Atlantic Spadefish ( Chaetodipterus faber )

Taken on my first trip out with a Canon G10 on a dive off the coast of

Roatan Honduras.

 

All comments and/or critique appreciated.

The aspect ratio gives away the crop but this is a fantastic composition. The G10 is a fun camera but I don't think I will be taking my one under water.

Well choreographed. Beautifully captured colors. Regards, ~~~~~~~~~~~Linda

David;

 

I ended up going with the square crop because it seemed to give the best overall balance. If I had managed to have given myself more space at the top or bottom I may have gone for a 4:5 ratio and allowed the fish more space to swim. At this stage of my underwater photography getting the fish in focus and all in the frame is a challenge :-)

 

Thanks for dropping - by much appreciated.

 

 

Linda;

 

Thanks for the comment. The Caribbean can have some truly spectacular colour to it.

Amazing image, Gordon. Beautifully composed and beautiful light and details. Wish I'd been there...

Mesmerizing. Lovely blue and comp too. Take care

Astonishing group , and you have cropped and composed it so very nicely.I paid attention to some aspects here. The light and form, and the BG. The form of the group looks a triangle in general, and the lower less lighted part in particular, but the form of all of them is very nicely accentuated. The very upper R fish looks bigger , like the "leader"... The play of light is interesting ,softer on the upper row and a bit more shadowed on the lower,a fact that accentuate the differentce/similarity of form and direction ( looks as if " disciplined "... ;-)) of the group. And last but not least is the " cleanliness" of solid BG and color , that leaves the full "stage" to the beautiful group, without shifting attention to other parts .I looked a bit of underwater photos at PN, and your skills on the upper world has fruits in under water as well. Very beautiful.

It's great you found this formation. Beautiful...

This is so amazingly beautiful... The colors are fantastic... The composition is perfect.. I think this is stunning...

 

All my best, Jill

Considering the way the fish are grouped together, the square crop works perfectly for me.

 

Is it just me, or does the fish at the top right appear to have rolled his eye back a bit so he can look right into the lens? Even if it's just me...I love it.

 

Fantastic color work. I'm thinking this would sell quite well as a print.

Liz;

 

This was a nice moment and one I'd have been glad to share with you. This was a small break away group from a larger school of several hundred Spadefish. At one point I was completely engulfed in the school. They are usually open water fish and seemed to enjoy the opportunity to use my wetsuit and swim fins as scratching posts to rub up against.

 

Cynthia; Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Pnina;

 

Thanks for the detailed analysis of this photo. Your impressions are always helpful. I took several frames of these fish, I like this one in particular because I managed to get below the school to shoot upwards and get that clean background and the light was best coming from the side. I am still getting used to thinking like a photograph while acting like a scuba diver. Multi-tasking has never been one of my talents.

 

 

Sally;

 

Thanks for the comment. I did indeed feel fortunate to have experienced a few minutes with these majestic creatures.

 

 

Jill;

 

Thanks for the kind words. I was happy with the shape the school took on at this time. They seemed to like forming a somewhat loose diamond shaped formation.

 

Jim;

 

These Spadefish are known for their curiosity. They were keeping a close eye on us and the circled around several times to check us out and use us to scratch a few itches.

 

Thanks for the feedback on my crop. I was a bit concerned about how tight the crop was but I too like the square format.

I just want to say that I do like the crop. Indeed I would go as far as to say I love it. I am just a strange person! I do crop images myself but always keep them in the aspect ratio of the camera I am using. Call me strange! Many do!

David;

 

Thanks for the follow up. I honestly took your original comment as an observation rather than a dislike.

 

Strange is a relative term, I think that our idiosyncrasies are what make us all interesting and unique. I have shot with many different format cameras over the years and the aspect ratio often does have an influence over how I compose in-camera. The 1:1 ratio has always felt familiar to me and even though I am not usually shooting with a square format these days, I do find myself framing images square in my camera at the time of shooting.

great one !

Jaap;

 

Thanks, I have just returned from looking through your underwater folder... very nice images , they are quite inspirational to a beginner such as myself.

Hi Gordon!

 

That Canon G10 is a wonderful little camera. I have to assume that the waterproof case really does work. I looked at this larger and the detail is very impressive, since you and the fish were all moving at the time. The image is stunning. I love the colours. The light is pure magic. Your subjects are enchanting. The composition is excellent. The fish seem to be effortlessly, suspended, or floating in a perfect blue sky. I love it.

 

 

Hi Linda;

 

I am enjoying the G10 . I goes everywhere with me and yes the canon WP-DC28 case does indeed keep out the ocean.

 

Until you mentioned it I had not considered that the blue of the background could appear to be sky. If I were inclined to such flights of fancy, I would add some clouds to confuse the scene. Thanks for the visit , it is always nice to hear from you.

Are you kidding? Not only are you a superb photographer, it turns out that you're also an accomplished "community organizer". Super shot from a super snapper.

Simple, but very nice due to a great composition and position of the fishes.

Jack;

 

Trying to corral spadefish is a lot like trying to herd cats :-)

 

 

Marc;

 

I am finding underwater photography to be much like drive-by photography .... everything is fleeting. The main school of these fish numbered in the hundreds. For a brief moment this splinter group became isolated enough to get this shot off.

It's remarkable in the linearity of the formations and the counterpoint set up by the negative space within the group, which taken together has the proportions of the fish within it. It's anchored by the big one at top left, and they all seem suspended in a blue forever, with just the one reversed fish making his turn to add a touch of motion.

Oh no Gordon, you don't want to herd cats! :O  I was drawn to this image because of the soothing color and the serenity I associate with water and movement, but when I saw the expression on the top right fish I just had to laugh! He seems to be saying "What you lookin' at?". Wonderful capture! Thank you for sharing. :)

Its beautiful,, great composition. Keep going !

                                                              with regards,

                                                                   ANAND