Inspiring Photo: Magic Sea Turtle #5536571

Uploaded: January 25, 2008 01:28:02

Description

A Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Kipp Aquarium at the Houston Zoo 2003.
Another inhabitant from that vacation series. Canon 28-135mm.
The turtle is the only original part from the photo.
The turtle required significant edits as thru-the-glass photos do.
The sea floor, light effects and bubbles are all added in layers for effect.

For those who asked, this won $500 for the January 2008 cash contest.
This category has been discontinued by BetterPhoto.

Comments

Alex T. Mizuno January 25, 2008
Just mesmerizing, Steven! I don't know how you did this but were you diving? I'm glad I'm visiting your gallery again. As usual, each of your work is a gem. #838455

Brett Dolsen January 25, 2008
Fantastic Image and effects Steven!!Great work.
Brett #5390110

Dr. Harmeet Singh January 25, 2008
Amazing work here,dear friend.Great image in the end. #5390113

Toni Riggs January 25, 2008
Awesome image! #5390117

Manuel Barrera January 25, 2008
Excellent work #5390146

Jennifer L. Alder January 25, 2008
Hi Steven! :)
WOW--- You really did a fantastic job on this. The swirls of light are fantastic- awesome color work, too. Your low pov, along with the angle, certainly provide a three dimensional effect. So well done!! #5390183

Dr Silly January 25, 2008
Jennifer said it all. Beautiful capture. :O)
#5390217

Dominick M. Dimacale January 25, 2008
Cool image and work here, Steven.

Dominick #5390220

Lynn M. Whitt January 25, 2008
great job.... #5390245

Paul E. Earl January 25, 2008
WOW!! Wonderful PS work!! A terrific image, Steven! #5390387

Nancy (Peaches) Harker January 25, 2008
All I can say is WOOOOOOOOOOOOWZA, AWSOME buddy!!! Into my favs!!! #5390430

MELODIE C. ROBERTS January 25, 2008
Graceful!!!
Beautiful!!!!
Fantastic!!!!!
Very Nice Work Steven #5390450

Carol Sawyer January 25, 2008
Outstanding image, work and effects, Steven! #5390570

Donald K. Cherry January 25, 2008
Very cool, Steven! #5390627

Tiia Vissak January 25, 2008
well done! #5390639

Jim Huffield January 25, 2008
Gorgeous work, Steven. Jim #5390653

Gail Vitikacs January 25, 2008
Incredible finished product! #5390747

Kay E. Mahoney January 25, 2008
Fantastic work, Steven. Beautiful turtle and colors. #5391489

Angie Sidles January 25, 2008
Amazing editing here Steven. This is just gorgeous! Beautiful work in every way! #5392101

Lisa J. Boulden January 25, 2008
Beautiful capture with magical editing!
Wonderful job, Steven!
--Lisa #5392113

Nadya Johnson January 25, 2008
Yet another outstanding work of art! I would love to know what you used. This is really stunning! #5392159

David Phalen January 25, 2008
Fantastic work!! A piece of art. #5392635

Teresa Burnett January 25, 2008
Wonderful image Steven!! Amazing effects!!! #5393570

Joy Rector January 25, 2008
fantastic #5393952

Patrick Rouzes January 25, 2008
WOW, Steven, captivating in every way!!! Brilliant work here, my friend!!! #5394935

Reynaldo D. Reyes January 25, 2008
It looks like it comes from a fantasy movie of something. The creative edits are masterfully done. Great work here again Steven. #5396483

Kathy L. Clark January 25, 2008
Well it's absolutely beautiful Steven. Gorgeous work on this guy. I love it. #5397189

Stefania Barbier January 25, 2008
WOW great capture and effects! #5397300

Bill Brelsford January 26, 2008
SENSATIONAL WORK STEVEN !! #5398006

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna January 26, 2008
Awesome and beautiful work, Steven!!!!! Amazing image!!!! ♫ k #5399145

Stan Kwasniowski January 26, 2008
Steve, excellent #5399375

Dan E. January 26, 2008
Awesome image #5400378

Eugenio Diaz January 26, 2008
This IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!Great image and beautiful effects applied to it!!!!Well done Steven!!! #5401515

