Photo of the Week: June 04, 2012

Hi Gang!

This week's POTW is a shot of a rather menacing-looking viper moray, Enchelynassa canina, that I captured in Hawaii.
Of course, as any experienced diver knows the viper moray, like other morays, is not nearly as big, bad, and aggressive as it looks. But just the same, I think that you will readily agree that this is one tough looking beast, and that face is simply to good to pass up.

Viper eels often inhabit areas with some water movement in the form of current and surge. They tend to be rather secretive during the day, while emerging from their daytime hiding areas at night to hunt for a variety of fishes, crustaceans and octopuses. The viper moray reaches a reported maximum length of just over 8 feet, but most specimens are considerably shorter. The eel’s long canine-like teeth and “hooked” snout are good identifying features.

Over the years I have dived Hawaiian reefs on a reasonably regular basis, and I have only seen a viper eel a handful times. On most of those occasions the eel has been so far back in its hole that I couldn't light it with my strobes.  But like a greeter at Wal-Mart, this eel was front and center at the opening of the hole that was its home in the reef. Of course, I had no idea how long the eel would stay in such a favorable photographic position. So I thought it best if I didn't waste anytime before I started shooting.

One thing that helped me create this shot was the use of a focusing light that is mounted in the top of my camera housing. I use a Sola light made by Light and Motion, but there are a number if lights that work very well. There is not a lot of contrast on the face of the moray, and without contrast the chance of successfully using my camera system's auto-focusing capabilities are greatly reduced. While I don't always use the auto-focusing function, auto-focus technology has improved so much in recent years that I find myself using it whenever I can. It's just faster at acquiring focus than I am. That said, I strongly suggest being familiar with your camera's auto- focusing capabilities so you can select the best option given the particulars of a shooting situation.    

Once I composed my frame and acquired focus I shot a few frames. Then I checked my histogram as I always do when given the opportunity of working with a subject that is either stationary or that I think I'll have repeated chances with. I was surprised to discover how much light was required to properly expose the viper moray. The translation is that I under exposed every shot in my first series of shots. Those images were usable, but I probably would have introduced some noise in the darker elements in those shots had I increased the exposure with the software on my computer.  

So, I slowly backed away from the moray in order to be able to adjust the power setting of my strobes, manipulate my aperture control and catch my breath. Up to this point I haven't mentioned the fact that I was under an overhang when I took the pictures. Anytime I am working under any kind of overhang I try not to exhale until I can back out of the overhang so that my exhaust bubbles won't cause particles over my head to dislodge and drift down into my frame. Particles in the water are likely to become a distraction in a photograph, and they can lead to ruinous backscatter.

Once my breathing was under control and I had made the required adjustments I moved back into my original shooting position and tried again. This week's POTW is my best effort from the second series, and I think it does a good job of capturing the menacing appearance of a usually rather shy moray eel.

I hope you enjoy this week's POTW!

See you next week,
Marty