405_April_24

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Blotched Hawkfish

F ish photography is actually one of the most challenging pursuits of marine life subjects. One must be close, usually one metre or less, and fish are highly evolved to avoid predation so to help ensure success the photographer needs to understand their Typical Behaviour and Body language. Photographing Fish Behaviour

This Hawkfish is exhibiting both. A tendency to always return to their original perch or at least close nearby after disturbance and also displaying body language as the photographer is beginning to compromise its comfort zone. With experience and careful observation photographers who persevere will start to learn the different comfort zones of their subjects, their body language and their behaviour. Without this knowledge, fish photography will remain far more challenging than it needs to be and photographers will surrender and default to much simpler subjects such as Nudibranchs as they move very slowly or sit still! Image by Kevin Deacon . Fly Point, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia Genre : Close Up, Close Focus Strobe Photography. Photography Hints : ONE . First be aware of the subject's Body Language, as you are approaching the subject Flight or Fight zone, fish will typically begin to erect their dorsal fin, spread pectoral fins or if perched rise up on their pectoral fins. This is your final moment to trigger the shutter before the subject reacts. The subject will also provide a more spectacular image with all Body Language Display at this moment. TWO . The photographer needs to move into a suitable shooting distance to produce a nicely framed image, this will

require a very gentle approach with the camera already raised to take the shot. Any surplus movement is sure to cause the Flight Response. Also be aware that since water is not compressible like air even slight movement through water creates a forceful pressure wave towards the subject that marine life detects and reacts to. THREE : Use of a Wide-Angle lens for very Close Up images of a fish and their immediate habitat can provide an opportunity for the photographer to stay a bit back and gently extend the camera at arm's length to close the camera to subject distance thus minimising diver pressure on the subject. With wide angle lenses used in this fashion, careful framing is not so critical. Photography date : Nikon D200 60 MM macro lens, Seacam Housing & Dual Seacam strobes. Exposure F22 @ 1/125 second, ISO 100. Interesting Facts . Due to its range including Tropical Seas and Australian Temperate seas this fish has many common names: Blotched Hawkfish, Spotted Hawkfish, Redbarred Hawkfish, Threadfin Hawkfish and Boar Hawkfish. Hawkfish are efficient predators that successfully hunt smaller fish and shrimp. Scientific Name : Cirrhitichthys aprinus

Kevin Deacon is a pioneer of Underwater Photography. His images have been published World Wide in prestigious books, magazines and advertising media. Kevin & Cherie Deacon operate DIVE 2000 based at Sydney’s, Northern Beaches providing Photo Guided Dive Travel Tours, Photo Guided Africa Wildlife Safaris, Sales of Underwater Photographic Equipment & Training www.dive2000.com.au

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DIVE LOG Australasia #405 - April ‘24