Saltwater photography advice

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

There’s a good chance I’m going to be photographing a shoot in Key West this spring.

[matt boutet]

Zach, I did a lot of shooting on my trip down to the Keys last year.

[Buzz Bryson]

Zach,

You’ll need to look at the camera’s histogram.

[malcolm robertson]

You will love the 12-24 for the tight confines of a flats skiff.  It will really help you capture what’s going on in the boat.  I’d put a longer lens on your second body for the jumps.  I’d have the longer lens in your hands for the hookup.  Often the closest and most spectacular jumps will happen right at after the hookup so you want to be ready.  I can’t help you with exposure…I’m enjoying reading the advice on that from the others.  Here are some examples of the lighting you will be facing though.

[malcolm robertson]

Another with the 12-24

[Steve K.]

Zach,

I don’t know if you are sold on the Nikon 12-24 but the Tokina 12-24 is getting props here:

http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=628&an=0&page=0#628

[Zach Matthews]

Those pictures are really sweet, by the way.

Zach

[T. Wiles]

Zach,
Can’t help you on any exposures or technical info—I’m a newbie to photography….and can’t give any flyfishing advice for those big tarpon….although we did float a canoe amongst a few pods of those giants, no hookups though.  My suggestion for some good photo-opps would be to stop in Islamorada at Robbie’s.  The tarpon are everywhere by the dock, and can be quite aggressive when you feed them.  Watch your hand though, my brother had one bite all the way up his wrist, peeling the skin off his knuckles!!!

Travis

[Zach Matthews]

That is hilarious!

[Richard Bernabe]

Always expose to the right when shooting digital. You want as much image data on the right side of the histogram as possible without clipping highlights. You always would rather darken a slightly overexposed image than try and lighten an underexposed image.

I just did a photo shot for Costa Del Mar down in the Keys. Just shoot in the sweet light of the day and avoid the temptation to want to polarize every sky you see – especially with the new 12-24mm you are getting.

[gary henderson]

Keep it comin’ boys. I just had a trip to Eleuthera fall in my lap coming up in mid-April for bones and permit. My new D80’s going to get a workout, and hopefully, so will I. This is great information and perfect timing.

[Billy Belsom]

Richard,

Interesting advice. Are there certain shots or focal lengths in particular for which you would avoid using the polarizer? Why? Same questions for those in which you would use a polarizer?

Thanks,

Billy

[Eric DeWitt]

Zach, we are heading to the Mayan Riviera in a couple weeks, and i am working on booking a day trip thru Yellowdog for bones out of Pesca Maya Lodge.

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

Thanks for all the advice.

[Richard Bernabe]

Billy,

Pretty much what Eric said.

A polarizer is the most important, yet overused filter in outdoor photography. A little polarization can go a long way, IMO. It’s also the only filter that cannot be duplicated (or undone) in any photo editing software, so it must be done correctly in-camera.

[barry evans]

Zack
If you’re going to be in Key West and want some dock shots of Tarpon, head over to Key West Oceanside Marina (on the end of Stock Island) and check out the Fish cleaning table area. You’ll see Tarpon, Nurse Sharks and even a few Jew Fish (Goliath Grouper if you choose to be politically correct).

[Billy Belsom]

Word is the Becks have a saltwater photography article in the latest “FF in Salt Waters” mag, but it hasn’t hit the newsstands here yet. Dunno if it is too basic to help the likes of you, Zach, but might be worth checking out. Anyone seen it yet??

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