Sandra R. Alvey January 26, 2008
AWESOME Steven! I love your effects! Such a wonderful composite, I love your BG and Swirly light effects so much! #5401931

Donna La Mattino Pagakis January 26, 2008
Very creative and beautiful image Steven, great colors and flow!! #5402327

Sheryl A. Hudson January 27, 2008
WOW! Absolutly awesome effects and composition!
#5403966

Erika Haight January 27, 2008
This is E X C E L L E N T Steven!!! WOWSA! erika #5404375

January 28, 2008
Just Beautiful!! You have alot of
amazing work in your gallery!! :) #5408393

Margaret R. Barry January 28, 2008
Amazing creative image, Steven. Wonderful colors, effects and composition! #5409958

Leslie McLain January 28, 2008
Wonderful image and color. Superb job with the effects. You should write an article on how to improve acquarium shots. #5410782

Pamela Shane January 28, 2008
Wow! Great work Steven! Love the vibrant
colors, & wonderful details. #5410840

Jennifer A. Lambert January 29, 2008
Fabuloso !!!! This is just beautiful Steven..just beautiful !!! ( Someone is going to have to teach me about layers...I have NO idea how to use them...Ughhhh,,,,I wanna make pictures like YOURS...hehehehhehe ! ) Really..it is exceptional work !
Blessings, Jenny #5412605

Melissa Olsen January 29, 2008
Great work on this Steven! #5412963

Hector Contreras January 29, 2008
A master piece Steve
Heco #5416262

Alex T. Mizuno January 29, 2008
Now that I know how this image was shot, still this image amazes me. #5416274

Nina Shields January 30, 2008
Steven, great tribute your vast PS skills, surely wish that I had them as I struggle with the whole concept; wonderful work in and out of the camera! #5417105

Debra R. Harder January 30, 2008
This is a GREAT image, Steven! WOW! Love your work! Deb #5418308

Marina Moore January 30, 2008
What a beautiful and fun image!!!! Really wonderful work! You are very creative! :) #5418656

Heather L. Haderly January 30, 2008
Wonderful Steven!!!!!! Another one that brings to mind the Terry Pratchet books. The Discworld travels through space on the back of a great sea turtle. The effects here certainly make him/her seem otherworldly! LOVE IT!!! #5419998

Paul G Slate January 30, 2008
this photo as well as the rest of your gallery is amazing! #5420151

Cynthia L. Deters January 30, 2008
What a wonderful capture! Great clarity and lighting! #5420699

Nancy (Peaches) Harker January 30, 2008
Told ya, gonna be a winner!!! #5421118

Ujjwal Mukherjee January 31, 2008
Fabulous,Steven,just fabulous! #5421532

Evy Johansen January 31, 2008
Wow... Awesome image, Steven!! #5425478

Christina C. Moore February 02, 2008
I love this Steven! #5432507

Erika Haight February 02, 2008
Congrats on a WELL DESERVED EP Steven ! Now on to the next round! LOVE THIS! erika haight :0) #5433866

Debbie Hartley February 02, 2008
Love everything about this Steven!! #5435350

Kay Beausoleil February 05, 2008
Too bad the turtle can't see this image, Steven -- he'd be so proud of his new surroundings. Wonderful work! #5449853

Amanda O. Cannon February 05, 2008
WOW!!! Thats one amazing turtle....Its Beautiful!
Superb editing work #5450228

Carol Teal February 05, 2008
Wow...this is just fabulous!! My first thought when I saw this was that it reminds me of Crush in Finding Nemo! There was an interactive animated show at Epcot featuring Crush, and he looked so much like this! Outstanding DD work Steven! #5450783

Dianna Hauf February 07, 2008
YES, Darol, I thought the very same thing at first!!!!! My goodness Steven, this is the absolute MOST favorite of mine of your images and in the top ten out of the 80 or so I have been 'marking'!!!!! I LOVE Sea Turtles, they are my favorite of all 'wild' creatures! This is so stunning! Incredible clarity, capture, lighting, COLOR, detailing and effects added absolutely 'ROCK DUDE'!!!!!! :):):) #5459477

Heather February 09, 2008
OMG!! THIS IS A AWESOME CAPTURE!! IT LOOKS LIKE A WINNER TO ME! :0

