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The Winning Shot: January 2019

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Winner of the Scubaverse Underwater Photography Competition – January 2019, Jack Pokoj tells us all about his winning shot…

Candy Crab by Jack Pokoj

Location

Dauin, Philippines.

Equipment

  • Nikon D7200,
  • Nikkor 60mm f2.8 micro lens
  • S&S housing
  • Twin YS-D2 strobes
  • FIX Mini Neo focus light

Settings f9, 1/125, ISO 400

Dive Centre

JackBelle’s Diving

The Shot

I took this photo on a night dive. I saw the large soft coral, checked it for a candy crab and found one in a good position in a “V” shaped gap in the coral with some clear water behind the subject, depending on the angle taken in the photo. I took a test shot, made some adjustments to my strobes and then took a 2nd shot. The candy crab moved to the other side of the soft coral. I took a few more shots without the crab in the shot to finetune my lighting before moving to the other side of the soft coral and found the crab. I was then able to move the focus point to the crab’s eye and wait patiently for the candy crab to move into the “V” before taking the photo.

I was able to take two photos of the subject before moving to the other side and waited patiently between photos to not stress the crab out so it remained around the “V”. The key to the shot was to get the best angle with the soft coral in the foreground to reflect the camouflage of the crab, nothing in the background so that was black to make the candy crab stand out, as well as lighting up the soft coral to bring out the details.

I would like to emphasise the not stressing of the candy crab as it would have quickly moved to an unfavourable part of the soft coral where I would not have been able to get this shot, rather than remain around the ideal location. I was then able to wait for it to slowly move into the perfect position, focus and take the photo then wait. That is probably the most important point to make!

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

Gear News

Go anywhere with Stahlsac

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stahlsac

Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and stahlsacthe highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.

Abyss Duffels

stahlsacMade to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.

  • A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
  • Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
  • Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
  • RF-welded seams are flush, tough, and waterproof
  • Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
  • Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
  • External zippered flap is easy to open and close
  • Welded external handles make transporting a breeze

stahlsac

Panama Mesh Backpack

stahlsacThe most copied design in scuba diving, the Stahlsac Panama Mesh Backpack is the “original” design and features two high-density foam padded shoulder straps, extra durable polyester mesh, duffel bag handles and our unique zippered dry pocket inside that combines with a wet pocket outside. The bottom’s built from reinforced 18-gauge PVC nylon to combat the wear and tear of your active coastal lifestyle, and, as a bonus in every bag, we supply a 12″ x 12″ mesh drawstring satchel for extra stowing utility. Pack up your beach kit and go.

  • Density foam padded shoulder straps
  • Outside wet/dry pockets
  • 2 Carry handles
  • Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
  • Reinforced PVC bottom

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For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.

Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK. 

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EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of New Scuba Diving Training Agency NovoScuba

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NovoScuba

In a video recorded exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of new scuba diving training agency NovoScuba.

Find out more about NovoScuba at www.novoscuba.com.

NovoScuba

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