W A T E R / M A C R O / I N S E C T S   P H O T O G R A P H Y /
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This tab has three submenus, the first shows Marine Animals such as whales, dolphins, seals, and otters. The second submenu is focused more on taking shots under the water of fish and marine life. The Third has both Macro and Insect photography
 

Marine Animal Photography: Get ready for a wild ride into the world of marine animal photography! There are two main setups for capturing these oceanic marvels, each with its own challenges and thrills.
 

First up, we have the stationary setup: you’re perched on land, camera in hand, while your subject swims below the surface. Here, you’ll mostly catch glimpses of the animal breaking through the water for air—think dolphins and whales making a fleeting appearance. Speed is everything! With only moments to react, you’ll need your camera primed and ready, focusing quickly to snap that perfect shot as the subject surfaces.
 

Then there’s the moving boat setup, where you’re chasing dolphins or whales as they break the surface, often in the midst of a thrilling breach or dive. The key here? Anticipation! Knowing the rhythm of your subject—like when a whale is about to dive or breach after taking a few breaths—can make all the difference. With rapid-fire shots and a steady focus, you’ll have a much higher chance of capturing that breathtaking moment in all its glory.
 

Whether you’re stationary or in motion, it’s all about preparation, anticipation, and quick reflexes—get ready to freeze time in the midst of nature’s most majestic moments! This section shows some of my favorite photos.

Underwater photography: the ultimate challenge for any photographer, offering a whole new set of thrills—and headaches! Unlike traditional land photography, capturing the magical world beneath the waves requires some serious gear adjustments. Whether you're using a waterproof point-and-shoot camera, a GoPro, or a bulky housing for your regular camera, each option comes with its own set of quirks. The waterproof cameras, for example, tend to have limited zoom and pesky lens fogging issues, while the GoPro excels in video, allowing you to grab screen captures—though these are not quite the same quality of a camera. On the other hand, housing your regular camera gives you more flexibility, but it's bulky, space-consuming, and not always the easiest to maneuver, especially in tight underwater spaces. My goal is not to lug around the gear of a professional photographer, but still get some nice clean shots of the wonder that awaits under the sea.

Then there's the issue of light—shooting in the deep blue can be tricky when natural light is scarce. Snorkeling near the surface can help, but for deeper dives, you’ll need external lights to really capture those underwater wonders. And as if that wasn’t enough, both you and your subject are constantly moving! This makes it tough to frame your shot just right, with both you and the animal drifting along in the currents.

It's a mix of technical challenges and unpredictable motion, but for those who embrace the struggle, the rewards are nothing short of breathtaking. So, gear up, stay patient, and prepare to dive into a world of stunning underwater imagery—where the beauty is as deep as the challenges are vast! My goal is here is to show what can be achieved with a minimum amount of gear, while still getting some nice clean shots of the beauty that awaits under the sea.

 

Macro / Insect: Welcome to the fascinating world of macro and insect photography, where the tiniest details of nature’s wonders unfold in the most mesmerizing ways! If you’ve ever been curious about the hidden beauty of flowers, insects, or even the delicate patterns on leaves, this is where you can really dive deep into the wonders of the micro-world. For a while, I was completely captivated by macro photography—getting up close to the tiniest of subjects and seeing the world in a whole new way. It’s a whole different kind of adventure, where every shot is an exploration of life at its most intricate.

Macro photography isn’t just about magnifying objects; it’s about learning to see what’s often invisible. With the right gear, like a prime lens (a 100mm works wonders), you can capture incredible detail, from the veins of a leaf to the fine hairs on an insect’s leg. You can even use special filters to get closer, making your subjects appear even larger. But, of course, the magic lies in the challenge: every detail counts, and even the slightest breeze can ruin the shot. Wind? A photographer’s nightmare when you’re working with such a shallow depth of field. That’s why many macro photographers use gadgets like camera motion rigs, allowing for tiny adjustments to the focus with pinpoint accuracy.
 

But let’s talk about the real beauty of macro photography: patience. When it comes to insects, for example, getting the perfect shot requires an almost zen-like focus. I’ve never been one to stress out my tiny subjects, so I don’t resort to tricks like freezing them to slow them down. Instead, I use a tripod, a macro lens, and continuous shooting mode to capture that perfect moment before any motion throws off the focus. It’s all about getting as close as you can to the subject, waiting for the right moment, and letting nature do its thing.

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