Second-place winner in the 2019 Nudibranch Ocean Art contest, Andrea Pescarolo.
Photographing the Elusive 2nd Place Nudibranch in Tulamben, Indonesia
In the captivating underwater world of Tulamben, Indonesia, lies a tiny, elusive sea slug known as the 2nd Place Nudibranch. This minuscule creature, smaller than a grain of rice, can be challenging to spot due to its subtle features and delicate translucent body[1].
Recently, underwater photographer Andrea embarked on a diving expedition to capture this evasive nudibranch. Equipped with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera, Inon Z-240 strobe, Olympus 60mm Macro Lens, Nauticam NA-EM5 Housing, and a Nauticam CMC-1 Diopter, Andrea aimed to bring this enchanting creature to the surface.
The 2nd Place Nudibranch's small size demands precise focus and high magnification[1]. To capture its intricate details, Andrea employed a macro lens compatible with the Olympus OM-D E-M5. To create a focused beam of light on the nudibranch, Andrea used a snoot, enhancing contrast and isolating the subject from the surroundings[2].
To maintain image quality, Andrea set the camera to manual focus or focus peaking mode, as autofocus might struggle due to the small size and camouflaged nature of the nudibranch. A small aperture (high f-number) was used to maximize depth of field around the tiny subject, while balancing ISO and shutter speed. Shooting in RAW format allowed greater flexibility in post-processing for colour correction and detail enhancement.
Patience and a trained eye were required to locate the 2nd Place Nudibranch, as it tends to blend into the substrate[1]. Andrea approached the sea slug slowly to avoid disturbing it or stirring up sediments. To bring out the three-dimensionality and surface texture, Andrea considered multiple light angles with the snoot.
Tulamben is renowned for its rich macro life and clear waters, making it well suited for detailed nudibranch photography with the right equipment and technique[1][3][5]. Despite this dive not resulting in any prizes, as stated in the previous paragraph, Andrea's dedication and skill resulted in stunning photographs of the elusive 2nd Place Nudibranch.
References: 1. Tulamben Diving Lodge 2. DivePhotoGuide 3. Underwater Photography Guide 4. Nauticam 5. Olympus 6. Inon
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