Shrimp Shot

[Weiry]

Hi I would like some help with this photo. I found a bunch of small anemone shrimp. I was using 60mm macro, DS161 angled about 45deg to the left of subject. ISO 100, TTL. With the shrimp being clear is there a way I can improve when taking shots like this?(besides getting the focus right) Also tips on focusing when its not calm.
cheers Craig

(Taken @Taveuni, Fiji)

[smb2]

A great subject. LCTs (Little Clear Things) are tough.
Try and isolate the shrimp from it's background. Get low, shoot up, try to get a position where the background stuff is as far away as possible. Then with SS and Aperture (no TTL shooting )
you can work on having a black background http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/black-backgrounds or even a blue background.
Watch the shrimp and see if it will pose deep in the anemone so just the walls of the anemone are the background.
Shooting macro under surgey conditions is tough. Neutral buoyancy might not help but having more weight can. Stick to subjects that are on isolated reef areas, perhaps surrounded by sand so you can lay on the bottom and still not damage other structures while you try and remain as steady as possible.( Remember things live in the sand and rubble as well.)
Shoot at the highest SS your flash will allow and take lots of shots! Practice some blur shots since you are already moving.

[Weiry]

Thanks for the feed back I was wondering how yo get the black background. I have just started so any help is great. Is it better to have dual strobes? I have a DS161 and thinking of getting a 125 or 160 is this a good combination or is it better to have dual 161 strobe? cheers

[smb2]

Work through some of the strobe info in UWPG http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/under ... ackscatter
Scott also had a short article on single strobes, I can't find it at the moment, but will keep looking.
I am not the best techno guy but I would vote for two identical strobes; easier to learn less hassle and better as backups.

[scottg]

Like Stanley said, I'd try to isolate the subject more if possible. if not, move on to a different subject, or try a super-macro closeup of it's face. looking forward to seeing more shots!

[bvanant]

Then with SS and Aperture (no TTL shooting )
you can work on having a black background http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/black-backgrounds or even a blue background.
Shoot at the highest SS your flash will allow and take lots of shots! Practice some blur shots since you are already moving.

I am not sure why you don't like TTL, I shoot most of my macro shots in TTL mode (manual of course but that has no effect at all on TTL since TTL just sets the strobe duration). Of course these little shrimp are a PITA to shoot unless you can get them poking out of the anemone like this.
Bill

[bvanant]

Or from the Caribbean (Bonaire) something like this


Bill

[joeykim]

Wow, great shot. Underwater photography really sure is fun. Very inspiring.


***Affordable Stock Images Philippines***

[smb2]

Bill, I don't know that I ever made a conscious effort not to use TTL on the strobes, I guess I just got in the habit of adjusting the output or f stop.
Sure got a lot easier with digital though!
Still for these small clear shrimp, for me the challenge is finding a background the defines the critter, they just won't stay still and pose...

[bvanant]

Great shots. I agree that you need to find the background that makes them really show off. As for TTL, I am too lazy to not use it.
Bill