Tinellia sp. Nikon D500 | 105mm | +6 Kraken Pro Diopter |
Nudibranchs are colorful little gems that have adapted themselves in many different ways to the ever changing marine environment. Their colorful appearance, incredible designs and physiology makes them one of natures coolest critters.
Cyerce |
Photographing slow moving or sluggish subjects are perfect for UW photographers. And nudis are probably responsible for converting more fun divers into divers with cameras than any other creature on the sea bed. This doesn't make them an easy subject to photograph though as i've found, shooting slug photos is alot tougher then it appears.
For me, i like to be sure to include key elements when shooting a slug or any other creature. Sharpness, important anatomical features, lighting and making sure the subject is isolated.
I try to find the personality of any creature and to bring that out in an image. If its transparent, show that. If it has visible eye spots, try to show that too. All of these details factor in to making an image more compelling.
Hilton's aeolid- Nikon D500 | 60mm | Kraken pro +6 diopter |
Rhinophores are used to smell and find food etc. and depending on the type of slug, can vary in design. Some are crowned, some are finned, rolled, smooth or banded with color. If the rhinophores aren't sharp in your image than your image will appear soft.
Nembrotha-Nikon D850 | 105mm|+ Kraken pro +6 diopter |
Cinderella- Snoot and torch for backlighting Nikon D850 | 105mm | Kraken V2 snoot torch for backlighting and Backscatter mini flash and snoot. |
Mating Pika-Chu Nikon D500 | 105mm | Sea and Sea YSD2 & Subsee FO snoot + Kraken snoot torch for backlighting |
Melibe colemani Nikon D500 | 60mm | 1 YSD2 + Retra LSD + Kraken snoot torch |
The Melibe colemani is one of the hardest slugs for me to shoot well. Using the same method as above, i used both a snoot and a torch for backlighting. The white lines or actually the muscles of this slug, what an incredible creature wow.
L bernosi-The Neon Slug Nikon D7100 | sigma 28080 macro @ 70mm | Diopter- |
Dirona- Nikon D500 | 60mm | Sea and Sea YSD2 + Retra LSD snoot Kraken snoot torch with colorized gel filter |
Using a colorized gel filter is also another fun way to express yourself as long as its done tastefully. This can become obnoxious very quickly but fun to experiment with, particularly when the substrate is not too pretty.
Favorite gear for shooting slugs:
- 105mm + diopters
- Sea and Sea strobe with Fiber optic snoot or Retra LSD snoot
- Retra Pro strobes with Retra LSD snoot
- Backscatter Mini Flash and Mini Snoot
- Kraken snoot torch
For more slug images, please check my macro gallery under Nudibranchs.
Backlighting is one of the essential skills taught in all of my macro workshops, for more info on upcoming workshops at Crystal Blue Resort, please check my website. These fill fast and are sold out a year in advance. I also do 1:1 and small custom groups that are not announced to please email me for more info on that.
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