Milestones in Underwater Photography

[tkelly]

The first underwater photograph...

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/milestones-underwater-photography#/hogfish_1428_600x450.jpg

[sorvju-f]

The first underwater photograph...

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/milestones-underwater-photography#/hogfish_1428_600x450.jpg

It was nice to see like a part of the history. My first one was unclear and out of focus shot from seahorse in Red Sea and I still have it.

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

The first underwater COLOR photograph...

I like this one in the series: (Jacques Yves Cousteau by Luis Marden)

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/013/overrides/cousteau-fish-school_1393_600x450.jpg

(Linked here, not reposted)

[Jonathan Bird]

They also have images by Bates Littlehales (David Doubilet's hero), Emory Kristof, Flip Nicklin and of course David himself in that little photo essay. Cool post Todd!

[tkelly]

Notice that the second or third picture is the original u/w flash unit...a bunch of burning phosphorous floating on the surface.

[Jonathan Bird]

Yeah, I love the flash unit!

[sorvju-f]

Yeah, I love the flash unit!

This flash unit is nice to take with you when flying...better to take it like carryonbaggage:D .

Jukka

[tkelly]

I can just image trying to explain to airport security:

"that residue on your blue gloves...from rubbing me down...that's just left over from packing my flash unit."

[Clay Coleman]

The first underwater photograph...

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/milestones-underwater-photography#/hogfish_1428_600x450.jpg

Not quite. It may be the first color shot, but Louis Boutan took his first underwater pictures in 1893.

[tkelly]

Don't confuse the issue with these alleged "facts"...the National Geo article probably meant first good photo...:)