DIVE TIME By Tim Grollimund
Small wonders on reefs and wrecks
Plenty of subjects to focus on with compact cameras
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Posted - Friday, June 24, 2011 11:00 AM EDT
A colorful mollusk is one of many creatures you can capture with a compact camera on a dive in the Florida Keys. (Photo by Tim Grollimund)
When I jump in the water with a particular camera setup, I have certain things in mind I want to shoot. And it seems that on some days I find what I’m looking for, and some days I have difficulty finding the right animal for the setup I have.
But there are some things that are always on the wrecks and reefs. The small stuff.
Today’s thoughts are primarily for all the folks I see with compact camera systems on dive boats. If you are new to underwater photography, I applaud your entry into the submerged imaging realm. It’s your efforts shooting photos that help spread the wonder, beauty and splendor of the ocean treasures found on the reefs and wrecks. Sending your photos to folks or posting on social networks are great ways to show ocean life to those who do not take the plunge. And going forward I am hopeful all of you will help preserve and protect that which you strive to show your friends and family. Sending your photos, doing a little volunteer work, or supporting a cause that fits your passion are all important to disseminating knowledge about the sea. Your time, stories and photos are important.
Abundant animals
I define small stuff as anything football size or smaller that you can shoot with a non-wide angle lens. There is certainly enough small stuff to go around, wherever you are. In fact, between big stuff and small stuff, I think you are much more likely to find the small critters on a given day than the big animals. Plus, the small stuff tends to stick around in a more compact area, so with a bit of patience you can have a grand time on a very small patch of reef or wreck.
A lot of small stuff is just plain fun to watch, even comical on some days, like when a 2-inch damselfish decides he’s had enough and wages a frontal attack when you get into his territory.
The Benwood has a million Christmas tree worms, a handful of ringed anemones with Pederson cleaner shrimp, and flamingo tongues on some of the sea fans. I have also had some great opportunities with hermit crabs and there are always harlequin bass in the nooks and crannies. In the sandy areas around the wreck you can find lizardfish and yellowheaded jawfish. Given the tendency for greenish-hued water on the Benwood, macro photography is a great choice just about anytime. While I have seen blue water on the Benwood, it’s been few days and far between.
The top of the wheelhouse on the Spiegel Grove has a plethora of tube sponges, and many contain arrow crabs. There are always sharpnose puffers around and sometimes you can get more than one in the frame. Fire worms are a normal sighting, as are sea cucumbers and encrusting sponges. At the mooring buoy lines on the cranes of the Spiegel you’ll also find redlip bennies, one of my favorite subjects. They are quick, don’t stray far and will let you approach after a few minutes of just watching. If you want a great exercise for accuracy and reflexes, find a redlip blenny and settle in.
And that’s the real game for shooting small stuff. Wait and see. Literally. The more you wait, the more you see. Want a shot of that little goldentail eel? Wait. If they are hunting they will be right out and move to another hole to seek prey. See that hermit crab peeking out from underneath the shell? Wait. He’ll move when he’s good and ready, and when you see the shell lift a bit and the eyes pop out, be ready. And how about the Keys icon, the Queen conch? If you see a trail in the sand behind the conch, take a position in front and get comfortable. You won’t get run over. They really are snails. I don’t think the “gas” in “gastropod” was meant as a moniker for speed.
Some other great subjects for macro photography are harlequin bass, squid, juvenile Spanish hogfish, puddingwife and hawkfish. You can do quite well with face shots of larger, more easily approachable species like French and gray angels, porkfish, scrawled filefish and parrotfish.
When you are in poor visibility, try to shoot against a busy background, like the side of the wreck or reef . That helps hide backscatter, the bane of an underwater photographer’s existence. There is a technique using Photoshop for handling backscatter. This and much, much more are available on the Alert Diver Online website under the heading “Imaging” (see www.alertdiver .com). Good stuff here, much of which is from Stephen Frink and Eddie Tapp. Both of these guys are Canon Explorers of Light, and Eddie Tapp is a Photoshop Hall of Fame member.
If you are just starting out with a compact camera system, more than likely you will get better results shooting the macro end of your spectrum. Once you are comfortable with macro, then try wide angle. But set yourself up for success by practicing and mastering macro first. And remember this: if you think you are close enough to your subject, get closer. And use a strobe light.
I generally let the conditions decide which lens I select for a dive. On those “Chamber of Commerce” days, wide angle, naturally. But more often than not, especially from what I have seen so far this year, you can’t go wrong if you play the macro card.
If you have information on unusual marine life sightings or great diving conditions, please write to me. I welcome your feedback.
