Me and me 28 shipmates have just sailed out of Cairns on one of those fandangle new airships and cruising at a thousand feet. And after only 10 minutes we have found the treasure we have been looking for and it is easy to see why they call this the greatest treasure trove in pirate history “the coral sea” as it below us with shimmering blue waters and life in her belly unimaginable to us mere humans. Aye me lads she be full of life and wonders as my shipmates were about to discover..We are on one of Micky B's fly dive adventures where we follow that master navigator Captain Cook's passage by air and looking below us I can only imagine the adrenaline that was flowing through his veins as he traversed through the waters of Medusa; lost in her maze of bewitchment. To fully understand the beauty and wildness of this underworld treasure trove me hearty's is to join me on this ocean adventure Aarrgh.
"Land ahoy", the pilot cries as Lizard Island looms from the clear blue sea inviting us to her rugged windswept terrain. Below us, me lady “Spoilsport” awaits us, nestled in mystical Watsons Bay. As we stroll the virgin white sands of this spiritual island it is easy to see why the indigenous people so revere this wild island as a sacred place. “There be spirit’s here" the old ones say sending shivers deep down to me black pirate heart aarrgh.
Let the adventure continue I say to me 28 shipmates as we steer an easterly course to me favourite pearl the enigmatic Cod Hole aargh.
As we descend to the depths of Neptune's realm we are visited by an enormous Potato Cod. My dive buddies quickly gather around me with nervous anticipation as this fearless creature hovers inches from my face and opens his mouth as if to say "I could take your head and grind your bones if I take me fancy me laddy". I give my reassurance to my wide-eyed shipmates with an "ok" sign. The mammoth fish checks us over, realises there be not enough meat on me bones for his voracious appetite and lazily turns around. He leads us through this enchantment of tropical fish and corals of this age old realm aarrgh...but to see where he leads us me hearties it be best ye book on another Mike Ball dive adventure, aarrgh.
The impressive topography, deep walls, great visibility and unique marine fauna of Osprey Reef are ideal for fabulous wide angle shots. When you know your basics and apply them methodically to the colourful subjects, against a backdrop of deep blue Coral Sea waters, you can get great results.
Knowing your camera's controls allows you to go for great wide angle shots, and to adjust quickly when large, fast creatures such as Manta rays, Hammerhead sharks or Whaler sharks glide by. If you want to completely control shots, then shoot in manual mode. You do not have to be overwhelmed by the myriad of variables; start by setting the majority at one level and just manipulate one control to achieve the desired result. This allows you the control you wish for without the complexity.
For example, set your shutter speed at 1/80 and an ISO of 200 which at a depth of 15m or shallower in the Coral Sea should give you a nice blue background and plenty of range in your aperture options. Now simply adjust the only option left, the aperture (or f-stop), to get a blue background, and nice exposure. Always remember the golden rule of 'shoot and review' to ensure you achieve the result you desire before moving on.
Using strobes, makes the most of the beautiful colours that adorn many tropical species. Intensity of the light is controlled manually on many strobes and how much light you want to hit your subject is affected by many variables including: subject colour, distance from subject and your desired result. TTL (Through-the-lens technology for automatic power control) is becoming more reliable and more popular as it lets the camera / strobe make power adjustments for you. This is very practical for fast moving subjects where careful adjustment is difficult.
Backscatter can be avoided by not pointing the strobe / lights directly at the subject, thus illuminating otherwise unseen particles suspended in the water between subject and lens. In early and late daylight hours, the sun silhouettes the steep walls of Osprey Reef. By increasing the size of your aperture (lowering the f-number), you can take best advantage of the light available and use your strobes light up large areas of the soft-coral covered walls, especially at 20-40 metres where massive overhangs are lush with fan corals.
By having an effective strategy and photo basics implanted into your brain, you can get high quality images even with simple equipment and limited experience. Osprey Reef provides other impressive subjects not discussed here, i.e., silvery schools of barracuda and jacks or big animals like sharks and rays. The remote and isolated Osprey Reef is a wide-angle lover's dream.
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