Red Sea Diving.... Round 2!

[ReefingBuddha]

I'm off in Sharm El Sheikh again this summer so its time to provide some more pictures.

I have a new setup this yet. A D700 in a proper housing so its the steep learning curve all over again. Hope my pictures improve over the next 11 days but any critique or advice would be very much appreciated.

Day 1
Straits of Tiran
Jackson Reef and Ras Ghamila
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_2893.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_3076.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_3079.jpg
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http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_3887.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_3899.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_3938.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_3961.jpg
Not sure which one of those I like better
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_3987.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4233.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4285.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4292.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4295.jpg

Day 2
Ras Mohammad National Park
Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4985.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5120.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5393.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4380.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4427.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4586.jpg
Biggest damn puffer I've ever seed. Its eye was easily the size of a golf ball.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4629.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4859.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_4883.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

somewhere along the line of converting from RAW to jpeg and then uploading there seems to be a serious loss of color saturation and contrast. Anyone have a clue how to fix that?

Anyways, just a few more from yesterday. Night dive is schedule for tonight.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5131.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5182.jpg
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http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5397.jpg

[surge19us]

Those are great. What a wonderful experience. The diversity is amazing.

[Dobbs1101]

WOW very nice pictures!

[Recty]

Those are great pictures, really nice detail and composition.

[PSam]

wonderful shots! Thanks for posting them. Love the Apogon (?) all in the branches of that acro.

[truthdesigns]

Holy Canoe those are some amazing shots there!

[Wildcatreef]

Wow, stunning!

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks guys!

[jkeating2005]

Wow these are amazing shots! I haven't seen many of the red sea! Definitly some of my new favorites! And I love that Unicorn Tang! It is amazzing!!

Great photos! Would love to see more!

[ReefingBuddha]

Your wish has been granted. :D

Just got back from a night Dive and I'm heading out to Thistlegorm (I think that's spelled right) at 6AM tomorrow so I should have some nice wreck dive shots tomorrow.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5815.jpg
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[ReefingBuddha]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5881.jpg
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http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5888.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

BTW there's a crab in the last shot if you look closely. I didn't even notice it until I reviewed the pictures later. Lucky score!

[klepto]

Excellent photography Thomas. That little crab sure has some good camo.

Im enjoying your usage of shallow depth of field.

Thank you for sharing your diving experiences with us!

[ReefingBuddha]

Thank for you looking !

:D

[mkbtank]

Thanks for posting. Great shots!

[STLmatt]

those are some amazing shots! great work!

[mnml]

fantastic photos, thanks for sharing.

[ReefingBuddha]

Alright

So for today I went to dive the SS Thistlegorm. It was a supply vessel in WWII and is about 160m long. Sunk in 1941 by a German bomber that scored a direct hit on the 4th hold which was filled with ammunition. The result was a massive explosion that almost immediate downed the vessel to 30m which just so happens to be perfect for recreational diving. The wreck sits on a flat sandy bottom and has hardly shifted since it sunk.

It was original discovered in the 1950's by Cousteau but he chose to cut off the mast and lie about where he found it so that he could keep it to himself. It was wasn't until the early 90's, when diving the in Red Sea became popular, that the wreck was rediscovered. It is considered to be one of the best preserved WWII wrecks in the world.

The wreck includes 2 tanks, 2 full locamotives on each side (to much current for either of those), full load of ammunition, motorcycles and trucks.

We headed out at 6AM this morning as it usually takes between 3 and 4 hours to reach the wreck. Luckily the owner of the dive operation came along because he wanted to try out the new RIB with dual 250HP engines. We reached the wreck in just over an hour. :D That was a fun ride!

Alright, enough history and on with some pictures. A little more complicated photography due to the distance, visibility, current, and size of the ship but I hope you all enjoy.

Rear Anti-Aircraft Gun
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5919.jpg
Size of Propeller
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5920.jpg
2 boxfish munching on some jellyfish (they were everywhere
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5934.jpg
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[ReefingBuddha]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_5997.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6055.jpg


Dive 2 was mostly inside the ship and included a dive through 2 cargo holds and 2 different levels of the ship. I would have had some more pictures if the other dude diving didn't decided to walk around all the time stirring up sediment making photography impossible.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6075.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6082.jpg
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[ReefingBuddha]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6113.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6119.jpg
Horribly overexposed bow shot
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6135.jpg
Diver included as reference for the massive size of this thing.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6140.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6173.jpg
Also munch on some Jellyfish
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6189.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6210.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15221101#post15221101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mkbtank
Thanks for posting. Great shots!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15221700#post15221700 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by STLmatt
those are some amazing shots! great work!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15222779#post15222779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mnml
fantastic photos, thanks for sharing.

No worries. Happy to share! Just think of me in case you ever want some underwater prints.

More of my pictures can be found at thirschmann.smugmug.com.

I don't have any from this trip up yet but hopefully that will be rectified in the next few days.

Thanks for looking in.

