Your best shot of 2007 (deadline: early Oct)
#21
Posted 08 August 2007 - 01:04 AM
Here are some of my pcitures taken with an Olympus C-5050 and 2*Inon D-180 strobes and UWL -100 and Dome Lens.
All taken in Sydney Australia, other than the Brain Coral taken at Hamilton Island, Australia
#22
Posted 08 August 2007 - 06:54 AM

Location: Seram, Indonesia
Explanation: OK -- before someone comes after me, I'll say it up front -- this is a crop. I took the picture and wasn't so happy with it. I was back on the boat going through the "what-ifs" and a couple people said, "Just crop it". In the past, I've been convinced that unless the shot is full-frame perfect it isn't worthy but the bottom line is that people have been cropping for years (even with FILM, even with screaming turtles!) so why should I feel guilty? Anyway, this is one of those lucky ones -- I wasn't out looking for a clownfish shot but at the end of a dive I had some air, there was this clownfish and I just burned off a few exposures. He did a good job of hiding but I luckily ended up with his eye, if not my camera, in just the right place.
ISO 100
1/90
f22
Canon 100mm macro lens

Location: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Explanation: On my last trip, I was introduced to someone who tends to have a different view of the world. He used to be a designer in the textile industry and is fascinated by textures and patterns. He showed some of his work and it blew me away. So, quite naturally with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery and all, and having just gotten an adapter (fabricated by another friend from a previous trip to the Bahamas) that let me add an INON macro lens to my macro port, I decided to try to adjust my view as well. I'm pleased with this result, though now that my eyes have been opened to a new way of seeing I've still got a long way to go.
ISO 100
1/60
f4
100mm lens with INON UCL-165 macro lens

Location: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Explanation: In between the islands of Wiageo and Gam, there is a narrow channel. The tides drive water back and forth through this area and we were diving in the shallow eddies along the sides of the channel. This dive rarely takes one below 20fsw but it is both a wonderful macro spot and a good CFWA opportunity as well as there are soft corals and fans within a few feet of the jungle canopy. On two previous trips, I struggled with equipment and operator stupidity issues (what, there is a limit switch? what, there is a MF/AF switch?) but this time I finally got a nice shot of the fans. I was able to hold my breath just long enough that most of my bubbles have been taken bby the current and the water at the surface is fairly still. I think I got the right strobe positioned pretty well to cast some shadows and add depth -- but then again I'm probably biased.
ISO 100
1/60
f8
Tokina 12-24mm lens at 12mm
Canon EOS 40D in Seatool housing, 100mm macro, Tokina 12-24 f4, INON Z-240s.
#23
Posted 09 August 2007 - 09:36 AM
It's very hard to decide but here's three of my favourite shots from this year. All were taken with a Reefmaster DC600 and 2 x Sealife Digital Strobes.

A beautiful Mandarinfish taken at Malapascua, Philippines

One of the many extremely chilled out Green Turtles to be found around Sipadan, Malaysia

An extremely angry Blue Ring Octopus that went on to attack my husband twice. Luckily he lived to boast about it in the pub! Taken at Kapalai, Malaysia.
Simon (the husband) says if I get in Diver mag he will buy me an Olympus E-410, which I really really really want, so please help me get my dSLR !
Zoe
#24
Posted 11 August 2007 - 04:37 AM
Caption: Perch in trap
Location: Lake Ruokjärvi, Finland
Gear: Canon 350D + 60 macro in Patima housing. Available light
Caption: Trevally
Location: Similan islands, Thailand
Gear: Canon 350D + 18-55 mm in Patima housing + Magic filter
Caption: Water lily
Location: Lake Ruokjärvi, Finland
Gear: Canon 350D + 18-55 mm in Patima housing. Available light
Teemu
#25
Posted 11 August 2007 - 10:25 AM
#26
Posted 11 August 2007 - 12:00 PM
Flying in Formation - Giant manta rays
Socorro, Mexico
Canon 1Ds Mk II with dual Inon z220 strobes
"How's this pose?" Bottlenose dolphins
Bahamas
Canon 1D Mk IIN, no strobes
Edited by bmyates, 11 August 2007 - 08:31 PM.
www.UnderwaterReflections.com
Canon 5DMkII in Aquatica, 1DsMkII in Seacam, G9 in OEM...Inon Z240's...too many lenses
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damned fool about it." WC Fields
#27
Posted 11 August 2007 - 08:21 PM
Reef shark
Turks and Caicos
Canon 5d ikelite housing Ikelite ss200 16-35 lens
Manual flash exposure ISO 320 1/160th @ f9 focal length 35mm
moray eel with cleaner shrimp
Turks and Caicos
Canon 5d ikelite housing Ikelite ss200 100mm macro
Manual flash exposure ISO 400 1/30th @ f13 focal length 100mm
A white fish
Turks and Caicos
Canon 5d ikelite housing Ikelite ss200 100mm macro
Manual flash exposure ISO 400 1/200th @ f11 focal length 100mm
Edited by scubarobot, 11 August 2007 - 08:21 PM.
#28
Posted 11 August 2007 - 09:06 PM
Low res. picts to fit into the forum.
Hermissenda crassicornis
Santa Cruz Island, California
Sony DSC-P10, Inon D2000
Rockfish Portrait
San Miguel Island, California
Sony DSC-P10, Inon D2000
Oops, I need a little more space for one more picture!
Snubnose Sculpin
San Miguel Island, California
Sony DSC-P10, Inon D2000
Edited by IMSushi, 11 August 2007 - 09:27 PM.
Nikon D80, S&S DX-D80, YS-110 x 2, TTL III, ULCS, 60mm, Tok 10-17, Sig 17-70
Back-up: Sony DSC-P10, Inon D2000
#30
Posted 12 August 2007 - 11:33 AM

