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Swell Shark
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Swell Shark

by Clinton Bauder

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 22, 201230,314 views3 comments
This is the business end of a swell shark Cephaloscyllium ventriosum. While it looks a bit fierce in this image these are actually adorable little sharks which would only be scary if you were a small fish or a crab. This one patiently allowed me to shoot it from close range and from multiple different angles. This is a bit of a lucky shot where some kelp drifted over the top of its head right as I released the shutter. I like how it masks out everything except the mouth thus emphasizing the teeth.

An argument could be made that I've over sharpened the teeth, curious what people think. The 105 is a bit long of a lens for a 3 foot fish in bad vis so I was further away than I'd like and while the image is sharp _enough_ it isn't quite tack sharp. I probably also should have bumped up the ISO (I normally shoot macro at 100) so I could stop down a bit more. I've also cropped in a bit and increased the contrast quite a bit.

This was shot along the Coast Guard Breakwater in Monterey California on a night dive.

Nikon D200, Subal Housing, 2x Sea and Sea YS 350 strobes at 1/2 power.
105mm AFS-VR Micro, f/8 1/250th ISO 100

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on June 22, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Considering your situation and conditions not a bad shot at all! I actually would like to see more of the sharks head, find the kelp distracting and would suggest a tighter crop. Thanks for sharing this unusal image.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 24, 2012 at 6:00 PM
The dark background and putrefaction color scheme on this shark are truly creepy. The hidden eyes add to the nightmarish feel. Having said that I agree with John that being able to see the eyes would still give the effect you were after but make the image more whole imho.
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 26, 2012 at 1:28 PM
I like the effect you achieved and technically the image appears sound, although I have no experience with underwater challenges. I agree with the others that the inclusion of the eye would make a more compelling capture. I think the sharpening of the teeth in this instance is nicely effective.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments