UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY DIVING SEABIRDS AND FAST-MOVING SUBJECTS Following his last article on working the subject, Martyn Guess provides some insight into and also tips on photographing diving seabirds and fast-moving subjects in order to get the best out of the photographic opportunities we find underwater PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARTYN GUESS
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n these travel-restricted times, we are having to make the most of the diving opportunities available to us and for the majority, this means on our doorsteps. I recently travelled to South-East Scotland to get into the water with diving seabirds. This spectacle happens all around the world, so I recommend you check out locally where you can witness this amazing action. In my case I travelled to the Berwickshire Marine Reserve around St Abbs and Eyemouth in the Scottish borders. Each year in June and July, there are thousands of guillemots nesting precariously on the narrow cliff ledges. These birds spend the majority of their lives out at sea and only come into shore to breed. They dive underwater to find fish and sand eels to feed their ever-hungry young chicks and it was this phenomenon which I wanted to record. Whatever breed the birds are when and where you go, you will be sure to experience fast-moving and adrenalin-pumping action. Once we found the specific area under the cliffs where there were the most diving birds, we carefully and slowly got into the water and got under the surface quickly so as not to spook them. Once submerged I swam slowly towards the cliffs and suddenly at about 9m-10m depth was joined on my dive by birds swimming/flying past me in every direction. It is amazing to witness this as the birds are not at all fazed by us humans being close to them, as they hunt for whatever prey they are looking for. I watched for a while and then started to think about how I was going to capture this extraordinary behaviour. The photography is not easy as the birds are erratic and change direction very quickly and are also very fast. There are a number of different things to think about and while I will talk specifically about the guillemots, the basics are the same for other birds or fast-moving fish and larger subjects like sharks and dolphins, and also feeding frenzies underwater.
Best of Manado
Image 1. Close up of guillemot flying through the water
Firstly, think about the type of images you want to record. Close ups of the subjects showing them clearly, facial features, eye contact, wing positions, etc (image 1) or larger scenic shots recording a true-to-life image of the scene in front of you (image 2). In truth you probably need to take both types of shots to create a nicely balanced and pleasing portfolio. As you will be relatively shallow it is important to think about the relative position of the subjects against the surface, the sun and also the depths below you. As the birds move so quickly and erratically it is easy to track one and end up shooting straight towards the surface, where it is easy to burn
ESCORTED BY MARTYN GUESS
14th Sept 2021 £3595 excluding flights
Holiday highlights... Martyn Guess’ Manado workshop will enable you hone and advance your key photographic skills at Lembeh resort and Murex Bangka. The workshop package includes an action packed 26 guided boat dives (includes 2 dives on the way during transfer between resorts) and 12 Self Guided House Reef Dives and free nitrox! Local taxes are prepaid.
+44 (0)1483 411590 www.scubatravel.com/photography
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