Planning an exciting underwater excursion or a deep-sea dive? Be sure to take some amazing underwater digital photos while you're down there! Thanks to superb advances in technology, photography fanatics – who also happen to be divers and snorkelers – can take their precious digital cameras to the depths of the sea with them. Even if you've never taken photos underwater before, there's no time like the present for getting your feet wet in a new facet of photography.

1. Bring your own bucket or small cooler to rinse your camera after dives. This will keep your camera from being thrown together with the other divers' equipment.

2. When diving into the water and climbing back on the boat, have someone hand you your camera and hand your camera to another diver to prevent flooding the camera's housing.

3. Be careful not to drop your camera or drag it as you swim.

4. Do your best to keep steady hands while shooting.

5. Avoid shooting straight down unless you are going for a special effect.

6. To enhance the dramatic aspects of your shots, shoot upward.

7. Take a variety of shots from different angles, primarily verticals and horizontals. Choose an angle that accentuates your subject's colors, shape or texture.

8. Try to keep a clear lens. Be on the lookout for bubbles, kelp, dive gear and other divers.

9. Emphasize the subject by isolating it from what's behind.

10. Don't worry if you capture some empty water in your shots. You can always creatively crop your images later, or take advantage of that empty region for commercial/ advertising purposes.

11. As you become a more advanced underwater photographer, consider adding other accessories for precise and creative shots. You might select an external flash or a macro lens for the camera housing, for starters. Most of all, have fun. The more you dive, the more practice you'll get and the better your shots will start to look.

Exchange email addresses and Web site links with other divers and share your best photos and your favorite tips.