Underwater Photography…are you a responsible Photographer? A letter from a Marine Biologist…Education, awareness, an article in the recent Fins Magazine fits in nicely with the Nudibranch images in National Geographic Magazine…
“A Photographer’s Responsibility” by Richard Smith, a great article describing the
Do and Don’t…
Check this link the article is a pdf file for downloading, Environment.

© Gunther Deichmann - “Our Environment” the image was
created in Photoshop to ilustrate our fragile
environment.
Thanks again
to all who have responded to this discussion…if
nothing else comes out of it at least we have tried
to guide new and not so experience Underwater
Photographers in the right direction explaining about
our precious Marine Life and to follow the rules of
engagement, Don’t
Touch.
The mention article in Fins Magazine is not only a
guide but it is extremely educational for new and Pro
Underwater Photographers.
Maybe National
Geographic Magazine should publish an article,
but this time not with pretty images but explaining
the Do and Don’t
which could be very educational to the million of
readers they have.
Last but not
least…let me quote one example from the recent
article in Fins Magazine; did you know? Don’t take to
many shots of each Animal. You know how a Camera
Flash from a few meters away can blind you? The same
flash can kill Pigmy Seahorses.
Not only that… I have seen large Fan corals
completely destroyed by irresponsible “Underwater
Photographers” to get this shot of the Pigmy
Seahorse.
Now everything is
gone.
GD
See below a letter
from Lee Goldman a Marine Biologist…
I was hesitant to write a reply to the blog about the
nudibranchs, mostly because, as you know, I agree
with your points.
Recently, however, a response was written about your
blog from SM Jayabalan, a response that I don’t
necessarily agree with. First off, would people’s
lives be less enriched or ‘disadvantaged’if they
don’t ever see a nudibranch? Well, it depends, right?
Perhaps they won’t make more money at work or solve
the reasons for why the kids get tattoos early in
life, but to see the nudibranch may provoke a
direction in their lives that lead towards
responsibility to the environment even if on a
personal level. How many times before have we heard
that a photograph inspires? What if the particular
person who appreciates the nudibranch is 18 years old
and has an epiphany that leads towards a career in
marine biology; where he studies nudibranchs and does
work to protect them (and their environment)? It is
slightly irresponsible for the author of the response
to say that the photo of a nudibranch won’t do
anything for anybody. Could a photo of the nudibranch
in its natural environment do the same thing?
Perhaps, but I know of thousands of photos of Ayer’s
Rock and for each one, five-thousand people prefer it
over all the others. Is that justification for moving
marine organisms around? I don’t know, but then
again, if none of them were harmed, nor their lives
dramatically changed (or changed at all for that
matter) then it boils down to other areas of
concern…not at all whether it had an affect (or not)
on the viewer of the photograph.
The statement about a percentage of millions of
people whose new perspective of nudibranchs is that
they live in white walled sections of the reef…with
piped music? When you go to an aquarium how many
people above the age of seven do you think believe
all of the fish live in glassed tanks in the ocean?
This is a huge stretch that not even a good lawyer
could sell a jury. What percentage? As a marine
biologist, professional aquarist, and professional
dive guide I have had my share of folks who needed a
lesson in the most basics of the ocean and
marine-life, but never have I encountered someone who
would believe such a thing as this author is
suggesting. I believe NG explained this particular
shoot so the audience would understand the concept as
well as the natural history and habitat of the
nudibranch.
You had it right from the start about the ‘message’
it sends. In the current world of marine photography,
to me, the greatest area of stagnation is creativity,
mostly due to everyone striving for the same
picture/subject as everyone else. Don’t believe me,
check out just about everyone’s portfolio; pygmy
seahorse, a shark of some sort, wide angle reef
scene, manta ray, turtle, nudibranch…oh, nowadays the
over/under shot. David Doubilet approached a ‘worn’
subject and added a bit of creativity (and I believe
entire WHY NG DID go this route). The dangerous area
that this photo shoot leads to is the hundreds of
less than respectful photographers with less than
proper equipment, knowledge, and support doing the
same thing.