Cheers,
Tom

[TitusvileSurfer]

This is some FINE work! :) I loved the artificial motorcycle reef covered in coraline algae and budding polyps. The boxfish eating jellyfish was neat as well. I loved them all...but there are too many worth commenting to go down the whole list. Excellent, excellent job!

[jkeating2005]

i am speechless after these.....again. the ship that is in the photos, is it WWII?

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks guys!

All my facts are recalled from the dive briefing from yesterday. But yet, we were told that the ship was used as a supply ship in WWII. It was only in service for a little over a year before it was sunk.

[hummermaniac88]

WOW AMAZING! No other word for it. Great work!

[chrisqueenz]

Great pics!

[rhoptowit]

great pics

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks everybody!

So I tried shooting a bunch of reefscapes yesterday but unfortunately I overexposed almost all of them. I've done my best to try and fix'em. I have a **** ton of them so I'll post a good amount of them and you all can sort them out. Once again too lazy to try and sort out top 10.

We also had a sea turtle follow us for a good part of the dive. It was really great since the current was so strong I was just able to drift along next to it for a couple minutes.

Dive 1 of the Day - Jackson Reef.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6295.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6307.jpg
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[ReefingBuddha]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6416.jpg
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[ReefingBuddha]

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[ReefingBuddha]

Dive 2 -Thomas Reef

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6688.jpg
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http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6906.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

And some clam pictures as requested.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6927.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6933.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6939.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6949.jpg

[rhoptowit]

wow, nice shot on the angel.

what kind of setup are you using to take these pictures?

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks!

I'm shooting with a D700 which is my new baby. I just got her about 3 weeks ago.

She is protected by a Subal ND700 underwater housing and I use a single INON z240 Strobe.

The lenses I have been using are a 105mm Nikkor Micro in a dedicated macro port and a 14-24mm Nikkor Wide Angle in a 8" Dome port. The 14-24 cause a bit of an issue (as can be seen in the earlier gorgonia shots) as there is significant blurring if not shot at f/11 or higher. There is a dedicated 9.25" port for this lens available but it is simply to expensive.

Hope that sums it up nicely for you.

Any questions on camera settings for individual pictures can be reference on my sales website were that information is provided.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#568811781_3KbeR

[ReefingBuddha]

Today's humble offering is a little different. Thanks to Jnarowe's idea all the images below are now hotlink-ed to their respective place in my gallery where higher quality images and prints are available. All you have to do is click on an image you like and it should take you back to its parent location.

Enjoy!

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618369_gGBUL-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618369_gGBUL/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618667_gG6Yc-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618667_gG6Yc/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618764_tVyYU-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618764_tVyYU/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618807_cEsVD-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618807_cEsVD/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618786_Vomuq-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618786_Vomuq/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618444_H4fJ9-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618444_H4fJ9/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618464_Xtw92-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618464_Xtw92/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618421_rq3MQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618421_rq3MQ/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618481_Mj7vX-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618481_Mj7vX/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618510_9bBa3-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618510_9bBa3/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618549_GK5mC-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618549_GK5mC/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618524_ks6cS-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618524_ks6cS/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618570_gwdeV-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618570_gwdeV/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618871_KCZSQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618871_KCZSQ/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618858_LxWER-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618858_LxWER/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618845_hXWDA-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618845_hXWDA/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618899_Likuv-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618899_Likuv/)

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618923_X5d3o-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618923_X5d3o/)

And a friendly puffer couple
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/570618688_t7iGr-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#570618688_t7iGr/)

[ReefingBuddha]

Oh and these dives where both early morning dives in Ras Mohammed National Park
The first few are from Shark and Yolanda Reef and the rest from Jackfish Alley which had some great caves.

Hope you all enjoy!

[hummermaniac88]

Wow again amazing, what is the equipment needed for underwater photography?

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks!

Well all you really need are a camera and a underwater housing. A strobe helps if your diving deeper then 10m or so. There are even a few point and shoots out now that are rated to 10m so you don't even need a housing anymore!

There are housing made for most cameras out there. Everything from a basic point and shoot to the top end DSLRs. The material for housings are usually either acrylic or aluminum depending on brand and build quality.

Hope that answer most of your questions. Feel free to ask some more if you like.

I do warn you though, underwater photography is almost as addictive as reef keeping.

Cheers,
Tom

[mcliffy2]

Great shots, loved your thread last year, and am really enjoying this one.

I think my favorite shot is this one so far, the turtle against the backdrop of the reef and schooling anthias looks great:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%202/DSC_6637.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks mcliffy, I'm glad your enjoying this years offerings. I'm happy that I'm able to share higher quality pictures this time around.

I have at least 30 more turtle pictures from that series. There was a lot of current on that dive and the turtle was just riding it out. I was able to drift along side it for a couple of minutes while hardly moving at all. I shot pictures for the first 2 minutes or so and then just enjoyed the rest of it.

