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A Drop Of Blood
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A Drop Of Blood



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These two photos finish my series of photos inspired by the documentary Blackfish. Blackfish documents the horrific abuse SeaWorld and other marine parks subje...
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These two photos finish my series of photos inspired by the documentary Blackfish. Blackfish documents the horrific abuse SeaWorld and other marine parks subject their animals to. These follow up this first photo on the subject.



If SeaWorld's practices disgust and horrify you too, please see my
<b&bt;blog for more about the photos, and links to petitions you can sign!<-b&bt;




Thank you to Katie Johnson for her always excellent underwater modeling! It's a much trickier skill than you'd think.




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cameraNIKON D5100

settings Aperture f/4.2 ISO 800 Shutter 10/8000 

upload_dateDec, 2013

Views

5761

Likes

Awards

Contest Finalist in Rule of Thirds Photo Contest vol12
Contest Finalist in People In Motion Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Underwater Textures Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Underwater Games Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Deep Blue Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Underwater Fun Photo Contest
Good Light! Magazine Publication
Contest Finalist
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Peer Award
gerhardprinsloo rolandus richardeaton_9707 davidjprosser DrPhrogg cristinacovas Ciego64 +203
Outstanding Creativity
paullanderos JuergenJoherl sue-zon Tasha-Memoirs dannyboyfraser RobertSGartnerPhotography timboten +51
Superb Composition
James-Evans MickiFindlay Giginthesky jusifsarkarov dougplume vladimirvasilyev Free-Spirit +27
Absolute Masterpiece
Devanpayne tamaracartwright-loebl PORNrasanaga dimitarbelchev skippy4280 DerasArt FergalBrady +26
Top Choice
Tsphotos malcolmdjeffries nickpeterash julius3jj greyT1 photokoss Novaveler +21
Superior Skill
gaschenf Snowflake07 GeneLybargerPhotography Harold179 arbinsphotography Elliott-Crampton MarinaMakerova +8
Magnificent Capture
peternurman EveryAtomOfMe shanecorby Ulysees Maiemyphoto clivetshuma danielleteresesmith +1
Genius
Freeuser2010 katyakarklisiyska LondonMcCormick glenhoban Daleenvt
All Star
vitor sparrowhawk NadaV tngnj
Exceptional Contrast
feistyvolk
VIP Favorite
olimiha

Emotions

Impressed
PORNrasanaga narcisa_5892 herbafittheoherbots@gmail.com calummcdonald Snowflake07 yvemaria_f manh

Top Ranks

Fun Underwater Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Fun Underwater Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest vol13Top 20 rank
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest vol13Top 20 rank week 1
Picture Perfect Photo ContestTop 10 rank
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Picture Perfect Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Creative Moments Photo Contest vol1Top 20 rank
Creative Moments Photo Contest vol1Top 10 rank week 1
Rule of Thirds Photo Contest vol12Top 20 rank
Rule of Thirds Photo Contest vol12Top 20 rank week 1
Thankful Photo Contest 2021Top 30 rank
Thankful Photo Contest 2021Top 20 rank week 1
Everything Water Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Everything Water Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Creators Exhibition ProjectTop 20 rank
Creators Exhibition ProjectTop 20 rank week 1
Having Fun Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Having Fun Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Under The Water Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Under The Water Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Creative Captures Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Creative Captures Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Capture Running Water Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Capture Running Water Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Finding Reflections Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Finding Reflections Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Capturing Liquids Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Capturing Liquids Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
People In Motion Photo ContestTop 10 rank
People In Motion Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
The Shades Of Blue Photo ContestTop 10 rank
The Shades Of Blue Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
All About Water Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Perfect Reflections Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Perfect Reflections Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
An Unforgettable Adventure Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Young And Active Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Young And Active Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v4Top 30 rank
Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v4Top 20 rank week 1
Unique Locations Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Capture The Four Elements Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Capture The Four Elements Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Showing Movement Photo ContestTop 10 rank
Showing Movement Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Curves And Compositions Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Curves And Compositions Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Underwater Textures Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 2
Underwater Textures Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Water Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank
Water Photo Contest 2017Top 10 rank week 1
Twisted Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Twisted Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Twisted Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Underwater Games Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Multiple Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Multiple Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Multiple Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Two Of The Same Photo Contest oldTop 20 rank
Two Of The Same Photo Contest oldTop 20 rank week 2
Deep Blue Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Deep Blue Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Water World Photo Contest Outside ViewsTop 30 rank
Creative Composition Photo Contest Vol 2Top 10 rank
Creative Composition Photo Contest Vol 2Top 10 rank week 2
Creative Composition Photo Contest Vol 2Top 10 rank week 1
Underwater Fun Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Underwater Fun Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
The Human Body Photo ContestTop 20 rank
The Human Body Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Best Water Shots 2015 Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Best Water Shots 2015 Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Best Water Shots 2015 Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Light On Water Photo ContestTop 20 rank
All Or Nothing Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
All Or Nothing Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
People and Water Photo ContestTop 10 rank
People and Water Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1

