Underwater Photography Gear Checklist: Everything You Need on Every Dive

Ever shown up to a dive site only to realize you left something critical back at the hotel? That sinking feeling is something every underwater photographer knows too well. In this episode, Camila Reyes shares the comprehensive gear checklist she developed after three years of "did I pack that?" moments, covering everything from camera housings to lighting equipment to the buoyancy considerations most tutorials skip. Whether you're shooting with a compact point-and-shoot or a mirrorless setup, this system will help you arrive at every dive fully prepared and panic-free. Always start dives with a 100% charged battery—75% won't cut it for a two-tank dive day, and topping off the night before prevents mid-dive disappointments. Check your housing's main o-ring before every single dive by wiping it clean and inspecting it under good light; even tiny nicks or debris can compromise your seal. Desiccant packets inside your housing prevent fogging by absorbing trapped moisture, and they need replacing every few dive days, especially in humid environments. Natural light loses red tones completely after about 30 feet, making strobes or video lights essential for bringing back true colors in your images. Proper strobe positioning angled outward and slightly forward prevents backscatter—those frustrating white specks that appear when you illuminate particles in the water. Add a pound or two of extra weight when diving with camera gear since housings tend to be slightly negative, and fighting buoyancy while composing shots ruins image sharpness. Read the full article: https://thescubagearlab.com/underwater-photography-gear-checklist