Truly a memorable diving moment I won't soon forget.

[ataylo13]

Drool..... I mean WOW! I have yet to go diving, but when I see pictures like these it really makes me want to give it a try.

[ReefingBuddha]

Its well worth it ataylo13, definitely should give it a try if you have the chance.

There is a PADI "discovery scuba" option that many places offer that is a great opportunity for people to give scuba a try with minimal cost and time involved.

[ReefingBuddha]

Back to Ras Mohammad today after a break yesterday cause I was feeling crappy.

Had a chance for 3 dives today. Please let me know what you think or how I could improve.

You can click on any of the images to see a higher quality image and the rest of my gallery.

Enjoy!

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572086128_29zdJ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572086128_29zdJ/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572088016_EVqPd-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572088016_EVqPd/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572091980_3kXyN-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572091980_3kXyN/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572097266_iFfxU-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572097266_iFfxU/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572101296_vDpr6-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572101296_vDpr6/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572104140_DtPF9-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572104140_DtPF9/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572108027_PuUaB-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572108027_PuUaB/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572110063_GdhLp-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572110063_GdhLp/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572114208_oSBeR-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572114208_oSBeR/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572115812_5jfon-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572115812_5jfon/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572118285_Ta9aT-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#P-12-24/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572119036_r6ffs-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572119036_r6ffs/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572118707_iEauQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572118707_iEauQ/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572119345_VVjWG-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572119345_VVjWG/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572121067_uu6Kw-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572121067_uu6Kw/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572120826_8VzVL-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572120826_8VzVL/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572122084_XW5JT-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572122084_XW5JT/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572126541_w9we3-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572126541_w9we3/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572132437_TZ8ZT-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572132437_TZ8ZT/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572134641_MGXCF-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572134641_MGXCF/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572135665_DProS-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572135665_DProS/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572138235_mXdWx-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572138235_mXdWx/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572138729_2vYy7-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572138729_2vYy7/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572139935_b5iyu-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572139935_b5iyu/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572140980_7hmSg-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572140980_7hmSg/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572142610_dudrH-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#P-13-24/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572146191_H7Vsg-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572146191_H7Vsg/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572149789_5mjvW-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572149789_5mjvW/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572148970_pTZPo-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572148970_pTZPo/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572152465_624f5-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572152465_624f5/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572153875_SsLjD-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572153875_SsLjD/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572153331_GWK4Z-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572153331_GWK4Z/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572153706_zGUy4-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572153706_zGUy4/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572154406_SXLQB-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572154406_SXLQB/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572155742_q4exN-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572155742_q4exN/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572155329_sK4AY-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572155329_sK4AY/)

[mcliffy2]

They just keep getting better - the D700 is generating some incredibly sharp and colorful shots, you must be excited. And careful around those titan triggers...we had one take a chunk out of a woman's leg on a dive in Thailand.

[jkeating2005]

This thread is so great. i vote for a sticky. i have looked at these about 500 times.

[ReefingBuddha]

I'm very excited with what the D700 can spit out and the control that working in RAW is giving me. Hopefully my pictures will continue to get better and better. I know that just from a production angle things have changed significantly since the begin of last week were I was hammer out between 650 and 750 picture PER dive. I'm now down to about 100 per dive with maybe 15-20 keeps out of that bunch.

I take every single picture twice with exposure bracketing of -0.7 so that at least one of the two comes out decently, that has helped a lot.


Thanks Joe! I'm glad you like what I'm doing.


Critics are welcome as well!

[ReefingBuddha]

The dive this morning was rather uneventful so I concentrated on fishy pictures. I'm pretty happy how some came out and I'm getting much better at predicting movement and getting decent pictures. Before I would hammer out 20-40 shots of a fish to get one usable one and now I'm down to 1 or 2. As far as post processing goes things are getting a lot easier for me as my technique improves.

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572667051_xkn5w-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572667051_xkn5w/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572667883_cnPHg-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572667883_cnPHg/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572668418_9Fe5U-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572668418_9Fe5U/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572668995_ZqAPJ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572668995_ZqAPJ/)
The eye of the beast!
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572669803_quAdV-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572669803_quAdV/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572670176_7XhvG-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572670176_7XhvG/)
Unfortunately I cut off the streamers but still came out ok.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572669982_terL6-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572669982_terL6/)
These guys are damn hard to capture. Don't like sticking around whenever I get close but I finally was able to sneak up on one and get a decent shot.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572670430_uMp29-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572670430_uMp29/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572671001_avnWz-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572671001_avnWz/)

[OSECK]

beatiful

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks Oseck

[ReefingBuddha]

Pictures from the second dive. The first picture is not all that great but I managed to catch a baby damsels out!

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572868228_7Dk26-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572868228_7Dk26/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572872567_37ftX-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572872567_37ftX/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572873026_huH9y-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572873026_huH9y/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572874349_b9zD7-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572874349_b9zD7/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572873340_S66KP-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572873340_S66KP/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572876019_wEoKt-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572876019_wEoKt/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572877662_tugQx-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#572877662_tugQx/)

[STLmatt]

those are phenomenal shots. i dont think i can even see that clearly with my eyes...

