[GCParris]

Hi all. I'm writing this from Belieze having just dived the blue hole It was fab.
We're heading back to Tulum in Mexico tommorrow to do more Cavern diving as it was so awesome.
I wondered if anyone had any advice on shooting Cavern or Cave shots. The problem is the low light and the massive size and visibility the flashes only light up foreground. My Solus torch helps a bit but realy we need to do long exposures but not being able to lie on the ground or use a tripod there is too much shake to make the picture sharp. We've also ramped up the ISO but this has only helped a little and the shots are becoming grainy as you would expect.
We are using a Nikon D70. Also what focus mode would be best? Normally we use centre weighted for our normal stuff.
Any help appreciated and I'll be posting pics when we get back.
Thanks,
Gareth and Helen

 

[GLOC]

Helen,

Not sure what lens and ports you have, but I would be inclined to open the lens up fully and then use centre-focusing and matrix metering. If you can't use tripod or lay the camera on the bottom you are a little buggered. I would also wind it all the way upto 1600 (or higher if the D70 goes there). Much better grainy shots that blurry clear shots.

Joe Hesketh (look at this profile on DIRx) has just had some done in Mexico while he and his team were there but you can see lots of evidence of pwerful strobes which I think are the only answer TBH.

HTH

 

[GCParris]

Thanks we'll work on upping the iso. We have a Nexus housing with a dome port, a sigma 10-20mm wide angle lens, and two Inon flash units.

 

[tonhil]

I would manual focus this one. Depends on type of shot but if there is a foreground you need to focus on that. If no foreground then I guess infinity.

I don't understand why you have no tripod - you need a tripod type object. Is this a local directive from the cave operators?

I would suggest a tripod like object and have someone swim in front of camera (well in front - like near the cave walls) waving the torch/flash in likely places - it has worked in the historical past and with digital and lots of time (and a tripod) it should work again.

If no tripod then I suggest you need to do silhouettes where there is sufficient available light for your tastes.

 

[GLOC]

I don't understand why you have no tripod - you need a tripod type object. Is this a local directive from the cave operators?

A lot of the caves/caverns in Mexico are incredibly delicate and there is a strict 'no touch' policy. Touch the floor/ceiling and the dive ends and you are out!

 

[GCParris]

Exactly - there is a no touch policy here due to the fragility of the caverns. We are already using me and my Solus SU1000 to light up the surrounds, it works to an extent but the stability is the main problem.

 

[GLOC]

I think the problem is the amount of light you need and your strobes just aren't in the right place. However, you might be able to do something with backlighting like these shots by Daniel Riordan taken in Mexico for Joe Hesketh and his team.

You can see the amount of strobes used in these piccies. Also pointing the lights behind the divers and using strobes to light up them and the foreground.

However, you have probably finished now...

 

[dave archer]

However, you might be able to do something with backlighting like these shots by Daniel Riordan taken in Mexico for Joe Hesketh and his team.

What si the second thing each of them have in thier left hands, with what looks like another power lead? Umbilical backup light?

Gareth and Helen, you are a lucky sods and I hate you, but the situation wil be reversed when I'm there isn 6 weeks and you are back in the office

Dave.

 

[GLOC]

What si the second thing each of them have in thier left hands, with what looks like another power lead? Umbilical backup light?

I think it is another light but I did notice that Daniel uses strobes clipped off on the butt ring to light the area behind the diver when the main strobe goes off.

 

[RichW]

What si the second thing each of them have in thier left hands, with what looks like another power lead? Umbilical backup light?

Gareth and Helen, you are a lucky sods and I hate you, but the situation wil be reversed when I'm there isn 6 weeks and you are back in the office

Dave.

It's a strobe trigger. It picks up the flash from the camera mounted strobe and uses it to fire another strobe.

HTH,

Rich

 

[dave archer]

It's a strobe trigger. It picks up the flash from the camera mounted strobe and uses it to fire another strobe.

HTH,

Rich

Ahh, that makes sense, thought it didn't look quite right for a torch.

Some more kit you're going to have to buy Gareth - I'll dive it for you

Dave.

 

[GLOC]

Ahh, that makes sense, thought it didn't look quite right for a torch.

Some more kit you're going to have to buy Gareth - I'll dive it for you

Dave.

If you mean me, yep, more kit to buy. You also need extra strobes too!