DIVE LOG DECEMBER 25 ISSUE 415

Porcelain crab carrying an anemone for extra protection.

of the soft corals absolutely pop! It is the overcast and murky days that can offer the ability to try and get creative.’ ‘Wide angle photography doesn’t provide the creative delights of macro photography but Fiji’s soft coral majesty is so stunning I still take great pleasure in big canvas coral scape images of intertwined coloured textures and shapes - a little like a Jackson Pollock painting.’

Alison’s photography reflects shrimp in the way she sees them - as incredibly delicate and ethereal both in transparency and movement. ‘I think most macro photographers, when they start getting serious, aim for the snoot, to block out all but a spotlight over a tiny critter. I’ve never been comfortable with flashing bright strobes into the eyes of a small shrimp, so it wasn’t long before I started using very shallow depths of field using a tiny amount of light. I aim to capture the tender beauty of these macroscopic creatures. Macro is probably an underrated activity in Fiji as the corals scapes are so huge. ‘I attempt to capture new angles, textures and motion with my wide angle lens on the Fiji reefs. When the water is clear, especially in winter (May to November) wide angle shots can really just be a case of being there and giving your legs a good exercise to swim against the current to get into position for your strobes to reach your subject - without crashing. The water can be crystal clear - making the colours

Peacock Mantis shrimp.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #415 December’ 25

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