Yucatan Pictures

[GWNDWN]

Well just goot back from Mexico today and here a couple shots from my first attempt at cave photography...any pointers from the experts?

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/506/medium/Jeb_and_Ken.jpg

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/506/Ken_Nahoch1.jpg

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/506/medium/Nahoch1.jpg

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/506/medium/Nahoch2.jpg

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/506/medium/Nahoch3.jpg

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/506/medium/Entrance_Mayan_Blue.jpg

Maybe start off with how to show images in a post :D

[DeWayne]

I am no expert, but they looked pretty impressive to me 8) Chip has posted directions somewhere on here about how to embed pictures in your posts.

[GWNDWN]

Thanks DeWayne......I found it.

[MikeH]

They're horrible! Give up photography and give me your camera setup! :-D

They look pretty good to me. The only thing I can see so far that would be an improvement would be the addition of a remote strobe...but it's not an absolute necessity.

What kind of camera/strobe setup are you using?

Mike

[GWNDWN]

I have a Nikon D70, 18-70mm lens, Aquatica Housing w\ 8" dome port and a INON Z-240. The divers each have a slaved Substobe 200 strapped between their doubles.....divers make great remote strobe delivery platforms. On the shots without divers it's just the single Z-240 strobe.

[MikeH]

The divers each have a slaved Substobe 200 strapped between their doubles.....

Ah, ok. I assumed, based on some of the shadows, that there were no remote strobes.

Mike

[Webmaster]

Very nice, though I agree with Mike in that there could be a bit more background lighting. Maybe more powerful secondary strobes, or covering different angles?

But, your photos would definitely be improved by the addition of myself as an experienced photo sherpa/subject/lighting platform. I can even act as a remote photo slave able to activate up to 4 strobes at once if I don't drop them.

This would undoubtedly add a great deal to your trip, and I should be shipped ahead of time to your next exotic dive location to prepare and ensure a successful endeavor.

All I charge is food and board. Mainly food.
:lol:

[GWNDWN]

Thanks for the offer, will you fit in a moderate sized storm case


I agree with needing more stobe power...but first I need more wallet power. So far I own the Z-240, I borrowed the two SS200's. If I could get two strobes on my camera and two remote strobes I'd be set.....I'm not too proud to accept donations :-D

Nice pictures! :D You already put a lot of wallet power in them. How do you like your Aquatica housing? Do you have the INON Z-240 setup for TTL? More lighting can help, but as you mentioned it costs even more $$$

[GWNDWN]

I love the housing...it's very well balanced underwater and the controls are easy to use. I'm using the Z-240 in manual, the Aquatica housing doesn't come with TTL but it can be added for about 200 bucks.

[Webmaster]

Thanks for the offer, will you fit in a moderate sized storm case


I agree with needing more stobe power...but first I need more wallet power. So far I own the Z-240, I borrowed the two SS200's. If I could get two strobes on my camera and two remote strobes I'd be set.....I'm not too proud to accept donations :-D

Yes I do, as long as it's designed for a moderate size car.

Something you might want to play around with for background lighting is placing small dive lights on ledges or somewhere out of the way to fill in the dark corners. Much cheaper than buying additional strobes anyway.

I haven't tried it underwater, but I've done it before in air filled caves. It can help add some depth even if it doesn't throw as much light. You can vary intensity by distance to the wall. Of course you have to reposition them each time.

[GWNDWN]

Something you might want to play around with for background lighting is placing small dive lights on ledges or somewhere out of the way to fill in the dark corners. Much cheaper than buying additional strobes anyway.

I haven't tried it underwater, but I've done it before in air filled caves. It can help add some depth even if it doesn't throw as much light. You can vary intensity by distance to the wall. Of course you have to reposition them each time

I tried that a couple times but couldn't get enough light. If you look at the fourth picture you'll see a little white dot on the right....that's a 10W HID. The strobe just drowns it out, I tried with no strobe and got black with a white dot. It may work better if I tried it on say a 10 second exposure.