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Straight Is Boring II

Some reedstalks like to look around a bit before emerging out into the air. Growing straight up is so for other folks...

Some reedstalks like to look around a bit before emerging out into the air. Growing straight up is so for other folks...
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Canon PowerShot D10

settings

Aperture f/8 ISO 80 Shutter 1/320 Focal Length 6200/1000

upload_date

Jan, 2016

Views

172

Likes

Awards

Winner in Natural Fibonacci Photo Challenge

Peer Award

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Superb Composition

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

Photo was made in Lake Ohrid, along the shore, and about 100 meters from home. Can't be much better than that!

Time

Aug 14th, 13:00:14.

Lighting

Pure Daylight as the Sun was sending, and no other source...

Equipment

Camera: Canon PowerShot D10, Aperture: f/8, ISO: 80 Shutter Speed: 1/320 Focal Length: 6.2 mm. No added accessories of any sort...

Inspiration

Swimming and snorkeling in this incredible Lake is inspiring by itself, since it is famous for its sudden changes. Every half an hour it appears different, and that holds true for underwater lighting conditions too. The light intensity, time of day, state of the sky and surface (reflections), all that may change important lighting factor - sometimes more than once during the same swimming round. This is just a part of the experience. Sometimes you'll be amazed by the colors, or maybe dense swarms of fish. Another time you'll be interested in small life, like dragonfly or damselfly larvae, or minuscule snails, shells, crabs, or just the appearance of the reed forest. Some among the reedstalks seemingly do not want to grow straight like majority of others, and have found the way to make it more interesting. Then the contrasting shapes will be your theme.

Editing

I shot this photo from the lake botom skywards. I had to do it quickly before floating back to the surface, as there isn't anything there to hold on. Grabbing for reed rhizomes or touching anything on the bottom is not good. It raises a cloud of sediment which destroys visibility and photos. The straight-out-of-camera picture had to be cropped a bit, because I couldn't see the frame and it did not appear exactly the way it was intended. The image was subsequently corrected in contrast (partially lightened), and re-sharpened after resizing for upload.

In my camera bag

Last several years I go to water with gear as basic as possible; meaning facemask, snorkel and fins, a camera, and a knife strapped to the left underarm (to have a tool for cutting and prying, should need arise - not as a weapon of any sort). Otherwise on dry land I'm happy with my photo vest instead of a bag. In its pockets there will usually be the spare batteries for "main" and side "just-in-case" camera, some NDs and a CPL filter, a small camera clamp serving as a stand-in for the tripod, a length of paracord-type strong rope, a lighter, and a sturdy pocket knife. This I have found to be more than enough for any kind of improvisations. My full-size tripod will usually be in the baggage compartment of the car, to be used when I'm planning shootings that might require it.

Feedback

As with any other kind of photography... swim slowly, look around and ahead. When you find your theme, take as many shots as you possibly can. Shoot from all angles, shoot in portrait and landscape aspect, try even illogical shots (like tilted or against the sunlight) - if your object of interest allows it. The worst that can happen is you'll have to delete the photos that were not good, which is plenty cheap, especially as opposed to film days of yore! There's a chance you'll be pleasantly surprised by the very shots that you did against all odds and logic! Above all, have fun doing it!

See more amazing photos, follow LookSee

LookSee

LookSee

Straight Is Boring II

Some reedstalks like to look around a bit before emerging out into the air. Growing straight up is so for other folks...

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow LookSee

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