Kenneth Kopp

Gallery: Wet: Macro

"Macro" shooting generally involves precision shooting very small subjects, or taking close-up shots detailing parts of a larger subject.

The challeges of shooting Macro underwater involve surge and current - when you're moving and your subject isn't (or vice versa) things get interesting.

My favorite Macro subjects are Nudibranchs - colorful and small (1/8" to 4") sea slugs that are found in most waters throughout the world.

This Nudibranch was poised on the edge of a Giant Kelp frond.
  
On a night dive, this little guy crawled to the edge of a rock, tipped his hat back and looked right at me.
  
Generally found in deep holes or among anemones, this little guy came out to pose for me.
     
  
In about 9 feet of water, near the top of one of the pier pilings, a Blenny pokes out of his coral home to feed on passing specs.
   
This is a very large jelly shot with a very long macro lens. The result is a super close up of where one of its tentacles meets its body
   
These small shrimp lived in large numbers on the white anenomes. Sometimes I'd see 7 to 12 on one anemone.
     
  
Arrow Crabs are on nearly every reef in Bonaire. I took dozens of shots of them, but this is the most charming of them.
   
He may be missing a leg, but this shrimp was very active and came right over to look at himself in my camera port.
   
Lighted from under the kelp frond. The frond shifted in the surge, giving it an eerie flame quality in the back of the frame.
     
  
This very large worm (over 5-inches) was found under a large overhang. Reminded me of a 1970's tuxedo shirt.
   
Beautiful, small, rarely out in the open. Locally we call them Coffee Bean Shells.
   
Such a great color match, I don't know why these shrimp don't live on leather stars. This shrimp was running all aound this star.
     
  
Sponge Guts. Looking down the main vent of this sponge.
   
Named after Dave Behrens - an authority on sea slugs, with several books and scientific publications.
  
Small, rare Nudibranch. Shot on the gloved index finger of my dive buddy for scale.
     
  
Small, semi-transparent shrimp.
   
One of the most common SoCal Nudibranchs.
   
Cucumber face. Not what I expected.
     
  
Often found on Red Gorgonian.
  
Found perched on this pink algae.
  
These small worms cement together tubes out of sand, and wave in the surge.
     
  
This is the first one of these I've seen in Southern California.