segal3 0 Posted January 3, 2010 (Direct gallery link if you prefer to skip the text: Eastern Fields, Papua New Guinea) I recently returned from the Wetpixel expedition to Papua New Guinea, and Eastern Fields is one of the best wide angle locations I have dived, flush with dense schools of juvenile reef fish through adult pelagics. The Wetpixel group was sure there could be a good amount of critters, as well, but we so rarely decided to use our macro lenses. Gorgeously healthy reefs featured some superb thermoclines during the daily current fluctuations; in the rare spot that wasn't covered by living coral or fish, the current blows past your head with the roar of a strong wind, and endless anthias fight upstream in the breeze. Friendly potato cod pose for pictures at 120 ft, and a very unique wreck contains hundreds of flashlight fish that burst forth from a bulkhead as darkness falls. These bannerfish at first mistook the tiny exhaled bubbles from my regulator for food, chasing after and gulping them down. They soon realized the bubbles were not the plankton they desired . Reef sharks were curious and cooperative, approaching divers repeatedly to investigate the strangers encroaching on their territory. Algaes, corals, sponges, fans, fish. What more to ask for? Self-portrait with a large potato cod I've yet to caption anything, but I managed to piece together a gallery from the expedition (new recent record for me, seeing as how I'm still two years behind on some trips): Eastern Fields, Papua New Guinea. As always, I appreciate any feedback/criticism of the gallery images. Special thanks to Eric Cheng, Tony Wu, and Craig de Wit for the organization of the expedition! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loftus 42 Posted January 3, 2010 Stunning color! Beautifully lit images Matt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamhanlon 0 Posted January 3, 2010 Great gallery-I'm really enjoying all the pictures from the Eastern Fields. Yours lighting has certainly done the colours great service. The life and coral seems very pristine and untouched. Thanks for posting Adam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Williams 0 Posted January 3, 2010 In a rainbow sea......, glorious images Matt. Congrats on what looks like a great trip. Cheers, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted January 3, 2010 Awesome! Glad I had the chance to share it with you and the rest of the Wetpixel crew Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canuck 3 Posted January 3, 2010 Great lighting. Great colour. Fish soup! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edpdiver 21 Posted January 3, 2010 What a great gallery! Excellent work in a wide-angle playground. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Giles 1 Posted January 3, 2010 Looks like a great trip Matty boy ... your gallery is full of great shots lots of fish and colour .. awesome. my fave beyond any shadow is the your self portrait with the potato cod. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SEAdiver 0 Posted January 4, 2010 Matt, Great gallery! I noticed, and am not surprised, that most of your gallery images were taken at Carl's Ultimate...It was by far the best site we visited in the Eastern Fields. Only wish I could have gone back out with you all. Greg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
