First attempt at U/W photography - advice appreciated

These are some picture from my first attempt at U/W photography. Background info: Total dives logged - 11 (still a new diver) Camera Nikon Coolpix L11 with ikelite housing and AF35 strobe. Location Maui March 1, 2008. There have been no photoshop changes to these pictures yet. (But obviously they need it!!!)

Scotttyd - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Hopefully this link works, I have just signed up for photobucket while on my layover here in Phoenix. I know these are FAR from perfect, so please give me constructive advice. I do have average topside photography experience.

The yellow fish, obviously not at the right angle, but what is advice/comments on the coloring? I have quickly learned that swimming fish are nearly impossible to take a picture of (for me anyway).
Many of my pictures where out of focus/overexposed. I kept dialing down my strobe and it seemed as if anything over a 2 had the potential to overexpose, which I guess is what I will have to learn and adjust as I become more competant. As one goes deeper and has less and less natural light, do you need to dial up the exposure? (or am I wrong in thinking this?)

thanks in advance. Bye the way, Herman taught me all I know about u/w photography!!! (well at least what I could learn in 2 hours)

Nice. I am new to it as well and I see your other post about photoshop. I hope you don't mind i ran 2 of them through photoshop and just did auto level adjust to them to bring back some of the lost color. By the way I used to live outside of Raleigh in Cary/Apex area, nice area. I miss N.C. By the way these photoshops took 2 seconds each picture to do.

sasscuba,

Those look better after some processing. What exactly did you do? I just went to Aruba and took many pics, but my white balance is way off. It seems to be so far off that Elements couldn't fix it.

Thanks.

Hi Scotty,

You have a couple of good compositions. Looks to be that either you were too far out (turtle) or the strobe angle was off (shrimp). Sas beat me to PS but looks like you can clean them up a lot. I have it on my laptop if you want to get together and process them when you get home.

Travel Safe

I didn't use Photo Shop on this one, just three clicks with Microsoft office manager. Very basic stuff, but it sure makes a difference.

30 seconds with Picture manager.

Adjust colour: chose red colour and adjusted it a little up
Adjust Brightness and contrast: Midtones a little bit darker + a little more contrast

herman:

Hi Scotty,

You have a couple of good compositions. Looks to be that either you were too far out (turtle) or the strobe angle was off (shrimp). Sas beat me to PS but looks like you can clean them up a lot. I have it on my laptop if you want to get together and process them when you get home.

Travel Safe

Click to expand...

I think I will take you up on the offer, PM sent