7 days ago
49
11
Posted On: October 13th 2026, 10:21 pm
These photos were all shot on a $550 camera.
That's right, not my Canon R5 but rather, an Olympus TG-6.
Earlier this year in Indonesia, my R5 housing flooded on day one of a trip I’d been looking forward to for a year. So, with little other choice, I pivoted. I captured the entire muck diving experience instead on a camera no bigger than my hand. These are a few pictures just to give you a taste.
Of course, none of this is to say that gear doesn't matter. My R5 is the better camera, no questions asked. But, after spending a lot of time learning to use the TG-6's camera settings on semi-manual, after learning how to use a snoot properly, and after learning how to frame a shot, I can confidently tell you that this little thing is still a powerhouse.
If you’ve got a TG-6 (or a TG-7) sitting in a drawer gathering dust because you're saving up for that "big rig" or think you just can't do what the "real photographers do," think again and then do this:
- Stop using the built-in underwater presets
- Shoot semi-manual and save your settings to your C1 and C2 menu to easily switch between them
- Shoot RAW so you can edit more easily in Lightroom (though try to take shots that don't need much editing)
- Use a strobe and a spotlight for macro, use two strobes for wide (and an M52 lens)
At the end of the day you don't need the most expensive gear to shoot photos you can be proud of. You just need to know what you're working with. If you want the ultimate crash course, check out South African photographer, @katejonkerphotography 's Olympus TG-6 course. It's phenomenal.
Strobe @krakensports
Snoot @krakensports
Spot light @orcatorch
That's right, not my Canon R5 but rather, an Olympus TG-6.
Earlier this year in Indonesia, my R5 housing flooded on day one of a trip I’d been looking forward to for a year. So, with little other choice, I pivoted. I captured the entire muck diving experience instead on a camera no bigger than my hand. These are a few pictures just to give you a taste.
Of course, none of this is to say that gear doesn't matter. My R5 is the better camera, no questions asked. But, after spending a lot of time learning to use the TG-6's camera settings on semi-manual, after learning how to use a snoot properly, and after learning how to frame a shot, I can confidently tell you that this little thing is still a powerhouse.
If you’ve got a TG-6 (or a TG-7) sitting in a drawer gathering dust because you're saving up for that "big rig" or think you just can't do what the "real photographers do," think again and then do this:
- Stop using the built-in underwater presets
- Shoot semi-manual and save your settings to your C1 and C2 menu to easily switch between them
- Shoot RAW so you can edit more easily in Lightroom (though try to take shots that don't need much editing)
- Use a strobe and a spotlight for macro, use two strobes for wide (and an M52 lens)
At the end of the day you don't need the most expensive gear to shoot photos you can be proud of. You just need to know what you're working with. If you want the ultimate crash course, check out South African photographer, @katejonkerphotography 's Olympus TG-6 course. It's phenomenal.
Strobe @krakensports
Snoot @krakensports
Spot light @orcatorch
Comments (11)
6 days agokatejonkerphotography
Yes 🙌 you really nailed these shots. And how you took all of this in your stride was super impressive. No meltdown, just an “I can do this!” attitude. And your skills show in these beautiful photos 😍😍😍🙌. (And thank you for the mention and kind words 🤗)
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