2nd Place Underwater Digital Art

Jenny Stock

"Fire Babies"

Jenny Stock (www.jennystockphotography.co.uk) won a 14 night dive trip at Ambon, Indonesia Dive Resort from Spice Island Divers

The Story:

Cardinalfish are mouthbrooders. Females release an egg mass close to her chosen male. The male fertilises these eggs, then takes them into his mouth for incubation. Fathers are then unable to eat during the incubation period, although research has shown that they may partake in partial brood cannibalism - eating up to thirty percent of his brood. 

On a dive at Atlantis Dumaguete, I slowly approached this egg laden male. I waited patiently until he opened his mouth and aerated his babies. Later, in photoshop, I felt the bright orange of the cardinalfish would work well as licking flames. I got to work and made a smokey fire creation. Many thanks to Norway Luardo for his guiding skills at Atlantis Dumaguete.  

Location:

• Philippines, Atlantis Dumaguete, Dive site: Thalatta

Equipment Used:

• SONY A1, 
• Nauticam, 
• Retra strobes, 
• Sony 90mm

Camera Settings:

• F22 
• 1/125 
• ISO 100