Editing the Ocean: Teaching the Craft of Underwater Photography

Editing the Ocean: Teaching the Craft of Underwater Photography How does an underwater image go from “almost” to unforgettable, and what role does editing play in ocean stewardship? 🌊📸🤿 In Episode 14 of Voices Beneath the Waves, host Stephanie Miele, COO of Scuba Diving International (SDI), sits down with Erin Quigley creator of Go Ask Erin, renowned educator, and mentor to underwater photographers around the world. Erin shares her nonlinear journey from award-winning costume design in theater and television to becoming one of diving’s most trusted voices in post-production and creative workflow. She breaks down why underwater editing is fundamentally different than topside work, how her global workshops exploded during COVID, and why her teaching style combines deep technical knowledge with clarity, humor, and the confidence to embrace mistakes. The conversation also tackles the realities of AI in photography, including ethical lines in contests and publishing, and how new tools can shape the future of underwater imagery without replacing the value of what we actually capture beneath the surface. Episode Highlights: 📸 From stage to sea: How Erin’s creative background shaped her approach to underwater photography. 💻 Underwater editing made simple: Why technology should support creativity, not block it. 🌍 Community through chaos: How Go Ask Erin workshops united photographers during COVID. 🤖 AI and ethics: Where to draw the line between enhancing an image and creating one. ✨ Backscatter Exterminator: The one-click breakthrough inspired by astrophotography. 📢 Get Involved! Support the Women Divers Hall of Fame, a nonprofit funding scholarships and grants that grow the next generation of divers, creators, and leaders. 💬 What’s the biggest challenge you face in underwater photography: getting it right in-camera, editing, or staying consistent? Drop your question in the comments below! 👇 🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and HIT THE NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an update from the #OnediveFamily! https://www.youtube.com/c/SDITDIERDI 📍 Listen & Subscribe to Voices Beneath the Waves: 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73cu8QZVAFfolpc21hPaYl 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/voices-beneath-the-waves/id1806336175 Follow Erin Quigley: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinbaby1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarqb YouTube: @goaskerinuw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-quigley-4217879/ Official Website: https://www.goaskerin.com/ Follow Stephanie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-miele-68a604/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmiele/ SDI – Scuba Diving International: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scuba-diving-international-sdi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDIdivers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdidivers/ Courses & Info: https://www.tdisdi.com Women Divers Hall of Fame: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wdhof Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdhof Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdhof/ Learn more about WDHOF & scholarships: https://www.wdhof.org/ SDI - Scuba Diving International: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scuba-diving-international-sdi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDIdivers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdidivers/ For more info on Dive Courses: https://www.tdisdi.com/ #VoicesBeneathTheWaves #UnderwaterPhotography #EditingTheOcean #ScubaDiving #DivePhotography #UnderwaterImaging #OceanPhotography #WomenInDiving #DiveEducation #PhotographyMentorship #CreativeDiving #OceanStorytelling #SDIDivers