~HEATHER #5469653

February 17, 2008
It's amazing! I love it! You have a great style Steven :) #5507069

Jennifer L. Alder February 20, 2008
wow! I keep stopping in to see if you have new stuff,Steven! And here I see a FIRST PLACE WIN!!
Huge congrats my friend. such a cool image!
:) #5522641

Lisa J. Boulden February 20, 2008
WOW!!!
CONGRATULATIONS Steven!!!
A well-deserved winner!
Love the Green Badge, too!
Blessings, Lisa
#5523203

Megan p February 20, 2008
Congratulations Steven, so well done!! #5523240

Dianna Hauf February 20, 2008
MOST DESERVING Steve! MOST deserving!!! Super heartfelt congratulations!!! #5523251

Nancy (Peaches) Harker February 20, 2008
WHOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
WTG Buddy on your most deserving win!!! #5523409

Susan Fox February 20, 2008
Congratulations Steven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonderful image! #5523449

Judy V. Kennamer February 20, 2008
A biggggggg congratulations Steven!! Beautiful!! #5523467

Steven E. Ray February 20, 2008
~Thanks everyone! I am stunned. I entered a couple on a whim and didn't give it a second thought and then the email comes through announcing. Honesty, there are pictures entered better than this, but I'm not going to complain. If anyone wants a wallpaper of anything in the gallery, let me know, I have made quite a few and don't mind sharing. Only need emailed the resolution of your desktop. Thanks Again!~ #5523509

Sarah G February 20, 2008
I've got a BIG, BIG smile on my face.
Congratulations Steve!!!
Miss getting to see new creations on your gallery, but I hope all is going well and you're not TOO busy.
Again...
CONGRATULATIONS!!! :) #5523519

Nikki McDonald February 20, 2008
Wonderful win, Steven! Congratulations on your first place in the Cash Contest. Your entry is stunning and your humility in acknowledging this recognition is humbling to me. So pleased for you. #5523544

Datha Y. Thompson February 20, 2008
Congratulations Steven!!! I Love your work!!!! So well deserved!!! LOVE it !!!! WTG :0) #5523555

Sandra R. Alvey February 20, 2008
WOOHOOO STEVEN!! I'm so proud of you hon! This is just such a deserving win for you! Congrats to you my friend! Excellent excellent work! #5523594

Michelle L. Frick February 20, 2008
Congratulations Steven! This is gorgeous!! #5523841

Chris Budny February 20, 2008
Congratulations, Steven, on this spectacular effort winning in the first month of the new contest! It is a beautiful image! #5523893

Amy JACKSON February 20, 2008
Congratulations, Steven! Awesome image! So glad to see your name there! Very well deserved! :) #5523988

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna February 20, 2008
As Sandi said "WOOHOOO" Way to go Steven!!!!!! I loved this image when you first posted it and it's still an awesome image!!!!!!! ♫♥♫♪♫♥♪♫♪ Kitty #5524039

Su Sana E. P February 20, 2008
Steven, huge Congratulations on this marvelous First Place Win!! Absolutely well deserving honor for you!! #5524121

Colleen Farrell February 20, 2008
WTG, Steven!! Couldn't happen to a nicer or more talented photographer. Big congratulations on your first place win! #5524178

Hayley J. Hamlin February 20, 2008
Congrats on your first place winning image Steven!! Fantastic!! #5524465

Donna La Mattino Pagakis February 20, 2008
How cool is this?!?! I'm very happy for you Steven!!! A magical image, well deserved!!!! #5524511

Cyn Valentine February 21, 2008
Excellent!! Big congratulations Steven!!! #5525582

Linda D. Lester February 21, 2008
Congratulations on your big winner! #5525694

Susana Ms Heide February 21, 2008
STELLAR in every aspect Steven!!! Your BIG WIN is well deserved!!! I hope you are celebrating :o))) CONGRATS!!! #5526084

David Phalen February 21, 2008
GUGE Congrats on a well deserved Winner!!!! #5526305

