes from observation and timing. Wait for that fleeting moment when the fish’s posture, background, and light come together, and then take the shot.

Once again, congratulations to David and Reece for their stunning submissions, and thank you to everyone who entered! Keep your cameras charged and your lenses clean — we can’t wait to see what you capture next.