Michael Braunstein
August 2026 - Puffer Filefish
About the Image(s)
The size if these ranges from 0.8cm to 2cm so all are under an inch. I used a Canon 5D Mark/1/4 and a Canon 100mm lena. I do not remember if I used any diopters in front but probably not since using them with swimming fish its difficult. The photo was taken in Lembeh Straights, Indonesia. I use 2 flashes made by Sea and Sea. Settings were 1/200th. F29 and ISO 125. Photoshop Raw was used for processing. The critters upper right might be Isopods.
8 comments posted
A very nice macro shot of this fish. The color is very vibrant and the fish is sharp from front to back which I find difficult in macro or close-up shots. I like the background. It has enough detail without being distracting. Nice shot. Posted: 08/08/2026 15:25:19
thanks Posted: 08/08/2026 15:54:26
Wow Michael - such detail through the glass. I have never seen a puffer fish this color before! Excellent shot :) Posted: 08/11/2026 12:05:21
It is a juvenile which explains the yellow color. My mistake for not putting juvenile Posted: 08/11/2026 14:37:03
Michael, this is a superb image of a juvenile pufferfish. It virtually pops off the screen!
Underwater, do you have the same control over depth of field that you have on land using different f-stops? Most of the background is beautifully non-distracting. At first, I thought you might want to get rid of the pinkish reef in the upper right, but then I looked closer and realized it was covered with shrimp and fish-which makes the image even more interesting.
Underwater photography is fascinating, and you are exceptionally good at it. Your images really make me appreciate how much there is to see beneath the surface. Posted: 08/11/2026 15:55:11
Underwater, do you have the same control over depth of field that you have on land using different f-stops? Most of the background is beautifully non-distracting. At first, I thought you might want to get rid of the pinkish reef in the upper right, but then I looked closer and realized it was covered with shrimp and fish-which makes the image even more interesting.
Underwater photography is fascinating, and you are exceptionally good at it. Your images really make me appreciate how much there is to see beneath the surface. Posted: 08/11/2026 15:55:11
Everything is magnified 1/3rd under water which is a plus but flash will only go about 5 feet. Depth of field is the same as above water except for those 2 items. However, I use a macro lens the most and usually us F25 or 29. In the real world and not some testing lab those F stops are sharp. If I am adding diopters to the 100mm I always use F29.
Posted: 08/11/2026 16:58:19
Posted: 08/11/2026 16:58:19
Michael, I know seeing your work over the past few years that your underwater work is heads and tails above mine. Thank you for the info. Living in Key West 6 month out of every year we go out to the reefs and the abundance of fish is absolutely amazing! Posted: 08/11/2026 18:57:55
Let me know if you want tips for macro or wide angle. My system is 18 years old so nothing special.
Posted: 08/17/2026 02:07:53
Posted: 08/17/2026 02:07:53