Macro photography is always a challenge but underwater, this wonderful kind of capturing the small things in life is taken to the next level. A great underwater macro shot therefore starts with a good research. Of course you can just dive in and – if you are lucky enough – find some great (or shall we say tiny?) things to shoot.

Ann Karin Matberg • OM-D E-M1 • M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm 1:2.8 MACRO
• PT-EP11 • PPO-EP01 • 2 x UFL-3

Luck is great, but preparation is better. It all starts with the macro subject – what are you looking for? At what dive sites and what depths can you find it? Do you have the right equipment and, most of all, the right macro lens? These are questions to be kept in mind when trying to not only take any but THE macro shot of your diving life. It can help to have a look at photos already taken of your object of desire to find out which technique and diving conditions might work best.

Herbert Frei • TG-4 • PT-056 • PTMC-01

Generally, macro photography refers to shooting small subjects at close range. But what does that mean under water?

Juan José Saéz • OM-D E-M1• M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-40mm 1:2.8 PRO
• PT-EP11 • PPO-EP02 • 2 x UFL-3

Usually, it means searching for the very tiny but yet beautiful creatures in all colors and sizes – such as shrimps, crabs, nudibranch and gobies that often remain unnoticed by most divers but are hoped to inspire the “wow” of your photo audiences. Shooting macro underwater means slowing down, carefully observing the endless photo opportunities surrounding us and sometimes it also means investing a whole dive – or even a whole diving holiday – to look for that something special.

David Benz • OM-D E-M1 • M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm 1:2.8 MACRO
• PT-EP11 • PPO-EP01 • 2 x UFL-3

So, it should go without saying that macro photography is undoubtedly a supreme discipline when it comes to underwater photography.

Therefore, brilliant underwater macro shots deserve some attention, which is why OLYMPUS is a proud sponsor of the Global Underwater Photo Competition “World Shootout” in the category MACRO. 

We would like to invite you to take part in the competition and win amazing prizes! Images must have been taken during November 2nd, 2016 until November 1st, 2017.
For more information about the global Photocompetition “World Shootout" click here.

Good luck!

Niklas Nilsson • OM-D E-M1 MarkII • M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm 1:2.8 MACRO
• PT-EP12 • PPO-EP01 • 2 x UFL-3