[jhoff]

Absolutely stunning! Great job.

[AWoodCT]

great pictures!

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks guys!

I've gotten lucky in some shots with freebies. The first was the night shot with the bonus crab and the second was the feather duster with the bonus fish eggs. No way I could have spotted them without getting lucky.

[manuelink]

the better pics that i've seen
great job!! :D

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks Manuelink! I do appreciate it.


Today's offering is made up of fishy pictures and macro shots as I wasn't feeling the wide angle today (or yesterday for that matter). By this point I'm try not to repeat fish that I have posted before but it is getting increasingly harder. I feel like I'm cataloging the fish of the Red Sea.

Tomorrow if my last full day of diving so my trip is almost at an end. If anyone has any special requests for subject matter let me know and I'll try to be accommodating.

Enjoy!

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573740820_NPyHo-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573740820_NPyHo/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573741828_dNxDM-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573741828_dNxDM/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573743540_ift7N-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573743540_ift7N/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573744819_RocVu-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573744819_RocVu/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573746230_GnQDV-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573746230_GnQDV/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573747094_pHwF3-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573747094_pHwF3/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573749387_vVNht-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573749387_vVNht/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573753470_44sLq-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573753470_44sLq/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573754897_6ceK3-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573754897_6ceK3/)
I've seen thousands of lyretails in the red sea but for the first time I saw this anthias today. Not sure of the type but certainly different coloration.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573754373_R595y-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573754373_R595y/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573755822_EU2vW-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573755822_EU2vW/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573757439_4xtpH-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573757439_4xtpH/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573757028_uZcFn-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#P-18-20/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573758221_CpFM7-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573758221_CpFM7/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573757783_esdML-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573757783_esdML/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573759569_et8co-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573759569_et8co/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573760993_EXCNL-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573760993_EXCNL/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573760562_i4VTk-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573760562_i4VTk/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573763188_sVtxB-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573763188_sVtxB/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/573764930_w3LAo-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#573764930_w3LAo/)

[reeferoo]

Special request:

Continue diving and taking these shots for us to see!

[ataylo13]

I am amazed at the colors you are getting. Are your dives fairly shallow?

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks Reefroo! Wish I could oblige but I need to get back home. I was already tempted to join a liveaboard for a week, starting next week, that's traveling around the hotspots of the Red Sea but unfortunately I need to bounce!

Ataylo13 - The majority of my dives are spent between 12 and 30 meters. The first 15-20 minutes are usually spent between 22 and 30 meters, then 20 minutes between 12 to 22, and then whatever air I have left is spent between 8 and 15m. These depths are an average but every dive site and dive are different. Dive times usually are between 45 and 60 minutes depending on current and the air consumption of the other people diving.

Unfortunately I can't really afford (or justify) a personal guide which is what many underwater photographers do to maximize dive time and they have the chance to spend much more time on a subject if they choose to. I have to take most pictures on the fly while trying to keep up with the group. The result is usually 10-30 seconds to adjust exposure, aperture, and manually adjust the strobe (which usually needs to be adjust at least once to get a proper exposure) as well as framing the subject, getting the focus right (harder as I like to use a really shallow DOF) and trying to get a decent composition.... all while trying to "hover" with as little movement as possible. It is more difficult but I have learned a ton about my camera and my buoyancy control has improved significantly.

A little excessive of a explanation but I hope that answer your question. :D

[ataylo13]

I didn't even consider that you would only have a minute or less for each shot. That makes the shots you have even more impressive

[sphelps]

Absolutely amazing pictures, it puts my attempts of underwater photography to shame!

Not sure if you mentioned it already but what lens or lenses did you use?

[t5Nitro]

Wooooooow! I can't get a shot like those on land. If I tried underwater it would be miserable probably. :lol:

Do you place a lot of the cause of picture quality from the new camera body? I bought the pro lens hoping it would work. Little bit but not much. :D

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15257447#post15257447 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sphelps
Absolutely amazing pictures, it puts my attempts of underwater photography to shame!

Not sure if you mentioned it already but what lens or lenses did you use?

Thanks!

I am using a 105mm Nikkor Micro lens for most of the fish shots and all of the macro shots (duh!).

And I'm using a 14-24mm Nikkor Ultra wide angle for everything else.

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15257841#post15257841 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by t5Nitro
Wooooooow! I can't get a shot like those on land. If I tried underwater it would be miserable probably. :lol:

Do you place a lot of the cause of picture quality from the new camera body? I bought the pro lens hoping it would work. Little bit but not much. :D

Thanks! Just takes a little practice is all.

I do think that the D700 is a great camera, no doubt about it. But I was able to get pretty decent pictures last year with a Canon IXUS 870 with is a P&S. The D700 does have great auto focus capabilities and can take 5fps which does make a considerable difference.

