Deep Blue
Deep Blue
Deep Blue
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Oct, 2015Views
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Awards
Featured
Contest Finalist in Creating Mood With Lights Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
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Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was captured in a reef near the island of Raiatea in French Polynesia... in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.Time
it was in the late afternoon. I chose to shoot a little later as the water was slightly less clear and the sun rays were much more visible and added the little extra touch to the image.Lighting
The goal of this shoot was to create an out-of-this-world feeling... We had to go apart as far as possible, but without creating too much space and losing detail. Needless to say it took quite a few attempts.Equipment
The camera used for this shot was the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic LUMIX 8mm f/3.5 fisheye packed inside the super solid, yet compact Olympus PT-EP11 underwater housing and 100mm ZEN dome port.Inspiration
I have something I call the inspiration folder. It's a folder on my desktop that I fill with screenshots from my laptop, phone, real world photos... anything I can find that strikes me the moment I see it. And a long time ago I cam across a shot from one of my favourite photographers: Morgan Maassen of a model free diving underwater. I was fascinated by the mood and perspective he created in this shot that I was inspired to create something of my own.Editing
Not much was done to the image. I added a little contrast and cooled down the image to create a little more mood and darkened the bottom area to make the ocean seem deeper and a little more moody.In my camera bag
I'm a travelling surf/ocean/adventure and travel photographer. For me it has to be as light as compact and light as possible without compromising quality. The Olympus E-M1 and a range of PRO lenses really do the job for me. The M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO is my go to lens on this camera. Then for the action and sport stuff I tend to pick the M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO. In the ocean I'll tend to grab the M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8... an incredibly sharp lens! For close up fun and creative shots like these the LUMIX 8mm f/3.5 fisheye is my go to tool.Feedback
Shoot fisheye - or as wide as you can! It allows you to stay closer to your subject and have less water between you and the subject meaning: less particles and dirt which gives you a clearer image. These shoots are all about fun. Try to get the model to relax and enjoy diving. She should definitely be a comfortable swimmer as you will be spending more time under than above the surface. And then of course find a place with the best clarity. Usually sandy areas don't work too well. In areas with reef and rocks and small to no waves there tend to be less particles swimming around - the ideal spots to shoot.
