Description
LOCATION: Fiji
STORY:
Fiji carries the nickname, “The Soft Coral Capital of the World”, and divers flock there to see reefs of the most vibrant palettes, teaming with life. While planning my trip to Fiji, in my research, I came across an photo of this exact spot, and began emailing it to friends who have spent time there, and Fijian dive shops to see if any of the guides could identify the location. After what seemed like hundreds of messages, I finally got an email back saying, “Yes, that’s right in my backyard!”, and I immediately making sketches to plan my shot and booked that part of the trip.
If you know your dendronephthya soft corals, you know they come in almost every color of the rainbow. But the light bluish colored version is very rare and special indeed. It’s likely the same species that grows on the nearby world famous White Wall – an iconic dive site that is a deep sheer cliff, coated in this sun-loathing blue coral. Well, “sun-loathing” may be somewhat of a misnomer. Unlike many other corals, this type soft coral does not have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic zooxanthellae. Those that do, treat access to sunlight as a top priority, attacking and stinging other corals in a constant fight for prime real estate. Without the need for sun, this special type finds it easiest to compete for space away from sunlight; for example, hanging upside-down on the underside of this large ledge on the Rainbow Reef, or deep down the shadowed side of the White Wall. Without the need to fight off algae & other photosynthetic organisms, this beautiful & rare coral can dominate it’s habitat.
Of course, that shadowed area requires me to use loads of light from my flashes. I’m using far more strobes than any photographer would consider sane, making my camera rig unweildy and very heavy. Add to that, the fact that dendronephthya corals only puff up and show off in times of very high current, and nobody wants a limp dendronephthya… I timed my multiple visits to this spot to be at the moments with the absolute highest tidal current sweeping over the reef. With the constant battle against the relentless current and the ridiculous amount of lighting my vision required, to say that I worked for this one would be a gross understatement!
Coral Castle is now available in the SeaScapes Collection starting at 16×24″ and customized up to 250″ wide. It joins some of our most vibrant South Pacific reef scenes such as Candyland, Birthday Cake & Silver Streak. We find shots like this prefer a minimalist white or neutral decor where they can be the single pop of color and be the room’s focal point statement piece, rather than complimentary to other art in the room. Call, email, or stop in for a design consultation with out talented staff and let us bring the vibrancy of the ocean to your wall.