Any tips on shooting Black Water dive in Hawaii?

[dhaas]

Heymo,

Aussie Byron I believe is right as to leave your lens on AF.

Canon 50D has a dedicated AF On button and you can also program your * button to START and when released STOP the AF process.

So whichever button under your thumb you use stick out your hand (or fin for a bit farther away) and get the camera to FOCUS.

Use your CENTER focus point to keep it simple.

Once you release the * button (not sure about the AF On button, check your manual) your focus will be LOCKED at that distance.

Then all you need to do is track a critter in your viewfinder and when it comes in focus lay on the front shutter release and rattle off shots.

You should use a rather broad soft beam aiming light versus a narrow spot type light.

As far as OWT fuggetta' 'bout them. You'd never see them in the dark anyway.....

More likely you'll get bumped by your buddy, brushed by a line if tethered to the boat or a float and that will make your heart go bonkers

Read your manual and practice this technique on land first.

Good shooting!

dhaas
David Haas Underwater Photography

 

[Heymo]

Ah- thanks for the clarification- and the suggestions!

 

[Heymo]

Thanks dhaas...I'm familiar with locking the AF- Just have had several other people tell me I'm going to have to shoot manual.

I've done this dive before- sort of otherworldly as far as what you can see and not see. Kept expecting to turn and find a big eye over my shoulder! (lol) Did see a school of squid below us as I shown my flashlight being chased- more than likely by dolphins. Very surreal...but than again- the whole dive is surreal!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[*dave*]

I used a P&S during my dive and was told by the DM, Joshua, that AF has a hard time 'seeing' the critters. He's shot thousands of exposures, but that might be specific to what camera he was shooting with? All I was able to get with AF was blur and smudge.

 

[Heymo]

Dave- you dove with Josh Lambus? His photographs of the Black Water dive are amazing, aren't they? I've dove with him before...I know he used to shoot with a Nikon D80.

I may fail at getting anything good...but I regretted trying the last time and will at leats give it a shot this time. If I get anything worth showing I will be sure to post!

 

[AussieByron]

This is a set from Josh's Flickr : Explored - a set on Flickr

Truely some beautiful images of some strange and wonderful creatures.

Regards Mark

 

[WetBoy101]

Since it's night and you'll be illuminating your subjects, there shouldn't be any need for a red filter!!

 

[*dave*]

Dave- you dove with Josh Lambus? His photographs of the Black Water dive are amazing, aren't they? I've dove with him before...I know he used to shoot with a Nikon D80.

I may fail at getting anything good...but I regretted trying the last time and will at leats give it a shot this time. If I get anything worth showing I will be sure to post!

Josh was great. Loads of information and an easy guy to talk to. I seem to recall him telling me he's done over 1000 BWDs and that was two years ago.

 

[AussieByron]

Since it's night and you'll be illuminating your subjects, there shouldn't be any need for a red filter!!

Red Filter or Red LED is for the focusing light so you dont scare away the critters.

Regards Mark

 

[Heymo]

Dave- have some images Josh took on our last BW dive- he was nice enough to give us copies. Great guy- and he takes amazing BW pictures. Mine won't even come close- but I'd like to give it a shot.

I have the metadata from the ones Josh gave me...he shot with a Nikon D80, ISO 320, F9, 1/100 sec. Focal length 92mm.

My biggest question is which lens to shoot...I've been told macro by some, other say it's too tight and to use a WA or FE with a TC would be better...