Jawfish with Eggs
Cayman
Canon 300d, 100mm macro
f/20, 1/60

Up to My Gills
Cayman
Canon 300d, 100mm macro
f/20, 1/60
Canon EOS 300D
Ikelite Housing
2 DS125s
#31
Posted 13 August 2007 - 03:48 AM
Fan coral
Egyptian Red Sea
Nikon D200 with Nikkor 10,5/2.8 FE
2x Inon Z240 strobes
Impressive fan corals like this one can be found on the deep walls of Elphinstone and Brother Islands.
Hammerhead
Egyptian Red Sea
Nikon D200 with Sigma 10-20/4-5.6
2x Inon Z240 strobes
A small group of curious hammerheads stayed with us on a couple of dives. They came shallow and close to the divers, which is unusual for this rather shy shark. But as anyone who has ever been under water with a camera knows – close is never close enough!
Wall
Egyptian Red Sea
Nikon D200 with Sigma 10-20/4-5.6
2x Inon Z240 strobes
The colours of the Red Sea reefs are very special and nicely set off by the clear blue water.
Edited by Christian K, 13 August 2007 - 03:50 AM.
#32
Posted 13 August 2007 - 06:29 PM
Breakwater, Monterey
Nikon D200, 16mm FE, Sea & Sea DX200 Housing, 2X YS90DX Strobes
Manual flash exposure, ISO 200, 1/125th @ f6.3
#33
Posted 13 August 2007 - 08:36 PM

Triplefin feeding on seafan
Tioman , Malaysia
Canon 400D, Canon 100mm Macro, Ikelite Housing, 2 x Inon Z-240, Woody's diopter
Saw this little guy open mouth feeding on seafan. Managed to get this shoot after 3 attempt.

Lionfish
Mabul , Malaysia
Fujifilm E900, Ikelite Housing, Inon Z-240, Inon D2000s
Taken during checkout dive underneath Seaventure oilrig. I waited this guy for 10 minute to get this shoot.

Huge Table coral
Redang , Malaysia
Canon 400D, Tokina 10-17mm @ 12mm, Ikelite Housing, Inon Z-240, Inon D2000s
Taken with ambient light at 7m , the visibility was good and sunny day.
#34
Posted 15 August 2007 - 11:50 AM
Arlequin ghost pipe fish in Alor Archipelago
This lovely guy play with me during 20 minutes
Nikon D200 + 15 mm sigma
Strobes: inon Z-240 + inon z-220

Zebra crab in his beautiful urchin
Why thoses urchins are so beautiful???
Nikon D200 + 60 mm macro nikkor
Strobes: inon Z-240 + inon z-220

Seahorse in mediterranean sea
I waited until he looked at me directly in the eyes....
Nikon D200 + 60 mm macro nikkor
Strobes: inon Z-240 + inon z-220
and my old....
Nikon F100 - Subal N10- Ikelite 100A Strobe
My website: www.Bluesun.fr
#35
Posted 03 September 2007 - 12:52 PM


White Leaf Scorpionfish Taenianotus triacanthus
The fish remained completley still, even as I get closer, depending on its camoflouge for protection. This allowed me to get fairly close and play with different angles and settings. These were the two I liked the most.
Bali, Indonesia
Olympus c-5060
Iso 80 1/160 @ f/8.0
Strobe: 1 x Sealife 960d

