Michael Aw with Mathieu Meur

“HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THE PROS, THE MASTERING OF PHOTOGRAPHIC CRAFTSMANSHIP to create beautiful images of our Ocean Planet in today’s Digital World of Photography. Michael Aw and Mathieu Meur have become the Essential Mentors to thousands of underwater photographers, and here is your opportunity to reach new heights with your Underwater Photography with this fast track to success book! “ Ernie Brooks

Essential Digital Underwater Photography Masterclass by Michael Aw with Mathieu Meur is a book that serves as a complete underwater photography guide and includes Photoshop techniques for creating inspiring pictures. It starts you off with the basics and channels your creativity to greater heights, guiding you on the path to creating beautiful images beneath the water’s surface. It will also help teach you the art form of photography and the essentials of digital imaging. Additionally, the book will open your eyes to the enjoyment of underwater photography.

This volume offers aspiring photographers step-by-step, comprehensive instructions on how to master the art of digital underwater photography and how to capture the best possible images. Both beginners and advanced shooters can benefit from reading and studying them. The book allows you to quickly refer to individual parts that the authors call “modules,” to acquire knowledge of particular interest to you, or follow the step-by-step How-to sections. Experienced shooters may choose to fast-track the learning process through the masterclass lessons. For easy reference, each module is color-coded.

Perfect bound 128pp Text + 4pp cover
148cm x 210cm H folded
Matt Art free Paper
Part proceeds from this book will go to the Ocean Geographic SOS (Save Our Sea) Fund.

Essential Digital Underwater Photography Masterclass
$AUD/ SGD 28.80  (includes postage and packaging within Australia, Malaysia & Singapore)

 $USD 28.80 (including postage and packaging worldwide)

THIS BOOK IS AN ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for those who want to shoot beautiful underwater pictures. The modules are precise and well thought-out giving detailed descriptions and explanations for using cameras, exposure, use of light and shooting techniques for all aspects of underwater imageries. A generous number of colourful graphics and photographs are used to illustrate techniques and key points of underwater captures to photo editing and fi le management using Photoshop. With clear step-by-step ‘how to’ tutorials, and inspirational examples of the photographers’ craft, the authors share with you the fine art of composition and other secrets for making successful underwater pictures.

“A definitive work packed with readily absorbed INFORMATION, tips and techniques that have made his underwater images admired around the world, Michael Aw’s, ‘Essential Underwater Photography Masterclass’ will undoubtedly come to be regarded as a classic of its kind.” David Strike – Editor, Nektonix/ “Organiser, OZTeK”

Both Michael and his regular collaborator Mathieu Meur have an extremely rich and deep history in all aspects of the art of underwater photography, which they have shared the golden heart of in this informative book. This is a truly essential guide; lightweight and portable, yet containing a wealth of practical information, which will serve photographers at virtually any level.

Readers will find the modular structure of the book really easy to follow. In module one, the basics of digital photography are broken down to ground level and addressed in clear language with ample diagrams and examples. Topics such as understanding exposure, shutter speeds and resolution will provide beginners, who are just embarking on their underwater photographic journey, with the building blocks to make sense of the underwater specifics in the rest of the book.

Module two moves on to the science and practicalities of shooting underwater as opposed to land and also introduces different lighting approaches. There are plenty of relevant photos throughout the whole book which provide a visual context for the techniques being explained.

Moving on from the necessary technical information, the next module deals with the more aesthetic aspects of photography; composition and artistic approach. From the machinery of the tools to the magic of the results, the art is as critical as the mechanics in achieving success in this field.

Though the world has moved on from the days of film, post processing is still as valid and necessary as it was when we consigned our precious films to a professional development lab. The difference now, however, is that the darkroom is in our own hands. Thus it is vital to understand how to approach picture management and the digital workflow. This is all covered in module four with some really useful tips on getting the best from the raw material stored on your memory cards after a productive dive.

Finally, module five goes on to provide more advanced techniques and much food for thought including shooting with models, using continuous light and next steps such as entering competitions.

This accomplished guide is written in an easy to read, informal style. In some ways the most valuable parts of the book are the comprehensive hints sections sprinkled throughout. If you only read these useful little nuggets you would be well prepared to get in the water and get shooting. However, I highly recommend you read the whole book and I guarantee it will expand your own underwater photography world to a totally new level.

Essential Digital Underwater Photography Masterclass
$AUD/ SGD 28.80  (includes postage and packaging within Australia, Malaysia & Singapore)

 $USD 28.80 (including postage and packaging worldwide)