Shooting Ocean Drifters

Ryo Minemizu · Issue 71, Mar/Apr 2013 · pp. 51–53

Products mentioned: INON X-2 housing for EOS60D, Multi Ball Arms, Stick Arm Float S, Mega Float Arms, Canon EF50mm F2.5 compact macro lens, Canon EF8-15mm F4L Fisheye USM, INON strobe, Canon EOS60D

Jellyfish, small shellfish and larval fish start their lives drifting in the ocean. Generally they are referred to as plankton which is swept away or drifts with the tide as they have limited swimming ability. It is really interesting to see and photograph these subject as some are transparent and some are very particular in shape – a far cry from their adult appearance. We can see them during the day from just under surface up to 10m depth and some of them can be observed during night by using their light-harvesting characteristic with a torch. They vary in size from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters so different techniques are needed to capture these subjects while drifting. The first thing we have to consider is the balance of an underwater housing. When shooting these ocean drifters neutral buoyancy is a must. It would be ideal if we can comfortably hold a housing with one han…