92 replies to this topic

[clausmeyer]

St. Kitts, November 1, 2011, Paradise Reef. I love shots where I can remember exactly where I was and how it felt when I snapped the shutter Sun ball shots are a lot of fun and I probably do too many of them, but who can resist?


John




Just noticed I posted right after Alex Mustard. Man, that's unfortunate, sort of like playing a set right after the Rolling Stones leave the stage

hi john,
watching your great image at wetpixel.great sunball.have the same d300 like you,great results,but not as satisfied with my sunballs like in times with the rs and slides...
can you share shutterspeed ,aperture and iso of the pic? maybe i can discover what you do so much better than i do!
thank you very much in advance
claus

[tdpriest]

Best? I like the three-dimensionality of a very small subject:




Favourite, but not even underwater:




Favourite, and underwater!




Tim

[johnspierce]

hi john,
watching your great image at wetpixel.great sunball.have the same d300 like you,great results,but not as satisfied with my sunballs like in times with the rs and slides...
can you share shutterspeed ,aperture and iso of the pic? maybe i can discover what you do so much better than i do!
thank you very much in advance
claus

Thanks for the complement Claus, I really appreciate that; This particular photo was shot with:

- 10-17mm Tokina Fisheye at 10mm
- Ikelite DS-125's on "Full", Manual
- 1/180 sec shutter
- F/19 aperture
- ISO 200

I usually just keep the aperture between f/19 and f/22 for these shots and shutter varies between 1/180 and 1/320. Also, I have better luck when I'm at least 40 feet down or further; shallower and the sunball really starts to blow out.

Oh -- and check to see that you have 14 bit color depth turned on. 12 bit will not render sun balls as nicely.

Safe diving,
john

Edited by johnspierce, 15 December 2011 - 01:29 PM.

[Alex_Mustard]

Best? I like the three-dimensionality of a very small subject:



Tim

I'd not noticed the itchy chin aspect of that shot before, Tim. :-)

[Steve Williams]

My favorite image of the year as much for the fact that the sharks are still there, as that I was able to capture an image I had seen in my mind for years.


Pura Vida at Alcyone by Jaw's Dad, on Flickr

Cheers,
Steve

[tdpriest]

I'd not noticed the itchy chin aspect of that shot before, Tim. :-)

That's because it's not the version I put in my trip show: I only spotted it in my "maybe" file yesterday, and noticed the itch!




This is the other version, I now think that it's not as good.


Tim

Edited by tdpriest, 15 December 2011 - 11:44 AM.

[tdpriest]

My favorite image of the year as much for the fact that the sharks are still there, as that I was able to capture an image I had seen in my mind for years.


Pura Vida at Alcyone by Jaw's Dad, on Flickr

Cheers,
Steve

Steve:

I've always wanted to see that sight: I'm not sure that my diving skills are up to it any more, as I sink into decrepitude...
... it's a really evocative image, every time it's taken, and none the worse for being repeated.

Tim

[clausmeyer]

Thanks for the complement Claus, I really appreciate that; This particular photo was shot with:

thanks for the answer john,will try that in the next dives.one more question:shutterspeed 1/320 is faster than the sync-speed for flashes with the d300.my textbook says 1/250 should be the fastest
possible.my d300 is getting a black stripe in the image when i go faster than that.whats my mistake.
very good help from you
claus

- 10-17mm Tokina Fisheye at 10mm
- Ikelite DS-125's on "Full", Manual
- 1/180 sec shutter
- F/19 aperture
- ISO 200

I usually just keep the aperture between f/19 and f/22 for these shots and shutter varies between 1/180 and 1/320. Also, I have better luck when I'm at least 40 feet down or further; shallower and the sunball really starts to blow out.

Oh -- and check to see that you have 14 bit color depth turned on. 12 bit will not render sun balls as nicely.

Safe diving,
john

[Matti]

This is my favorite for the year (link below), is my first time diving with Whale Sharks and playing witht eh Canon EF8-15mm Zoom, I like the "A World of its Own" effect and the impression with Remoras it looks like a bomber.

http://www.mattiovas...to/102336/7346/

Matti

[Aussiebyron]

I guess its hard to find the best and favourite as there is often so many different types of shots and subjects. Here is one of my favourite shots of 2011, It was taken in the first week of getting my new Nikon D7000.


Nikon D7000 in aquatica housing with dual Ikelite DS161 strobes
Tokina 10-17mm 2 10mm
f9, 1/320th, ISO100

I simply love shooting Manta's as they a simply a beautiful animal and I am lucky to live in a area where they visit often over summer. The image reminds me of the curious nature and companionship that these animals give when I dive with them. Often joining me at the start of an hour dive and enjoy playing with me all the time until I am forced to get back to the boat. It also reminds me of summer time with warm clear water and beautiful lazy days.

Regards Mark

[Bent C]

This is my favorite for the year (link below), is my first time diving with Whale Sharks and playing witht eh Canon EF8-15mm Zoom, I like the "A World of its Own" effect and the impression with Remoras it looks like a bomber.

http://www.mattiovas...to/102336/7346/

Matti

That one was really cool, Matti!
/Bent C

[Bardo]

Here's my three favourite shots of 2011...

Taken in the Resurgence du Ressel back in June - this is probably my favourite photo of the year... brings back some great memories of some fabulous diving! Cave diving rocks!!!!!!!



And I'm also quite pleased with this shot I took on the Rowella back in September...



And - last but not least - my favourite remote strobe shot...

[MATT S]

Great shots everyone.

These are my two fav shots from this year.
The underwater shot because it reminds me of a fantastic time working in Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef and the top side shot because it just finished of a really special day.

Attached Images

• 
• 

[loftus]

My favorite image of the year as much for the fact that the sharks are still there, as that I was able to capture an image I had seen in my mind for years.


Pura Vida at Alcyone by Jaw's Dad, on Flickr

Cheers,
Steve

If I could only dive one place again it would be Alcyone! Magical.

[NWDiver]

Not a novel shot but after 30yrs of diving this was the first time we saw Flamboyant Cuttle Fish, they were everywhere!

[errbrr]

My favourite 2011 photo was a photo from one of my favourite cave dives this year. It was a photo dive where I finally felt it all come together, and every time I hit the button I was getting good results. This shot was made bittersweet because two weeks after it was taken, the lead model and my close friend died while diving. This was the last weekend of diving we did together, and I keep this shot on my wall and above my desk.

Ag and Ken in Tank Cave by Liz_Rogers, on Flickr

I think it's interesting that I also had a cave diving photo published in National Geographic Magazine this year, but this shot has more emotion attached to it for me. It's the photos from the best dives that we like, which may occasionally also be the "best" photos.

Edited by errbrr, 17 December 2011 - 06:41 PM.

[Cal]

Heres mine!

Shot at Babinda Creek, North Queensland

[diver dave1]

The large at night


The small at noon

[Alastair]

Wow excellent photos everyone..

My favourite from this year...... taken in malapascua. All i needed to make the trip complete was a harlequin shrimp or two!!

Attached Images

• 

[meister]

Here's one taken from a live-aboard trip completed just last week, an (unedited) JPEG taken during a late afternoon dive deep on the walls of South Caicos, "Spanish Chain."