Undata, Purple Rim Green Monti cap

[Reef Bass]

Comments / constructive criticism / suggestions always welcome.

This shot marks the official return of my undata which nearly rtn'd completely. It's not yet as beautiful as it was, but it's coming back strong.

My purple rim green Monti cap. It glows. I saw this shot in my head before I ever got the camera out.

 

[truthdesigns]

Very nice pics!! I have had a hard time keeping the Undata happy in my tank:0( I love the purple rim cap photo!!
Did you manipulate the background on it?

 

[Reef Bass]

Thanks about the pics. Sorry to hear about your undata. Maybe they are a little more tempermental than other sps? It's the only one of my numerous sps which has ever rtn'd (fortunately). And there was another awesome Monti (purple polyp yellow) on the same rock as the rtn'ing undata which was fine.

No, other than removing marine snow I didn't intentionally change the background on #2. That coral is about 5" beneath the water surface under my 400w MHs. I think so much light is reflected off the coral that the background comes out underexposed by comparison. I did bump the contrast a tad (like +5), which may have darkened the relatively underexposed background a bit. And I bumped the blacks +3 or so on RAW conversion.

In hindsight those are two examples of "unintentional" changes to the background which affected how the background looked. Not a ton but I bet it is slightly darker than the original file. I still say the difference in the very bright light being reflected off the coral compared to that coming off the background is the primary reason the background is nicely obscure.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I would have liked to see just a tad more DOF on the first example to get the "mountain peak" in crisp focus. It is a great image regardless.

All I can say is "wow" for the 2nd photograph. Using the subject as its own frame is an amazing tactic!

 

[Reef Bass]

Regarding #1, geez, when you point it out it's SO obvious! :eek1:

It is my firm belief that one day these things will occur to me while I'm actually shooting! :lol:

About the purple rim, thanks and yes, I think the concept of the inner part being cupped by the outer part was what caught my eye initially. Then I deliberately set the focal plane just a bit forward of the very back rim and in combination with the midrange fstop, got much of the center green in focus while blurring nicely on closest purple rim and obscuring all together the background.

I appreciate the feedback, especially the correctly critical part.