Any tips for WA shots

[Ken Hawk]

The Galapagos trip is back up and running now they have come to there senses :D

So my ? is what settings would you use for shark shots etc
I was thinking of useing AV mode set at f7 or smaller, with ISO 200.

Thanks Ken

Edit, My camera gear is in my profile

[Warren_L]

What is AV mode? Aperature priority? I'd prefer to set a fixed f/stop and shutter speed for shooting shasks. Aperature priority might drop the shutter speed too slow for my liking. Depending on the conditions, I might shoot with 1/250th shutter and f/stop in the 5.6 to 8 range at ISO 200. Here is a shot I took a couple of days ago in the Bahamas with these settings using my 12-24mm at 24mm:

http://www.warrenlophotography.com/uw/web2007/blackbeards-2007-01.jpg

[Ken Hawk]

Thanks Warren
AV = aperture priority
Your advice is logged in ;)
Great shot, hope they come that close on our trip.
Thanks Ken

[solisti]

http://www.warrenlophotography.com/uw/web2007/blackbeards-2007-01.jpg

Wow. I've seen a lot of shark pics, but theres something special in this one for sure. Great shot!

[tarczy]

I'm no photo pro . . . and though I've been on two Galapagos trips, I've yet to encounter even ONE Whale Shark. :rolleyes: But, just for yucks, I'll wade in on this discussion anyway . . .

Below is a pretty cool Whale Shark image that is in the public domain (so, I don't think there are any copyright issues). I'm posting it for discussion purposes.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i284/mongo255/Galapagos/Whale-Shark-01.jpg

I'm betting the photographer is very far from his subject. Hence, his flash is useless. I'd just turn off the flash. But, the subject is fairly close to the surface on what seems to be a sunny day, so ambient light is doing a great job of illuminating the subject. Although not done so here, I'd adjust white balance in post processing.

My suspicion is that many whale shark pics will be taken with ambient light only, unless you're shooting body parts up close. Only then will your flash help the situation.

Soooo . . . how would one shoot this image? I think I'd bounce the ISO up to 200 or so, set the shutter speed to something like 60 or above (depending on how fast the action is) and screw down the aperture as tight as available light will allow (thus maximizing depth of field).

Notice the hint of "Jesus Rays" shining down on the subject? I kinda like the Jesus Ray effect. If I want to enhance those, I'd have to bump up the shutter speed to about 250. , I'd probably have to bump up the ISO to 400 in order to maintain depth of field.

All that said, the "take away" from this should be that shooting in manual mode is probably your best bet. I know it's hard to remember what dial and button combination works what feature, but the pro really knows his camera's dials and buttons well enough to be able to make the manual adjustments in 2 seconds flat.

Just my 2¢. I'd love to hear what some of the pros think about the above.

[Ken Hawk]

Very good reply Tarczy, gives me what I am looking for.
I too am hoping the pros stick there 2$ worth in to ;)

Talking of whale sharks, my first ever warm water holiday,on my second dive
one came out of the blue swam within 10 feet of me the swam back off,
5mins later a dolphin came swam around me for 10mins.
I thought this was going to happen on every dive, but as we now know,it's very rare;)
Thanks again Ken