Article By June Coomber
We all know that the natural world inspires many works of art in many shapes and forms and the underworld of our seas and oceans is no exception to this.
Marine environments are as rich in diversity, splendor and wonder as any other place on Earth, or space and for many of our nature-loving members that is the only motivation they need to grab their camera and head for the sea. The opportunity to bear witness to incredible marine flora and fauna, whether it is the grandeur of ancient bedrock gardens festooned with fluffy snow- white sponges (deadman’s fingers) or to seek new ways to photograph the familiar or not so familiar, the prospect of capturing that ‘special’ picture is only limited by the imagination.
The level of photographic knowledge and technique required is in no way a barrier to portraying an attention-grabbing vista or some unusual animal behaviour, for divers who manage to be in the right place at the right time. With either a point and shoot camera for novice photographers or a more technically, intricate camera, for experienced photographers, camera-art can be created. For example, a simple compact camera (without its waterproof housing) was used to present this striking image of a lone mussel anchored, by its sticky byssus threads, to an intertidal rock, photo 1. An intriguing photo as mussels are normally found huddled together in large colonies on rocks, hard surfaces and even wrecks, filter feeding on suspended organisms flowing around them. However, this lonely critter would appear to have a bit of a wait for its next meal from the incoming tide. A prime example of how mussels are generally found is photo 2. This incredibly, beautiful close-up illustrates, in detail, the unlocked bi-valve shells of mussels as they expose their frilly, feathered, folded skin, to the surrounding moving water sieving out tasty minute organisms.
Another close up of a dahlia anemone, photo 3, highlights the delicate banding of it’s outstretched stinging tentacles awaiting its unsuspecting prey such as, shrimps or small fish. Whether a solo dahlia or clustered together like garden flowers in a shallow rocky gully dahlias are a deadly beauty for fledgling small marine creatures riding the surge of a sea current. The more experienced photographer with advanced photographic knowledge and techniques are able to depict more dramatic images such as above and below water scenes, morphing the subject of common kelp seaweed to an almost otherworldly, dreamlike seascape, photo 4. For those photographic enthusiasts out there this clever piece of art was created using a wide angle lens, using a strobe (flash) light under the water and natural exposure above the water. Scuba diving has many strings to its bow and can inspire and extend the enjoyment of many hobbies or interests. Cleveland divers can be contacted via ‘Facebook.’ ‘The Diving Club-Cleveland,’ or via our web site https://www.clevelanddivers.org.uk/ or [email protected] or on 07960608529
