Blue Heron Bridge Trolls

[danvolker]

So far I'm not too concerned about DOF, maybe I'm missing something? I've been shooting macro on my camera almost exclusively, and want a short DOF, am thinking the diopter should not be an issue.. Bigger issue is getting natural light through the lens.. my slave strobe is so strong it whiteouts a photo, and the in-camera flash does not work on the super macro setting.. Well, it does (somehow finally figured it out) but does not illuminate the subject. You can see it on this octopus photo, I didn't use the diopter. The far eyeball got the flash, not the near one.

Jenny, you are getting some really nice creature shots...and with super macro, there are a few new issues.....Sandra has been doing a lot of super macro with a 100 mm lens and a 7x diopter....and also with a 10 x diopter....She actually prefers the 7x because you lose so much depth of field with the 10x, than a Nudibranch can be sharp for it's whole body unless it is almost exactly perpendicular to you with the 10 x...where as with the 7 x, she can have the eyes sharply in focus, all the way to the rear end, even if it is facing her.....To do this, it takes a really powerful diffused light, and a tiny little aperture to shoot through--like F32.

There are many ways to add light to your images....and if there is a nasty hot spot from a powerful light source, you can use some do it yourself diffusing--even wax paper taped over the light can help alot. In other words, you "could" PUT DOWN several flashlights each with a few layers of wax paper on them...and this should allow you to get to a lower f stop...and then get the entire creature entirely in focus.

On a related note, when Sandra is shooting a nudibranch at night....if I come along with my huge dual video lights and look at what she is shooting with my lights--she ends up pissed at me later, because the ambient light is increased so much by my lights, that it seriously alters the settings she would need to use ( she shoots manual, so for her to "use" my lights, she would have to adjust specifically for them).

I know some times a photographer wants a fish face in focus, and everything else soft....but I don't like this for all shots...I lean towards the whole animal in sharp focus, and the background as getting soft.....

 

[djtimmy77]

here are a few shots from yesterday:

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Seahorse looks a bit pregnant..

 

[mntlblok]

here are a few shots from yesterday:

View attachment 174844

Might need to hit you up for some intel. Cork and I will likely wander down next weekend (my weekends begin on Wednesday afternoons). In need of a pikeblenny fix. . .

---------- Post added January 5th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ----------

Just trying to save you from starring in an upcoming episode of Flickr Hoarders.....

Have grown comfortable over the years with my bizzarities. Figger it's just part of the price to be paid for carting around all that superior intellect.

 

[Biminitwist]

Might need to hit you up for some intel. Cork and I will likely wander down next weekend (my weekends begin on Wednesday afternoons). In need of a pikeblenny fix. . .



---------- Post added January 5th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ----------



Have grown comfortable over the years with my bizzarities. Figger it's just part of the price to be paid for carting around all that superior intellect.

You should have no trouble finding this with all that superior intellect......:banana:
John

 

[danvolker]

Vis was a very decent 35-40ft. Temp was recorded by my buddy at 75°. Water temp of the water after the tide change was much cooler and a bit green. Despite how windy it was, the diving area is pretty well protected. Upon leaving, at the top of the bridge looking north, we saw white caps as far as the eye could see.

Got to play with the diopters! Woot! Learned that using diopters greatly enhances the opportunity to get blurred photos! LOL New learning curve!

Unidentified nudi

Scuba Jenny,
Sandra tells me that Laz shot this unidentified nudi at the bridge about a year ago, and it gained a flurry of interest by the scientists...as it was unknown to them as well.....and not seen since, till this shot of yours....
And as you might guess...Sandra is dying to find this to shoot....and if you were in the mood to divulge the spot you found it.... She is at sandra@sfdj.com

 

[Biminitwist]

Dan-
I think I remember that image of Laz's, very impressive.
Can't help with that but here is another clue for Kevin....

 

[djtimmy77]

Kevin,

Wish I could give you directions, all I know is this particular pike blenny was out in front of the beach somewhere. This guy was pretty small, also vis was down and no real solid references nearby. The good news is I have randomly seen them all over the place at BHB (East/West/Beach) so you should be able to find one.

 

[mntlblok]

Can't help with that but here is another clue for Kevin....

Don't know how much of a clue it is, but I *would* love to see one fresh out of the packaging!

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Scuba Jenny,
Sandra tells me that Laz shot this unidentified nudi at the bridge about a year ago, and it gained a flurry of interest by the scientists...as it was unknown to them as well.....and not seen since, till this shot of yours....
And as you might guess...Sandra is dying to find this to shoot....and if you were in the mood to divulge the spot you found it.... She is at sandra@sfdj.com

Laz shot it in 2009. Anne posted a link to his awesome photo a page or so back when she also identified it as a placida cremoniana. Givng you intel on where to find it? Sorry.. I just stumbled upon it, and within a minute or so it was gone. I saw a black dot on some of that feather algae and shot it, had no idea it was a nudi till I got home and looked at the photos.



Kevin.. stumbled upon a pikethoat blenny today.
Vis was 5-8ft, cold, windy, current even at high tide. Actually a pretty sucky day to dive, and we were not the only nuts there! LOL

---------- Post added January 7th, 2014 at 08:35 PM ----------

Despite the overcast conditions and almost no vis making for no light I was able to salvage these less than stellar photos.

For Kevin..

This guy did not want to be photographed. He was cool till I pulled out my camera. Looked away a couple times, then took off.. obviously knowing that flashes to the eyes are not fun.. A word for all those that love to take multiples of multiples of photos.. please respect the sealife.

Dead? Alive? Thought dead, but after I shot it, it moved.. hmmm.. no idea.. love the curly little bits at the ends

And this thing.. ewwwwhhh.. creepy looking thing.. about 8" long.