Clownfisch

We think clownfish are some of the most joyful subjects to photograph underwater with their bright, easily distinguished coloring and playful nature. You won't be finding Nemo swimming out in the open ocean. If you find a clownfish, you have found an anemone- and with it many photo opportunities in a small space. Anemones can be closed up like a balloon with the clownfish hovering over top, or fully open with these colorful creatures darting in and out of its tentacles.
WhereSouthern Pacific and Indian Ocean
DSLR + MirrorlessISO: 100 to 200 (we are assuming you are using flash here) Read more: Close Focus Wide Angle Underwater Camera Settings
Point + ShootISO: 100 to 200 |
TechniqueWhether the size of a beach ball or a tiny plate, the host anemone creates a perfect backdrop for shooting clownfish. Often there will be shrimp cohabiting the tentacles, so a macro lens is heaven. The best anemones for shooting are ones that are positioned in a way that allows an upward camera angle, and an unobstructed view for your lighting. Most anemones have bright and translucent tentacles, so with two strobes you will get very smooth light as it passes through them. Clownfish are very active, and will provide endless poses... but that is the challenge. They never stop moving. Set up in a position you will be able to hold for awhile without arm fatigue and pan through your lens until you figure out the patterns they use as they plow through the tentacles, look at you, then dive back into them. There will be many "misses" and tail shots. Picking your frame and waiting for them to swim back into it is sometimes the best way. You will find they have a very specific distance that they will tolerate; much closer than 2 feet will cause them to move to the other side of the anemone out of view. When you back off to allow them their comfort zone, the behavior will change. They will even come up and challenge briefly before diving back in. As you review many frames following a shoot- your favorites will be where the fish is in full view, particularly when they face the camera. |
StrobesUse the translucence of the tentacles for soft shadowing and interesting color tint. Dual strobes are pretty helpful if you want to have the details around the fishes face. One strobe can light directly from above, with one from the side for the "glow"- but our favorite is side lighting since this is one of the few subjects we have that light can pass through. |