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Jellies: Living Art

aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
edited September 3, 2008 in Other Cool Shots
And they are indeed living art – Jellies from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with them during a private party. I hate to admit it, but I was looking forward to photographing the uncrowded exhibits rather than attending the party itself (which was wonderful) and was a bit over-whelmed through the night. I don’t know if I’ll ever get this chance again and I think I was in a bit of panic because I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity. I missed a few shots that I wanted to get.

1. Like a blooming flower
353445436_ocd7i-M-1.jpg

2. Like a little mushroom
353195409_NaLTv-M-2.jpg

3. Translucent
353195928_Arqn7-M-2.jpg

4. Egg Yokes
353194484_SKbmE-M-3.jpg

5. Ghost-like (BW)
353255339_zrJJu-M-1.jpg

6. Polka Dots
353195048_5Xkig-M-2.jpg

7. Glowing
353195100_mShXX-M-2.jpg

8. Up up and away
353195161_cP2gC-M-2.jpg

9. Red
353195232_Xsgu9-M-2.jpg

This exhibit is closing near the end of August 2008. If you have a chance, I highly recommend you go!

C&C welcomed and appreciated.
http://aktse.smugmug.com/

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    pyrypyry Registered Users Posts: 1,733 Major grins
    edited August 17, 2008
    Jellies, sweet! lol3.gif

    Excellent pictures April, I love the colour and strong but soft contrasts.
    Creativity's hard.

    http://pyryekholm.kuvat.fi/
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    Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited August 17, 2008
    Superb beautiful colors and bws thumb.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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    eL eSs VeeeL eSs Vee Registered Users Posts: 1,243 Major grins
    edited August 17, 2008
    Beautiful images! Number 7, Glowing, got a "Wow" out of me: Simple and powerful. Great work! thumb.gif
    Lee
    __________________

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    "If you've found a magic that does something for you, honey, stick to it. Never change it." - Mae West, to Edith Head.
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    Raina.RaeRaina.Rae Registered Users Posts: 205 Major grins
    edited August 17, 2008
    I love your jellies. The color is amazing. I'm slightly jelous, because your jellies look like they were cooperating compared to the once at Alburquerque Aquarium that I shot recently. Again I love the shots and the colors.
    Heather
    www.munchkinphotos.smugmug.com
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    aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited August 18, 2008
    pyry wrote:
    Jellies, sweet! lol3.gif

    Excellent pictures April, I love the colour and strong but soft contrasts.

    I love jellies! And that was exactly what I was going for in the post!
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
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    aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited August 18, 2008
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    Superb beautiful colors and bws thumb.gif

    I wasn't sure if the BW would even work since I wanted to show off the color. Thanks for the comments!
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
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    aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited August 18, 2008
    eL eSs Vee wrote:
    Beautiful images! Number 7, Glowing, got a "Wow" out of me: Simple and powerful. Great work! thumb.gif

    I think that one was of my favorites too!
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
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    aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited August 18, 2008
    Raina.Rae wrote:
    I love your jellies. The color is amazing. I'm slightly jelous, because your jellies look like they were cooperating compared to the once at Alburquerque Aquarium that I shot recently. Again I love the shots and the colors.

    I think the hardest thing for aquarium is the crowd and patience since most jelly fish exhibits are filled with people.

    I was lucky enough to have some alone time with these beautiful creatures and could stand there and wait until they floated into place.

    I highly doubt that I'll get this opportunity again.
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
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    TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited August 18, 2008
    aktse wrote:
    I hate to admit it, but I was looking forward to photographing the uncrowded exhibits rather than attending the party itself .

    thats my kind of thinking.thumb.gif

    wished i could have been there, those shots are sweet!
    Aaron Nelson
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    aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited August 18, 2008
    AaronNelson wrote:
    thats my kind of thinking.thumb.gif
    ...
    I wished other photo people were there too... they would have given me some new ideas (translation: I chimp their shots and try to copy the good composition ideas). rolleyes1.gif

    I even was allowed to bring in a tripod, but I didn't use it very much. And I should have done more with my fisheye...

    353044195_SBQVD-S.jpg

    And there are a few photos of me on flat on the ground in my short, black cocktail dress, shooting upwards -- should have done so much more!

    And by the end of the night... my feet were killing me!
    353194657_FQUXy-S-3.jpg

    Cocktail dress, heels and crumpler backpack full of gear don't mix. :D

    But it was so worth it.
    353255430_af3b8-S-1.jpg
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
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    dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited August 29, 2008
    April,

    I never had a chance to say thank you. Your awesome pictures inspired me on my own quest to capture one of natures most awesome displays of beauty.bowdown.gifbowbowdown.gif
    My Homepage :thumb-->http://dthorp.smugmug.com
    My Photo Blog -->http://dthorpphoto.blogspot.com/
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    jeffmeyersjeffmeyers Registered Users Posts: 1,535 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2008
    Great, colorful images. Good photo work!
    More Photography . . . Less Photoshop [. . . except when I do it]
    Jeff Meyers
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    SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2008
    April,

    Nicely done. It's not easy to shoot through glass.

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
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    SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2008
    aktse wrote:
    And they are indeed living art – Jellies from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

    I was lucky enough to spend some time with them during a private party. I hate to admit it, but I was looking forward to photographing the uncrowded exhibits rather than attending the party itself (which was wonderful) and was a bit over-whelmed through the night. I don’t know if I’ll ever get this chance again and I think I was in a bit of panic because I was given a once in a lifetime opportunity. I missed a few shots that I wanted to get.

