Behind the shot

Martin Edge · Issue 40, Jan/Feb 2008 · pp. 38–39

Products mentioned: Nikon D200, Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens, Subal housing, Inon Z220

The manta ray night dives off the Kona coast, Hawaii were first made famous by National Geographic underwater photographer David Doubilet back in 1994. He employed the use of HMI lights (Hydrargyrum Medium Arc-length Iodide) a continuous light source that illuminates underwater at a day light temperature of 5600A° Kelvin, similar to the temperature of a traditional underwater flashgun. My attempts were quite modest in comparison. We shot the Manta over two nights, spending a total of two hours with them. I used the same photo equipment on both occasions but varying the technique on the second and most successful attempt. I used a Nikon D200 with a Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens inside a Subal housing and fisheye port. My flashguns were two Inon Z220 on short ultra-lite arms placed out to the side of the housing. I ensured that both flash guns were behind the two side shades of my fisheye port…