Michigan offers great opportunities
for underwater photography
Sometimes divers are surprised when they come face to face with unexpected animals like this ornery snapping turtle in the Huron River! Photo copyright Patrick Bevier
As I stood in the shallows of the Northern Lower’s Black River on a cold day in early May, my entire body shook like trembling aspen leaves in an Up North forest. I knew I should call it quits, but the dark, swirling water and the wonders beneath it beckoned me to take another dive. I shook it off and stealthily slid beneath the surface.
This chilly experience involved snorkeling with dozens of living dinosaurs- lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), as they made their upstream journey from Black Lake to “broadcast spawn” over the rocks and sand of the Black River. I was participating in my most passionate pastime of underwater photography. We’re truly blessed that the freshwater lakes and rivers of the Mitten State make it a one-of-a-kind place to see sensational sub-surface spectacles.
The goal of this piece is to provide insight into underwater photography and, hopefully, some inspiration for readers to try it themselves. So, let’s dive right in:
• Excellent Exercise: Snorkeling (and occasionally SCUBA diving) allows the adventurer to encroach on the underwater realm with a whole new perspective of the marvels that are found there. Indeed, soon after the diver dips under the water, they’ll be amazed by the diversity of life that they had no clue was present. It obviously takes physical effort (which adds a plus to the activity in my book) as opposed to simply snaking a wire down from a boat to observe the fish below. It’s harder – and takes more stealth, but it’s immensely more rewarding when capturing shots while literally, “swimming with the fishes!” Anytime I hear that phrase used in movies to describe where a mob victim has disappeared to, I smile and think that I can relate, but fortunately, in a different context.
• Light Levels: The word photography literally means “light picture.” Just like on terra firma, light is critical for an underwater image. So, a well-lit subject, be it fish, frog, turtle, shipwreck, or plant, is super important to capturing a stellar shot. Often, being near the water’s surface is the best bet. Additionally, a strong, overhead sun can sometimes create a beautiful, dappled effect on the subject, which is interesting to the viewer. But the best shots, that capture the true colors of the animal, are created under filtered light conditions that don’t involve the dappling effect or harsh, uneven lighting. This is where taking many shots under various light settings is a must.
• Stealthy Strategies: When diving with a camera, it’s important to remember strategies used when angling for fish in these waters. That is, primarily, that fish, turtles and other aquatic critters will be in and around the structures (fallen logs, drop-offs, vegetation, root wads, etc) where a fisherman would cast their line. Additionally, the diver often needs to approach subjects from behind if possible. This is especially true when photographing fish in rivers, as they’re most often found just downstream from structures that provide them protection and a pipeline of food as it flows downriver. Some of my favorite underwater shots have come when sneaking up on big fish or other animals that are camped out in thick structure.
• Exhilarating Escapades: One of the most invigorating aspects of this activity is that the diver shoots in rivers and glides at the surface, usually in a wetsuit, with the current, capturing videos or stills while cruising past the fish. It’s the closest thing to flying I’ve experienced. It’s so much fun and allows the shooter to cover a lot of water and locate subjects to return to in the process.
• Pesky Particulates: Along with being stealthy and strategic, the diver needs to be aware of the fine, particulate matter that is in the water column. A word to the wise is to be very careful not to stir up the bottom of a lake or river when shooting. I’ve been disappointed myriad times when what I was viewing through my mask and camera viewfinder looked much clearer than when, in reality, there was excessive particulate matter that ruined the quality of the shot. This occurs because the camera didn’t grab focus on the subject, but instead focused on the specks.
• Gotta Get Gear: There is a wide range of underwater cameras, from top-shelf models that professionals use for marine photography (Olympus and SeaLife are popular brands) to self-contained, waterproof point-and-shoot varieties made by OM Systems, Sony and Canon. Through many years of trial and error, I now mount my GoPro HERO10 camera to the MOVO DiveRig3 featuring connectors for a four-light system that provides sufficient illumination in most conditions. Of course – although I think it’s cheating – if someone’s not in a swimming mood, good underwater video cameras that can be dropped from boats or ice fishing shanties include models from the high-performing Aqua-Vu HD series, and Vexilar, and GoFish Cam brands.
• Video Views: One thing I’ve learned recently regarding GoPro shooting strategies is that I can often get better, clearer images by first capturing my subjects in video mode and then editing them to produce single-frame photos from the video. There are several easy-to-follow apps that make this possible, including GoPro Quik, GoPro Player, and Video to Pic. Indeed, on my GoPro, the resolution of a video versus a photo is a crystal clear 5.3K video versus a 20-megapixel still image shot in camera mode.
• Stupendous Subjects: Virtually anything encountered underwater provides interesting captures, from clams rhythmically siphoning water over their gills to colorful turtles swimming in enchanting environs, and curious fish that swim right up to the diver’s mask, to amazing aquatic plants or freshwater sponges that offer form and color one can’t appreciate from a boat.
• Heavenly Haunts: To name only a few, some of my favorite places to shoot underwater are the Huron River Metroparks near Ann Arbor (Hudson Mills is my favorite), the Big Sable River near Ludington, quiet sections of the Detroit River near Grosse Isle, and the often gin-clear waters of lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron. Really, any Up North stream or lake that boasts clear water fits the bill. Do, however, avoid waters with lots of rust-hued tannins like the Tahquamenon and Maple River systems.
That’s just a snapshot of information regarding underwater photography. My hope is that it will inspire readers to try this unique and wondrous activity in the sparkling waters of the Great Lakes State!
