19 Mantas in a frame

Following up on a post from a few weeks back. Finally got the film developed and scanned. 19 mantas in one frame out of a possible 30 or so that were looping around. This is the best shot, but a major shame about bubbles at top right. Tried to get rid of em in PS but my skills not good enough with PS i guess because i keep ruining the manta when i try to fix it.

THis will teach me to be greedy...I was one handing the video camera and one handing the Nik V with the other hand. Soooo, didn't properly compose the stills and ended up with shaky video. Greedy greedy greedy.

Ah well, next time i'll put one down and concentrate on just one i guess.

I count 17...a possible 18 if the bottom left corner is two of them...

Still...incredible shot

~Matt Segal

actually there are two there that are doubled up, both on left. Just look for the two that look really wide

Pretty neat Mike!! Once in a lifetime opportunity for sure.... Maybe you'll get another chance to not be greedy in your next life. Just kidding, I would have tried the same thing if I would have witnessed that!

Cheers,

David

Wow what an amazing sight.

The image's strength is that it records an unforgettable encounter - but photographically I don't feel that it is very strong. Technically everything is right - but it is not that pleasing to he eye because it is a bit of a mess with all mantas going in different directions. I prefer your images of smaller groups of mantas that are in pleasing formations/

It reminds me of my experience photographing the less spectacular stingrays at dawn in Grand Cayman. Whenever I try and shoot the whole school 80 or so - the pictures never really work.

I think the images are much stronger, if not as spectacular, when I look for smaller groups that are well arranged.

I think the ideal is to get the whole group in great formations - but I haven't got that shot yet!

Alex

I agree Alex, not really a lot to it other than a ton of mantas, water was murky as well so not much in the way of contrast either. Oh well, should have another crack at it in the next few days, full moon today and all. Weather a bit crap mind you...

Still, never forget having 30 mantas cajoling above my head.

Yeah, what a great dive that was!