Image of the Month 2008
December 2008
This image, taken at the Sheraton Caverns site on Kauai’s south shore is a hotspot for turtles. There’d been quite a lot of rain runoff making the visibility quite murky, so I was pleased to get this clear, striking and back-scatter free image of a turtle from beneath. Image taken using Nikon D200/Subal housing combination with a 10.5mm fisheye and Subtronic strobe. Settings were 1/160th, f8 and ISO100. Photograph taken on 28th July 2008.
November 2008
This image was taken from inside the wreck of the Chrisoula K, at Abu Nuhas in the Egyptian Red Sea. During our liveaboard week, we spent three days diving the excellent wrecks in this area, which also included the Giannis D and the Carnatic. In looking for a different kind of image, I found this interesting vista and worked with Amanda to capture this pleasing image. Image taken on 23rd June 2008 using a Nikon D200/Subal housing/Subtronic strobe combination, 10.5mm fish eye, f8, 1/160th, ISO 100.
October 2008
This image of copper sweepers was taken in the engine room area of the Ghiannis D in the Egyptian Red Sea. It’s easy to get carried away with sweepers and be overwhelmed by the sheer number of fish, rather than their aesthetic value, so I spent quite a lot of time trying to get a good exposure for the blue water and a suitably subtle flash setting, and then work on composition, and capturing the fish in a pleasing formation. This image was the result of my patience and was taken on 24th June 2008 using a Nikon D200, 10.5mm fisheye lens at 1/125, f8 ISO400.
September 2008
Although Lionfish aren’t difficult to approach, they seem to have this trait of turning away from the camera just as you get close enough to push the button. On a dusk dive in Sabang Bay, at Puerto Galera in the Philippines, this specimen decided to give me a chance by rising up into the open water and turning towards the camera. It didn’t do it for long, but enough to get some really nice images, of which this one is arguably the best. Image taken on 11th June using Nikon D200, 60mm macro lens at 1/25th f20 ISO 100.
August 2008
Not far from the Atlantis Resort at Dumaguete in the Philippines, at about 27 metres on a sandy slope of volcanic sand is the “Car Wrecks” dive site. Quite a lot lives on and around these small but interesting wrecks and they’re good to explore. For this image, my dive guide Weng Weng helped me by modelling and carrying my second camera rig, to make for a nice image. Image taken on 16th June 2008 using my usual Nikon D200, Subtronic strobe setup, this time using a 10.5mm fish eye. Camera settings were ISO 200, 1/100th second, f8
July 2008
This image of a Stargazer was taken on a night dive in Puerto Galera in the Philippines, a short distance from the shore in the bay of Sabang. Although Stargazers might well be reasonably common on sandy slopes, they’re not often seen. I was lucky to spot this specimen whilst it “re-settled” itself in the sand. The picture wasn’t so difficult to take, but it always gets a reaction. This fish is so ugly! Image taken on the 12th June 2008 using Nikon D200/60mm macro/Subtronic strobe combination at 1/60th f22.
June 2008
During a break in the weather, we enjoyed a visit to the excellent Mont Orgueil Castle at Gorey in Jersey. Despite the sun, it was very windy, but it allowed for this interesting image of some valerian growing in the masonry against the backdrop of the town and bay. The image was taken using a Nikon D200 with a 12-24mm wide angle lens set at f22 and 1/40th of a second. The flashgun is a Nikon SB800. Image taken on 26th May 2008.
May 2008
At the end of our trip to Edinburgh, on a bitterly cold but sunny Easter Monday, we had a couple hours before heading to the airport for the journey home. We had breakfast at the top of Cockburn and then wandered down the hill. The light was quite good, so I was able to get few nice images looking back up the hill. Image taken 24th March 2008.
April 2008
At Easter, we visited the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh. It was a chance for what could best be described as “grab shot photography” as we rushed between historic sites, cafes, attractions and toy shops with our son Zac. In the Camera Obscuri centre, close to Edinburgh Castle, we were treated to a selection of optical illusions and tricks of the light where this image was taken. I suppose it’s a kind of self portrait. Image taken 21st March 2008.
March 2008
Our son, Zac had his 5th birthday party on the 1st of March. He had a great time with more than twenty of his friends as they danced, played and watched a magician. Many of the children also had their faces painted. This image shows Zac enjoying his party resplendent in his new “look”. Image taken 1st March 2008.
February 2008
In January, we had a couple of days in London, mainly so that our son Zac could see Big Ben, and visit the London Aquarium and Science Museum. We also booked him a flight on the London Eye, and whilst we were waiting, I captured this interesting angle using a nearby tree as part of the composition. Image taken 26th January 2008.
January 2008
This image, of our son Zac, was taken at Westonbirt Arboretum in the Cotswolds. I was experimenting with slow shutter speeds, rear curtain sync flash and zooming, and found this image one of the best of the bunch. Image taken on 4th November 2007.