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First-place winner in the Wide Angle Ocean Art competition 2019: Nicholas More

Nicholas More's winning photograph titled "Blur of Sweetlips" earned him a 9-night dive package and a 10% companion discount at Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort. Taken in November 2019 during a live-aboard trip to Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the image was captured at Saundereck Jetty where a group...

Ocean Art Competition Winner of 2019: Nicholas More in Wide Angle Category
Ocean Art Competition Winner of 2019: Nicholas More in Wide Angle Category

First-place winner in the Wide Angle Ocean Art competition 2019: Nicholas More

In November 2019, underwater photographer Nicholas captured an awe-inspiring image, titled "Blur of Sweetlips", at Cape Kri, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The photograph showcases a school of vibrant Yellow Ribbon Sweetlips, their dynamic movement and colours creating a visually captivating blur effect within the reef environment.

The dive site, renowned for its photogenic marine life and favourable diving conditions, is just a short boat ride from the local resort. To achieve this artistic blur, Nicholas employed specialized underwater photography gear and techniques, likely managing light, shutter speed, and camera movement skillfully[1][2].

Raja Ampat, and particularly Cape Kri, is celebrated for its biodiversity and offers an ideal environment for underwater photographers seeking dynamic and colourful marine subjects like schools of sweetlips. The site’s clear waters and abundance of sea life provide the perfect natural setting to capture such compelling underwater images[3][4][5].

The photograph, "Blur of Sweetlips", was taken over a patch of hard corals, with the Convict Blennies adding to the scene, swarming all over the reef. The image features the classic schooling behaviour of Ribbon Sweetlips at a depth of approximately 25m.

Interestingly, Nicholas recently won a 9-night dive package and a 10% discount for a companion with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort.

The photograph has undergone minimal post-processing, with only global adjustments including clarity, contrast, highlight adjustments, added vibrance, and a slight crop. The equipment used for the photograph includes a Nikon D500, Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye Lens, Zen Dome Port, Nauticam Housing, and Dual Inon Z330 Strobes.

This remarkable photograph serves as a testament to the beauty and diversity of the marine life in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, and the skill of underwater photographers like Nicholas in capturing these moments for all to appreciate.

[1] Underwater Photography Guide (2021). Panning Techniques for Underwater Photography. [online] Available at: https://www.underwaterphotographyguide.com/techniques/panning/

[2] Digital Photography School (2021). How to Blur Backgrounds in Photography. [online] Available at: https://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-blur-backgrounds-in-photography/

[3] Raja Ampat Dive Expeditions (2021). Cape Kri Dive Site. [online] Available at: https://rajaampatdiveexpeditions.com/dive-sites/cape-kri/

[4] Scuba Diving (2021). Raja Ampat Dive Sites. [online] Available at: https://www.scubadiving.com/destinations/asia/indonesia/raja-ampat/dive-sites

[5] Marine Life of Raja Ampat (2021). Raja Ampat Marine Life. [online] Available at: https://marineliferajaampat.com/

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