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Underwater Pals
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Underwater Pals

by Kory Lidstrom

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 5, 2010557 views18 comments
Had a phenomenal time in the Virgin Islands with a couple dolphins playing around my boat during unusually calm conditions a couple weeks ago.

This image, on the vast majority of days at sea, simply would not be possible. I shot it from my boat looking down at them as they raced by. The dolphins are a good three or four feet below the surface here, but there is almost no distortion due to the tranquil waters.

In post, I selectively dodged and burned to emphasize the creamy smooth glare of the water's surface and the darkness of the depths. I wanted the viewer to realize that they were not simply looking at an underwater shot, but that their eyes were piecring through the surface and seeing underneath it.

Comments

18 comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 5, 2010 at 1:42 AM
Wow, just wonderful!
Excellent processing - retains the "underwater" look, but with good detail and smooth features.
:toast:
Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by James Campbell on May 5, 2010 at 2:30 AM
This is a really great image,,, You definately succeeded in showing a different perspective on these animals and the effect of shooting through the water also works really well.. It has me looking again and again :smile:
Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments
Comment posted by Bob McQuade on May 5, 2010 at 11:01 AM
A dreamy shot, what a wonderful experience.
Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments
Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on May 5, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Hi kory,
This is excellent! I love the painterly affect the optical distortion of shooting through the water gives it. The light to dark gradation works very well. I think a crop putting the dolphins up and left in the frame would work as well.
Nice capture!
Neil
Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments
Comment posted by Darren Colello on May 5, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Very well done, very dreamy feel to it. I like this image.
Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on May 5, 2010 at 2:38 PM
This is very nice Kory! A very artistic looking image and creamy smooth is definitely a description that suits this. I wish you would have posted some techs to disclose to us how you managed to make this magnificent image. The only thing that is a bit unfortunate IMO is the fact that the dolphins are overlapping just a bit. Some separation would make this even better. :toast:
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on May 5, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Thanks for the comments, all.

Vincent, most of the "tech" with this image came in the post-processing, which I did talk about. If you want the EXIF info, it is: 5DMarkII, 60mm, 1/500, f/4, ISO 400, circular polarizer
Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 5, 2010 at 11:17 PM
I would have liked to have seen this one larger. Processing seems very good.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Chetan Rangaraj on May 5, 2010 at 11:58 PM
A very artistic image. Love the creamy look and depth provided by the background. Very nicely done Kory. :toast:
Registered on February 12, 2009, 17 Posts, 27 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on May 6, 2010 at 12:46 AM
That's what I meant Kory, thanks for providing the info. Did you have to focus manually in this case or did the water surface provide not problem for the AF?
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on May 6, 2010 at 3:28 AM
Spectacular, Kory. One of your very best! I love everything about this one.
Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments
Comment posted by Brad Hill on May 6, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Hi Kory,

Very, very nice. I love the slight distortion which helps tell me it was shot from above the water. Nice colour and tonal transitions and those parallel curves of their bodies is very calming. My only nit is a non-nit: I'd like to see this in larger form (simply to better admire it). Very well done - a treat to rest the eyes on.

Thanks very much for sharing this...

Brad
Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Walters on May 6, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Very artistic image! Love the details in the dolphins.
Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 7, 2010 at 4:35 AM
Awesome image Kory!!! You did a great job out in the boat as well in the computer.

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 12, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Kory, Congrats on a great EP!

Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on May 12, 2010 at 7:43 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved EP Kory :toast:
Neil
Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments
Comment posted by Kory Lidstrom on May 12, 2010 at 9:52 PM
Hehe, thanks everyone. It took me a bit to figure out what EP meant, lol. It's my first time getting one. :biggrin:

By the way, if you'd like to see a few more images from this dolphin encounter, as well as a bit more backstory, click right here.
Registered on November 19, 2008, 49 Posts, 1035 Comments
Comment posted by Herb Sennet on May 21, 2011 at 2:17 PM
For me this one of the most impressive images posted on the NPN site. Absolutely gorgeous.
Herb
Registered on September 20, 2009, 87 Posts, 106 Comments