Aquatic animal diorama

[Strepsodus]

If I were to try and photograph a Dunkleosteus figure (or any aquatic animal) in a realistic environment without getting the figure wet and risking damage to any of my models how would I do that?

[Lynx]

Well, there are two ways.

1. Don't use a figure that is damaged by water (afaik PNSO and Papo figures are durable in it), or quickly dip a figure under the water and don't rub the paint. If you are well aware it can not tolerate water at all, try idea 2.

2. Use the wonderful power of editing. First, take an underwater picture, and make sure you have a good grip on the lighting. With a green screen (or simply cropping a photo of the figure, you can then make it appear (with some brightness changes) as if it were there.

[irimali]

There's a a video and an article here: 

https://petapixel.com/2018/12/14/how-to-shoot-underwater-portraits-without-anyone-getting-wet/

on how to cheat the lighting.  Not sure how well it would work with a small figure though.  You can use smoke (theatre supply companies sell smoke in a spray can) and blue tinted lights for a bigger underwater scene.  Another trick that might help, if you're using a lamp or a spotlight is to shine it through a sheet of paper or fabric.  That can help diffuse the light and soften highlights and shadows. 

[RobinGoodfellow]

http://dinotoyblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=3562.msg223438#msg223438