[ReefingBuddha]

I saw my first Hammerhead today! Finally! After close to 50 dives in the Red Sea I finally saw one. I only got a **** picture so I won't bother posting it but I'm still excited.

Another cool part from the first dive of the day where a pair of Cleaner Wrasse that came over and started to clean the dome of my camera! Friendly little buggers.

And lucky for Adrian we came across a Massive Fire Coral garden so I got some decent pics.

Dive 1 - Jackson Reef
Monster Acro at 35 meters (100+ft)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574442627_eTbjQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574442627_eTbjQ/)
The cleaner wrasses. In this shot you get a good idea of the wide angle lens as the wrasses are literally up against the dome.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574444930_orM2U-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574444930_orM2U/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574447282_YCsJY-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574447282_YCsJY/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574449174_HYDN9-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574449174_HYDN9/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574451056_PZFea-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574451056_PZFea/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574453970_TepyY-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574453970_TepyY/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574452636_azx9c-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574452636_azx9c/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574455788_twWTA-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574455788_twWTA/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574457554_KPj7e-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574457554_KPj7e/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574459846_8oj2k-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#P-19-20/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574461782_cyctu-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574461782_cyctu/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574463756_XCJrY-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574463756_XCJrY/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574467111_h5rMC-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574467111_h5rMC/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574471448_5GaCz-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574471448_5GaCz/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574474469_SDVFz-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574474469_SDVFz/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574477251_veK5X-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574477251_veK5X/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574479633_5GEr5-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574479633_5GEr5/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574482287_XNSsJ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574482287_XNSsJ/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574484237_baFCp-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574484237_baFCp/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574488599_ejkhp-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574488599_ejkhp/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574491578_JTkQH-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574491578_JTkQH/)
RBTA in a Fire Coral
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574492497_DnpRK-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574492497_DnpRK/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574495114_benRq-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574495114_benRq/)

[Reeftanks6]

Beautiful pictures. Looks like a great dive!

[ReefingBuddha]

Dive 2 - Gordon Reef

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574590814_56Nyx-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574590814_56Nyx/)
Devil Stonefish! Little guy scuttled away from me so I got some pictures of his fire colored wings.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574591907_AXgdB-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574591907_AXgdB/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574593078_n3jf9-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574593078_n3jf9/)
Scary Poisonous little Angel. Unfortunately his scuttling was stirring up the sand so its not the clearest picture of all time and it was take with the wide angle lens. I have one more movement 3 shot movement sequence in my gallery that came out pretty good, I just didn't want to overwhelm by posting even more photos up on here. Just follow the link back to check them out.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574595321_as8Yo-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574595321_as8Yo/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574602719_wf3YB-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574602719_wf3YB/)
Oil barrels from a wreck that have been down there for 30 years.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574772441_fcAUA-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574772441_fcAUA/)
Here you can see some oil still leaking out after 30 years of being down there. On some barrels that are split in have you can see a wavy mass of black with a dusting of sand and some coral is actually growing right on top of the oil.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574756748_zqmPo-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574756748_zqmPo/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574770092_YfTsW-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574770092_YfTsW/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574764833_rd542-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574764833_rd542/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574776792_UJUfx-L.jpg (7beW#574776792_UJUfx/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574779867_hQ7dQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#P-21-20/)

[ReefingBuddha]

And Finally

My last night Dive of the trip. Was pretty decent to except that I ran out of air, have to buddy breath while taking pictures for the last 5 minutes and the current was pretty strong making macro shots pretty hard. The last 5 pictures posted are while buddy breathing.

Weird starfish
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574845597_yGZJU-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574845597_yGZJU/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574847138_n9TaK-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574847138_n9TaK/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574848084_yFgAx-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574848084_yFgAx/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574848736_CBgth-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574848736_CBgth/)
Octopus
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574852522_srtmc-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574852522_srtmc/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574854215_Tk6jx-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574854215_Tk6jx/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574855425_qNSh8-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574855425_qNSh8/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574858504_bSjuH-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574858504_bSjuH/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574862253_wyCmn-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574862253_wyCmn/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574865429_GesuT-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574865429_GesuT/)

[ReefingBuddha]

This suncoral was under a ledge with some serious current on the outside so was a pain in the *** to get a decent picture.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574868603_KUE5S-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574868603_KUE5S/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574869388_Pwq6A-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574869388_Pwq6A/)
Ghost pipefish. Usually he is just handing out in a soft coral out in the open but unfortunately the current was to strong and he was taking cover so this is the best picture I could get.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574867520_9oRsV-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574867520_9oRsV/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574866414_EKTeA-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574866414_EKTeA/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574869740_MqSvB-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574869740_MqSvB/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574872536_js6Yn-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574872536_js6Yn/)
A little ode to last years pictures. Found another puffer sleeping on a sponge pinnacle.
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574872061_T68G2-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574872061_T68G2/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574872993_ehE3w-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574872993_ehE3w/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574873635_nSyvL-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574873635_nSyvL/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574874260_KjNzy-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574874260_KjNzy/)

[ReefingBuddha]

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574875057_ZZT9U-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574875057_ZZT9U/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574876090_bLxh9-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574876090_bLxh9/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574879845_vP5YW-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574879845_vP5YW/)
Crocodile fish eye!
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574880507_UnMk8-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574880507_UnMk8/)

[TitusvileSurfer]

Just wonderful, wonderful!

