Winning Entry in the Wide Angle Ocean Art 2019 competition - Nicholas More
In the crystalline waters of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, a stunning photograph titled "Blur of Sweetlips" was captured by an underwater photographer. Taken during a dive at Saundereck Jetty in November 2019, the photograph features a school of Yellow Ribbon Sweetlips at a depth of approximately 25m over a patch of hard corals.
The photograph, a testament to the photographer's skill, required little post-processing as most back-scatter was rendered blurred in the frame. The camera settings for the photograph were 1/8 sec, F16, ISO 200. The photographer used a slow shutter speed and accelerated panning to blur the background of the photograph, creating a dynamic and captivating effect.
The scene also includes a cloud of Convict Blennies swarming all over the reef, adding to the vibrancy and diversity of marine life in the photograph.
Raja Ampat, a marine biodiversity hotspot and popular diving location, supports abundant marine life, making it an ideal site for such underwater photography. While detailed technique documentation for capturing the schooling behavior of Yellow Ribbon Sweetlips may not be readily available, best practices from underwater schooling fish photography can reasonably apply.
Effective techniques likely include using wide-angle or fisheye lenses to capture the entire school and its movement within the reef environment, providing context and scale. Natural light usage during daylight hours, possibly supplemented with strobes or underwater flash to enhance color without spooking the fish, is another common practice.
Slow, steady movement and careful buoyancy control are essential to avoid disturbing the fish and to maintain composition. High shutter speeds are used to freeze fast-moving schools and capture sharp images of multiple fish simultaneously. Shooting from a low angle looking slightly upward can utilise natural light filtering from above and provide dynamic perspectives of the school.
Underwater video or rapid burst modes can capture behavioral sequences of schooling and interaction among the Yellow Ribbon Sweetlips. Some underwater footage of the Yellow Ribbon Sweetlips schooling behavior from Raja Ampat can be seen in TikTok videos by marine life enthusiasts, showing natural schooling formations but without explicit method details.
The photographer's efforts were rewarded with a 9-night dive package and a 10% discount for a companion with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort. The equipment used for the photograph includes a Nikon D500, Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye Lens, Zen Dome Port, Nauticam Housing, and Dual Inon Z330 Strobes. The photograph has only undergone global adjustments including clarity, contrast, highlight adjustments, added vibrance, and a slight crop.
With its rich marine life and stunning underwater landscapes, Raja Ampat continues to be a magnet for underwater photographers seeking to capture the beauty and diversity of the ocean's depths.
- The stunning photograph titled "Blur of Sweetlips" was captured during a dive trip at Raja Ampat, Indonesia, showcasing a school of Yellow Ribbon Sweetlips over a patch of hard corals.
- The photographer used a slow shutter speed, accelerated panning, and strobes to blur the background while enhancing the color of the corals and critters, making the photograph dynamic and captivating.
- Raja Ampat, a biodiversity hotspot, is an ideal location for underwater photography, with techniques such as using wide-angle or fisheye lenses, natural light, and slow, steady movement helping to capture the schooling behavior of fish like the Yellow Ribbon Sweetlips.
- Underwater video or rapid burst modes can be used to capture behavioral sequences of schooling and interaction among various marine critters in Raja Ampat.
- The photographer's successful photograph at Raja Ampat earned a 9-night dive package and a discount for a companion with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort, making it an attractive destination for underwater photographers seeking to capture the beauty and diversity of the ocean's depths.
