About this Website

Photo tips & more for responsible snorkelers

Shallow reef with schooling fish by Diane Thomas

A Different Kind of Snorkeling Site

The first thing you’ll notice about this website that makes it different from other snorkeling-related sites is that I don’t identify where the photos are taken. Why? Because when you find a place that’s still nice enough to take good underwater photos and you invite everyone on the internet to go there, it won’t be long before your favorite snorkeling spots are not so nice anymore.

Careless flipper kicks, snorkelers standing on the reef to adjust their equipment, boat loads of tourists wearing chemical sunscreen in the water, and overfishing all have negative affects on the reef environment.

The good news is that there’s lots you can do to help the reef just by educating yourself and spreading the word. So while you’re learning how to take better photos to capture your amazing reef memories, please explore the conservation links found on Framing the Reef and learn more about the living coral you are photographing, how sunscreen affects it, what the cruise industry brings to the equation, and how to enjoy fish responsibly whether you are taking their photos, eating them, or adding them to your aquarium.

There is already lots of information online for searching out good snorkeling locations, and the tips on this website will apply no matter where you go.

Photos Anyone Can Take

You can certainly create beautiful photos with high-quality equipment, but you don’t need expensive underwater cameras and strobe flashes to take reef photos that you will enjoy. The tips on Framing the Reef are aimed at beginner photographers, hobby photographers, and budget-conscious photographers who are experimenting with lower-end to mid-level camera options and action cameras to take photos that they can share online and print for home.


Homepage Photo Credit for Snorkelers on the Reef: Photo by phaisalphotos maldivesphotographer on Unsplash