Tag Archives: Okinawa underwater photographers

Light & Motion Sola Photo 1200 – The Ultimate Focus Light For Night Divers

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The Light & Motion Sola Photo 1200 is the most popular modeling light used for underwater macro photography. I have been using Sola lights for over seven years now. All Light & Motion lights are easy to use, lightweight, and reliable. My favorite feature of the Sola Photo 1200 is the red light option. This feature enables the user to photograph marine life without disturbing them. Some marine animals do not see red light.

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Sola 1200 focus light

Best features of the L&M Sola Photo 1200 

  • Factory sealed body ensures flood-free performance
  • Compatible with a ball mount, ys mount and loc-line
  • SOS mode – Emergency function
  • Adjustable light output -1200 lumens (white light max)
  • Red light feature
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Nauticam housing – Nikon D500

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Nudibranch and Sola 1200

The red light feature works outstanding underwater. Get creative with blending red and white light during your dives.

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Sea cucumber Art

The red light feature works great for photographing nudibranch’s, sea turtles, and cephalopods during night-dives. These animals are less affected by the red light. 

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Nauticam and Sola 1200

Check out the eye of the cuttlefish. The pupil is wide open (dilated)

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Photographed using the Sola 1200 (red)

With white light, the pupil is constricted. The cuttlefish looks irritated by the bright light.

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Photographed using the Sola 1200 (white)

Below are a few photographs of my dive buddies using the red feature.

Motion sickness (In camera triple exposure)

Multiple exposure Ie Island

Scuba-diving with a spin (RCS)

Scuba-diving with a spin

If you would like to test the Sola Photo 1200, please let me know. Friends and supporters – Save 20% off your first Light & Motion purchase https://prz.io/648x6bGC1

Learn more about this product and accessories offered at the Light & Motion Website.

Shawn Miller Underwater by Russell Gilbert

I want to thank Tokina, Light & Motion, Nightsea, and Black Fin Grouper for all their continuous support over the years.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

The Red Coral of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

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One of my favorite types of coral is the red knotted sea fan ( Melithaea ochracea ). Mainly because of the color and the branching pattern. The vibrant red coral, white polyps and the blue water compliment one another. There are many small marine animals that thrive on the red tree of life. This beauty was photographed in the blue waters between Izena and Iheya Island.

14545289327_5e18d36098_bApril 4th 2019, I stumbled upon some colorful micro flatworms that I have never seen before.  Leslie Harris informed me that these fast moving slugs were potentially undocumented benthic ctenophores.

  • Name: Coeloplana sp
  • Benthic ctenophore
  • Size: 8mm-10mm
  • Location: Okinawa, Japan
  • Depth: 40feet

Can you see how well the benthic ctenophore blends in with its host?  This is a great example of mimicry.

DSC_2247Look close at the tiny chamber mounds. These mounds hold the stinging tentacles that are used for catching food and possibly for protection.

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I found this strange benthic ctenophore (Coeloplana sp) on a dive near Ikea Island. When I first saw the ctenophore, the long stinging cells were extended out in hunting mode.

IMG_2755Some benthic ctenophores live on starfish (Echinaster luzonicus), look close and you can see the stinging cells.

A blue starfish (Linkia laevigata) infested with benthic ctenophores

My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically  to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.  Shawn M Miller.

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

Moai Statue Found Underwater, Okinawa-Japan

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A  friend and I stumbled upon a Moai statue underwater. The statue had a good amount of surface growth on it as if it been underwater for a long time.  Is It possible Typhoon Trami uncovered this statue? or did someone place it there on purpose for an underwater treasure hunt?  Typhoon Trami was devastating and destroyed the coral and killed a good amount of marine life.

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Moai statue- Ryukyu Islands

Regardless if the underwater statue is authentic or not, I was excited when I found it. I have never seen anything like this underwater.  I got the same feeling when I went to Yonaguni to see the underwater monument.

  • Moai replica statue size: Two feet in length
  • Dive spot: Kadena north steps
  • Location: Okinawa, Japan.
  • Depth: Forty-five feet
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Moai statue- Ryukyu Islands

Recent update: The mystery has been solved. It was purposely placed there by a dive instructor for a treasure hunt! The statue is not authentic but still a cool find.

I was not well prepared to photograph a subject of this size. The plan was to photograph tiny nudibranchs and gastropods. I had my underwater rig setup with a designated 60mm macro lens.

Underwater Equipment used:

  • Nikon D500 +Nikon AF-S 60mm macro lens
  • Nauticam Na-D500
  • Light & Motion Sola 3800
  • Sea & Sea YS-D2 strobes

Please do not use any images without my permission. Know your nature with Shawn Miller, have a great day!