Categories

11 Comments |
verity PRO
 
verity January 15, 2014
you are a wonderful photographer, good luck with your cause
AlanJakarta
 
AlanJakarta October 06, 2014
Brilliant image. Congratulations on being the Winner.
shivrekha
 
shivrekha October 07, 2014
congrats
Rl1956
 
Rl1956 October 07, 2014
congrats on your win
Jeanne713
 
Jeanne713 October 08, 2014
Congrats!! I agree with you about marine parks.
scottweiskopf
 
scottweiskopf June 11, 2015
I absolutly love these underwater photo
snowdon PRO
 
snowdon December 23, 2015
congratulations on your Finalist Win in Underwater Fun competition ... great work
stephxanie
 
stephxanie July 30, 2017
Elegant and beautiful.
vitor Platinum
 
vitor February 04, 2020
masterpiece
vitor Platinum
 
vitor February 04, 2020
Fantastic photo!
rolandus
 
rolandus Feb 14
Fantastic!

Submitted to Photo Contests
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Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken in a pool which belonged to the father of a friend of mine in Sun Valley, CA; not too far from Los Angeles. My friend's dad was extremely kind in opening his home and pool to me to use and has let me shoot in it several times! I try to always bring some snacks and his favorite beer to thank him, which is pretty good advice no matter who you're working with ;)

Time

This was taken later in the afternoon, about 3 or 4. It was almost winter and the days were getting shorter so by about 5 we would lose most of our light. We were surprised in the middle of shooting this series by emerging from the water and finding the back yard full of gardeners who were equally surprised to find us in the pool!

Lighting

Shooting underwater helps diffuse light naturally, but I like the look of the light best when it's just dipping out of sight. So far I've only shot with natural light underwater.

Equipment

I used my Nikon D5100 with a kit lens from an older Nikon which was a 35-70mm lens. Since you're working with confined areas inside a pool and the water can distort things further, it's very handy to have a lens which can give you different looks. I used an inexpensive bag cover for my camera which was under $100 when I purchased it a few years ago. It's not the fanciest piece of equipment, but it gets the job done!

Inspiration

The documentaries Blackfish and The Cove both helped inspire this image. I had watched The Cove a few years ago and had wanted to do something to bring attention to the dolphin massacre which happens every year in Japan, though I wasn't sure how I wanted to go about it. After I watched Blackfish, I was renewed with passion to speak out for these intelligent, emotionally complex creatures who are being needlessly abused and tortured at the hands of men. This happened at the same time I discovered I had access to a pool to shoot in, and an experienced underwater model in Katie Johnson (both figures are her), so it all came together at the right time.

Editing

I composited two different images of Katie into the final shot to give a sense of movement and harmony. I played with the levels, adjusting some slightly blown-out highlights, adding a vignette and adjusted the colors to be a bit more blue instead of cyan.

In my camera bag

I usually shoot with my D5100, but I more often use a 50mm 1.8 lens. I bring out the 35-70mm when the situation calls for it. Since I shoot a lot of self portraits, a remote release is a must (I buy multiple cheap remotes so if they break or get lost it's nothing too upsetting) and a light, collapsible tripod is always with me. Some water and snacks are also must-haves!

Feedback

Shooting underwater can be a bit difficult at first, but keep at it! The final products are very worth the trouble you go to getting your shot. If possible, find a model with underwater experience who won't make an "underwater face" in all your shots. If you're just starting out, try shooting with an inexpensive bag before you drop a ton of change for fancy housing. And while both can give different and extremely beautiful results, keep in mind that you'll have more control in an environment such as a pool verses a natural body of water. If you're small and get cold easily like me, a wetsuit will make the shoot MUCH more pleasant :) Mostly though, just get out there and shoot and shoot and shoot! Your first tries might not come out perfectly (mine certainly didn't!) but when it all comes together, it's so beautiful, you'll want to keep going back for more!

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