Submerged at the shifting boundary where the ocean meets the air, a breathtaking duality unfolds along a remote Pacific coastline. Below the surface, an underwater paradise thrives in crystal-clear water, where golden sunbeams pierce the shallows to trace patterns over ancient brain corals and ripples of fine white sand. Just inches above, the tropical world stands tall under a brilliant blue sky, lined with towering palms that sway over a rugged, rocky shore. Drifting quietly in the swell, the lens captures this simultaneous glimpse of Fiji's hidden marine treasures and its sun-drenched canopy, suspended in a singular, perfect balance of land and sea.
How to capture this image
To successfully execute an over-under (split-shot) photograph like this, you must use a specialized underwater housing paired with a large dome port, ideally 8 to 10 inches in diameter. The large dome pushes the water's meniscus further away from the lens, making the water line thinner and easier to manage. Shoot with an ultra-wide angle lens at a narrow aperture between f/11 and f/16 to maximize depth of field, keeping both the close-up coral below and the distant palm trees above in sharp focus. Additionally, apply an anti-fog or water-shedding solution to the top half of the dome to prevent stray water droplets from ruining the topside portion of the frame.
