Eye of a Stinagree

[ATJ]

Gosh! ATJ is posting an image for review....

I took this photo on a night dive a couple of weeks ago and it really appeals to me. I was hoping that others feel the same and am interested in opinions. I'm also interested in suggestions for things that might make it a better image.


Eye of a common stingaree, Trygonoptera testacea at Bass & Flinders, South Cronulla, NSW. Depth: 3.4 m.

Nikon D300, Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D, +4 diopter, Ikelite housing and dome port, 2 x Ikelite DS125 strobes

ISO 200, 1/100, f/11

I spotted the stingaree (a type of ray) buried in the sand due to the reflection of my lights in its eyes. I managed the get very close and get a few shots before it swam off (in a cloud of sand).

[aim54x]

Very interesting image there Andrew, I have missed looking at your pictures.

Although like many others I feel underqualified to give you much critique, I think this image has a unique look and feel to it, the eye coming out of the sand gives it a mysterious, almost spooky 'feel'. On a more technical note, your DOF looks perfect, drawing your attention to the eye and there are no distracting background or foreground elements.

I hope to have the pleasure of seeing more of your shots.

[dviv]

I agree with Cam's comments Andrew,

The only suggestion I would have is around DOF - the area just to the left of the eye is a little OOF - I'm thinking your focus point is a hair too far back? or possibly it just needs a fraction more DOF.

Pretty small gripe though - it's a great image

[biggerry]

Gosh! ATJ is posting an image for review....

zomg, its gonna rain tomorrow

I think is an image that will appeal to those with a little knowledge of sea life, in particular the common stingaree, I look at the image and see an OOF thing and something that looks like a shell BUT, coupled with the thread title the subject becomes more apparent and I can appreciate the nature 'wow' factor on the camouflage .

What is the OOF flap thingy? eyebrow? this, for me draws my eye from the 'eye' and i guess the only way to improve the image (technically its all good imo) would be to minimize this distraction, however given that will require cloning etc its not really an option. Maybe just centering the eye on the image would be enough?

well done on getting sooo close, you would not see me that close if i knew what it was

looks like your housing is up to scratch now? no leaks in the new one?

[surenj]

Holy C#%p!

This is an awesome photo! I would have run a mile if I saw one of these.

Did you try any different crops. I think the eye works in the middle but nothing to lose from trying.

Just to get this photo with this amount of clarity underwater with manual strobes etc etc etc is a testament to your expertise in this area.
Was there any ambient in the photo? I am guessing not with f11 and all.

[chrisk]

fascinating. excellent image.

[Mr Darcy]

Something bothers me about this picture Andrew, But I can't put my finger on what.
Perhaps it's just the mote in (God's) eye
Or it may be the DOF is just not working for me.

Still it's great to see your pictures making a comeback.

[ATJ]

Thanks for the comments.

I managed to get 7 shots of the eye (starting from a bit further back) until one a bit closer than the shot above before the ray swam off. It was 36 seconds from the first shot to the last, so I didn't have a lot of time. I would have liked have experimented a bit with different crops and different DOF but time wasn't on my side.

I think the out of focus area to the left of the eye might actually be one or more mysids (tiny shrimp like crustaceans). Being a night dive, we were the only lights around and the mysids were flocking to us like moths the flame - literally. Looking at some of the other shots I can see one or two mysids. The other shots don't have the out of focus area (but aren't as well framed, in my opinion).

I have no idea what the thing is that is hanging down from the eye.

Gerry, no leaks from the housing, but it did take me nearly 15 minutes to turn the camera on for this night dive. I couldn't get the control to engage the on/off switch on the camera. The number of times I pushed and pulled that control I'm very glad water didn't get in.

Surenj, there was no ambient light other than my touches - it was a night dive.

Here's another shot from a bit further away:


And other close one without mysids:

[Big V]

Given the conditions and the fact that you were using a macro I dont think you could expect any better.

[Matt. K]

Something very appealing about this image. Send it off to a dive magazine as a cover shot.....I think they would use it.

[blacknstormy]

Love 'em Andrew
You know that I'm working on a dodgy monitor, but could it use a little more contrast ???
I keep expecting to see more 'black' in the pupil, but again, probably this damn computer
More please - don't be mean, give us more
hugs

[ATJ]

Thanks, Rel. It might be your monitor as it is pretty close to black (4-5% for each of RBG according to Lightroom).

[biggerry]

And other close one without mysids:

I like this iteration the best, the centering of the eye really makes a difference for me, i knows it only moving it fraction to teh right, but in my opinion works much better.

nearly 15 minutes to turn the camera on for this night dive.

I bet your hanging out to have a dive where everything goes smoothly eh? Good to hear there was no leaks