Split shot a la 5050

Tried out my Inon wide-angle w/ dome for the first time today while kayaking. I thought I'd try for a split shot (or ten) and here's one of the one's I've got. It seems the only problem is in keeping the lens free of water spots and trying to keep water from going in between the lens, keeping it from draining or waiting long enough for it to drain. I'll give it another go (hopefully) next weekend.

Very interesting photo laz - doesn't look like it was a calm day either.

I think it worked - but the underwater subject matter isn't "there." Next time, I suggest a quick trip over to Indonesia...:-)

Cheers

James

ouch!......from those of us who don't get to dive every weekend!

Karl

Nice one Laz! Quick question... Is the distortion or blurriness on the right side of the photo due to the water spots or the dome?

James - You're right. 25 knot winds were blowing from the N-NE. I couldn't do any diving but luckily I found this one spot where there are tide pools during low tide that I can go out in my kayak. Perfect for such days. Lots of critters too make sure the underwater subject matter are "there." So far, I've seen tons of spotted sea hares, pipefish, conchs, bluecrabs, nurse sharks, lots of juveniles and tons more. Indonesia sounds go though. I wonder if I can take my kayak as a carry-on.

Albatros - The distortion you're seeing is due to water spots. The images produced with the lens, besides some fixable curverture, actually look pretty good edge to edge.

Bare with me.. I figure this out.

Hey Laz,

What's up? I didn't know you got a kayak. What did you get? Once my new project gets stabilized, maybe I'll finally be able to head down your way. Don't think I have time to put the boat on the truck and drive it, though.

Mike

Indonesia sounds go though. I wonder if I can take my kayak as a carry-on.

Now that is one I would love to see!!!!

Albatros - The distortion you're seeing is due to water spots. The images produced with the lens, besides some fixable curverture, actually look pretty good edge to edge.

Thanks for the clarity Laz. I'm looking forward to seeing your "figure it out" photos

This is another shot taken during the same day. It just required a little extra Photoshop exposure work and some cropping. I did not expose well for the sky. What I started to do afterwards was expose for nice blue sky and fill in underwater with a strobe. A little tough considering the amount of backscatter (slack low tide).

Now if only I can spot a Great White in one of the tide pools!

Laz: that shot is fabulous!

If you meter the underwater scent and then the above water scene, I think you'll find something like a 4 stop lighting differenct. That's why you need extremely shallow clear water for under-overs - or use strobes to make up the difference.

Cheers

James

Laz, I too, love that last shot. I am unable to talk to the technical side of it, but I really like how most of the color is displayed underwater with the subtle reflection on the water's surface. Beautiful!

Thanks to James' insight on making sure the subject matter was "there," I think I've almost got it... Except for forgetting to set the camera to ISO 64 again!! ARG! Why does it even have 400?!?!

Temporary solution to the water between the lens and housing issue -- 4 drops of silicon to seal the holes. I didn't even bother to put teflon tape on the thread of the Inon lens but it wasn't submerged for very long.

I forgot about the whole baby shampoo deal on the lens. I'll try that next time if I remember (along with ISO 64). I also shot this time in macro mode and I noticed my background (the mangroves) aren't in focus... Bozo the Clown to that! I'm gonna have to get a waterproof laptop so I can check my images on the spot. Please send your donations In Care of the Trash-Collecting Kayaker.

Special thanks to the couple of Spotted Sea Hares who were nice enough to pose for me after I saved them from a drying tide pool death (seriously). And a 'no thanks' to the fish who bit me on the toe and the jetskiers who almost ran me over (agh..Miami!).

For those who said you need two strobes to shoot with the Inon dome.. One YS90-DX strobe.. the clouds covering the sun...

:shock: