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Lurking Beneath

© Gunther Allen

Lurking Beneath

Uploaded: September 19, 2006

Description

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.

Comments

Brinn MacDougall September 19, 2006

You did a terrific job! Very nice capture, Gunther. #525229

Gunther Allen September 19, 2006

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! :-) #3330166

Nadya Johnson September 19, 2006

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! #3330307

Judy A. Lawhon September 19, 2006

OMG...I have tried to get decent shots in an aquarium and it is very difficult...you did a great job, Gunther!! #3330401

Gunther Allen September 19, 2006

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 #3330462

Mary Swift September 19, 2006

Wonderful capture, Gunther! Looks like all that experimenting paid off, the clarity is impressive! #3331423

Tarun Bose September 19, 2006

Excellent shot Gunther. Great details and lovely lighting. Well done. #3331606

Janine Russell level-deluxe September 19, 2006

Gunther, very nice detail, exposure and lighting. #3331721

William Moore September 19, 2006

without a doubt this is the best aquarium shot ever...the hues and details are perfect as is your comp... #3331807

Gunther Allen September 19, 2006

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! #3331836

Gunther Allen September 19, 2006

Sorry Mary - I forgot to thank you in the last group! I loved looking at your gallery too!! #3331885

Jessica L. Richard September 19, 2006

great image, very beautiful capture! #3332031

Sherry Stricklin Boles level-classic September 19, 2006

Wonderful shot, Gunther...It looks like it should be gracing the cover of a shark documentary! #3332705

Gunther Allen September 19, 2006

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! #3332719

Joy E. Cobb September 20, 2006

You probably swam away as quickly while snorkling as those two little fish are doing here! :) Fascinating capture, Gunther, and your gallery is great! #3334099

Charles C. Berkeley level-classic September 20, 2006

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! #3335457

Gunther Allen September 20, 2006

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 #3336774

Robin R. September 20, 2006

Aquarium's are challenging, but a great capture like this one make the challenge worth it. #3337237

Barbara Sharts September 25, 2006

Boy did that time you spent pay off!!! What a fantastic photo! Absolutely stunning! Great job. #3361061

Gunther Allen September 26, 2006

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 #3363524

Alison Greenwood September 27, 2006

Wow! Superb shot Gunther :o) #3370469

Stephanie Laird level-classic December 21, 2006

Hi Gunther! This is incredible! What a great shot! #3726018

Gunther Allen December 21, 2006

Thank you Stephanie and Alison! Happy Holidays to both of you!! #3727287

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