How does the new Nikon D7000 performs underwater? While its immense capabilities on land are already an established fact, it remains to be seen whether it can do the same underwater.

But to be able to test the camera in a credible manner, you need a specialist, someone like marine biologist and underwater photographer Dr Alexander Mustard.

Nikon D7000 in Nauticam housing ... Photo credit: Underwater Photography

He took the camera, put it inside a Nauticam housing and dived into the Red Sea and emerged from the water impressed.

He has now written a report about it, detailing how the camera performs during the trip. He tested the camera for underwater wide-angle and macro shots as well as how the video fared in the deep blue sea. His report is published in the 58th edition of Underwater Photography magazine which can be downloaded for free.

Speaking of underwater housing for Nikon D7000, one can also use the new Ikelite housing. It can be order from B&H Photovideo, here: Ikelite 6801.70 Underwater Housing for Nikon D7000.

Dive Photo Guide has launched its free underwater digital photography tutorial, covering topics on just about anything under the water on how to take better underwater photographs.

You can start learning the basic of underwater photography and then move on to more advance ones. The topics covered in basic underwater photography are:

• Introduction to Underwater Photography
• Top 10 Basic Principles of Underwater Photography
• Principles of Light Underwater
• Shooting in Auto Mode
• Taking Control of Your Images with Manual Settings
• Camera Settings for Macro & Wide Angle
• Underwater Camera Maintenance.

Apart from the basic techniques, readers are also able to get insights into more advanced techniques like:

• Wide Angle Underwater Photography
• Macro Underwater Photography
• Underwater Photography Lighting Guide
• Composition Guide
• Mastering Digital Workflow & Editing
• Creative Techniques
• Underwater Super Macro Photography
• Surfing Photography

According to a press release issued by PRWEB, the tutorials are written by professional underwater photographer Jason Heller and DivePhotoGuide.com editor Matt Weiss, along with contributions from several world renowned professional and award winning underwater photographers, such as National Geographic photographer David Doubilet, Martin Edge, and Alex Mustard.

Each tutorial includes beautiful underwater photos and equipment set-up shots that illustrate each technique.

The British Society of Underwater Photographers is running an annual underwater photography competition. The contest for the year 2009 is already closed, with the winners already announced.

The thumbnail here contains the winning entries. Click on it to view the pictures.

Below is the thumbnail for last year’s winners. Click on the thumbnail to view the picture.