Photo for criticism

It’s quit here lately so here a shot from my last diving's weekend.

I don't satisfied from this shot and plan to dive the same place this weekend of the next one for improvements.

What can be done better here? I have few ideas but want to ear others opinions.

This is sort of a classic shot, and you did a good job capturing it here.

The only thing to improve for me would be the orientation of the diver. This makes the shot look like it was captured on the fly.

It would be nicer if the diver was coming into the photo rather than going away.

I noticed the blurring in the bottom left corner, i had the same problem with my 12-24mm when Marine Camera sold me the wrong extension tube for the lens.... Maybe the bigger ike dome would sort this out?? Orientation of the diver as said above, or maybe try a different time of day to get the sun behind the diver?? You could also try bracketing with strobe distance if shooting in manual...

Not wishing to sound overcritical, it is a great shot, i'd have it in my collection any day

Simon

Thanks for the responses so far.

Simon, The all idea to upload the image is to get as much as possible critical so you are not overcritical, I have much more critical to that frame.

The blurring is from focus issue not the port, my housing is almost touching the rock there.

What about the strobe? Is to too much light on the coral? The position is not perfect that for sure since there is a part of the coral in the dark and too much light on the front rock.

Ok - technical critique, your right the focus point should be on the closest subject, you have the center of the fan, the exposure is also too hot on the fan. It is very obvious a stobe has been used, you have it angled to the center and it is giving you the hotspot in the center, a diffuser will help. Seems like a single strobe set up. I would close down another stop and watch the position of the strobe, or another power level down, try to balance the background with the strobe so it is even.

Composition: I would get a little lower to get even more of an upward angle, Like Matt said the diver is the main problem, he is going away and his hands with the camera look a little awkward, comming into the picture would be better. In additon the surface of the water, the boat or even the sun would also add to this type of pic. Here is a quick fix on your pic, notice the fan is a little more balanced.

Look forward to your next try.

-Steve

Hi again, sadly i disagree with photobeat...

I just noticed the exif data... having a 10.5mm i know it is a 2.8 lens, so therefore impossible to open up a stop. I would suggest trying a shutter speed of around 160th and maybe f8, obviously it depend on the conditions.... at f8 or higher you will get much greater d.o.f. and you will be able to play with the strobe more. A diffuser will help, and when i have to use one strobe i think it is essential to hand hold.

Im assuming you live near your divesite, so you could really experiment with this technique, the beauty of instant feedback on digital will give you a rapid learning curve. All you need to do is bribe your buddy to sit still for long enough...

Hope this helps,

Simon

Thanks for the more criteria, it’s really help.

I'm continuing with this discussion not to justify my shot since I do not see it as a good one but to learn more as possible.

It’s indeed a 10.5 DX with max aperture of 2.8 so no more stops here.

Its not possible to go more down as I remember (at list not without some digging equipment ) but next time I'm sure try to use more upward angle to get gradient in the water's color.

I also think that F8 will be better here, its will also will reduce the CA that can be seen in the image.

I indeed used one strobe (SB 105) with diffuser.

This weekend the visibility was so worth so we changed our plans to the next weekend.

That was a slip of the keyboard guys, I wouldn't say the fan is too hot so open up a stop along with lowering the strobe power level give me some credit - re-edtited.

Hello again,

Im sorry if i have caused offence, i was just trying to ensure that we were presenting the most accurate information to the readers, i would imagine many new photographers look through here to gain knowledge, and i would like to think that people can look in here and find accurate information that is presented in a helpful, positive manner.

I'd love to see some shots from this weekend, to see how they came out..

Simon

Photobeat,

I read right into your post and fully agree, and interpreting your verbiage was no problem for me, mostly because it's exactly what I was goiing to say until I read your post. The one thing I will stress is that shooting up at a greater angle is essential for that lens if you are shooting into blue surface water. If you can shoot at F11 ish I have found that you can minimize the soft corners. Also, I know there is a reef, but if you can have water in the corners (as opposed to a solid reef), it really demphasizes the softness. Another trick if you have a hi-rez setup is to back off enough so you can crop, resize using bicubic smoother and viola!! the softness is gone Did I say that?

Joe

Second try

F9, 1/250, two strobes this time.

Still there is what to improved, like more upward angle (there is one shot like this but the model is not in a good position)

Is that with your 10.5?

Yes 10.5, two SB 105, crop of 5% aside from that only resizing and USM.