Mitch Spence February 21, 2008
Fantastic win. Hooray for you, Steven. #5526657

Bobbie L. Slayton February 21, 2008
Awesome picture. Congrats #5527063

Debra R. Harder February 21, 2008
WTG, Steven! Yippee! So happy for your win! AWESOME, AWESOME image! Deb #5527322

Janet McNeil February 21, 2008
Well deserved win!! Beautiful capture! Totally agree with your definition of "human talent"!! #5527351

Angie Sidles February 21, 2008
WTG Steven!! This is a very well deserved winner!! #5528389

Vishal Sharma February 21, 2008
Awesomne image, Steve!!! I don't know how you did it... but excellent work over this image... #5528943

Stefania Barbier February 22, 2008
congratulations on your gorgeous win!!!! #5529518

Jennifer A. Lambert February 22, 2008
I want to WISH YOU a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on this win !!!! You deserve it...I KNEW this was a WINNER the minute I saw it and I knew you were the minute we started coorosponding thru BP ! WAY TO GO and Congrats again On a truly deserved WIN !!
Blessings, Jenny N Bama #5530484

anonymous February 22, 2008
Congratulations Steven on your Beautiful win! B- #5531663

Patricia A. Stalter February 22, 2008
I want to add my name to those who are happy to see you and this marvelous creation WIN.... :) Pat #5535208

Carol Teal February 22, 2008
You rock dude (I am sure Crush would say this!) I am SO happy to see you win with this one Steven!! I love it, and it is going into my favs so I can see it anytime! #5536714

Ross Throndson February 23, 2008
Amazing Work, Steven.....And a Beautiful Dedication.....Many Congratulations on this Fantastic 1st Place Winner!!! #5538934

Sylvia Rossler February 23, 2008
A fantastic image that really deserved the win !!! Big Big congrats Steven :O) #5540823

Jeana Clark February 25, 2008

Congratulations Steven!!!!
A WONDERFUL WINNER!!!!
WELL DONE!!!!!
~J~ #5550460

James Quantz Jr. February 25, 2008
Great creative spin on the image, Steven!! Congrats! #5551799

Kristy A. Keene February 25, 2008
WOW!!!!!!! Congrats on a well-deserved winner!
#5552155

Shannon D. Miller February 26, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS Steven this is one BEAUTIFUL photo!! Shannon~ #5557028

Dawn M. Schneider February 26, 2008
this is beautiful, amazaing, vivid ...What an amazing image you deserve the win!! #5558657

Kathy L. Clark February 28, 2008
Steven I am so happy for you. It is well deserved. Congrats. #5568632

Shelly A. Van Camp February 28, 2008
I really, really love this!!! I am so happy to see it was chosen!! Great work, my friend and congrats!! #5568920

Dr. Harmeet Singh February 28, 2008
Wow..Huge congratulations dear friend... #5570523

Hendrik Storme March 02, 2008
Big congrats Steven!!!!!! Well deserved!!!! #5581172

Molly E. Baldwin March 05, 2008
This is AMAZING! Very stunning image and fantastic editing! Congrats on the prize as well. This one certainly deserved it! #5598807

Holly Hitchcock March 15, 2008
AWESOME all around!!! Congrats, my friend and good luck with the book. Let us know when it hits the Times Best list! #5645388

Cindy Bendush March 15, 2008
Congratulations Steve! Just catching up with galleries and I see THIS! Stunning work as always :-) #5647957

Judy A. Lawhon March 19, 2008
Steve, I just got around to checking the prize photos and then I saw this wonderful image. Very well done!! I really rejoiced as you gave all the glory to God!! #5664515

Brenda c. McFarland April 02, 2008
Congrats Steve! You do have a god given talent! Praises to both you and him! #5735691

Debbie Fleri April 06, 2008
Congrats,,,Awesome job...: ) #5752586

Scott A. McDaniel April 12, 2008
Might be my favorite shot on the whole BP site. Incredible work! #5780545

Jennifer A. Lambert May 02, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS ! I KNEW this was a winner the second I saw it !!
Your talent is amazing !
Blessings, Jenny #5874750

Kathleen K. Parker July 21, 2008
What a spectacular image you have created. Omg it is fabulous and a wonderful win!
kk #6204639

Max Aureli October 20, 2008
Congratulations for this great composition and Winner, Steven!!! #6628528

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