Subject:
The Bullock's Hypsolodoris (Hypsolodoris bullocki) is a species of sea slug that belongs to the family Chromodorididae. It is a stunningly beautiful creature, with a mantle that varies from pale pink to splashy mauve and rhinophores as well as gills going from pale yellow to bright orange, dark red and even deep purple, the colour palette of Bullock’s Hypsolodoris (hysolodoris bullocki) can be called broad but all variations have a purple hue. It is not really known if the different colour variations are all Bullock's Hypsolodoris or lookalikes and thus other members of the Dorid nudibranchs (Chromodorididae family). As an example Hypsolodoris apolegma is classified as a different species of nudibranch or it is maybe just a different colour variation of Bullock’s Hypsolodoris.
The Bullock's Hypsolodoris grows to a length of 7cm/2.7inch.
These nudibranchs are relatively common but only found in very specific areas. It is mostly found in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, particularly in the western regions, and in the Eastern part of the Indian Ocean (from Japan over the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to Northern Australia). It lives on the rich and diverse tropical coral reefs, where it feeds on sponges and other small organisms.
Technique:
It is always nice to get some of the blue water mass in the background. Using the vast blue of the ocean as background not only shows that the footage wasn’t filmed in an aquarium or fish tank. By doing so it also adds a bit of mystery to the scene, raising the question of what lies or lurks behind? Darkening the background makes the colourful nudibranch pop.
Colours are essential in underwater videography as they play a vital role in conveying the beauty and the natural vibrancy of the underwater world. Unlike the world above water, light behaves differently underwater, leading to a significant loss of colours in the images captured. Colours are filtered out in water in a way that some wavelengths of light penetrate deeper than others, leading to a colour shift, which can affect the appearance of objects.
Without colours, underwater footage would appear dull and lacklustre, failing to capture the true essence and beauty of the marine life and its surroundings. Colours are vital in creating visual interest and contrast, making the video footage more captivating and engaging for the viewer.
The use of artificial lighting, filters, and post-production editing techniques can help to restore and enhance the lost colours, improving the overall quality of the footage. Professional underwater videographers understand the importance of colours and invest in high-quality equipment to capture the true colours of the underwater world.
The different colours of marine life, such as vibrant coral, schools of fish, and sea anemones, play a vital role in attracting and communicating with each other. Thus, the colours captured in underwater videography can also provide valuable information about the marine life and their behaviours.
Colours are crucial in underwater videography as they bring life and vibrancy to the footage, making it more engaging and captivating for viewers. It is essential to understand the behaviour of light and water and use appropriate equipment and techniques to restore and enhance the lost colours to create beautiful and visually appealing underwater footage.
Filming location:
This short underwater videoclip has been filmed in Bali, Indonesia 🇮🇩
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