bob_benzinger

I like it. Nice color and detail. It is interesting where the tentacles of several polyps cross to the right of center. The overall first impression, though, is a bit dark. Of course, that could be a scanning issue - perhaps the original is brighter. I think these guys would be even better if you photographed them tighter. Looks like you might have shot with a 1:2 extension tube; if that is the case, try a dive with 1:1 the next time you get a night dive with this kind of subject.

Just for fun, why not try cropping the scan a bit, focusing on the four main polyps, and play with the framing, brightness, and contrast? I'd be interested to see what you get.

Good, yes. Geographic, no. I looked at your portfolio - I like the one with the brittle star on a fluorescent sponge. If you have a few hundred of that quality in your portfolio, including at least a dozen that are in the truly outrageous category (i.e. a closeup of a whale's eye, a shark jumping out of the water to catch a seal, a really rare nudibranch, maybe whale sharks mating) - then you can think about the Geographic. People tell me all the time I should take my stuff to the Geographic - but I know better. Look at the latest stuff in the magazine from David Doubilet and ask yourself if you are in that league. I'm not, and I've sold stuff to resorts, dive boats, and the Fiji national tourist board.

Enter a couple of contests sponsored by the dive magazines - that will give you a start on seeing how you compare to the competition.