We talked before about this and I told you that I
felt that with the right equipment, attitude, and
knowledge it can be pulled off so that nothing is
harmed. I believe David Doubilet is probably one of
the few photographers capable of doing this…mostly
due to his inexhaustible resource for the right
equipment and support. I believe the approach NG and
Mr. Doubilet took was that of no disrespect to the
organism. As you also know, my fear is that other
folks may try and copy his work.
Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE: The notion of it's for the greater good ".. the results are worth it. People who has never heard of Nudibranchs before have..." , does not apply here... a quote from one of our readers on our Nudibranch Photography topic as featured in the recent MAGAZINE...read the latest letters...

Incase
you don’t know what a Nudibranch looks like...
© Gunther
Deichmann - Nudibranch, Nembrotha kubaryana
from Puerto Galera
Philippines
I
have received more feedback on our Nudibranch
Photography Topic...see below a very interesting
letter again fom Jaya, at this point I like to
express my sincere thanks to all who have replied and
voiced their opinon, thank you all.
An official letter went out to the Editor in Chief at
National Geographic Magazine, once we have a reply I
let you know.
I think Jaya, in his
letter below nailed it down...well expressed and
written.
GD
From: xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Now we know…feedback from an
employee at the National Geographic Magazine
regarding the Photography by...
Date: July 22, 2008 10:24:30 AM GMT+08:00
To: gdeichmann@mac.com
GD,
I understand your need to re-emphasise the core
message of the blog.. 'The question is NOT how great the images
are.... outstanding for sure.
It is the method..."
The notion of it's for the greater good ".. the
results are worth it. People who has never heard of
nudibranchs before have..." , does not apply here. In
it's very basic, no human life or being would have
been greatly disadvantaged if that personhas never
seen a nudibranch.
Secondly, if it was intention to show the world,
these beautiful creatures, wouldn't it make sense to
show them in their natural environment and habitat?
Now we are going to have a percentage of millions who
would think that nudibranchs live in a white walled
background, with piped music. There are a number of
great shots of the nudibranchs, taken as they were by
everyday folks, that you have shown with your blog.
With a big expense budget, I'm surprised that, the
powers be, opted to strip bare rather than capture as
whole.
Taking a shot at John James Audubon seems like a
feeble attempt to paint the current method as a
lesser evil. The dead cannot defend themselves and
the living should not pick on them, for whatever
reasons. He did what he did, with the limited concern
for the environment and wildlife, as it was in 1827.
That was 181 years ago. Jennifer Love Hewitt was born
150 years too late.
All works should stand and should be defended on
their own merits. The end does not justify the means,
if it means, moving something from it's natural
habitat, its natural environment so that a beautiful
picture can be taken. No one can empathise what the
slugs went through. If only the slugs could talk. If
only they could move a little faster. To quote.."the
danger that other underwater photographers might be
encouraged to do the same in an irresponsible
manner..". It is very real.
Who defines if that diver photographer has the
expertise or experience to move marine life around to
get a great shot so that he can post it on his blog
for the world to see ?
Who draws the line? Who plays Posiedon? Where is Davy
Jones and his Kraken? At the end of the day, the best
option with any given experience, take nothing but
pictures.
Note : My post is subject specific, my questions
rhetorical and there was no intention, subtle
or sublime, to offend anyone.
SM Jayabalan
_____________________________________
Hey sorry for the late
reply!
BTW: I was also on a shoot with David while he was
using the “underwater studio” light box. It was cool
and he was gentle and respectful
J
All the best
Jason Heller DivePhotoGuide
More readers feedback and discussions from the Nudibranch article in the recent National Geographic Magazine…there is a real concern how far we can go in today’s Photography…
More Readers
feed back from my Blog Post dated
07 14 & 07 19 2008.
I
have received some more
comments on the recent Nudibranch article in the
National Geographic Magazine, I have now written an
official letter to the Editor.