[Lordhelmet]

best underwater pictures I have ever seen.

[RevHtree]

The eye that you have for composing these pics is beyond awesome! The pics speak for themselves. Wow brother, just wow!

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks guys! Not sure the ample praise is deserved but it is appreciated.

Well this will be my very last offering. Hope you all have enjoyed viewing these pictures as much as I have enjoyed taking and sharing them.

Remember that any picture can be clicked on for a higher resolution version and to see the rest in my gallery that I didn't post up. Thanks for looking!

Day 13/Dive 1
Jackson Reef
Straits of Tiran

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575390462_zzCDQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575390462_zzCDQ/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575393516_2CXpo-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575393516_2CXpo/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575397297_wUWdj-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575397297_wUWdj/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575411262_a6pj7-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575411262_a6pj7/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575414293_MXotB-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575414293_MXotB/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575417799_RBDAE-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575417799_RBDAE/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575419142_jLhJz-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575419142_jLhJz/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575429540_X7GeE-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575429540_X7GeE/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575432097_ZEWK2-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575432097_ZEWK2/)

[ReefingBuddha]

Dive 2 and my final dive for this trip. Tried for some hammerheads so this was all or nothing dive and we struck out.
Back of Jackson Reef
Straits of Tiran

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575435858_SqiEM-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575435858_SqiEM=/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575439564_ziSpf-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575439564_ziSpf/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575443518_XWNgX-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575443518_XWNgX/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575456901_83DrS-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575456901_83DrS/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575461528_ZvXt6-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575461528_ZvXt6/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575466774_Qn6Ca-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575466774_Qn6Ca/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575472224_95GUG-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575472224_95GUG/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575477174_MGGUQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575477174_MGGUQ/)

[ReefingBuddha]

And finally a wreck I saw almost everyday that I finally got a decent picture of. This wreck was the one that dumped the oil barrels posted yesterday and has been sitting here for about 20-30 years (depending on who's account you believe). Picture was taken with the camera in the underwater housing.

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575483840_uAeqQ-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575483840_uAeqQ/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/575489138_gnrvS-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#575489138_gnrvS/)

[aquariumclown]

Your underwater shots are some of the best I've ever seen. I just had a quick question, did you use a polarizer or any kind of filter?

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks Aquariumclown!

I only use a standard UV filter to protect the 105mm lens. Due to the size and shape of the front element on the 14-24 no filter can be attached.

Cheers,
Tom

[aquariumclown]

Wow, I'm amazed at the clarity of your underwater shots.

Obviously you used flash for the wreck dive which were deeper and darker. Did you use a flash for the shallow shots too?

[Jacob D]

Beautiful images! You've captured some amazing sights there for sure.

Do you know about how deep you were when you shot this guy:
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572669982_terL6-L.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15277115#post15277115 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquariumclown
Wow, I'm amazed at the clarity of your underwater shots.

Obviously you used flash for the wreck dive which were deeper and darker. Did you use a flash for the shallow shots too?

For almost all of the shallow shots I did not use the strobe though I did start using it when I was deeper towards the end of the trip. The are positives and negatives to using a strobe in different situations. Unfortunately I only have one strobe right now so it was useless alone for most wide angle shots as it would light one part of the scene too much.

For macro shots I used it more frequently.

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15278986#post15278986 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jacob D
Beautiful images! You've captured some amazing sights there for sure.

Do you know about how deep you were when you shot this guy:
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/572669982_terL6-L.jpg

Thanks Jacob D.

My best guess would be at 20m or so. I really wish someone would produce a GPS like system that added depth and dive time to each photos metadata. I could manual add a bookmark into my dive computer every time I take a picture but it is just impractical during a dive. I have used it twice for marking a special picture but not regularly.

Long story short, probably around 20m.

[pookstreet]

Wow, exceptional photography!!! Must be some trip on those dives. I can't even imagine the patience it must take to capture some of those pristine shots.

[Jacob D]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15279745#post15279745 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
Thanks Jacob D.

My best guess would be at 20m or so. I really wish someone would produce a GPS like system that added depth and dive time to each photos metadata. I could manual add a bookmark into my dive computer every time I take a picture but it is just impractical during a dive. I have used it twice for marking a special picture but not regularly.

Long story short, probably around 20m.

Thanks for the info. Did you see many of these (G. caudovittatus presumably) on your dives in the Red Sea? I noticed you also had a picture of a female.


