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Under the Sea

The sun was about to go down, and this Blue Sea Star (Linckia laevigata) was just perfectly perched on a coral outcropping, so I took a break from searching for...
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The sun was about to go down, and this Blue Sea Star (Linckia laevigata) was just perfectly perched on a coral outcropping, so I took a break from searching for sea snakes and framed this shot.
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OLYMPUS TG-3

settings

Aperture f/2.8 ISO 100 Shutter 1/60 Focal Length 450/100

upload_date

Aug, 2015

Views

940

Likes

+68

Awards

Winner in UNDERWATER Photo Challenge

People's Choice in Your best RAW photograph(s) Photo Challenge

Peer Award

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

All Star

Magnificent Capture

Outstanding Creativity

Superior Skill

Emotions

Impressed

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo while chasing sea snakes off the Sunabe Seawall in Okinawa, Japan.

Time

It was about 20 minutes before sunset, and was actually my last time snorkeling in Okinawa before I moved.

Lighting

The sun was filtering down through about 3 feet of water, so the diffraction in the less clear water near the shore was optimized.

Equipment

I used my Olympus TG-3. To stay down at the proper depth I had to let about half of my air out to achieve neutral buoyancy. No other equipment.

Inspiration

I had just photographed a couple snakes, and a very colorful eel, and was on the prowl for more snakes to photograph/catch when I spotted this starfish perched up on this coral promontory. I knew it was a God-sent photo just asking to be taken, so I paused the snake hunt to try to get the shot.

Editing

No post processing of any kind was done!

In my camera bag

When I'm in the water, I typically have my Olympus TG-3, a mask and snorkel, and shoes of some kind to keep spiny sea life from poking me.

Feedback

Go in the ocean!!! Go in about an hour before sunset, and look for underwater geography that will make a good shot. Remember, golden-hour has the same effect in the first few feet of water as it does out of the water.

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Under the Sea