The question
is NOT
how
great the images are...outstanding for sure. It is
the method... and this could lead to malpractice by
other Divers and Underwater Photographers thinking
they can also start moving things around as mention
in my first Blog. It is a real dilemma and not easy
to find an answers for it. My advise to Divers and
Underwater Photographers is...enjoy our Marine Life
but Dont
touch.
See below my reply to Marilyn’s letter and her
subsequence reply again, plus an interesting email
from Switzerland.
As a courtesy I
have removed all the email addresses to keep them
confidential and to avoid spam, however upon
legitimate requests we can pass them on. All emails
received are in their original form and have not been
edited or translated into
English.
My
reply below to Marilyn’s letter from the other day,
thanks again Marilyn for sharing your thoughts with
us, much appreciated.
My
reply...
Dear
Marilyn,
thank you very much for some of the explanations, I
have had a very good look at the Video and How it was
done.
Great work by David but I am still a bit concerned
moving the animals around, scientifically speaking
not a problem and that comes across on the Video, at
least I dont feel so bad anymore. It is just my
concern that other Underwater Photographers might not
be so careful then David. Maybe it should say in the
article that this was done also for research and
should not be attempted by others. I have written
another blog quoting you with the links leading to
the video etc.,etc.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html Again many
thanks for your input and explanations I appreciate
this very much,
have a nice Day,
Cheers Gunther
_____________________________________
Marilyn’s
reply…
Dear Gunther,
You're welcome, and thank you for posting my
explanation on your blog. I'd hate for people to
think the nudibranchs were taken out of water to make
these photos. I agree that there is a danger that
other underwater photographers might be encouraged to
photograph these creatures in an irresponsible
manner. That's the downside of doing a photo gallery
like this. But for the millions of people who might
otherwise never know about nudibranchs except through
National Geographic's pages, I think maybe it's worth
it. Perhaps if you wrote a letter to National
Geographic stating your opinion they would publish
it. I know other people have the same concerns you do
about photographing these creatures.
At least nature photographers no longer follow the
practice of John James Audubon, who shot thousands of
birds to make his beautiful illustrations:
http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ilwwcm/publishing.nsf/Content/els-jh-Audubon
Best regards,
Marilyn
_____________________________________
Claudio from
Switzerland wrote…
Lieber GD
Ich verstehe nur zu gut deine Meinung, die du in
deinem Blog vertrittst. Auch als Nichttaucher bin ich
der Meinung, dass nach all den Anstrengungen die
viele Organisationen unternehmen um die
Unterwasserwelt zu retten und schuetzen, dies von
einem renomierten Unterwasserfotografen mit Fuessen
getretten wurde. Vielleicht spielt auch wie so vieles
im Leben Geld eine ausschlaggebende Rolle, die David
Doubilet dazu bewogen hat, dies zu tun. Wie auch
immer. Auf alle Faelle ist dies zur Nachahmung nicht
zu empfehlen.
Gruss Claudio csc
_____________________________________
Now we know…feedback from an employee at the National Geographic Magazine regarding the Photography by David Doubilet on Nudibranchs …how did he do it? Explanation and some cool links…now you can decide for yourself, plus more comments from other readers…
©
Gunther Deichmann - Nudibranch,
Hypselodoris
bullocki (variant)
How
did he achieve this? That is a very good question…you
might say Photoshop…but I have heard another
story…moving a complete studio underwater, tons of
equipment and of course a dozen or so assistants. Wow
what a budget given to him by National Geographic,
however there is no way that this could have been
executed without moving the Nudibranchs from their
original location…
As mention in my previous blog I have seen
David’s other images and one can only admire him,
absolutely fantastic there is no question about it…
…read the feedback
from Marilyn an employee of the National Geographic
Magazine who has shed some light on the
subject… certainly an interesting topic, worth while
talking about it... how
far we can or cant go in today’s Photography.
