My first DSLR Pics

[Andrew]

Dear All,

I have finally got to test out all my new equipment in the Maldives where the visibility of more than a couple of meters and where my fingers do not freeze off...

Anyway I have had a fantastic week with plenty of diving in some superb conditions (30m+ vis) and am truly hooked on this new setup (kills compact cameras!) even though it is clear I have loads to learn and am a long way off producing the kind of photos I want and can get on land. Backscatter... now that is something new and has to be looked at!

Here are a few pics, your comments and help would be appreciated :D I haven't cropped any yet, as just want to see what you guys think.

Thanks
Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Dear All,

I have finally got to test out all my new equipment in the Maldives where the visibility of more than a couple of meters and where my fingers do not freeze off...

Anyway I have had a fantastic week with plenty of diving in some superb conditions (30m+ vis) and am truly hooked on this new setup (kills compact cameras!) even though it is clear I have loads to learn and am a long way off producing the kind of photos I want and can get on land. Backscatter... now that is something new and has to be looked at!

Here are a few pics, your comments and help would be appreciated :D I haven't cropped any yet, as just want to see what you guys think.

Thanks
Andrew

Hi, Andrew.

i was planning to visit Maldives during Christmas, but the youngest one still wanted to see Santa and did not accept that it will be also in Maldives with reindeers:p

How did you like Maldives and which island you visited? I was planning Kuredu, but it will be now later.

So I dont remember what your DSLR-set is and what is your strobe?

Are you shooting RAW?

Anyhow the colours are great so whitebalance looks OK.

To lionfishes you have to say "please look at me"...sometimes they really are hearing;)

Scool of fishes would have more magic, if you would have reached closest fishes with strobe!

Manta is just too far, no camera could make better...closer,closer and closer...I know its somethimes easier said than done.

Jukka

[Andrew]

Hi Jukka,

Thanks for your response. We stayed at Vabbinfaru which is part of the Banyan Tree chain, it is fabulous and we have stayed there a couple of times in the past so know quite a few of the staff which is great. They also have a fabulous marine lab there which does some great work.

I am using a Canon 20d in an Ike housing and a DS125 strobe. I shot these in RAW after playing a bit with the setup at home, so is something else to learn about :confused: I will try that next time with the lionfish and maybe it will work... what language are you speaking to them in ;)

I took a couple of different shots of the fish schooling and I agree with you, one is better lit and you just catch the yellow of the fish, however it misses most of the reef and the sunlight through the sea. I am learning slowly! Just wish I could go back again this week!!!

I was very disappointed with all of my Manta shots, they got really close to us (within a few metres) however the water was so unclear that they really were not great shots, hence trying to get a shot of the silhouette into the sun.

Andrew

[Andrew]

One further thing, I have just had a look at the Manta shot vs the one on my machine and the silhouette is much sharper at home, perhaps this was when I was trying to shrink the file size down. Still.. if only I could have got 5 metres closer :cool:

[sorvju-f]

Thanks for your response. We stayed at Vabbinfaru which is part of the Banyan Tree chain, it is fabulous and we have stayed there a couple of times in the past so know quite a few of the staff which is great. They also have a fabulous marine lab there which does some great work.

I have heard that Ari-atols are no 1, but I haver ever visitted Maldives, but there will be a day...

I am using a Canon 20d in an Ike housing and a DS125 strobe. I shot these in RAW after playing a bit with the setup at home, so is something else to learn about :confused:

Sound great set, just play more with apperature and speed!

I will try that next time with the lionfish and maybe it will work... what language are you speaking to them in ;)

You know there are many divers, who believe really that there is existing some power that makes the creature to do what you wish:eek: ...I just start with quietly with my mother language, if it wont help then loudly "some" language and if that doesnot help I quit and try the same with some other fish:D

I took a couple of different shots of the fish schooling and I agree with you, one is better lit and you just catch the yellow of the fish, however it misses most of the reef and the sunlight through the sea. I am learning slowly!

So we all!

Just wish I could go back again this week!!!

So we all!

I was very disappointed with all of my Manta shots, they got really close to us (within a few metres) however the water was so unclear that they really were not great shots, hence trying to get a shot of the silhouette into the sun.

I am sure the right moment will come, disapointments are part of UW-photographing


Jukka

[tarczy]

Actually . . . for the first time out with a brand new DSLR rig . . . going from point-n-shoot to DSLR . . . I think Andrew did a phenomenal job!!

The images I shot the first time out with my 20D . . . I would never even think of posting because they were so awfull. :rolleyes:

Kudos!!

Keep on shooting . . . you'll get the hang of it.

[Andrew]

Thanks Tarczy, well its a learning curve and I am at the bottom at the moment. But am truly hooked! I am just looking forward to the next time I can get into the water with it!

Andrew