Essential Tips about Focus Lights for Underwater Photographers

Adam Hanlon and Alex Mustard offer a wide range of advice about selecting and using focus lights for underwater photography.
See Alex's work at www.amustard.com
Wetpixel is the source for all things to do with underwater imaging: wetpixel.com

[@danielmcmullen871]

Hi adam I'm having trouble with my camera focusing at depth when it's pretty dark and there isn't much ambient light available. Would a focus light be beneficial?

[@markoperisic2353]

Great series what about a talk on explaining back lighting techniques

[@Wetpixel-Live]

Hi-Thank you! We are trying to avoid "technique" focused discussions, but aim to focus on discussing equipment and ideas...

[@rollin1969]

Thank you guys. What about focus lights in the strobes? Do you use those?

[@Wetpixel-Live]

I do not (and I have not seen Alex doing so). I tend to move my strobes around a lot to try and light my subjects creatively. This often means that the strobe's timing lights are not actually aimed at the subject!

[@sebastienmille]

Hi Adam, I liked the comment about interest to have focus light with spot beam when visibility is bad. I dont have either spot light on mine like Adam. I was thinking about building a cap in neoprene with a hole in the center to reduce the beam of the light, attached with scratch (or even tape if you dont change during such low visibility dive); like a snoot... Have you ever tried this please? Sebastien

[@Wetpixel-Live]

Not specifically, but I now have a focus light with both a spot and wide beam :)