Now it is up to you and form your own opinion after
you have viewed the mention Video or checked out the
other supported link… below.How did he do it.
Thanks
Marilyn for sharing this with us... & if I
receive any additional emails regarding this topic I
post them on this Blog.
GD
More Images and info
by Gunther Deichmann @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html
Readers
feed back from my Blog post dated 07 14 08.
(all emails are
not alterd or edited)
“Underwater Photography…a
controversial subject… moving Marine Life around for
a better shot. Aren’t we supposed to leave them where
they are? What ever happen to the good old
saying…LOOK…APPRECIATE…But Don’t Touch?”
Your Name: Marilyn Terrell
Your Email: xxxxxxxxx
For confidentially
I have removed Marilyn email address.
GD
Subject: Doubilet\'s nudibranchs
Message: I read your blog about the Doubilet photos
of nudibranchs in National Geographic and how he did
it, which is a question many people had. He did set
up an underwater studio, with a white backdrop, and
he placed the nudibranchs back after he photographed
them. He talks about it in his video: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/video/player?titleID=1531204600
I work at Nat Geo and I had lunch the other day with
someone who\'s been diving with Doubilet and he has
lots of cameras set up and several assistants and he
can go from camera to camera taking photos. It\'s
obviously a big expense but the results are worth it.
People who never heard of nudibranchs before have
this new understanding and appreciation of them
through his photos.
More: http://www.notcot.com/archives/2008/07/david_doubilets.php
_______________________________________
Gunther,
For examples of the practice see latest National
Geographic with nudibranch photos by David Dubolet.
But I trust the nudies survived this harrowing
experience.
Cheers, John from Palau Micronesia
_______________________________________
Read the DD posting and
others....any "official" response?? Very interesting!
D from Palau Micronesia
_______________________________________
Hi GD,
Simple, sensible, thought provoking and with a touch
of passion.
I do hope people read and forward to others to create
a ripple effect, and hopefully it will find it's way
to Nat Geo
I would like to read their posting.
Thanks for sharing GD
Cheers!!!
Jaya
Manila Philippines
_______________________________________
Underwater Photography…a controversial subject… moving Marine Life around for a better shot. Aren’t we supposed to leave them where they are? What ever happen to the good old saying…LOOK…APPRECIATE…But Don’t Touch?
Sorry
no Aperture 2 talk today...but you might find this
article very interesting.
Last
night I became part of an interesting 3-hour
conversation with Marc Ambat and S M Jayabalan, both
are scuba divers and take underwater photos. Marc is
a Chief Technical Officer working at a Top Digital
production House specializing in Video FX and Jaya is
the GM of Sensing Technology Corporation. So there
you have it, two very intelligent and super nice
people, our conversation started like this…
I mention a recent article in
DivePhotoGuide.com… National Geographic
has put up an online gallery of amazing nudibranch
photography from our good friend David Doubilet, from
the June issue. The imagery is classicly Doubilet,
putting a different perspective on these
amazingly diverse and colorful
subjects...read more
@
http://www.divephotoguide.com/articles/david_doubilet
© Gunther
Deichmann - a feeding Nudibranch
from Puerto Galera, Philippines
Please note all the images on this Blog have been
taken the natural way
none of them have been
manipulated.
This
published article showcased the latest work of David
Doubilet…amazing images of cool looking Nudibranchs
(click the link for the images)
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/nudibranchs/doubilet-photography
How did he achieve this? That is a
very good question…you might say Photoshop…but I have
heard another story…moving a complete studio
underwater, tons of equipment and of course a dozen
or so assistants. Wow what a budget given to him by
National Geographic, however there is no way that
this could have been executed without moving the
Nudibranchs from their original location,even
Photoshop could have been excepted in this case but
moving animals around? Maybe I am wrong then please
tell me so, it is after all only my opinion.
We suppose to be responsible Divers but now we see
this, David Doubilet is an outstanding Underwater
Photographer if not the very best on this planet…but
why is he shooting like this now? For the sake of Art
or just been different?
