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SubscribeDiving Photos - Warning, large files
Dr. Bonke
 
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male finland
I was going through some diving photos that I've taken during the last year and figured that some of those would be worth sharing. As this is a fish-forum these are all focused on fish and for most of them I have at least a common name, but feel free to correct me if I got them wrong

First up, diving during the summer in Malta at the Comino caves (JasonPisani might recognize the location) where we fed the Saddled Seabreams. That's my wife in the middle of them:


The second is also from Malta, this time at the HMS Maori, where I spotted a small Scorpionfish:


Then from Mexico (Christmas Vacation) at Playa del Carmen. I can't recall what these fish were called, just that it was something very mundane, the picture turned out quite decent though and the detail on the original was very good.


Also from Mexico, at the island Cozumel. The grandfather of all Parrotfish came to say hello, estimating his size is difficult, but I put it at least at somewhere between 2½-3 ft. he was about 5 ft away when I snapped that shot. He looks kinda evil, doesn't he? (or she )


Third one from Mexico, also from Cozumel, is an Angelfish (I think). This beauty was about 1½ ft long and totally not afraid of people. I took 4 shots of him in the time it took for the current to drag us by his/her piece of coral. All four show the brilliant colors and basically sharp photos, but unfortunately all photos have something that I don't like. This one is the best in my opinion.


This one speaks for itself, a nicely camouflaged Mexican stingray


Then the last one, also from Cozumel, is a (small) spotted grouper, who was taking a rest on the sand.


Even though my aquaria have always been fresh water and I hardly know anything about salt water fish, I do appreciate their beauty and variety. Diving has become one of my most favourite hobbies over the last four years, I just wish I could do it more often If you ever get the chance to do it, I absolute recommend giving it a try.
Post InfoPosted 07-Mar-2007 23:49Profile PM Edit Report 
Budzilla
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I am pretty sure the large group, are white grunts.
that is a huge parrot fish, and the angel shot is nice.
I have seen some of those sting rays and you really don;t see them until the swim away 2 feet from you.
I am into scuba diving to, and i am even taking a diving/fishing trip for a week in the florida keys starting this weekend.

-Vincent
Post InfoPosted 08-Mar-2007 01:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
OldTimer
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male usa
Great shots, Dr. Bonke.

Jim



Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain
Post InfoPosted 08-Mar-2007 05:02Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Cup_of_Lifenoodles
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The grunts look to be sailor's choice, and the parrotfish is probably a male (supermale? maybe not). Great photos.
Post InfoPosted 08-Mar-2007 08:38Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
Cup_of_Lifenoodles
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Bud, those aren't white grunts in the background; they're bluestripes. The main shoal is, as stated, sailor's choice (not the porgy--the grunt, aka. h. parra).
Post InfoPosted 08-Mar-2007 08:47Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
longhairedgit
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Lovely photos, and you coped with the lighting well too, not always easy with all the refraction of seawater, and the particulate matter diffusing all the definition out.

Well done :^

What camera were you using? Looks like it has one hell of a flash!
Post InfoPosted 08-Mar-2007 10:16Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
Dr. Bonke
 
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Thanks for the clarification on the fish names That'll be added to the digital photoalbum.

The camera I use is a Canon Powershot S1 IS, which I bought a couple of years ago because it was one of the few affordable digital cameras with 10x optical zoom at the time. It only has 3.2 Megapixels and no raw image output, but in general I've been quite pleased with the photos it makes.

Almost all these photos were all taken without a flash, except the scorpion fish one. The camera has just a standard flash like every other camera and with underwater photography those are generally quite horrible as all floating particles will reflect the light straight back into the lens, giving horrible shots. I only use it when I take close up shots. The real trick with underwater photography is to re-adjust the whitebalance whenever you change depths. The best way is to keep a white piece of plastic around to re-adjust, but I usually just use the palm of my hand, which is pretty white underwater. Doing just that and if you take the pictures on a sunny day, they hardly need any work at all in photoshop.

The pics I've posted here have only had their levels adjusted, nothing else.
Post InfoPosted 08-Mar-2007 11:09Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fish patty
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Gorgeous pictures!

I think I saw the fish is pic. 3,4,5 & 7 in that Nemo movie!

Post InfoPosted 08-Mar-2007 17:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Budzilla
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sailors coice maybe another name for them...they are actually white margate not white grunt, i got the names mixed up. I catch then every time i go to the florida keys. I just googled to, so that i could make sure i had it right.

-Vincent
Post InfoPosted 09-Mar-2007 01:47Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Cup_of_Lifenoodles
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White margate is a different species, and much, MUCH larger. I've never caught any margates, but I snared quite a few sailor's choice down-and-west of Galveston.
Post InfoPosted 09-Mar-2007 03:37Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
Cup_of_Lifenoodles
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*Haemulon parra, not album
Post InfoPosted 09-Mar-2007 03:37Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
longhairedgit
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Those are impressive pics considering the res of the camera, I have an s2 IS myself, but unfortunately because the lens sticks out so far they didnt make a waterproof case for it last time I checked. Just as well really or id be chasing my shrimp round my tanks with it.
Post InfoPosted 09-Mar-2007 04:06Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
monkeyboy
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amazing. and it truely shows who has the best fish tank.

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction
Post InfoPosted 10-Mar-2007 03:35Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
fish patty
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Good one monkeyboy.
Post InfoPosted 10-Mar-2007 05:22Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
inkodinkomalinko
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That queen angelfish? is so gorgeous!
Post InfoPosted 10-Mar-2007 22:38Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
jasonpisani
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It would have been nice meeting you in Malta, Dr.Bonke.

I can't recognise the location, but i know that Comino is quite beautiful for diving.

I have to say, that the pictures are very nice & well detailed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com
Post InfoPosted 11-Mar-2007 01:58Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
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