General > Photography Section
Underwater Photography....
RedRobin:
.
As my small wildlife (no fish) pond of about 2'6" x 7'0" x 18" at its deepest, has evolved since it was first created in June 2010, it has attracted all sorts of wildlife - A breeding colony of colourful Palmate Newts, a Dragonfly, various Damselfly species, Water Snails, Water Slaters which look like miniature lobsters, etc, etc. Naturally I have tried my best to photograph and record the wildlife but until now have not been able to submerge my compact digital camera under the surface of the water and into a slightly different world. A water's surface always creates a tricky barrier for a camera lens and programs to penetrate successfully, although I have had some success within limitations.
I had been looking at accessories such as rigid underwater camera cases but they are both bulky and very expensive at nearly £200. I then checked out the Nikon Coolpix S30 which is very tough and has fairly good optics but not as good as my Fuji FinePix F500EXR 16-Mega compact, and so I phoned a close friend who is a keen snowboarder and gear slut to ask his advice. The result is this...........
^ With my daughter's camera inside to show how the Aquapac works.
^ The Aquapac will also protect a camera and allow you to take photos in all weathers.
More info here: http://store.aquapac.net/explore-product-range/waterproof-camera-cases/mini-camera-case-with-hard-lens-428.html - Mine cost £35, delivered next day.
And now my first efforts at using it............
^ Shot at night and using a torch for lighting. I surprised myself to find a male Palmate Newt (only tail visible) - They usually hibernate under rocks on land from around October!
^ Again at night - It's good to see that the Common Water Starwort plant which I uprooted from the local river has taken well.
^ Another night shot - The flash has only lit one side and the shot is totally out of focus because I couldn't see the viewfinder. But I really like it artistically and was pleased to see a Water Slater crawling around.
The following photos were taken in daylight but in very overcast and wet weather..........
^ Semi submerged shot - A frog's eye view?
^ Oxygenator plants - Using camera flash.
^ Water Snail - Note the air bubble on its shell. Natural lighting on dull day - No camera flash.
^ Water Snail - Stripping the stem of a dying Water Lily leaf. Natural Lighting on dull day - No camera flash.
I feel very encouraged by these shots and can't wait for Spring when the pond will have lots more creatures active in it and strong sunlight illuminating its underwater world.
n13cah:
Great shots Robin.
PND:
Looking good Robin! As you say, it will be good to see what's in there in Spring. :congrats:
RedRobin:
^^^^
Thanks for the encouragement :happy2:
Aquapac make their trick bags for iPhones and iPads etc as well as for various cameras.
If the sun shows even as much as a glimmer today I'm gonna be poolside! Not in a recliner with a cocktail and a babe but on my knees with my sleeves rolled up!
For me, this isn't only about photography but also about observing and recording local wildlife. In fact I've been invited to enter my Dragonfly/Damselfly sightings to the national register.
RedRobin:
--- Quote from: PND on December 23, 2012, 10:58:37 am ---
Looking good Robin! As you say, it will be good to see what's in there in Spring. :congrats:
--- End quote ---
....I know there's a young frog in there already - I spotted him jump in the pond in mid November. He'll be intending to hibernate in the pond (I've created plenty of suitable places for creatures to hide and survive their predators) until Spring and then be ready to be the first to grasp a female entering the water - Randy bugger!
^ Shot in November before I had the Aquapac - He dived off as soon as I moved, so I wouldn't have been able to get another shot.
^ The only froglet I saw (in July 2011) which survived the feasting on frogspawn by my colony of Palmate Newts. I had introduced some frogspawn from a flood overflow from my local river about 50yds away.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version