It’s a small world after all; and it’s even smaller when you’re into macro photography! In the central Philippines, on the next island off the southern tip of Cebu is Dumaguete City. And south of Dumaguete City, a mere 30-minute drive, lies Dauin — a quiet coastal town that’s making noise for its amazing shore dives and muck diving.
As part of The Coral Triangle, the Philippines is blessed with several world-class destinations like Anilao and Tubbataha, which draw seasoned underwater (UW) photographers hoping to snap the glory of marine life (and possibly an award-winning shot). In Dauin, small is beautiful, with 18 of its fascinating dive sites within easy reach.
We caught up with Colin Salmon (Yep, that’s his name!), an UW photographer, who frequents Dauin’s dive sites, to ask him what makes the area great for macro photography, and what he’s found in more than 800 dives here in the last two years.
The Technique of Macro Photography
He reminded us that macro photography is taking pictures of very small subjects. And said that the Philippines, thanks to its amazing biodiversity, is full of, “beautiful, incredible, strange, oddly shaped, and colourful critters.”
“Tiny shrimps, crabs, frogfish, ghost pipefish, sea slugs, and countless reef fish await an opportunity to display their magnificence,” he says. For UW photographers, the diversity of marine life in Dauin is a perfect training ground for improving their macro skills, or trying their hand at macro photography for the first time.
The Dauin Sanctuary has an easy sandy beach entry and exit, which is extra comfortable for divers spending long hours in the water. The sanctuary is protected from the currents, so you can get in at almost any time. The Masaplod sites are a bit more exposed and a little less crowded. Macro photographers will want to check at tide table and avoid high and low tides, when the water movement makes you drift from your subjects.
There’s so Much to Explore
“Every dive site in Dauin has its own configuration and inhabitants,” says Colin. “It’s amazing how just a few hundred meters from one place to another, marine life can be different!”
Colin says the best time of year for marine life enthusiasts to shoot in Dauin is from March to May. “During this time, the water is getting warmer and many different species of animals abound in this short duration,” he says. “The diving here is great all year round, but in this window the conditions are just right.”
Of all his images, Colin’s favorite is of a nudibranch (Hypselodoris tryoni) with a red background, which he named ‘Come on Nudi, Light my Fire.’ “I tried different lightning techniques on this subject that was nice enough to stay still for a few minutes,” he says. “Until I got, at the right angle, this red coral at the back of the picture, giving the impression of a fire behind this nudibranch.”
And no matter how many times he’s dived there, Colin says Dauin continues to surprise and delight: “As soon as I have free time, I get back in the water with my camera, macro lens and underwater strobe to hunt for friendly critters who are happy to strike a pose!”
Visit Colin Salmon’s website here: https://www.colinsalmon.com/underwater
Can’t wait for your dive trip to the Philippines? See our Top 7 Reasons You Will Love Diving Here.
