My Tulamben Photos....finally

[sunfish]

finally got my Tulamben photos organized...after so long

my third attempt with C8080...after gathering all the advice from the masters here

didn't do any editing except cropping because I hope to get my techniques right first....

Comments to help me improve are most welcomed.

oh...and thanks to kthan for recommending this place...

[sunfish]

first one...

[sunfish]

next....

[sunfish]

next...

[sunfish]

next...

[sunfish]

last one....the rest are in my gallery

[foxwagon]

molas?

[kthan]

Originally Posted by foxwagon molas?

in Tulamben? ya, got one......CSer Sunfish lor

Sunfish : you are most welcomed. Made is a competent guide ya?

Pic 1 pygmy: strobe not lighting the subject. u can either detach strobe, or place the strobe further back so that the beam hits. Strobe power can always be adjusted, unless u are in TTL

Pic 2: a little overexposed. try to get a dark background unless u do intend to capture the sand.

Piic 3: seems like focus is on the gills (or whatever u call that)?

ntg much to critique on 4 and 5.

Let's wait for Waisj to chip in. I usually compose with my viewfinder instead of the LCD, since i don;t shoot much on my C-5050

Eric

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by foxwagon molas?

other than one swimming around with a camera there wasn't any other mola mola sightings reported

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by kthan Sunfish : you are most welcomed. Made is a competent guide ya? Eric

I met Made but did not dive with him as it was supposed to be his rest day/s, another two guides were assigned to me , both are also very competent and the dive sites are at their fingertips.

Originally Posted by kthan Pic 1 pygmy: strobe not lighting the subject. u can either detach strobe, or place the strobe further back so that the beam hits. Strobe power can always be adjusted, unless u are in TTL Eric

oh ...ok noted. Detaching the strobe is a good idea, it did not occur to me will try that next time.

But honestly, I must admit that most of the time when I was shooting the pygmy, I don't know what and where I am shooting at...

Originally Posted by kthan Pic 2: a little overexposed. try to get a dark background unless u do intend to capture the sand. Piic 3: seems like focus is on the gills (or whatever u call that)? Eric

noted and thanks.

by the way, I am getting a second strobe, you reckon it helps in improving the lighting?

[kthan]

Originally Posted by sunfish by the way, I am getting a second strobe, you reckon it helps in improving the lighting?

strobes are like women, 2 are better than 1
too many, and good luck to u as well......

seek a nice balance and I'd say 2 strobes are just perfect. by the way , wat are u using now and what do u intend to get?

Eric
(PS: just to be politically correct, strobes are like toy boys too, if u are a female photographer)

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by kthan strobes are like women, 2 are better than 1 too many, and good luck to u as well...... seek a nice balance and I'd say 2 strobes are just perfect. by the way , wat are u using now and what do u intend to get? Eric (PS: just to be politically correct, strobes are like toy boys too, if u are a female photographer)

I am using a DS125, thinking of getting another one

[beivied]

just looked at your setup profile... you using TTL? the chromodoris magnifica and pygmy seahorse seems a little bit burnt out .. ...

and dunno if its my pics, find the pictures a tad too warm .. ...

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by beivied just looked at your setup profile... you using TTL? the chromodoris magnifica and pygmy seahorse seems a little bit burnt out .. ... and dunno if its my pics, find the pictures a tad too warm .. ...

yes, using TTL, care to elaborate a little? Thanks

[waisj]

Hi Sunfish,

The flash exposure is a bit too hot for my liking. My normal setting would be -.3 lower for flash exposure compensation. I will over/underexpose according to the scene. But the normal base point i have is -0.3.

Echo-ing what eric has commented on, The inadequacy of strobe lighting/placement has diminished the exquisiteness of the shot. Furthermore it isn't very flattering capturing the butt of the seahorse..

Composition of the Chromodoris magnifica is pretty good. However try to take a frontal shot of the sea slug. The rhinophores are normally considered the "eyes" of the creature.

The composition of the 3rd picture is not bad. try to rotate it to a portrait position. again eric has said the obvious the focus is at the gills rather than the rhinophores.

Composition of the scorpion fish is too tight for my liking, try to give it more space.

As for the Chromodoris multicubulata(?) try to get lower and and try to get the rhinophores facing you. Another note to take is that your strobe placement is too high up. try to lover it on the last shot. it will create more contrast for the slug.


It is quite hard when shooting pygmys.. however.. it will pay off being patient.. with it.. or untill it get's used to you.. (or simply a pygmy that ain't scared of photogs )
Hope that helps.

[sunfish]

Originally Posted by waisj Hi Sunfish, The flash exposure is a bit too hot for my liking. My normal setting would be -.3 lower for flash exposure compensation. I will over/underexpose according to the scene. But the normal base point i have is -0.3. Echo-ing what eric has commented on, The inadequacy of strobe lighting/placement has diminished the exquisiteness of the shot. Furthermore it isn't very flattering capturing the butt of the seahorse.. Composition of the Chromodoris magnifica is pretty good. However try to take a frontal shot of the sea slug. The rhinophores are normally considered the "eyes" of the creature. The composition of the 3rd picture is not bad. try to rotate it to a portrait position. again eric has said the obvious the focus is at the gills rather than the rhinophores. Composition of the scorpion fish is too tight for my liking, try to give it more space. As for the Chromodoris multicubulata(?) try to get lower and and try to get the rhinophores facing you. Another note to take is that your strobe placement is too high up. try to lover it on the last shot. it will create more contrast for the slug. It is quite hard when shooting pygmys.. however.. it will pay off being patient.. with it.. or untill it get's used to you.. (or simply a pygmy that ain't scared of photogs ) Hope that helps.

Thanks, will work on it