California Kelp Forest

Nothing quite like a clear day in the kelp forest...

This is a really cool shot. It's a pity the water is so foggy. Have you tried working on the blue foggy areas to crispen them up? I think its worth a try - it would bring a really good shot into a stunning one.

Great view from below. Excellent colour combinations.

So cool! I feel as if I am floating.

Elaine--I'm sure someone with better PS chops than mine could improve on it! I encounter this problem often with "blue water" shots; the film has alot more detail in the "foggy" areas. I've never heard a good explanation why, but I've noticed it in others' u/w images too. Somehow digital doesn't handle well the wide contrast ranges on blue water backgrounds. I can post similar examples... If anyone has the answer, I'd be very interested to know!

I've played with it a little in photoshop; done some selective burning, saturation, and color balancing. Let me know what you think...

ehh- as a diver myself- the color was good in the original. don't make it artificial for being more than 20 feet under.

 

i think this captures the mood very well- and i really find the creativity in your work to be what i look for in pics- . keep it up-

 

oh, how did you not get bubbles in that pic? did you hold your breath or did you use a rebreather, etc.

Thanks Matthew--oh, I wish I had a rebreather! Someday they'll be cheap enough. I'm sure I held my breath; usually 10-15 seconds is enough for the bubbles to clear out of the frame. I do remember being flat on my back, on the bottom.

 

I'm usually reluctant to do too much color correction either. Things like the kelp can look better, but I agree about what it does to the background water, it can start to look phony. :>)