12/29/2023 0 Comments Forest photographers![]() Because visibility can vary drastically, shooting wide (ideally using a fisheye lens), allows you to get as close as possible to capture the immediate scene and retain as much color as possible. Lens Selection: Regardless of the camera system, with kelp your best bet is to shoot wide. (The techniques for macro remain roughly similar in kelp forests as they do elsewhere.) Photographically, kelp forests lend themselves to both macro and wide-angle photography, though this article will focus on wide-angle kelp photography. Photography Equipment for Kelp Forest Photography Kelp: And, of course, kelp! In a healthy plant, the growing edge of the plant creates a beautiful pattern, which can be the focus of many a kelp portrait.ĭon’t forget about the kelp! Many species of kelp are beautiful in their own right, highlighted by the stark simplicity of this black and white photo In the Pacific, Garibaldi fish are the stars, adding little splashes of orange to your kelp forest photos. Reef Fish: Often, the green and blue of the kelp and water is punctuated by brightly colored reef fish that make for a more interesting image. ![]() Patience and persistance is the key for long interactions with pinnipeds in kelp forests They are generally shyer than sea lions, but with a calm demeanor, and a bit of luck can create an encounter you’ll remember forever.Ī harbor seal pokes its head through the kelp. Some locations also have local harbor seals. When comfortable, sea lions can be curious and playful and make for excellent subjects. Pinnipeds: Pinnipeds are staples of the kelp forest. In California, common sights include knobby, ochre, and sunstars. Starfish: Starfish make for great stationary foreground subjects. Gorgonians: Colorful sea fans (generally red, orange, and yellow) adorn the kelp forest floor from 100 feet and deeper. The Garibaldi-California’s state fish-adds a nice pop of color to contrast the green of the kelp, blue water, and pink coral foreground Of course, specific species vary from region to region, but here is a general list of what you’ll find in most kelp forests-organized loosely from benthic to surface-dwelling. ![]() Kelp Forest Underwater Photography Subjectsĭiving the kelp really is like walking through an underwater forest, with a raft of marine life found from top to bottom. Kelp forests are found in temperate and cold waters around the globe, and are a photographer’s playground with massive kelp stalks, sea lions, and more South America (Peru), the US northeast coast (Maine), South Africa, and Australia (Adelaide and Tasmania)-all are popular kelp diving spots. There are other frequently dived kelp forests around the globe-which means there’s probably one close to home. Popular dive spots in California include Monterey, Catalina, and Anacapa. When the conditions are right, this allows giant kelp to dominate California’s coastal shoreline, creating an amazing habitat for a plethora of local marine life, large and small. ![]() ![]() Off of the California coast is where you’ll find perhaps the most iconic kelp forest, which consists primarily of giant kelp that can grow up to 12 inches per day. They occur worldwide, typically in temperate or cold-water environments. Technically, a kelp forest is just an environment with a high density and diversity of kelp. Kelp forests are some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, and from a diving perspective, one of the very few dives that can be equally beautiful whether you’re looking from above or below. With the right gear and a few kelp forest specific techniques, braving these cold waters can reward underwater photographers with some of the most unique photographic opportunities on the planet. To seasoned kelp forest photographers, however, these factors are all part of the daily challenge of photographing kelp forests. For most divers, the term “cold-water diving” brings to mind green water, low visibility, and the shivers. ![]()
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