Tour of the Southern California Channel Islands

I did a live aboard on the Nautilus Explorer last month to the Channel Islands off southern California. We covered all of the islands from San Clemente near San Diego, Catalina, the Eureka Oil rig, and Santa Rosa off Santa Barbara. It's been at least 15 years since I last dove in SoCal and it was nice to return to where I first started diving. The Nautilus is just about the perfect dive boat, and we all had a great time. Some highlights I did not manage to capture were a frolicking Humpback whale and my first ever Mola Mola.

Most of these photos were shot with a Sigma 15mm Fisheye lens (Wide angle) and a Nikon 60 or 105mm (macro) and a pair of Ikelite DS-125 strobes.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Kelp forest in the sun

Schooling fish on Farnsworth Banks

Two-spot Octopus

Spanish Shawl Nudibranch (Flabellina iodinea)

Opalescent Nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis)

Galleries:

http://www.pbase.com/davehicks/nautilus_may2008

Underwater Slideshow:

http://www.pbase.com/davehicks/channel_isl...;view=slideshow

The schooling fish at Farnsworth banks is wonderful. You were lucky to catch it. Even though I live in SB county and make lots of trips out to the islands, I have never made it to Farnsworth. I know that this isn't a criticism forum so don't take this the wrong way, but the foreground to background exposure looks a little funny to me. Also it looks like you blurred the background too much on the Hermissenda shot.

The schooling fish at Farnsworth banks is wonderful. You were lucky to catch it. Even though I live in SB county and make lots of trips out to the islands, I have never made it to Farnsworth. I know that this isn't a criticism forum so don't take this the wrong way, but the foreground to background exposure looks a little funny to me. Also it looks like you blurred the background too much on the Hermissenda shot.

Yeah, Farnsworth was one of many fantastic sites we dove on. Actually, I think Catalina had most of the top sites on the trip, although we saw great things every day.

Thanks for the critique on the Hermissenda, but all of these photos are un-edited. I usually just tweek exposure & crop if needed, then export to JPG with Capture NX.

Dave

thanks for posting Dave, I had a couple friends on that trip also.

btw, which Lens(es) did you use for the shots you posted?

Steve, I think I'm 4 for 4 on Farnsworth

Scott

thanks for posting Dave, I had a couple friends on that trip also.

 

btw, which Lens(es) did you use for the shots you posted?

 

Steve, I think I'm 4 for 4 on Farnsworth

 

Scott

It was a real fun group, and I met a lot of nice new divers.

All of these photos were shot with a Nikon D300 (ikelite housing) and either the Sigma 15mm FE or the Nikon 60mm. I used my 105mm a couple time times as well, but these too lenses are the ones I use the most. The Sigma is great, and pretty much all I use anymore for wide angle. I love the 105, but mostly use it if there is a lot of light and great macro opportunities. The 60mm is so versatile, I probably use it the most.