I have seen David’s other images and one can only
admire him, absolutely fantastic there is no question
about it…but this Nudibranch shoot, I honestly don’t
get it.
I am not the only one with this opinion, Marc and
Jaya agreed with me fully hearted and I am sure there
are many more out there who share this with us.
© Gunther
Deichmann - a feeding Nudibranch from Puerto
Galera
Here we are talking about the
environment and now we start moving our precious
Marine life around declaring with these images an
open season for other underwater
Photographers…well, if he does it,
then why cant I…what is next…tied up Dugongs and
Turtles? They
doing it already in Palau with Crocodiles just for
the thrill, some operators offering to dive with
Crocodiles for a fee of course and as the saying
goes “no strings
attached” but in this case there
are.
Yes... this is another interesting and controversial
issue but at least we can voice our concern and
opinion.
(read some comments in Dive
PhotoGuide.com)
If this was done for some scientific research then I
can understand it, great images for sure, but I am
disappointed at David Doubilet and National
Geographic meddling with our marine life in the not
so natural way.

Click on the Image and go direct to
more of Omar’s
Photos
Above
Photo: © Omar D. Linsangan from
Dugong Dive Center, Palawan
Philippines
Think
about it and form your own opinion we are in titled
of that, but for Jaya, Marc and myself it was very
clear…Don’t touch! Look and observe and if you like
to get this magic shot become a good and responsible
diver first. Even the smallest of Digital Cameras
give you some amazing results…remember Omar from
Dugong Dive Center and my previous Blog…he does not
move things around. Isn’t this what we have been
taught during our first Open Water Course with PADI
or other organizations?
GD
Gunther
Deichmann - Nudibranch from Dumaguete,
Philippines
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY…cool Marine Images from a Dive Master at the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines…processed in Aperture 2 & another example of Aperture and its flexibility.
Click on the Image and go direct to
more of Omar’s
Photos
Omar’s Images in Aperture 2,
the red
square is where you
find the info on Camera Models and a lot more...
The
other day my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong
Dive Center dropped by and gave me this CD…hey Dirk
what I am going to do with that?
There are some images from our Filipino Dive Master
Omar on it, please have a look give me your opinion.
Sure…I imported the images into Aperture 2
and got a real
surprise…wow these are real great…what camera is he
using?
Dirk replied, Oh… one of these little small ones in
some sort of Housing…
After I had a good look at the images I checked on
the Metadata in Aperture 2
and found out the
Camera Model, it is a Canon IXY.
After importing the images I only applied a few
adjustments, mainly…cropping, Auto levels and a bit
of contrast…since all the images had been in JPG I
had some limitations, but Omar’s shots where that
good anyway that little was needed for improvements.
Again, Aperture
came in very handy in
editing the shots very fast and applying some basic
adjustments, I created a new project and after I am
done can store this one on my external drive in case
we need Omar’s shots for some future publications.
Click on the Image and go direct to
more of Omar’s
Photos
Above Photo: © Omar D. Linsangan
- mating Cuttle fish or Sepia at the house reef from
Dugong Dive Center... for more info on Dugong Dive
Center click on the small Banner Ad on the left.
Plans are in the making for a Photoworkshop int he
near future at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center.
Please stay tuned for the announcement and what
better way to go diving with Omar who will find these
cool critters for you.
Great shots with a small Camera and it gets to show
you again what can be done with limited equipment, I
guess in Underwater Photography you have to be a good
Diver first, and Omar has that mastered for sure.
Dirk asks me if I could show some of Omar’s Images on
my Blog and I readily agreed nice images from a very
humble Dive Master. It is these people…Dive Masters
and photography assistants who make our shots at
times easier to get, so lets give them some credit
and support their hobby and passion.
For a selection of Omar’s Images (LOW RESOLUTION
ONLY)click
on the Photo Gallery above (upper left)
I have created another
Photo Gallery for Guys like Omar, otherwise we never
get to see their nice images.
GD


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