How to Photo Critters on Sea Fans

Each underwater environment has its own unique conditions and sea life. In a macro scale the ocean's creatures have adapted to the life in the "sand flats," or the "kelp bed," or the "open water." But there is also a micro scale of adaption. Imagine critters that have adapted uniquely to life among the spines of an urchin, or the mantel of an abalone, or the underside of a sea cucumber.

One of my favorite micro environments to photograph are the sea fans. We Californians are fortunate to have a number of sea fans that are quite beautiful. They come in hues of red, pink, golden, and brown. Their polyps often are colored to nicely complement the main stem color, and make excellent subjects for both macro and wide-angle photos.

Each sea fan creates its own micro environment and a haven for photogenic critters. One species that is only found on red and rare purple sea fans is the simnia. This little cowry-like shell only grows to an inch or so long and lives on, feeds on, mates and lays on a single sea fan. The most difficult thing about photographing these shells is finding them, since their shell is the same color as the sea fan stalk and their mantle has little white appendages, much like the polyps of the sea fan.

To find simnia look for red sea fans on a sand bottom, or one near, but not on a rocky wall. Look very carefully at each branch of the sea fan. In the Northern Channel Islands simnia are very common. Once found, you will need a camera that will focus to 1:1 reproduction ratio. That is, the image on film is the same size as the subject.

Since these shells may not fill the entire 1:1 frame, you will need to think about composition a bit. Look for shells doing interesting things, like mating or laying eggs. Try to use the leading lines created by the sea fan to form a pleasing composition. Diagonal lines are normally more pleasing than horizontal or vertical lines. Also, if your simnia does not fill the entire frame, try placing the shell in one of the photo's corners, rather in the center.

Think about controlling your background as well. With a 1:1 framer, your depth of field is small and it is easy to isolate your subject from the background. If you shoot down at your shell you may pick up distracting objects on the sea floor. Try shooting up at, or at least level with your shell to further isolate your subject from the background and get a jet-black background.

Another critter common to, but not unique to, red sea fans is the festive triton. These striking white nudibranchs feed on sea fan polyps and make vivid subjects against the background of a bright-red sea fan. Tritons are a bit larger than simnias and a 1:2 or 1:1 framer is ideal. Again, you will need to think about composition and control backgrounds.

Remember that each and every sea fan has some interesting critter living on it. Some are photogenic and some are not, but all are there to enjoy if you take the time to look. Remember though, finding a photogenic critter does not give you the right to trash its home. If you find one deep within a sea fan, check out the fan nearby rather than forcing a photo-op that was never meant to happen.

Bruce Watkins is a frequent contributor to California Diving News. He will be giving seminars at SCUBA Show 2000, June 3 & 4 at the Long Beach Convention Center. And he is author of the book A Diver's Guide to Monterey County and soon to be released book A Diver's Guide to Northern California.