Neon Triplefin (Helcogramma striata)
Bali, Indonesia
Olympus c-5060
Iso 80 1/160 @ f/8.0
Inon 165 close up lense
Strobe: 1 x Sealife 960d
I found the Neon Triplefins to be beautiful, but overlooked fish around the Tulamben area. I found it a nice common fish that was perfect for preparing my strobe and camera settings at the beginning of the dive. Though it did tend to move around a lot, it returned to this same spot over and over again. I prefocused, in order to cut down on shutter lag from my point and shoot system, remained still as to not stir up the fine black Tulamben sand and then snapped when he came back to the spot.
#36
Posted 03 September 2007 - 02:25 PM
Caption: Beauty in the beast.
Location: Guadalupe Island
Gear: Canon 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, Ikelite Housing, 2 Inon z220 strobes
Description: We attracted the sharks by wrangling fish carcases on the surface. The great whites would come right up to the surface to try grab a bite of the dead fish.
Caption: Smile
Location: Guadalupe Island
Gear: Canon 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, Ikelite Housing, 2 Inon z220 strobes
Description: This comical looking great white shark was looking into the cages that we were standing in. Not sure what he was thinking of.
Caption: A great white natural montage.
Location: Guadalupe Island
Gear: Canon 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, Ikelite Housing, 2 Inon z220 strobes
Description: The great whites are attracted by the scent of dead fish. This image shows two different perspectives of this awesome predator in one image.
#37
Posted 03 September 2007 - 05:26 PM
Jellyfish Lake, Palau
Canon 400D, Tokina 10-17mm @17mm, Athena Dome
Xeno crab and shrimp
Cabilao Island, Philippines
Canon 400D, Canon 100mm macro, S&S Housing, Inon Z-240's
Square Crab
Cabilao Island, Philippines
Canon 400D, Canon 100mm Macro, S&S Housing, Inon Z-240's, Woody's diopter
If I may, can I replace that last crab shot with this Hammerhead?
Dirty Rock, Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Canon 400D, Sigma 180-50mm EX DC @18mm, S&S Housing, Inon Z-240's
While Alcyone had the marquee scene of massive schools of hammerheads overhead, Dirty Rock was one of my favorites as it offers some nice hideouts in the rocks allowing the hammerheads to come in real close...
Sony HC7 & Gates Housing
My diving photos / My diving videos
#38
Posted 03 September 2007 - 07:23 PM
Catalina Island, Casino Point
SP-350 FL-20 strobe
Cruisin along on a shore dive and ran into this guy at about 25ft. Loved the pose

3 Eyes
Cozumel
Sp-350, FL-20 strobe
This was at Palancar Gardens, My sister was certifying so I had time to cruise the reef. Found these3 guys just huddled next to a coral.

Sea Bass
Catalina Island, Casino Point
SP-350 FL20
These guys were everywhere on my dive and weren't camera shy
Edited by ce4jesus, 03 September 2007 - 07:38 PM.
Olympus E-520, TLC arms, Inon Z-240s, 50mm, 14-42mm woody's diopter
#39
Posted 03 September 2007 - 10:16 PM

Cenote dos ojos. Playa del Carmen.
Olympus 5060. Inon WA Lense. 2xDS50.
1/10. f2,8. ISO 200
Snorquellers swimming at the cenote.

Coleman Shrimp. Komodo. Indonesia
Olympus 5060. 1xDS50.
1/350. f8. ISO 80
Looking how beautifull a fire urquin was i met this brave friend.

Small frogfish. Tulamben. Bali. Indonesia
Olympus 5060. 1xDS50.
1/350. f8. ISO 80
Diving the wreck Liberty something very small catch my attention, something yellow over the oxidized metals...
Edited by ripli, 03 September 2007 - 11:13 PM.
#40
Posted 03 September 2007 - 10:24 PM

1. Pygmy Portrait
2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
3. Canon 350d, canon 100mm 2.8 macro, ikelite housing, dual ds-125 strobes
4. seafan with fire coral just to the left of the scene made it a difficult shot to get

1. Clownfish in Anemone
2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
3. Canon 350d, canon 18-55 lens, ikelite housing, dual ds-125 strobes
4. clownfish in its anemone. had to wait for around 5 minutes before i was able to get this shot

1. Eye of the Croc
2. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
3. Canon 350d, canon 100mm 2.8 macro, ikelite housing, dual ds-125 strobes
4. Extreme Close-up of the eye of a crocodile fish. the picture was fairly easy to frame, but the lighting had to be adjusted many many times before getting that perfect reflection in the eye.
PADI Divemaster # 189988
My Gallery at: http://www.justinunderwater.com



