Cuttlefish

It is spring in Holland, even underwater. In May when the watertemp. reaches a comfy 12'C, cuttlefish or sepia's come to the Oosterschelde to breed.

All were taken with the 10.5, thankfully this lens focusses so close otherwise the backscatter would be really bad. Vis was about 2-3 metres on most dives.

My learning experience from these dives: CFWA in murky waters is possible, but it is better to use 1 strobe instead of 2, so you can leave a lot of negative space in the frame.

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Don't be polite

This is VERY cool! Always thought cuttlefish were warm water critters. Great job of controlling the backscatter!

Stu

Wow....I really like these shots....very clear, especially considering the water.....excellent compositions make them very interesting to look at

You must have been using the 10.5mm which forces you to get very, very close

Well done

Karl

Very nice shots I like the torch lights in the background. Great color and ambience...

Tony

You have some nice compositions. But the really strong shots from these occasions tend to come from that one day when the Viz is best. I think your shots are excellent considering the viz - but when you or another photographer happen to get the cuttles on that special day - these shots won't be your favourites.

We get them in the UK too. Have a look at the shots in Alan James's galleries:

http://www.marine-cameras.com/gallery.htm

A favourite spot has always been Babbacombe Bay in Devon. That was until a couple of weeks ago when a fishman put down loads of pots (baited with female cuttlefish) and caught the entire population before they had had a chance to mate. Very sad, but perfectly legal.

Alex

p.s. There were some more dutch pix on DP Review a couple of weeks ago, maybe from a friend of yours, Kees?

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp...essage=13587311

Thanks for the replies,

The Sepia's were indeed touching the dome, so the 10.5 was put to the limmits

Yes, vis and opporunities are always rare combinations here, but when it is there, it is superb.

I've seen Hans around some divesites (now I saw his picture on his site, I know who he is). I don't think Hans had better vis with his pictures (I was in the water on exactely the same time at the same spot) but he was able to capture better watercolour than I did, probably a slower shutter or higher ISO, I have to experiment with it the next time.

The conclusion for me is that the 10.5 is the best buy I did last year (besides a new housing). The 10.5 opens up the vis and have great possibilities in not so clear waters, I just keep on messing with strobepositions etc.

Cheers.

Cool pics! Good sharpness and light, and very interesting captures, I think it's sepia's mating, isn't it? Great!

Thank you for sharing

Very nice pics excellent use of your fisheye ! Those sepias are such a beautiful creatures.

If you have the chance again , try a very slow shutter speed , the water in the background will turn more green and bright and your sepias will pop up .

Keep going

Saludos

El buzo