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Texas Scuba Academy
SDI Underwater Photographer Diver
Open Water certifiedSDI Certified

SDI Underwater Photographer Diver

Learn the equipment, light, and composition skills to bring home underwater photos worth showing.

$299.95Enrollment Open
Have questions? Call (512) 489-4404
  • ✓eLearning access as soon as you check out
  • ✓We’ll be in touch to schedule your sessions
Taught by Brady Huddleston
SDI Course Director & Instructor Trainer · PADI IDC Staff Instructor · American Red Cross Instructor
Meet the team

What's included

✓SDI eLearning and course materials
✓Personal instruction from a certified SDI Instructor
✓All required training equipment provided
✓Lifetime SDI certification, recognized worldwide
✓Flexible scheduling — we handle the pool location and gear
“Best decision I made. The instructors were patient, the small class size meant real attention, and I booked everything online without a single phone call.”
— Recent Open Water graduate

Who it's for

This course builds on prior certification and experience — here's what you'll need before you start.

✓
SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalentRequired entry-level scuba certification
✓
Minimum age 1810 years old permitted with parental consent

What you'll learn

Knowledge Development

✓Variation of light underwater, color correction, strobes vs. video lights, selective color absorption, and backscatter
✓Film considerations: color balance, grain, resolving power, latitude, contrast, and color reversal
✓Digital photography: capture media, memory technology, printing, and post-dive review
✓Camera use: equipment types, handling procedures, and camera settings
✓Photographic subjects: composition, light enhancement, subject selection, use of models, and marine conservation
✓Equipment care in saltwater/freshwater and flooded-camera procedures

Practical Training

✓Equipment familiarization and handling before entry
✓Dive planning and composition fundamentals
✓Safe underwater entry and exit while managing camera equipment
✓Maintain situational awareness of depth, time, air consumption, and buddy while shooting
✓Photograph both stationary and moving subjects across multiple dive sites and lighting conditions
✓Safe ascent procedures with a safety stop

Frequently asked questions

You'll need access to an underwater camera system for the in-water sessions. Options range from action cameras in housings (GoPro style) to dedicated compact cameras with underwater housings to full mirrorless systems. We can advise on what makes sense for your budget and goals when you register.

Simple process

How it works

💻

eLearning at home

Complete the academic portion online at your own pace — videos, quizzes, no classroom required.

🌊

Open water dives at the lake

Skills and dives happen at a local dive site, on a date we set with you.

🎓

Get certified

Finish your dives and we issue your certification — card in hand, recognized worldwide.

Ready?

Ready to get in the water?

Book online in minutes. eLearning starts instantly. We’ll be in touch to schedule.

Call (512) 489-4404

Already certified? Advanced Adventure Diver is a popular next step.