    1. Like a blooming flower
    2. Like a little mushroom
    3. Translucent
    4. Egg Yokes
    5. Ghost-like (BW)
    6. Polka Dots
    7. Glowing
    8. Up up and away
    9. Red

    This exhibit is closing near the end of August 2008. If you have a chance, I highly recommend you go!

    C&C welcomed and appreciated.

    Awesome April, I am so happy that you took me there so I could see all those wonderful amazing Jelly Fish too clap.gif .... Thank you :D

    I like those circular shots, your really loving that lens aren't you.

    Watching those Jelly Fish is very relaxing, the shapes and colours just amazed me ........... lovely Series April thumb.gif ... Skippy :D
    .
    .
    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
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    Ann McRaeAnn McRae Registered Users Posts: 4,584 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2008
    Gorgeous, April. Wish I was there to see you on the ground in your cocktail dress.

    ann

    My Galleries     My Photography BLOG
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    mr peasmr peas Registered Users Posts: 1,369 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2008
    Very pretty
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    pug8pug8 Registered Users Posts: 113 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2008
    I went to an aquarium by the sea during the summer vacation, but my jelly photos, I found, were too noisy. Fascninating creatures, especially the ones with flashing multi-coloured lights.

    You did a really good job with yours.
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    grimacegrimace Registered Users Posts: 1,534 Major grins
    edited September 2, 2008
    Beautiful work April!!
    -Adam
    www.adamstravelphotography.com

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    aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited September 2, 2008
    dadwtwins wrote:
    Your awesome pictures inspired me on my own quest to capture one of natures most awesome displays of beauty.
    You did a fine job yourself during your own trip. I was just lucky that I didn't have deal with the crowds.
    jeffmeyers wrote:
    Great, colorful images. Good photo work!
    Thank you so much for your kind words!
    Sam wrote:
    Nicely done. It's not easy to shoot through glass.
    This was easy compared to my usual subjects -- ice hockey! This glass is actually clear, unscratched with puck marks, and people actually clean it!
    Skippy wrote:
    I like those circular shots, your really loving that lens aren't you.
    The fisheye is quite fun to play with and does have its moments. I'm still learning how to use it!
    Ann McRae wrote:
    Gorgeous, April. Wish I was there to see you on the ground in your cocktail dress.
    Unfortunately, there is a picture of me. I did it late in the evening hoping that people would drunk enough ignore or forget about it -- no such luck. eek7.gif
    mr peas wrote:
    Very pretty
    Pretty is easy with such a beautiful subject!
    pug8 wrote:
    I went to an aquarium by the sea during the summer vacation, but my jelly photos, I found, were too noisy....
    You did a really good job with yours.
    Noise can be an issue at high ISO, but it's less of a problem when you nail the exposure.
    grimace wrote:
    Beautiful work April!!
    Thanks Adam! You would love the jellies! And if you're in the bay area again, head south because it's always worth a visit.
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
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    aktseaktse Registered Users Posts: 1,928 Major grins
    edited September 3, 2008
    From the moment that I heard about the party, I wanted this shot: fisheye & the center of the entrance with the 360 degree view of the fishes

    And I got it (or something close)
    364617546_ZhT8u-M.jpg

    So.... me. spaghetti strapped cocktail dress with shawl. two inch heels. floor.

    I'm in the middle of the main entrance to the Outer Bay Exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium .

    I got a small copy from my friend and permission to post it. I figured if I post it, she can't blackmail me in the future. :D

    sigh.. here's goes....

    364593071_oUcux-X2.jpg

    Do you like how the guy behind me is pointing and laughing at me?????


    And I did get back at her rolleyes1.gif
    364612445_s2SCr-M.jpg

    Would I do it again?

    in a heartbeat! :D
    http://aktse.smugmug.com/
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    dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited September 3, 2008
    aktse wrote:
    sigh.. here's goes....

    364593071_oUcux-X2.jpg

    What lengths photographers have to go through for a shotrolleyes1.gif

    I hope the guy at least helped you get back up:D
    My Homepage :thumb-->http://dthorp.smugmug.com
    My Photo Blog -->http://dthorpphoto.blogspot.com/
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    pyrypyry Registered Users Posts: 1,733 Major grins
    edited September 3, 2008
    How about laying the camera on the floor flat on its back mwink.gif

    I like that you were willing to do that for the shot, good work :D
    Creativity's hard.

    http://pyryekholm.kuvat.fi/
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    DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited September 3, 2008
    Some really great shots, April! thumb.gif

    I was in the same place with my own private reception (nerd conference) just a few weeks ago. Really nicely setup exhibit, isn't it? It wasn't just any scientist who designed it, there was clearly some good art heads involved. The colors and lighting in general were striking.

    horrible photo, but I really loved this color contrast:
    356152486_8oJir-S-1.jpg
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]

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    jasonstonejasonstone Registered Users Posts: 735 Major grins
    edited September 3, 2008
    Snap!
    Nice pics!

    They look familiar mwink.gif

    356385860_yMf3Q-M.jpg

    I was there with my wife and 2 kids during our 2 week California trip.

    I unfortunately didn't get so many as I was busy chasing two little devils aged 4 and not-quite-2 around with my wife ;)

    356384845_PhtiN-M.jpg
    Jase // www.stonesque.com
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