© 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

Tags: Fins Magazine