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Red Star II
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Red Star II

by Marc Ward

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted March 2, 2009606 views12 comments
This macro image is from the same dive I described a couple of days ago. This image was taken about a foot away from the previous one. For those that missed my description, here's a copy from the last post:

This image was taken with equipment many of you may not be familiar with; The MotorMarine EXII. This underwater film camera has a fixed 35mm lens that has an external mount to attach macro or wide angle lenses while underwater. Part of the focusing of the camera depends upon a layer of water sandwiched between the two lenses.(can't be used topside) This lens (macro 2T) has an image area of 2" x 3" (5 x 7.5cm). The image here is cropped at about 75% of original.
Yes, the sponge is really that red. The divers out there can testify to the stunning colors below the ocean's surface. This little starfish is nocturnal, so you have to dive at night to get a good chance of finding one. And this particular night dive was one to remember because it was "a dark and stormy night"... really. Hurricane Gordon was forming off the Mexican coast when I jumped into a very dark and violent Caribbean. Depths were not that great, as this was in about 50 feet of water.

Thanks to all for their past comments on this series...

Comments

12 comments
Comment posted by Mike Moats on March 2, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Hey Marc, another impressive shot, This has some cool looking hairs coming off the legs that I didn't notice on the last shot. Color is fantastic.

To all the macro posters, the macro forums comment rate is up, and I know everyone likes having their images commented on so lets keep this up. We have some good macro people posting some very nice images so let them know. Thanks.
Registered on October 20, 2004, 892 Posts, 6324 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Ward on March 2, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Mike,
Thanks for your kind comments. On the first post of this subject, I was pretty much "straight on". This image was at a bit of an angle. Because of that, the strobe picked up the hairs on the arms more than the first image... Put your thumb and forefinger together in a circle.... this is about the size of this image. What beauty there is in the small slices of our world... If any of you get the chance to dive at night, you'll see some of the most incredible colors this world has to offer.
Registered on February 26, 2009, 304 Posts, 1365 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Jones on March 2, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Marc,
This is the anatomical shot, compared to the first one you posted, which was the artistic one. Though the subject is the same, they are very different, and both excellent. I wonder if a large print of the wider shot would show this much detail. If so, it would be a great combination of the details and composition.
Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Ward on March 3, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Wayne,
I always wanted the other shot to show more detail, but it just didn't happen. These are drum scans of Provia 100 slide film (tiffs). As I remember, I cocked my camera slightly on this shot, whereas the previous shot was straight on. That little bit of angle, caught more of the fine hairs on the arms. All this makes me want to spend great gobs of money... strobes, aquatic housings, airplane trips to exotic locales,... but, we all long for those things during the winter :cool:
Registered on February 26, 2009, 304 Posts, 1365 Comments
Comment posted by john hansen on March 3, 2009 at 1:19 AM
what an incredible shot
Registered on September 11, 2007, 95 Posts, 369 Comments
Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on March 3, 2009 at 4:48 AM
These two photos from you were a treat to watch.
Thanks for sharing them Marc.
:wavey:
Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Caffrey on March 3, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Very cool Marc. Makes me want to learn to dive. :smile:
Registered on January 11, 2008, 24 Posts, 195 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on March 3, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Marc: The colors , COMP. and definition of the sponge are superlative.

Albert Darmo Que Canada :jump: :jump:
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Aristotle Georgiou on March 6, 2009 at 2:10 AM
Another stunning image Marc :toast:
Registered on August 24, 2008, 38 Posts, 293 Comments
Comment posted by Aristotle Georgiou on March 13, 2009 at 4:30 AM
Congratulations Marc!
A fantastic image and well deserved EP's!!! :toast:
Registered on August 24, 2008, 38 Posts, 293 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Benner on March 15, 2009 at 8:20 AM
Very unique and well captured. Congratulations.
Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Ward on March 15, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Thanks to all for a warm welcome in my first week of posting. I look forward to sharing & learning more... Marc
Registered on February 26, 2009, 304 Posts, 1365 Comments