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Lurking Beneath


	Lurking Beneath Aquarium shots have always been a challange for me. On my vacaton to Atlantis in the Bahamas, while everyone was enjoying the sun, I spent hours experimenting with shutter speed and f-stops to get the correct exposure. With the Nikon Martrix metering I used a shutter speed of 1/90 and my aperture at f-5, the focal length happened to be 28mm. I worked on all types of fish and the hardest to capture in low light was the jelly fish. Gunther Allen

Brinn MacDougall

You did a terrific job! Very nice capture, Gunther.

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September 19, 2006

Gunther Allen

Thank you Brinn! It was tough to get the shark to hold still, but I managed to get a few shots that ended up clear enough! :-)

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September 19, 2006

Nadya Johnson

OUTSTANDING capture, Gunther! I can only imagine how difficult it was; you did it perfectly! A wonderful composition with a lot of energy and power. I really love this shot!

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September 19, 2006

Judy A. Lawhon

OMG...I have tried to get decent shots in an aquarium and it is very difficult...you did a great job, Gunther!!

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September 19, 2006

Gunther Allen

Thank you for your kind comments Nadya and Judy. In this shot I got lucky, because the shark swam close enough to the glass to get the details better! -G

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September 19, 2006

Mary Swift

Wonderful capture, Gunther! Looks like all that experimenting paid off, the clarity is impressive!

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September 19, 2006

Tarun Bose

Excellent shot Gunther. Great details and lovely lighting. Well done.

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September 19, 2006

photosbyjanine.com - Janine Russell

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Gunther, very nice detail, exposure and lighting.

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September 19, 2006

William Moore

without a doubt this is the best aquarium shot ever...the hues and details are perfect as is your comp...

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September 19, 2006

Gunther Allen

Thank you so much Tarun, Janine and William. I chose a corner of the tank that had the best lighting and just waited to see if a shark would come in my area. I did not bring my tripod on the trip for fear of someone thinking it would be a weapon and with the extra security I didn't want any trouble. I hoped I could steady my self against the glass and prayed that this shark would come to me.

One thing I did do in PhotoShop to enhance the lighting was to select just the shark and de saturate the color somewhat. The darkness and reflection made everything blue, so I wanted him to look more natural in tone and color.

I guess I got lucky with this one!

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September 19, 2006

Gunther Allen

Sorry Mary - I forgot to thank you in the last group! I loved looking at your gallery too!!

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September 19, 2006

Jessica L. Richard

great image, very beautiful capture!

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September 19, 2006

- Sherry Stricklin Boles

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Wonderful shot, Gunther...It looks like it should be gracing the cover of a shark documentary!

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September 19, 2006

Gunther Allen

I really appreciate your comments Jessica and Sherry! I beleive this is a Bahimian Reef Shark. Or is it Bahamian? Anyhow, I've runn into smaller versions of this guy while snorkling!

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September 19, 2006

Joy E. Cobb

You probably swam away as quickly while snorkling as those two little fish are doing here! :) Fascinating capture, Gunther, and your gallery is great!

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September 20, 2006

- Charles C. Berkeley

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I have gone diving in the Bahamas. You would never know that the photo of the shark was taken at the aquarium. Very realistic! Nice light and tonal range!

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September 20, 2006

Gunther Allen

Thanks Charles and Joy! I actually tried taking a photo of a shark while I was diving, but honestly was too chicken to get close enough to get a clear photo. The aquarium offered me a bettr alternative and if you find the best time of day to find the best lighting you can get some good shots. The aquariums at Atlantis do not have tops to them and are open to let sunlight in. I took this at around 2 P.M. in the afternoon so I could get enough light and not have to use such a slow shutter speed. I tried earlier in the day, but their wasn't enought light and the fish all came out too blurry. -G

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September 20, 2006

Robin R.

Aquarium's are challenging, but a great capture like this one make the challenge worth it.

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September 20, 2006

Barbara Sharts

Boy did that time you spent pay off!!! What a fantastic photo! Absolutely stunning! Great job.

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September 25, 2006

Gunther Allen

Thank you Robin and Barbara! This is perhaps my best Aquarium capture ever. I can't beleive how many shots it took to get it! -G

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September 26, 2006

Alison Greenwood

Wow! Superb shot Gunther :o)

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September 27, 2006

- Stephanie Laird

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Hi Gunther! This is incredible! What a great shot!

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December 21, 2006

Gunther Allen

Thank you Stephanie and Alison! Happy Holidays to both of you!!

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December 21, 2006

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