Subject:
Believe it or not, but these mesmerising looking plumes are the radioles of a Feather Duster worm. Feather duster worms are a family of marine tube worms named Sabellidae. They are characterised by protruding multicoloured feathery branchia (like gills) which are used to breathe and catch small food particles, phytoplankton and zooplankton, that are floating by.
These predation-vulnerable feeding and breathing appendages can be retracted into the worm's tube at the slightest sense of danger. Triggerfish, wrasse, angelfish, and butterflyfish are known to feed on these multicoloured crowns of breathing and feeding tentacles.
These tubes, in which the worm retracts, are made of tough mucus excretion, strengthened with sand and bits of shells. The life cycle of the Feather Duster worm starts with a free-living microscopic larva that settles on the reef and metamorphoses into the adult form.
Technique:
Close-ups always reveal many elements that would otherwise go unnoticed. Detailed shots like this one of the radioles often deliver beautiful images. Underwater videography is a challenging but rewarding field that allows scuba divers to capture stunning footage of marine life.
However, capturing high-quality footage of underwater creatures can be challenging due to the distortion of light and colours in water, which can make it difficult to capture the details and intricacies of aquatic animals. That's why using close-up shots is such an essential tool for underwater videographers.
Close-up shots allow videographers to capture the intricate details of marine life, from the texture of an animal's skin to the movement of their fins and tails. By using close-ups, underwater videographers can showcase in great detail the beauty and complexity of marine life in a way that would be difficult to capture with wider shots.
One of the key tools that underwater videographers use to achieve close-up shots is a dioptre lens. A dioptre lens is essentially a magnifying lens that is attached to the front of the camera's lens or to the underwater housing’s dome as a wet lens. This wet lens allows the videographer to switch between macro and standard or even wide-angle shots in a split second. By doing so, they can film the same critter in more detail. This is done without sacrificing image quality or sharpness and can record things like coral polyps, tiny fish, nudibranch, shrimps and other underwater creatures that may be too small to see with the naked eye.
Close-up shots are not only important for capturing the beauty and intricacy of marine life but also for telling a story. By using close-up shots, underwater videographers can draw attention to particular aspects of the scene, such as the underwater animal's behaviour. This can help to create a sense of narrative and draw the viewer's attention to specific details.
In addition to using dioptre and/or macro lenses, underwater videographers may also use other techniques to achieve close-up shots, such as zooming in on the subject or using a low-angle shot to capture the animal from below. However, using a dioptre or macro lens is often the most effective way to achieve high-quality close-up shots of marine life.
Close-up shots are an essential tool for underwater videographers to capture stunning footage of marine life. Using dioptre and/or macro lenses, underwater videographers can get up close and personal with their subjects, showcasing the beauty and intricacy of aquatic and marine animals. By using close-ups, videographers can also tell a story and draw attention to particular aspects of the scene, creating a compelling and visually stunning video.
Filming location:
This short underwater videoclip has been filmed in Bali, Indonesia 🇮🇩
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