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Looking CLoser: keLp Minutia
Kelp beds are rich with macro life, and to us they represent
a bottom-to-surface vertical structure that is endlessly
fascinating. Furthermore, kelp lends itself to the creation
of appealing macro images because holdfasts, bladders
and stalks form interesting geometric shapes. Nudibranch
enthusiasts in California frequent certain local kelp beds in
search of unusual specimens, and it is not uncommon for
divers to report seeing more than 20 different nudibranch
species on a single dive. Top snails, such as the lovely blue-
ring and bright-red Norris’ varieties, make fantastic subjects,
as do other invertebrates such as isopods, shrimp and crabs.
One striking way to highlight your subject is with a black
background. Unlike countless other frustratingly difficult aspects
of photographing the kelp forest, this one is an easy effect to
achieve. Simply use a small aperture (f/18 to f/22) and the
fastest shutter speed at which your strobes will synchronize
(often 1/250 sec). This technique also optimizes your chances of
getting sharp focus, as the fast shutter speed will freeze motion
and the narrow aperture will maximize your depth of field.
A more complicated shot is the same subject but with a
blue or green background — indicative of more light. Shooting
upward toward the surface will help in achieving this goal, but
a wider aperture (we often start at f/8) combined with a slower
shutter speed (1/100 sec or slower, depending on ambient light
and depth) will commonly be needed to attain this type of
background. Keep in mind this will also make it more difficult
to get sharp focus in the desired spot, especially in surge or
current or if your subject is mobile.
Even when conditions are ideal, achieving a proper
balance of exposure between foreground and background
can be difficult. Add in surge, current and poor visibility, and
underwater photography in the kelp can seem extraordinarily
challenging. While we almost always dive with our cameras
regardless of conditions, there have certainly been days in
which we have not kept a single image.
Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them,
coming home with a lovely image taken in our local kelp
forest is much more rewarding to us than coming home with
an equally lovely image taken in clear, tropical water. To be
fair, we don’t have to deal with the expense or inconvenience
of air travel to take local photos, but we think it goes much
deeper than ease of access. To us, temperate images like
these are uniquely and uncommonly stunning, conveying
not only an appreciation for unusual beauty but also passion,
tenacity and old-fashioned hard work.
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Left: a two-spot octopus crawls across the giant kelp near Catalina
island, Calif.
opposite, from top: a torpedo ray soars gracefully through the kelp for-
est near san Clemente island, Calif. an energetic California sea lion
pup plays in the kelp near santa Barbara island, Calif.
keLp Diving 101
Kelp, a type of marine algae, forms tiered forests topped with a
canopy — almost like a rainforest. This rapidly growing organ-
ism favors water temperatures between 40°F and 70°F, so using
proper exposure protection is the first step toward successful
kelp diving and photography. You can’t shoot if you are too cold
to concentrate! Most kelp-diving veterans prefer a drysuit or thick
wetsuit as well as a hood and gloves. Gloves require particular
consideration, as they have to provide thermal protection as well
as allow adequate dexterity for manipulating camera controls.
Dry gloves are a popular solution.
The concern we hear most often from novice kelp divers is fear
of entanglement. As with any new diving environment, it is best to
gain confidence with a specialty course and some preliminary dives
prior to entering the water with a camera. Avoiding entanglement
requires attention during the dive and some forethought; stream-
lined gear and at least one cutting tool are important.
Paying close attention to your air supply and the location of the
boat will ensure you are not forced to maneuver back to the boat
on the surface using the dreaded “kelp crawl.” Also crucial
is remaining calm should you become caught. In other words,
avoid becoming the fork in the kelp spaghetti that spins around
repeatedly to determine the source of entanglement.