Coral Garden
“Coral Garden” – Ofu Island, American Samoa – Floris van Breugel - Featured Photographer
I am ready to pack my scuba gear and head to Ofu Island. This is a photograph that could “launch 1,000 ships” as they say. I am not sure what is more beautiful, the island topography or the 100% coral coverage. I am also blown away by the split level image. Give me a thousand tries at the exact same place and time I could not duplicate such an image. Although it would be great fun to try! After reading Floris’s story below please check out his outstanding website at www.artinnaturephotography.com.
Enter Floris:
The isolated tropical paradise of Ofu, one of the Manu’a islands of American Samoa, is home to one of the most pristine and beautiful coral reefs of the south pacific, and it’s right off of a coconut palm lined beach with spectacular views of rugged green peaks. It is a challenge to get there with no regular transportation, but that is a small price to pay for the solitude you can find here. In the foreground of this image is a dense patch of Staghorn corals (Acropora). You can read more about this image, and my journey to Ofu, on my blog: http://www.artinnaturephotography.com/wordpress/2012/the-coral-garden-ofu-and-american-samoa/.
The Tech: Canon 5D2, 16-35mm mkII, Aquatech sport housing, 8in dome port, 2-stop screw-on graduated ND filter
Exposure: iso 400, f/16, 1/100th
Notes: this is a stitch of two exposures taken at different focus settings which was necessary to get the whole scene in focus due to the optics of the dome port.
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Amazing photo… I keep coming backvfor another look, so beautiful!
Absolutely stunning!
Stunning!!
Wow….. thank you for sharing this incredible image!
Stunning. I just keep staring….
Wow again.
Really pretty
Takes my breath away.
Absolutely beautiful! This photo took me to a place of peace, and I really needed that today!
Absolutely beautiful picture. It took me to a place of peace, and I really needed that today! Thank you.
I agree, ready to go snorkel or scuba…what an amazing place and an amazing photograph!
Very nice…it gives me the urge to fish in a hidden stream.
Beyond amazing!
No words really…reminds me somehow of Bali Hi in “South Pacific,” my favorite song/place from a musical! Thanks for this
You truly do have some amazing photos here. Thanks for sharing.
Stunning photo! It’s amazing to see what’s below the water as well as above it! =D
Incredible photography! There is so much beauty in the world. Thank you for sharing this with the world.
What an amazing image
My bags are packed!
This is so beautiful and peaceful. It actually looks more like a painting than a photograph! Your work is astounding!
Beautiful … but not one of the photos that make me – WOV!
breath-taking. I think this is the most beautiful photo I’ve ever seen.
Wow. This is just incredible!
Speechless…how do you find these amazing photographers?
beautiful!
The pictures you’ve been posting lately really make me want to travel.
Never seen live corral… I can see why the smaller fish love corral reefs.. so many places to hid….
gorgeous picture….. thanks for sharing….
Stunning!!
Love this. We generally only see coral out of the water, mostly white. This shows it in its living variety and beauty.
Beautiful photograph
a wonderful scene
The coral beneath the sea
Is a treasure chest
Of God’s creativity
http://www.godisiam.com
On so many levels this is an amazing picture! Thank you for making the effort to take it and share it xx