a fish’s view, originally uploaded by bphall.

This is one of my all-time favorite photos. It was late summer at the Casino Marine Park, Catalina island, CA, and I was solo diving in shallow water, about 25 feet, when I thought I fired off my last frame of velvia film. The water was calm and clear as I slowly moved up toward my exit. In 10-15 ft. of water I looked up and saw this scene, but thought I was out of film. I carry a magnifier to see the film counter on my old nikonos v underwater camera, and to my surprise I had two frames left. I took my time to capture this surreal moment. I’ve dived this spot a couple hundred times and have never seen this view, and haven’t since. Photography is always a moment never to return. This is a view of the Casino building from about ten feet underwater, with no tricks, just the refraction of the water.