There aren’t many styles of underwater imagery that grab hold of the imagination quite like the split-level, or “over-under” photo. The magic of being able to see the underwater world juxtaposed with the topside environment captures the imagination of both divers and nondivers alike. The over-under has become such a popular style that it’s become the Holy Grail of underwater photography. And while the average shooter may believe he’ll never be able to master it, with a little planning and the right equipment an over-under shot is actually a simple photo to take. Here are some top tips to utilise when attempting the over-under.

Have the Right Equipment

In order to take successful over-under photos you will need a large dome port (preferably eight inch or bigger) and a very wide lens. The lens of choice is a fisheye for its depth of field and close minimum focus point. However, if you don’t own a fisheye lens, a wide rectilinear lens will also work well. Although not ideal, split photos can be taken with compact cameras. Once again, you’ll need a dome port in order to make it happen. Many manufacturers provide an interchangeable dome port that can be affixed to several brands of compact camera housings.