Cropping the top of the image when editing to create a panorama can be a good idea if there are distractions in the top of your original image, such as a diver's fin, a fish, or boat for example.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm, Inon Z240 strobes, 1/160s, f9, ISO200.

Christian Loader/Scubazoo

On a healthy coral reef, warm colours of the reef such as red, yellow and orange contrast nicely with the surrounding blue water.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D200, Nikon 10.5mm, 1/80s, f8, ISO200

Jason Isley/Scubazoo

An example of a reefscape/seascape – the sandy seabed, the surface, and the ocean itself are all equal subjects in this image.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm, 1/250s, f13, ISO250.

Christian Loader/Scubazoo

In calm and shallow water, take advantage of the flat calm surface and capture the reef's reflection.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm, 1/250s, f9, ISO100.

Christian Loader/Scubazoo

Seagrass and mangroves provide interesting opportunities for reefscape images and are often in flat calm water, perfect for capturing reflections.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D2X, Tokina 10-17mm, Inon Z240 strobes, 1/200s, f5.6, ISO200.

Adam Broadbent/Scubazoo

The majority of reefscapes are in shallow water, and are best shot using manual white balance with natural light coming from behind you.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D2X, Nikon 10.5mm, 1/160s, f6.3, ISO320.

Adam Broadbent/Scubazoo

Vertical compositions are suitable when shooting reefscapes on reef walls.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D2Xs, Tokina 10-17mm, Inon Z240 strobes, 1/125s, f9, ISO100.

Jason Isley/Scubazoo

Fish and other marine life can add a nice touch to a reefscape, but generally should not be the focal subject in such images.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D2X, Tokina 10-17mm, 1/200s, f14, ISO100.

Adam Broadbent/Scubazoo

For a seascape such as this, turn off your strobes and use a very fast shutter speed to capture detail in a breaking wave.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D2X, Nikon 10.5mm, 1/1250s, f4.5, ISO160.

A diver far in the background can add a sense of scale to a vast reefscape, and a human element the viewer can connect with. Shoot your reefscape with and without a diver, and see for yourself which looks best.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm, 1/125s, f8, ISO320.

Christian Loader/Scubazoo

For deeper reefscapes, use auto white balance and shoot with strobes on a high power setting to light as much of the foreground reef as possible.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm, Inon Z240 strobes, 1/160s, f7.1, ISO200.

Christian Loader/Scubazoo

Early morning or late afternoon sunlight is softer and warmer than harsh midday sunlight, and with the sun lower to the horizon it's easier to capture sunbeams in reefscapes and seascapes.

SETTINGS:
Nikon D2X, Tokina 10-17mm, 1/250s, f6.3, ISO100.

Jason Isley/Scubazoo