under water experiments...

[ving (David)]

Cheryl, god bless her, bought me a snorkelling set and a waterproof camera case for valentines day! I have only been snorkelling once before but i was excited to give it a try again... especially since i could take my little nikon under water with me

so yesterday we set off for calm waters at windang, south of wollongong and armed with my new gear i chased teh fish around and snapped shots of the river bottom

i have alot to learn about doing this as water is not my natural habitat. the fish i chased were well camoflaged and the water wasnt very clear... in the end i needed to fiddle with the pics a bit to show details (just contrast and brightness)

[h0ughy (David)]

its not easy being green???????? I can see a change, kermit the frog!

[ving (David)]

yup, they are very green arent they... they were pretty green before processng them and the water was pretty green too, but not quite as green as shown here...

[Mikezoom]

Cool pics Vingster, couple of nice Bream and some Luderick I think?

Next time try playing with your white balance, might help might not but at least your experimenting.

Mike.B.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Nice ones ving. Maybe take them into PS and reduce the green using curves and see how you go.

[toetoe (Peter)]

Good onya ving, it's going to good to have a different range of pictures from you with your new set up. A good start i say You could practice in the bath couldn't you...

[ving (David)]

white balance... hmm ok i'll try that next time

i could also practice inteh pool

[shredder]

Hi Ving,

I believe most underwater photographers use a floodlight / flashlight to light up the water and make it appear clearer than it actually is, ie camera and torch. I dont take this kind of thing myself but a few of my work mates do.

All that said they are good for a first time use. I once had a minolta under water camera and rarely got a clear shot from it.

Cheers

Michael

[ving (David)]

i dont think the fish would have liked being blinded by a flood light... that said tho they might have stayed still

[acropolite (Phil)]

I can see it now, the underwater adventures if Ving Custeau... Next step scuba diving, it's argueably cheaper than astronomy and a lot of fun. The flash will help particularly as you get deeper as most colour except blue is filtered out as you go deeper. As Michael said a torch or using a flash will bring back the colours.

[ving (David)]

what!!! you think i am after a replacement to astronomy?
no way!

not doing scuba... not interested in going down that road
i might have to get a waterproof torch tho... like a head bandy one. or swim in cleaner water...

[erick (Eric)]

Forget the fish - photograph the whales

[erick (Eric)]

Wasn't too green last time I took shots underwater off Bundy coastline.

Camera - $15 underwater disposable!

[leon]

Now with all those fish in the water, why is it that i cant catch one sometimes.

Cheers Leon

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by leon

Now with all those fish in the water, why is it that i cant catch one sometimes.

Cheers Leon

You'd need about 50 of those to have a light meal.

[norm]

Hey Ving,

Don't forget the spear gun next time !

[ving (David)]

i prefer to shoot with my camera

[leon]

It really is a different word under the waters, nearly as good as, Astronomy

Cheers Leon

[ving (David)]

it is indeed leon! the area i was in seemed to be quite plain from teh shore. i was only in about 2m maximum of water and alot less most of the time but it was quite surreal looking at the aquatic life around me

[leon]

I've never really done the under water stuff Ving, but it sure has me interested to have a go, if i don't drown that is.

Cheers leon