Digital photography's changing underwater photography as much as - maybe even more than - topside shooting. Today you can return to the boat and not only look at your photos immediately (after you already saw them underwater), but with a compact portable printer, you can give your buddies copies before the second dive. When you get back home or to your hotel room, you can upload your keepers and share your dive with friends and family around the world.

Digital's made underwater shooting more versatile by allowing you better color control, a way to check your results as you go and you're not longer limited to a short roll of film. With today's high capacity memory cards, you have room for far more shots than you have air in your cylinder.

If you're a bit intimidated by the idea of underwater photography, don't be. The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course is designed for those who've never touched camera as well as for people who shoot topside. Check out the January issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine , and you'll see what editor Christopher Robinson had to say about the benefits of going digital underwater, and how the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course shortens your learning curve. If you've yet to start taking underwater shots, I suggest you follow his advice and enroll in the course to get going. Whether you're interested in simple snaps to share with friends or interested in pursuing photography as a dedicated enthusiast, the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course guides you to good results quickly by taking full advantage of digital technology benefits

The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course is the specialty of the month in January (actually, specialty of the year, too). Earn the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer certification, and you might qualify for a great prize too.

Great diving - and good pictures.

Sincerely,

Drew Richardson