Featuring Denise Pietsch
It only takes one great shot to get hooked on underwater photography. But where do you go from there? Denise Pietsch, Director of Social Media and Marketing, gives you her advice on how to find your own unique style and fuel your passion for creating images with impact.
If you’re trying to replicate someone else you’re always going to end up short and unsatisfied. Finding your style will help establish your artistic voice and set yourself apart. Whether you’re looking to get published, grow a social media following, win photography competitions, get brand representation, or just create cool art - individuality is key.
Find Inspiration
First, find out what you like. I know I just said don’t copy other people but you do need inspiration! Are you drawn to abstract macro or wide angle? What types of photos catch your eye when you’re scrolling? What shots make you wonder how the photographer captured it? Are there common elements among these shots? Follow that lead!
What Drives You?
Focus on personal interests. Are you into diving for the novelty, the conservation, the aesthetic, the sport? Use your personal interests to shape your style. Close Focus Wide Angle can help tell a story about a specific animal and their surrounding habitat. Abstract macro might scratch the itch of a novelty seeker.
Get Creative
Experiment with different techniques. You might be surprised by what winds up engaging you the most. The style of photo and video you like to watch might be different than what you like to shoot!
Trust Your Instincts
When you have that “ah-ha!” moment, keep going with it and take note of what inspired you.
Don’t Hit Delete
Don’t trash your "trash" images. It’s a good learning lesson - you find out what you don’t like or what’s not working for you. Plus, you might just be able to make some magic out of that manure, watch Steve Miller's video Underwater Photo Editing: Trash to Treasure Using Lightroom for inspiration.
Some of the most important lessons I've learned have been from fellow divers during surface intervals while reviewing images. If you're looking for some one-on-one advice our photo pro's are always ready to connect! Image © Logan Wood
Connect with Others
Ask for help! Ask your dive buddies or your favorite artistic friend for constructive criticism. We’ve got a ton of free resources on different shooting styles, subjects, and destinations on our Advice page and every week in our Weekly Newsletter and YouTube channel.
Get Out and Shoot!
Lastly, and most importantly, just keep shooting! Often we find our style in retrospect, it develops over time and with practice we see repeating patterns that become our style.
I got this shot mostly by accident while descending a blue hole in the Bahamas, now I've added this style to my arsenal of creative tricks to practice on future dives. © Denise Pietsch
Additional Viewing
How to Find Something to Photograph Underwater
The BEST Piece of Advice as a Beginner Underwater Photographer [VIDEO]
Super Macro Underwater Photography Techniques
Close Focus Wide Angle In Depth
Underwater Photo Editing: Trash to Treasure Using Lightroom [VIDEO]
What I Wish I Knew When I Started in Underwater Photography [VIDEO]
Motion Blur Underwater Photography Settings and Technique
Denise Pietsch (pronounced “Peach”) currently manages Ikelite’s Photo School and social media presence. Denise hails from New Jersey, where she obtained a degree in Dance Therapy. After years teaching dance she migrated into the corporate world and eventually came around to Ikelite via the natural career path of fruit distribution and early childhood development. In the end, her lifelong love of photography and octopuses combined into the work she does now. In addition to sharing her energy and enthusiasm with the underwater community she also manages social media for her dog, Joe, collects vinyl records, and enjoys creating memories with her friends and family.
