The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course is a two-part (Level One and Level Two) introduction to digital underwater photography centered around today’s point-and-shoot digital cameras.

The course helps divers develop the knowledge, skills and practical techniques necessary to obtain excellent photographs with a digital camera, even on their first photo dive. This specialty is a materials-driven course intended for a broad audience – snorkelers, Discover Scuba Diving participants*, Open Water Diver students* and certified divers. The course is primarily for those interested in learning the basics of digital underwater photography.

Level One of the course guides students in achieving good results easily, even if they’ve never used a digital camera before. It is designed as an introduction to course skills and knowledge. In Level One, students learn what equipment they need to take great underwater photographs, how to prepare their underwater photo system and basic underwater photo techniques while diving in an environmentally friendly manner. Level One training is open to snorkelers, Open Water Diver students* and certified divers.

Students who successfully complete Level One may receive a PADI certification card. Level One skill development may be conducted in a pool/confined water or in open water. After students successfully complete Level One, they may move on to Level Two to learn how to make their photographs even better.

Level Two expands what they need to know about file formats, resolution settings, making their images lighter or darker, getting good color, composing their photo, downloading photographs into their computer and adjusting them to look their best. Level Two training is open to snorkelers and certified divers. You conduct Level Two skill development in open water. Participants who successfully complete Level Two skill development qualify for the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty certification.