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Snake Eyes II.

Peeking out of the algae, the curious snake wants to know more about underwater camera. Or maybe just checking his hairdo in the mirror of the lens port? One th...
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Peeking out of the algae, the curious snake wants to know more about underwater camera. Or maybe just checking his hairdo in the mirror of the lens port? One thing is certain; he's not afraid of me! Nice snake! :)
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Canon PowerShot D10

settings

Aperture f/2.8 ISO 100 Shutter 1/500 Focal Length 6200/1000

upload_date

Dec, 2015

Views

1045

Likes

+211

Awards

Winner in Snake Macros Photo Challenge

Peer Award

+26

Superb Composition

+19

Top Choice

+15

Absolute Masterpiece

+11

Magnificent Capture

+10

Outstanding Creativity

Superior Skill

All Star

Genius

Love it

Emotions

Impressed

Happy

Submitted to Photo Contests

Image of the Year

Top ClassTM

Top 10 class

Top 10 class week 1

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Behind The Lens

Location

I got this pretty portrait in Lake Ohrid, maybe 50 meters from the house during my regular snorkeling swim.

Time

Date/Time Original 22-Jun-13 13:54:19 - "quoth the Exif..."

Lighting

Shutter Speed: 1/500 s ; F-Number f/2.8 ; ISO 100 ; Exposure Bias Value: 0.00 eV ; Metering Mode: Pattern ; Flash: Auto, Did not fire ; Focal Length: 6.2 mm ; WB Details: Auto ... plus beautiful mid-day's Daylight just half a meter under the surface.

Equipment

My underwater camera model on that day was a small and very versatile Canon PowerShot D10. And I am still clearly recommending it despite many other good p&s cameras. Simple and solidly sealed, it is very easy to use and carry in swimming and otherwise. This photo was shot out of hand, and with no add-on accessories.

Inspiration

I have very good models in the Lake's watersnakes. They are incredibly inquisitive and scenes like this one are no rarity at all. In Summertime there is a period of blooming algae, when great big yellow globules hover in the warm waters, or are anchored in between the reedstalks. The snakes would hide in these, and wait for the unsuspecting fish to swim close enough to catch. If the snake sees anything interesting (like a camera), he'll come closer to inspect it...and that's when he gets photographed and made famous on Viewbug! :)

Editing

Although the shot was successful with the camera's excellent auto-macro feature (one of the best I know), the image was slightly cropped for better layout and resized for upload. That was all the editing I thought it required.

In my camera bag

A standard question here gets a standard answer! So I have this answer ready, and just cleverly copy / paste! I tend to adhere to all principles of simplicity-first when I go to swim / snorkel / dive, so there is just one camera along, unless I'm testing something when I might carry some more things, depending on what I'll need. And the small Canon, and later the Olympus TG-2 is very simple to have with me at all times, underwater or on dry land. Similarly, I find it easier to carry a photo vest than any photo bag. So I load my photo vest with whatever I might need for my photo session, walk or trip, while my photo bags usually keep the equipment I'm not using at the moment. The vest's many pockets usually contain two cameras, spare batteries, ND and CPL filters, and one photo clamp standing in for a tripod. Recently I include a small action camera, mainly for its wide field of view and resistance to water and weather. The vest also has large-lens pockets that contain a small water bottle, sandwich, or a bar of chocolate if I plan on being out for the whole day. There is about three meters length of paracord or similar strong, thin rope, one hefty pocket knife, and a lighter. My smartphone comes along too. It has yet another spare camera, but more importantly the Spirit Level App to make the phone a perfectly horizontal surface under the camera. This is essential for panoramic sweeps. The app is free, and requires no extra permissions whatsoever. The large back pocket of the vest is reserved for a lightweight rain poncho. If the weather suddenly plays up, the poncho neatly covers all. Using the tools mentioned above, much can be improvised along the way, so that's all I need to make photos.

Feedback

When underwater, move slowly and control your ambient in all directions. You never know where your "model" will come from. In approaching your photo object, think nice thoughts, keep calm, and never think of a living being as a "target". Although the underwater photo hunt is very similar to spearfishing, rest assured that all animals can in fact read your intentions just as easily as you read this. So they'll know if you mean them harm and consequently disappear with uncanny speed. Thus you need to show to the waterworld that you are not repeat not any danger. And then your percentage of photos worth keeping will raise. Enjoy, and have a Good Light!

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Snake Eyes II.