Inspired by Alfred I thought I'd post one of my underwater shots. It's from a couple of years ago taken at Los Islotes, Baja California, Mexico. Playing with the sea lions was such a joy it is hard to describe. It was taken with a 28mm lens (fairly wide in 35mm terms) but given the crop factor of the 350D and the additional magnication caused by shooting through a flat port under water I don't think it counts towards the latest theme. This is another EXIF-less shot due to my hard drive crash but I'd have been at about ISO 400, F5.6 and 1/200 sec. Lighting would have been from the surface only. We were quite shallow and although I did have a strobe in this setup I don't think I'd have used it here. Too much risk of back scatter.
Excellent Sean !!! Well composed and moody. Did well in not firing the strobe, first for the backscatter as you mention plus there is not that much color there. I'm guessing the distance to subject had to be close to eight feet? Light would have to travel sixteen feet (strobe to seal and back to camera) so very little color would have been recorder !!!
Never used that lens much but did have the land version. Sure wish I could get in the water again with digital gear .... can only dream :)
btw never had the chance to dive with Sea Lions or seals, I understand is a sensory overload experience !!!!! Big Time Congrats !!!
Denise, I've never tried to lighten the eye in underwater shots. I suspect it wouldn't be possible o do it and still keep it natural looking but I'll give it a go. Thanks for the suggestion.
I know what you mean Alfred. A problem with my eye has kept me out of the water for the last year and a half but the itch to get wet again is strong. The issue with the eye means I'll need to use a P&S I think but the quality achievable with some of them these days is pretty impressive. Ooh, you've got me dreaming too.
Sea Lion
