A study in motion -- Hermissenda nudibranchs in eelgrass

[lundysd]

Last weekend Bob Bailey and I hit up Edmonds Underwater Park for some shallow water photo practice. While the visibility sucked (5' or less), we were nevertheless greeted with an excellent array of subjects to shoot. I was particularly interested in working with the large numbers of Hermissenda crassicornis nudibranchs in the eelgrass -- these are probably my favorite nudibranchs, and the eelgrass substrate makes for some excellent negative space and background. I shot 90% of my photos of the day on various specimens of this nudibranch, and what emerged was a lesson for me in motion and dynamic movement underwater. There was a slight surge, which combined with the fluidity of the eelgrass and the nudibranchs made for challenging but rewarding photo opportunities. It really goes to show that focusing on a single theme/idea/subject for an entire dive can be an excellent strategy for obtaining unique or interesting shots.

Here are just a few examples, but there's an entire set of almost 20 images at...

http://www.raptureofthedeep.net/motion/slideshow

BTW if you do visit the entire gallery, I'd love to know what your favorite image is -- I just can't decide!

[Tom Nic]

Gorgeous!

[Dusty2]

Two thumbs up on all of them but #2 is awesome

[eliseaboo]

Great shots! I agree, no matter how many shots I take of Hermissendas, I can never resist *just one more*...

[LCF]

I think #10 is my favorite. I like the immediacy of the highly cropped image, and the sense of motion with the animal questing off the grass blade.

[vlad]

Agree with Lynne, #10 is the most striking. Filling the frame with this colorful nudi is quite effective.
All other pictures are quite good too, very nice set! Thanks for sharing!

[Grateful Diver]

... and now a progress report from the student. These aren't a patch on yours, Scott ... but today I got to put in practice some of the things you showed me on Sunday ... these are my hermissenda crassicornis pics from earlier today ...









... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[ldevore]

Love the photo's from both of you!!!

Scott - I like #9 the best. Something about the way that blade of eelgrass is bending around puts so much perspective on the subject.

[lundysd]

Nice work Bob! I think I like the first one best -- good depth of field and spot on focus.

Let's go out and dive again together soon!

[LCF]

I like the first one the best, too . . . it has the most sense of motion.

For anybody reading this . . . taking a class from Scott is a ton of fun, and gives you an enormous number of ideas to work with!

[Grateful Diver]

The class was definitely worthwhile ... for anyone seeking to improve their photography skills, I highly recommend it ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)