Do I need to be a certified diver to take this class?

Participants should have basic dive training and be comfortable in confined-water settings; bring your certification card if you have one.

What age can participate?

Minimum age is 10; younger divers should check with the operator for parental supervision rules.

Are tanks and weights provided?

Deep South Scuba provides tanks and weights for pool work at no charge, removing a common equipment barrier.

Will we do open-water dives?

The course emphasizes confined-water skills in a pool; instructors will discuss translating techniques to open water but open-water sessions may be separate.

What certification do I receive?

On successful completion you earn the SSI Photo & Video specialty certification recognized by dive operators and schools.

Should I bring my own camera gear?

Bringing your own camera and housing is recommended so you learn on the exact rig you’ll use in the field.

Master Underwater Photo & Video: SSI Specialty Course in Ridgeland, MS

On the edge of central Mississippi’s outdoor corridor, Specialty Class - Photo & Video brings the craft of underwater imaging to Ridgeland, Mississippi. This one-day SSI Photo & Video specialty condenses classroom instruction and confined-water practice into a focused, hands-on session run with small groups — the kind of course that turns casual vacation dives into meaningful visual stories.

Held through Deep South Scuba with pool work supported by tanks and weights provided by the shop, the class teaches technical camera handling, in-water buoyancy control while shooting, exposure and white balance underwater, strobe and continuous-light placement, and basic post-processing tips to rescue color and contrast. Instructors break down lens choices, macro versus wide-angle approaches, and composition that works when subjects move in three dimensions. Students practice in a controlled pool setting, which lets you master neutral buoyancy and camera rig ergonomics before translating skills to open water.

The class is especially useful for divers who already have basic dive comfort and want to level up photographic outcomes. Expect direct coaching on how to frame fish and freshwater subjects, reduce backscatter in silt-prone environments, and balance ambient and artificial light. By course end you can earn the SSI Photo & Video specialty certification, a credential useful for booking guided photo dives or continuing to advanced imaging workshops.

What makes this offering stand out in Mississippi is its emphasis on practical drills in a no-pressure environment and its link to the local dive community. Ridgeland sits near freshwater systems where visibility and light behave differently than tropical coral reefs; learning to control your camera and yourself in these conditions produces sharper, cleaner images back home. Small class sizes (typical group of four) mean targeted feedback and plenty of on-deck demonstrations.

Practical notes: minimum age is 10, so families with older kids can join. Bring your regular scuba certification card if required, and plan for pool-based exercises rather than lengthy open-water travel. Deep South Scuba’s gear support for tank and weights removes a common barrier to participation.

Whether you’re carrying a compact underwater housing, a mirrorless rig, or a GoPro, this course converts camera curiosities into repeatable techniques. For divers visiting Jackson/Ridgeland, it’s an efficient way to turn a day off into a skill upgrade, prepare for weekend dives with better images, and walk away with a certification that signals you know your way around underwater light and composition.

Class logistics are flexible: expect a mix of short classroom segments and repeated in-pool shooting rotations that prioritize hands-on time. Instructors review images on-deck, offering immediate playback critique. Whether you’re building a dive portfolio or aiming to post social content, this focused SSI specialty in Ridgeland is a practical, camera-first investment in underwater skills.