Tag Archives: Florida State Parks

Getting close to your subject

Sometimes you have to get close to your subject. Sometimes you may not to be that close. Lucky I do not have a fear of spiders or huge monster spiders we get here in Florida.  I am told it is a Golden silk orb-weaver, I found this guy way out in the deep swamps of Central Florida, I was out in Bull Creek Wild Life area a few days ago.

Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands at Viera

I was out early today and I wander out to the Viera Wet Lands. This is a great place for bird and wild life photography. I was working with shooting silhouettes of nature. I was working with this idea because of the heavy over cast skies did not allow sharp or contrast light.

It appears to be some type of local King Fisher.

KingFisher

King Fisher

Underwater Photography

Getting a good image in a nice calm studio is hard work. Shooting underwater is another whole other level. I drove up to Blue Springs State Park only to find it over crowed and admission to the park was blocked. Lucky Ponce de Leon Springs State Park was open had reasonable number for people. As we drove into the park a storm broke which closed the sprint to swimming, so we waited. Storm finely passed and the sprint was reopened.

In to the 68 degree water we go. I learn from the last attempt to shoot underwater a mask and weight belt are required to get a better shot. First thing is the mask fogs up complete in under a minute because of the difference between my body temperature and fridged water. As soon as we try to get to the bottom of the spring we kick up a good deal of sand and silt.

The suspended material in the water makes the shot look like crap as well eliminating the use of a strobe. Even time I try to get near the bottom I kick up more sand. Also having a camera in your hands and trying swim is tough. I tried get good shots, but I have to say this attempt to shoot underwater was a learning experience.

In a nutshell I need a lot more time underwater and behind the camera, it is very difficult to get a great image underwater. I going to try a swimming pool next, see what I can do with out the sand and the slit. Maybe get some gills and a heavier weight belt…