Regarding the GPS, I know the D700 is compatible with a GPS unit... you have probably already looked into this, but I wonder if it works under water? I wouldn't think so, and even then, would it record depth as negative altitude?

[Robb in Austin]

:eek1:

Clearly you have no idea how to use that poor defenseless camera. I'll gladly trade you for my D40, which is better suited to your skill set, and pay the shipping/insurance costs for both.

Please PM your address so we can start the rehab process for the D700.

;)

Great job!

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15283338#post15283338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pookstreet
Wow, exceptional photography!!! Must be some trip on those dives. I can't even imagine the patience it must take to capture some of those pristine shots.

Thanks Kenny!

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15284298#post15284298 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jacob D
Thanks for the info. Did you see many of these (G. caudovittatus presumably) on your dives in the Red Sea? I noticed you also had a picture of a female.


Regarding the GPS, I know the D700 is compatible with a GPS unit... you have probably already looked into this, but I wonder if it works under water? I wouldn't think so, and even then, would it record depth as negative altitude?

There were a good number of G. caudovittatus both male and female in most dive sites, sometimes in little clusters for 4-10 if I remember correctly. I did get a decent shot of a female as well.

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/569646232_zdUhk-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#569646232_zdUhk/)

I am aware that there is a GPS unit, what I meant is a completely separate product built just for Diving that only has altitude and a dive time stamp. GPS would be awesome (possibly so a picture can be taken right before the dive to mark the location) but just depth and dive time would be a nice gadget to have.

Cheers,
Tom

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15284312#post15284312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Robb in Austin
:eek1:

Clearly you have no idea how to use that poor defenseless camera. I'll gladly trade you for my D40, which is better suited to your skill set, and pay the shipping/insurance costs for both.

Please PM your address so we can start the rehab process for the D700.

;)

Great job!

How about you just come along with me on my next dive trip and you can show me how its done? No worries, I'll cover the costs for a opportunity to pick your brain.

:D
Thanks!

[jkeating2005]

Are you ever in winter park? hell, I wanna go diving with you and get some picturre taking experience!!

[ReefingBuddha]

I'll be back in Winterpark in August Joe. Hit me up and I'd love to go diving as I haven't been in Florida yet. A little in the Bahamas but not in Florida.

[jkeating2005]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15330334#post15330334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
I'll be back in Winterpark in August Joe. Hit me up and I'd love to go diving as I haven't been in Florida yet. A little in the Bahamas but not in Florida.

oh i will for sure!

[saltyj]

I want in on the dive trip. PM me too!! Also Thomas please send me some info on buying prints. I would like one or two if I can afford them. Thanks

[ReefingBuddha]

No worries Saltyj, the more the merrier.

As far as buying prints its pretty easy. For the majority of the shots from this last trip you just have to click on the picture and it will link you back to my sales site. Then just click the buy button and you will have more options then you will know what to do with (I was certainly overwhelmed). If the picture is not linked it will be in one of the galleries in the "underwater" section of my smugmug page. I've included the link below.

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com

Thank you for your support and I look forward to meeting you at some point.

[ReefingBuddha]

I just checked my smugmug pricing and I noticed that the pricing have almost triple since I last set it. I'm not sure what happened but I apologize for this and have corrected the problem. Anyone who has purchase a print in the past 2 months will be contacted shortly and will be receiving a refund.

Cheers!
Tom

[clownfish360]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15265026#post15265026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
Dive 2 - Gordon Reef

http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574770092_YfTsW-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574770092_YfTsW/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574764833_rd542-L.jpg (http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/gallery/8621260_j7beW#574764833_rd542/)
http://thirschmann.smugmug.com/photos/574776792_UJUfx-L.jpg (7beW#574776792_UJUfx/)

WOW! Great Pictures:eek2: Love the ones with the angels.

[FishyBiz]

WOW Tom!
All I can say is thanks so much for sharing these. They are the best pics Ive ever seen!

I've had a nice 18x24 frame (empty) in my office for about a year now. I guess now I know why I bought it but I cant decide what pic to buy.

Thanks again!

[ReefingBuddha]

:D Thanks Clownfish!

Thank fishybiz! I would be honored to have one of my photos hanging on your office wall.

[zef004]

Some of the best shoots I ever seen underwater. You got skills. Thanks for shareing

[ReefingBuddha]

Thanks for the generous review of my shoots! Very much appreciated.

Cheers!
Tom

[OARrocks]

Thirschmann you have a pm.

[Pacific Reefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15330334#post15330334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thirschmann
I'll be back in Winterpark in August Joe. Hit me up and I'd love to go diving as I haven't been in Florida yet. A little in the Bahamas but not in Florida.

If you are in Winter Park have you been to Ocean Blue? I bought my 1st saltwater fish there and have been hooked ever since.

[korth659]

amazing pictures

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15405530#post15405530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OARrocks
Thirschmann you have a pm.

PM answered. Thank you for your interest.

