How to build an underwater housing...for a MODEL?

[Markw]

Hello everyone! I don't even know if this is commonly, uncommonly, or even never practiced in this way, but I am looking into doing some underwater model photography. In order to do it the way I have anticipated, I will need the model to be under the water, and me to nice, safe, and dry with my D800 and strobes. So, some kind of tank needs to be assembled. It's going to need to be moderately large, quickly making this a large and expensive project, I'm sure. So, I'm asking here if anyone's ever done this, or seen something like this done. If so, how was the tank built? My initial thought immediately goes to acrylic. But, I just don't know. So, does anyone else know?

Thanks!
Mark

 

[Jaemie]

And you will shoot the model through the acrylic?

 

[morganza]

I haven't dont this but I find this idea interesting.

 

[Markw]

I hoped to. I was hoping to unravel this once I found out the options for building. I'm just not sure what other alternatives there are.

Mark

 

[Trever1t]

Stop. You know there are a lot of hotels (think older 1950's) that have a pool with a window that usually opens to a lounge so that the guys having their drinks can watch the fun in the pool above? I know where one is not too far away...I'm saving it for the same type of shoot.

 

[Markw]

Haha! That's great! I just need a place for MY shoot now.

Mark

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Maybe easier/cheaper to rent some huge aquarium space already set up. I'm assuming you want salt water for the sheer see-through effect and better water. Building a tank would be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Perfect lighting already too.

Perhaps make an agreement with them when they are doing maintenance on tank, bringing a new tank online, or have an empty tank.

Virtual Tour

 

[Markw]

Maybe easier/cheaper to rent some huge aquarium space already set up. I'm assuming you want salt water for the sheer see-through effect and better water. Building a tank would be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Perfect lighting already too.

Perhaps make an agreement with them when they are doing maintenance on tank, bringing a new tank online, or have an empty tank.

Virtual Tour

WOW. The FL aquarium looks awesome. I'm in Baltimore, with the NATIONAL aquarium. It's not amazing by any stretch of the imagination. Still cool, though. Anyhow, I need a controlled environment, with control over the background and colors. So, that won't work, unfortunately. :/

Mark

 

[Trever1t]

might take a little phone work but calling around you should find one? The one I know is small and rustic and in a small town. You live in a big city, start calling. Otherwise you're going to need a housing. Maybe you can rent one?

 

[Markw]

Even if I did have a housing, I can't think of an environment that would allow me to control background color, without some sort of tank..

Mark

 

[cgipson1]

How large a background? You could hang muslin backgrounds from floats... with weights on the bottom. Or is greenscreen a possibility?

 

[Dominantly]

LOL, riiiiiiight.

 

[Markw]

How large a background? You could hang muslin backgrounds from floats... with weights on the bottom. Or is greenscreen a possibility?

Well, that depends on how large of a space I have to work with.

I really just need it large enough to comfortably cover the frame. And, I don't know how large that will be, because I don't know what environment I'm shooting in. Too little space, and I'm forced to use a WA lens. And I really don't want to do that. Too large a space, and it's hard to control lighting for the model. A space without clear sides forces any strobes used to be used from above only. Those are the problems I'm facing as far as environment is concerned.

Mark

 

[cgipson1]

How large a background? You could hang muslin backgrounds from floats... with weights on the bottom. Or is greenscreen a possibility?

Well, that depends on how large of a space I have to work with.

I really just need it large enough to comfortably cover the frame. And, I don't know how large that will be, because I don't know what environment I'm shooting in. Too little space, and I'm forced to use a WA lens. And I really don't want to do that. Too large a space, and it's hard to control lighting for the model. A space without clear sides forces any strobes used to be used from above only. Those are the problems I'm facing as far as environment is concerned.

Mark

I would say talk to your local aquarium.. but I doubt they will go for it. Many have a holding tank.. smaller than the exhibits, that they might let you use. I used to do volunteer underwater work (mostly tank cleaning, and maintenance.. but when they found out I had a old Nikonos back then, they wanted some shots too) for one back in Tarpon Springs, Fl.. and have used the background technique I suggested... no matter what Dominantly thinks of the idea. It works... in the right tank.

 

[MK3Brent]

I'm subscribing to this thread... Wanna see how it ends.