PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Course

Take great underwater photos

Through trial and error, you can spend hours learning underwater photography, or you can simply take a shortcut! In this course, you will be taught professional tricks and tips for taking great photos underwater. You will also learn the best ways to capture videos with a GoPro or other action camera.

Independent Study- PADI eLearning

With this online course, you can easily learn underwater photography fundamentals along with composition, shooting angles, lighting, and photographer etiquette. One can easily fit photography lessons into a hectic routine with the help of PADI eLearning. The independent study part of the course can be completed whenever and wherever it’s convenient to you. Online or offline, you can work at your own pace using a mobile device or a computer. Also, you can talk to your instructor for in-water training and in case of any doubts.

eLearning time commitment: 2-4 hours

At the dive shop- With your instructor

You will be doing two dives in order to get hands-on experience of taking photos with a compact camera or action camera. You can use your own or rent one. For getting excellent shots, you will be using the SEA (Shoot, Examine, Adjust) method.

Prerequisites: Certified diver / Junior OW Diver (or qualifying certification)

Total time commitment: 2 days

Minimum age: 10 years or older

Medical requirements

Keep the following things in mind regarding medical requirements for scuba diving:

• One should have a minimum level of health and fitness for scuba diving. In case of any chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery, one may have to get written approval from a physician before the dive. 
• In order to avoid any hassle, you can download and review the Diver Medical form. With this, you can know before enrolling in a scuba course that you will not need a physician’s approval for diving.
• You should not ask for any medical advice from instructors, divemasters, and dive shop staff as they are not physicians. Only medical professionals can give medical clearance to scuba dive. 
• In case of any confusion regarding medical fitness, you can contact the experts at Divers Alert Network (DAN).

Prerequisites & Minimum Age

Minimum Age: 10 years 

Course prerequisites: (Junior) Open Water Diver or equivalent entry-level certification

Other Costs & Equipment

PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course comprises knowledgeable development as well as in-water training for certification. If you buy a PADI eLearning course, then only the knowledge development part is covered. In order to complete your certification with a PADI instructor, there will be an additional cost. The charges will depend on class size, environment, and whether or not you need to rent scuba diving equipment. For more details about pricing, contact Dive Andaman, which is a 5-star PADI centre in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep). Along with basic scuba equipment, you will also be requiring a digital underwater camera and a computer or other device in order to download and view images. Depending on your camera system, your instructor may suggest additional equipment and accessories. It is highly recommended that you use your own camera, strobes, etc. during the course. By doing so, you will become familiar with their functioning.

Time Commitment

PADI eLearning: 2-4 hours

Entire course: 2 days

Available Languages

English

Contact Dive Andaman for information on other available languages. 

System Requirements

The online courses of PADI work on the browsers listed below: Ensure that your browser is updated to have the best experience.

• Chrome
• Safari
• Edge
• Firefox

You can also study at a location that has no internet access. Just use the PADI Training app to download course content and study offline. You can download the content in small sections with a total file size of around 13.9 MB. You can upload your progress when you get back online. This will help you in resuming your training right where you left off. The app is available for Android as well as Apple iOS devices. Devices should not be more than three models old and updated with the latest Operating System (OS). 

What after the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course?

The first dive of the Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty course may be counted toward your Advanced Open Water Diver certification. Ask your instructor at Dive Andaman about earning credit. Each completed PADI speciality is a step closer to earning the elite Master Scuba Diver rating.

Best sites for underwater photography & videography in Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

Havelock Island is known for having a total of nine outstanding locations that are great spots for diving as well as underwater photography. Going under the depths of these waters is exactly the type of experience that you are looking for.

Barracuda City

For beginners, this is simply the best spot for diving. It is completely different from other locations as you can see long strips of coral belts with the perfect blend of hard as well as soft coral populations. Its rich ecosystem offers tons of fish of diverse species and colours. And if you are lucky enough, then you can spot wandering sea turtles near the corals. 

Turtle Bay

As evident from the name, Turtle Bay has plenty of sea turtles. Moreover, you can also spot corals and Rays in abundance here. This spot is perfect for you if you are a true lover of natural marine life. The depth of water doesn’t exceed fourteen meters, thus making it a decent destination for inexperienced divers. 

Seduction Point

Divers looking for something exclusive should know that this is a perfect diving spot in Havelock Island owing to the shallow water, a large number of inhabitants including Napoleons, and a dense population of hard staghorn corals. 

Mac Point

Popular for hard corals and small groups of fish, you can reach this place by boat. The capital animal of Andaman- Dugong, which is also known as sea-cow, can be easily spotted here. 

Aquarium

Promising a lot to beginners, this spot is a bit offshore at a distance of three kilometres from Elephant Beach. It houses fringing reefs that are crowded with large groups of colourful fishes. 

The Wall

Allowing for a very unique view of the underwater world, this is a huge underwater rock that drops down to 56 meters. 

Minerva Ledge

It is simply described as an enormous block of hard corals in clear waters, with sea dwellers including sharks. The site is only recommended for experienced divers. 

Pilot Reef

Only recommended for experienced divers, this is a long strip of the underwater canyon, which is nearly 24 meters deep. 

Lighthouse

If you want to witness the perfect balance of vibrant fish and soft & hard corals, then this is your one-stop destination. The water is shallow but gets deeper as you move farther from the shore. 

Other scuba diving sites in Havelock Island are as mentioned below. These are also great for underwater photography.

• M4
• Jackson’s Bar
• Jonny George
• Broken Ledge
• Dicksons Pinnacle
• Whitehouse Rock
• MV Mars
• Red Pillar
• The Slope
• Purple Haze
• S.S. Inchkett

Please note: Consumption of alcohol or any other intoxicating products is strictly prohibited before scuba diving.

Things to carry for scuba diving

• Towel
• Water bottle
• Extra set of clothes
• Personal medicine kit, if needed

Reaching Havelock Island

There are ferries plying from Port Blair that take nearly two and a half hours to reach Havelock Island. Booking in advance is not mandatory. You can ask your hotel/resort receptionist to book it for you.

In Havelock Island, you can indulge yourself in the fascinating activity of scuba diving and make your trip unforgettable. Second, to none, its rich marine life and coral population offers a great experience. When you are under the water, vibrant and colourful fish will surround you. If you want to become a licensed or professional diver, then you will be happy to know that Dive Andaman located in Havelock Island offers different certifications as well as fun dives. You can dive at different dive sites around the world once you get the diving card.

We know that ticking off scuba diving from your bucket list is long due, and Havelock Island is the best place in Andaman to do it. Book your dive with us to have the best experience ever! This 5-star PADI facility will take care of all your requirements to ensure that you have a wonderful dive.