[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by Cussy

So I'd say it's far easier to get what you visualise if it's static (like Plumose or wrecks), but when it comes to fish or anything that moves you rely quite a lot on luck, so this is when you need an idea of "if I see a crab I'll try X", "if I see a fish I'll do Y", "if the vis is so shocking I'll do self-portraits" etc

I'm only just getting into the realm of coming up with ideas and following them through. I find this approach can be disappointing though.
Rob

Do you know I think you might have hit a nail on the head somewhere for me, since I've been using (or trying to use) a plan I find I'm taking very very few fish shots indeed, most of my images are more static, seahorses, nudis, coral vistas etc... Hmm I obviously need to be more flexible!

Originally Posted by TimIngmire

The other thing to say is not to look for subjects per se but look for ideal conditions and shoot whatever subject swims in (I'm sure you'll have heard Martin discuss this). Those ideal conditions maybe a perfect bit of hard coral and waiting for a blenny or whatever to swim in, a nice shapely gaps in weeds / rocks for fish to swim into or even lightbeams, dappled light etc. To do this means a good knowledge of the best feature of a site - or at least a cursory knowledge - so that you drop in, get to the spot and wait for the opportunity to puch the shutter.

Yes a technique I find particulalry dificult to adhere to as I'm still looking and planning on the "feature" in the shot I guess

Originally Posted by ATJ

My approach is very much like Rob's. There are some sites where I know what I'll find and go with something specific in mind. e.g. weedy seadragons. But that may not be the only thing I see on the dive so I will be opportunistic for the rest of the dive.

Even when you know what will be there, the conditions aren't always right and you have to change your plan. I went to a site where there were sharks. I had a pretty good idea what I wanted to do - although I was going to do a bit of trial and error - and once I got there, my strobe sync cord decided not to work and I was pretty well stuck.

Oooo where are your weedy's? They're on my list for when I visit Oz later this year!!


Definitely having knowledge of a site is important isn't it. I guess I started the discussion cos of the Splash in in a couple of weeks, I know very little about Plymouth and it's sites and wondered how other people come up with a plan, or if they don't!