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PLAMENA MILEVA
HALKIDIKI, GREECEBEHIND THE SHOT: While I was trying
to focus on a miniature anemone tube
worm (Serpula Vermicularis), the focus
of my lens stopped at the grass just in
front of it. So random luck gave me
a different point of view. The detail
revealed on this grass was amazing—
just like a whole new universe.
CAMERA: Canon 5D Mark III in an Ikelite
housing; two Ikelite DS161 strobes;
Canon EF100 f/2.8 Macro USM lens
SETTINGS: f/20, 1/160, ISO 100
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PETE MESLEY
GALAPAGOS ISLANDSBEHIND THE SHOT: This is the scene
divers hope for when they visit Darwin’s
Arch in the Galapagos Islands. We
watched in amazement from the sandy
bottom as hundreds upon hundreds of
these majestic scalloped hammerhead
sharks sliced through the ripping cur-
rents with great ease. Our position on
the bottom of the site’s shallow portion
allowed me to set up this upward shot
as the fish schooled overhead, lining up
perfectly to let the light shine through—
an unforgettable sight.
CAMERA GEAR: Nikon D810; Sigma
15mm fisheye lens
SETTINGS: f/8, 1/400, ISO 400
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BRUNO VAN SAEN
ROMBLON, PHILIPPINESBEHIND THE SHOT: The sandy bottom
of Romblon is home to one of the main
attractions on this small island—sea
slugs. Specifically, the tiger butterfly
sea slug or Cyerce nigra. Just like the
four wings of a butterfly, this sea slug
seems to be in possession of a dozen
brightly colored wings. Their colorful
wings quickly flutter back and forth and
can regularly cover their eyes. My mis-
sion was to be patient , bring the two
eyes of this 1-centimeter-long sea slug
into focus, and shoot!
CAMERA GEAR: Nikon D810 in a Hugyfot
housing; SMC-1 + Multiplier convertor;
two Inon Z-240 strobes
SETTINGS: f/20, 1/250, ISO 400
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REIKO TAKAHASHI
ISHIGAKI ISLAND,
OKINAWA, JAPANBEHIND THE SHOT: During the summer
in August 2017, the seawater tempera-
ture reached 86 degrees Fahrenheit and
colorful sea anemones were fading to
white. This photo was taken during
winter in February 2018, after the rav-
aged sea anemones recovered and
returned to their original color.
CAMERA GEAR: Nikon D800 in an Anthis
Nexus D800 housing; Micro Nikkor
105mm f/2.8 lens; Sea&Sea YS-D2J
strobes
SETTINGS: f/13, 1/125, ISO 12512
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