The Secret to Capturing Perfect over/under Images

AquaTech 16” Dome Port

THE SECRET TO CAPTURING THE PERFECT OVER/UNDER IMAGE

The AquaTech PD-16 Dome Port released in 2020 is the ideal dome port for shooting exceptional underwater images and splits shot. The PD-16 is compatible with AquaTech’s entire range of Sport Water Housings for a large variety of professional Mirrorless/ DSLR cameras. AquaTech also suits a wide assortment of cameras and lenses so whatever your setup is you are covered.

Why 16”?

There are in fact many reasons why you would use this specialized equipment, but there are 2 main reasons large dome ports are used for creating over/under images. Magnification and Dome Radius. The curved surface of a dome port counteracts the magnification effect that happens to light when it passes through water. When viewed through a flat surface (like your snorkel mask or a fish tank) subjects underwater will appear bigger than they actually are. This is not a problem when your entire composition is underwater, but when you want to view a subject above and below the surface things begin to get weird…

The large radius of a 16” dome also adds more distance between the camera lens and the water surface. This distance allows the lens to easily see above and below the water plane and also provides a smaller water line in your image which is less distracting and more visually pleasing.

About AquaTech Founded in 1998 AquaTech is a leader in the design and manufacture of photographic accessories used in action water sports, fashion, advertising and lifestyle. From our beginning we have focused on exceptional designs and products offering a range of lightweight and durable Water Housing equipment and accessories. Today AquaTech products and accessories are used by professional and amateur photographers alike in advertising, surfing, sailing, seascape art, fashion, fishing, and more. Headquartered in Woonona, NSW, Australia AquaTech is a globally recognized brand in action water sports with an office in Southern California and retail distributors located in the USA, Europe and Australia.

For more information about AxisGO 13 or AquaTech Imaging Solutions visit www.aquatech.net or visit us on Instagram and Youtube.

When the good guys from AquaTech released the first preview shots of the 16” dome, I felt triggered… in a good way. A split shot is more than just a bubble dome on a lens. It’s a subtle symbiosis between focal length, distance to the front dome part, and - ultimately - the amazing effect of waves, streams, bubbles, and currents. Personally, I believe in creative chaos. The more water I can split in a dynamic fashion, the better. The 16inch dome allows me exactly that. It can comfortably split my entire field of vision on a 14mm/16mm setup all the way to the edges. It’s a godsend. It’s a big piece of equipment but the images are like nothing you will ever see out there… And this is a competitive advantage in a world where ”normal” and ”easy” have been overexposed on social media.

- Stephan Dombaj Jr, Fly Fishing Nation.

For a long time, the secret to capturing the perfect over/under image was kept close to the chest of some of the world’s best water photographers, however we pulled back the curtain and introduced the PD-16, a 16” Dome Port.

Lens Selection It is possible to use a wide variety of lenses and focal lengths in combination with the PD- 16” Dome Port. From fisheyes to 50s, it’s just about possible to fit any wide angle lens in the PD-16. When choosing a lens it is practical to use an extension port in the same fashion as you would when using an 8” dome port to achieve the best results. So if your lens is shown as requiring an extension to work with the PD-85 on our P Series Lens Port Chart, then the same combination would generally apply when using the PD-16”. Over/unders or “split shots” are some of the most sought after images when it comes to underwater photography. They combine the scene above the water level, with the view below the water’s surface to create an image which is not possible to see with the naked eye. They’re an image that connects the terrestrial world with the marine environment from a perspective that can only be seen by the use of specialised equipment.

The PD-16 is a perfect companion accessory for an AquaTech housing for those who want to take their image creation to the next level.

The AquaTech PD-16” Dome is available through its new EU online store at: www.eu.aquatech.net.