[Previous entry: "'ISLANDS IN THE STREAM' .....A small essential part in making this film."] [Next entry: "Swimming with Sharks ......... the art of underwater modeling."]

02/01/2005: "Underwater Models Part II ......and mating turtles."

A mirror calm surface producing beautiful reflections underwater, a colourful and pretty model who shows self-confidence AND a unique natural history subject - the magic ingredients for a good picture.

Turtles obviously do a lot of mating, but the trick is getting close without spooking them into fright and flight.

We were diving with Ron Isbel and noted USA underwater cameramen on a Wild Kingdom TV project near Heron Island, when my long-term model Christine Danaher spotted a splashing pair on the surface in the far distance.

My simple Nikonos V 15mm lens and no bulky strobe we swam toward the action. Christine modeled beautifully. She is a petite girl and a good diver in-so-far that she enjoys making contact with marine animals and has ultimate trust they know she means them no harm.

It seems to work. The turtle didn't mind our approach. A group of people in the water at the same time could have produced a different outcome.

So while there is safety in swimming underwater with a group, there are dis-advantages if you seek rare pictures like the one above, shown here, in low resolution to protect copyright.