Imagine being the first to capture the ocean's secrets in vivid color! This groundbreaking achievement in underwater photography was no easy feat, as revealed in this captivating story from the January 1927 issue of National Geographic magazine. Prepare to dive into the challenges faced and the ingenious solutions devised.
Dr. W. H. Longley, a renowned ichthyologist, and Charles Martin, a National Geographic Society photographer, embarked on a mission to pioneer natural color photography beneath the waves. Their journey began at the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys, where they encountered unique obstacles. The conventional autochrome plates failed to capture the vibrant marine life, prompting the development of a special technique. By hypersensitizing the plates, they reduced exposure times to a mere twentieth of a second, freezing the underwater action.
But here's where it gets tricky: the harsh conditions of the Dry Tortugas, with its dampness, scorching heat, and limited power, posed a threat to the delicate glass plates. To prevent the emulsion from melting, the team had to sensitize the plates at the crack of dawn, when the temperature was at its coolest.
As they ventured deeper, a new challenge emerged. At 15 feet below, the sunlight's power diminished, requiring an innovative solution. Mr. Martin engineered a flashlight-powder mechanism, allowing the photographer to illuminate their subjects at the perfect moment. This invention enabled the capture of stunning autochromes without hypersensitizing the plates.
And this is the part most people miss—the intricate synchronization of the flash with the camera shutter. The team had to ensure the shutter was open precisely when the flash reached its brightest. A pound of magnesium powder was ignited for each shot, creating an explosive spectacle. Imagine the nerve-wracking experience for the boat crew, waiting for hours, anticipating the blinding flash and deafening boom. The diver, meanwhile, had to time their shot perfectly, capturing the elusive marine life in the desired pose.
To alleviate this tension, the team devised a floating contraption with three small pontoons, supporting the battery, powder, and reflector. This allowed the diver to control the flash mechanism, keeping the boat crew at a safe distance from the explosion. Yet, setting up the electrical connections near the powder was a risky endeavor.
Tragedy struck when Dr. Longley suffered severe burns from a premature explosion, highlighting the dangers of this pioneering work. The camera, encased in brass with a glass window, was equipped with a supplementary hood and an acute-angle mirror, enabling the diver to focus without the cumbersome task of bending over in their heavy helmet.
Through perseverance and innovation, Longley and Martin succeeded in capturing the ocean's beauty in natural color, opening a new chapter in underwater photography. And the rest, as they say, is history!
