Honorable Mention Black & White
Richard Condlyffe
“Silvertip Shark Blur“
The Story: The “El Canyon” dive site lies at the southern end of San Benedicto Island, one of the islands that combine to make up the Revillagigedo Archipelago, located approximately 240 miles south west of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This dive site includes a cleaning station that makes it popular with large pelagics.
The topography of El Canyon is rugged volcanic rock and not much color, which influences the choices for interesting photographic compositions. I had seen Silvertip sharks swimming in the area on a previous dive. The Silvertip is a classic-shaped Requiem Shark with distinct white fin tips on the 1st dorsal, pectoral and tail fin lobes. This one was about 2m long.
To create this image, I used “accelerated panning” technique. The idea I had formed in my mind’s eye was to use the shark’s contrasting fin tips to enhance the appearance of motion this technique creates. The blurring of the fish and the rocks added to the composition. Processing in black and white was the key to creating the desired level of contrast for the white fin tip blur. I was delighted to get the eye of the shark in sharp focus, with it seen to be looking directly at me.
Location: San Benedicto Island, Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico
Equipment Used: Sony A7R IV Camera, Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens, Nauticam WACP-1, Dual Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobes.
Camera Settings: ISO 640, F22, 1/8 sec