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15406677#post15406677 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pacific Reefs
If you are in Winter Park have you been to Ocean Blue? I bought my 1st saltwater fish there and have been hooked ever since.

I know Ocean Blue well, it is also one of the stores that helped me get my start and I have ordered a lot of quality stock through them.

Come to think of it they should have a couple of kilos of ROWAphos and ROWAlith C+ somwhere that I ordered over 2 years ago before I had to leave. I'll have to go back and claim those next week. :D

[ReefingBuddha]

And yet another pricing announcement!

I don't know if its me or the website provided but I went back again to check my price listing again for a potential client and noticed that the prices has returned to their previous state without me changing anything.

Once again I apologize, the prices have been corrected, and customers contacted and refunded.

Prices have returned to their portfolio wide low. Please have another look if you are at all interested and let me know if you have any complaints about my site.

Cheers!
Tom

[DNA]

Love your photographs, but those letters smacked across the center are a real turnoff.

[Pacific Reefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15409913#post15409913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DNA
Love your photographs, but those letters smacked across the center are a real turnoff.

Are you serious? Lots of people do that so others don't rip and claim their photos.

[DNA]

Totally serious.

I removed one of these signatures in less that 10 minutes leaving a spotles unmarked photograph and it will take half that time to do the next. Of course I deleted it, but this is why I think they serve only as thorns in the eyes of viewers. At least they annoyed me as hell.

If the photographs had been marked in the corner I would have enjoyed viewing them and then praised the excellent work in this thread.

[Pacific Reefs]

Sorry thought you were joking! I'm sure the prints for purchase don't have them lol :)

[DNA]

Ok, back to the topic now.

I've been diving in the Red Sea twice and I have to tell you it's an incredible experience. Natures wonders are truly amazing and the beauty of the Red sea below the surfice is incredible.
All obsessed reefers should go diving. It will give new insight into the world you are trying to imitate.


One dark night I jump in and first thing I see are two Lionfish below me only two feet away. I look to my right and there is one more and to my left as well. Those four follow me very closely for the dive, using my light to hunt disoriented fish. Their sting can be very painful so I had move very carefully. These fish had adopted a learned hunting method from the constant stream of night divers in the area.

[doca]

holy macro...

what a pics...youre pro dude...

[AquaAgua]

I can't decide which is my favourite, I love them all. It looks like you had incredible visibility, must've been 100 feet plus! I have yet to find that gin clear vis except for cenotes. BTW I loved the cavern shots too. Now I have to add the Red Sea to my life list of places to dive.

[FishyBiz]

Got my pics today.
This is a pic of one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/FishyBiz/IMG_0015.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15439400#post15439400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AquaAgua
I can't decide which is my favourite, I love them all. It looks like you had incredible visibility, must've been 100 feet plus! I have yet to find that gin clear vis except for cenotes. BTW I loved the cavern shots too. Now I have to add the Red Sea to my life list of places to dive.

Hi AquaAgua,

The visibility in the red sea can be quite incredible. I highly recommend both the Red Sea and Fiji for the quality of diving verses the cost of actually diving and staying there (flight forth and back not included). I'm lucky enough to have been in England for the past 2 years and the Red Sea is kind of considered the easy, quick, and relatively cheap place to get dives in.

Those caverns are at Jackfish Alley in Ras Mohammad national park. You have to mention it to the guides as most won't take you in due to liability. Once again I was lucky as the guide I was with was really cool and per chance the other divers didn't show up that day so we just dove together and got to explore areas that he usually doesn't take groups into.

Best of luck making out there and enjoy when you do!

Cheers,
Tom

[ReefingBuddha]

Awesome!

Thanks for sharing Neal. Just as a standard follow up question I want to ask how satisfied you are with the print quality, service from Smugmug, and delivery of the photos?

Nice nano you have going there as well, hoping to start one up in my office soon as well. I like how you have the light tucked away above it. Great look.

Cheers and thanks for your support!
-Tom




<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15450861#post15450861 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishyBiz
Got my pics today.
This is a pic of one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/FishyBiz/IMG_0015.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

I have a new username everyone. "ReefingBuddha" seemed much more in tune with who I am.

Keep On Keepin' On

[TitusvileSurfer]

All hail Buddha:fish2:

[ReefingBuddha]

:D

[G35WiLL]

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/reefingbuddha/Red%20Sea%20Diving%20Take%
is that a yellow nemo?

[G35WiLL]

oops first pic didnt work
http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/ss97/furiousxazn/yellownemo.jpg
is that a yellow nemo?

[ReefingBuddha]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15461092#post15461092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by G35WiLL
oops first pic didnt work
http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/ss97/furiousxazn/yellownemo.jpg
is that a yellow nemo?

indeed it is. A baby yellow nemo. It was probably about a 1/2".

[Eff Ewe]

Amazing pictures in this thread! WOW.

[marinetankdiver]

Your photography is just amazing. Makes me long to get back underwater.

Sam