Above The Challenge by
seagypsydiversComment: For those who were interested:
No tricks or software, just an underwater housing with a dome port. Basically the bigger the port the easier this kind of shot is. Portrait works better as there is more space on the dome to play with, ie, 1-2mm of water line on the dome could be 2/3 of the image which ruins the balance of the composition.
Some people commented about wanting to see the background in more focus. Firstly, the background is not interesting enough for detail, most importantly though is distance, depth of field in this kind of shot is different. Underwater light is refracted which changes depth of field. Normally if the shot was completely underwater you wouldn't notice but in a half in half out you will.
The diver is about 1 metre from the lens and the background where the pool side is is about 15-20 metres away. And this gap is multiplied by around 25% due to the refraction. That much depth of field would have required a very high f stop making the diver too dark. (no strobes used)
The curved water line is luck, water moves, especially when someone is swimming through it that close to you.
Disappointed about the low score, this is one of my personal favs. I have a feeling some people thought it was a fake or composite, shame...
Photographer found comment helpful.
