I was on a dive trip to the Cayman Islands and this turtle became very curious and provided an excellent subject for underwater photography, especially with a c...
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I was on a dive trip to the Cayman Islands and this turtle became very curious and provided an excellent subject for underwater photography, especially with a couple other divers in the background.
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Awards
Winner in An Adventure! Photo Challenge
Winner in Sea Turtles Photo Challenge
Winner in Searching for Sea Life Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Picturing Aquatic Animals Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Covers Photo Contest Vol 50
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Photo Contest Vol 45
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
All Star
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Categories
RDVPhotography
December 21, 2018
Thanks Alfredo, been off here for a few days visiting my grandson. I am very happy the way this shot came out.
RDVPhotography
January 30, 2019
Thank you very much Eddie, lucky also as my camera got flooded the previous day and I was able to borrow the boats gear for a couple days.
RDVPhotography
March 08, 2020
Thank you very much Toni, you have a very nice and creative portfolio yourself
RDVPhotography
January 28, 2023
Thank you very much Rafa, I miss the diving. That is where I went Digital in my photography.
RDVPhotography
February 27, 2023
Thanks much Preiss, took a quick look at your work and it is very nice.
RDVPhotography
February 28, 2023
Thank you very much Cissy. I loved diving but gave it to do more road trips and overseas travel. Been down under a few time and want to come back and drive the Great Ocean Road. Cheers.
carolcardillo
November 23, 2023
Congratulations, Ron! You are the Winner of my Adventure Challenge! Beautiful colors and composition. Love the way the turtle is looking right at you.
RDVPhotography
November 26, 2023
Carol, thank you very much for the nice comment and the Challenge you set up. I think having a diver behind the turtle caused it to come closer.
RDVPhotography
November 26, 2023
Kurt, thank you very much. You have quite a few terrific images yourself.
RDVPhotography
November 26, 2023
Thank you Jane, this has been one of my better photos for contests and especially for challenges.
RDVPhotography
November 29, 2023
Thanks Kurt, this was captured on my very last dive trip several years ago.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I captured this image in the waters off Grand Cayman Island while on a scuba diving trip.Time
This was taken in the middle of the afternoon at 2:50 PM on my second dive of the day.Lighting
In underwater photography you have to use artificial lighting to really get the shot. For this image I had two Sea & Sea YS 90 strobes attached to an Ikelite underwater housing for a Nikon D90. You also need to make white balance adjustments during a dive to get the best colors.Equipment
I used a Nikon D90 with an Ikelite housing and twin Sea & Sea YS 90 strobes.Inspiration
This turtle just came right up to me and posed for me so I took about 3 shots. This was the second shot and I caught another diver in the background along with air bubbles from a couple of other divers hidden behind the turtle. My first digital camera was for underwater photography.Editing
When I first started doing underwater photography I used cameras that were small compact digital cameras that only shot JPG photos. On this trip I rented this setup of an Ikelite housing, Nikon D90 and 2 Sea & Sea YS 90 strobes so I could shoot RAW. Shooting RAW allows you to shoot without making a lot of white balance changes during a dive as you can set this later in post. I edited this image in LR. I used Dehaze to make the image more clear then went to lens correction. I then cropped the image a bit followed by cropping, noise reduction and pre-sharpening. Next I adjusted highlights, shadows, white and black points. I then made tone adjustments and a few color adjustments, mostly luminance adjustments. I then went to work with the spot removal tool to clean up a little backscatter from the strobe from particles floating in the water.In my camera bag
On dive trips I usually take three cameras. Two dive cameras that fit in the same housing and a third camera for land use. On this trip I just took my land camera and rented the underwater setup. The reason for usually taking two dedicated cameras for underwater work is in case I have a problem with a camera, considering the cost of a dive trip.Feedback
First get trained in Scuba Diving and get your Advanced Open Water Rating before working on underwater photography, learn to be a very good diver first. Then take some lessons on underwater photography. One of the easiest ways to do this is by booking a liveaboard with a photographer on staff.