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Photo Frustrations
Underwater Photography can be a very frustrating pursuit, with all sorts of things designed to take the fun out of it - flooded cameras, backscatter, uncooperative subjects and a whole lot more. For most of us, our efforts and perseverance are well rewarded, but there is a lot of insight to be gained from learning about the frustrations that others have faced.
Where Barracuda Used To Be
Photographer: Des Paroz
Location: Walindi, PNG
We were diving on a reef called Otto’s Reef - our second dive of the day. I was using a Nikonos V, with a 20mm lens and single strobe - an good set-up for wide angle scenic photos. The visibility during the dive varied - at times sediment reduced it to 15m or so, but at other times it was well over 30m. The sediment was a problem for scatter, and being a relatively new photographer at the time this was troublesome for me.
I was diving along the wall at a depth of about 14m when I looked out to see a large school of Barracuda gathered 20m or so from the wall. I swam off to take a few shots, and got some good ones.
Then THE moment arrived. Picture this, clear water (30m), no sediment at this point, a school of barracuda balling up only a metre or so away from me, and the sunlight shining through the middle of the ball.
I didn’t waste time, but I also didn’t rush - I checked the strobe light, I checked the aperture, everything seemed to be okay! I lined up the shot in my viewfinder and gently and slowly started to squeeze the shutter release. This shot had it all - I swear it would have been the cover of a dive magazine, if of course National Geographic didn’t buy exclusive rights…..
Just
as I was squeezing the shutter another photographer swam over to get a
shot. This in itself wasn’t a problem, except for the fact that the air
warning on his bloody Aladin Air X’s started beeping incessantly.
Click. I took the photo. And in my mind’s eye I knew the outcome. I had a beautiful photo of where a ball of schooling barracuda had been, and a heap of barracuda tails.
Dean, you still owe me a drink.
An Underexposed Eagle Ray
Photographer: Henry Maro
Location: The Gutter, Bass Point
Being a relative new comer to the art of underwater photography, I have experienced my share of photo frustrations.
One which I will never forget occurred while diving off Bass Point in the ever popular Gutter. We had just entered the water, visibility was approaching 20m (very rare) and a magnificent eagle ray swooped in to check us out. I was set up with my Nik V, 15mm lens,SB103 strobe and could hardly believe my luck as I reeled off shot after shot as the eagle ray circled around us providing me with unsurpassed opportunities to get that perfect shot. Wide angle close ups, near subject, distant diver shots and even a few silhouettes (this ray must have known the routine or just loved having her picture taken).
I could hardly contain my excitement when the processed slides were delivered but you can imagine the total devastation I experienced when every slide was under exposed (nothing but a haunting blackness). How could this be?!!!. It seems as though the camera developed an intermittent fault and the shutter speed stuck on 1/1000ths regardless of the strobe being on or off. All this just 1 week after a major service by a reputable (now dubious) service agent.
Lesson learnt; check ,check and re check your gear for correct operation even while diving (Its better to waste one frame then ruin the entire film).