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Constantinos Petrinos & "Realm of a Pygmy Seahorse"
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Constantinos Petrinos
 Charlotte:
What is the most amazing/scary underwater experience you've ever had?
Constantinos: Long story but I will try to make it short. I was photographing my favorite subject, octopus, during a night dive. I was lying onthe sand and followed the octopus as it was foraging for food. Little did I know that I was lying among three deadly stonefish. I had two dive guides but they had failed to notice them because of their perfect camouflage colors. Suddenly I noticed a commotion between the dive guides. They were frantically moving their lights signaling to each other and bothering me with my octopus photography. But this looked serious so I interrupted. As the dive guide pointed at a big fat rock, I knew instantly that this was my worst nightmare: stonefish. Not one but three, two female sand one male. I slowly rose from the sand and stayed there to observe the stonefish. Once the big neoprene whale was out of the way, they engaged in foreplay and mated. The pair swam towards the surface, released a big cloud of eggs and sperm, and literally dropped to the substrate. No swim bladder to stop their freefall. When they hit the sand, they even bounced. Not something you witness every night.
Charlotte:
Do you have a favorite subject to photograph?
Constantinos: Octopus. I love observing their behavior. To give you an example: While in the Lembeh Strait, I observed an octopus as it was carefully selecting building materials to construct a home. It found a sachet from potato chips and some shells. Holding these materials with its legs, it walked on the sand. When it reached an appropriate spot, it folded the potato chip sachet in such a way so as to form a small tent. With its legs it covered it with sand and then closed the front entrance using the shells. When the construction was finished, only its two eyes were visible. I am fascinated to watch how the octopus selects different materials and uses them for home construction.
Charlotte:
Where can we buy your wonderful book: "Realm of the Pygmy Seahorse" ?
 Constantinos: In the USA, go to www.seachallengers.com. In Europe contact www.aquapress.co.uk In France, www.oceanes.com. In Italy, www.ilmare.com or email: ilmare@ilmare.com. In Asia, email info@asiangeographic.org.
Or check my website at www.petrinos.gr
Charlotte:
Do you have any practical tips for our readers interested in coming out to the Lembeh Strait in terms of preparation/equipment?
Constantinos: There is little wide-angle photography in the Strait. It is all muck diving and as a result photographers should have macro lenses. The Nikon 105mm and the 60mm are a must. I often use the Kenko 2x teleconverter with the 105mm but the depth of field is minimal. You need it for certain shots such as the Pygmy Seahorse. When is it a good time to go diving in the Lembeh Strait? I would say any time. I always come during the low season (December-April) and I have a great time. The visibility is not as good as during the high season (May-November) but do not forget that this is the macro photography Mecca of the world and you will not be shooting wide-angle anyway. Remember to bring lots of film. Once you hit the water, you will definitely be doing four dives a day, so plan your film supplies accordingly. You should not rely on getting film locally especially if you use film such as Fuji Provia. There are resident photographers practically every month at KBR. Check their Web site at www.kungkungan.com if you prefer to be on location with a particular photo pro.
Charlotte:
Can you tell us about your next projects?
Constantinos: I am currently working on a book about the behavior of nudibranchs, called “Nudibranchs: Flamboyant Butterflies of the Sea”. David Behrens is the author and I share the photos with Carine Schrurs. I have also published a children’s book entitled “A little seahorse called Fifis: the adventure begins”. It is in Greek and in the process of being translated in English and French. In short, the book talks about marine life through the adventures of a young seahorse. Last but not least, whenever I am at home I work towards a book on the marine life of Greece.
 Charlotte:
Do you give photography courses?
Constantinos: I generally do not give photography courses. I have only offered one photo course in the Red Sea. I find that photo courses distract me from my photography. Having said that, let me stress that while in the field, I often help other divers with their equipment and photography. I have no secrets and I am always willing to share tips AND subjects.
Charlotte:
Do you dive back home in Greece/ how is the diving there?
Constantinos: Diving in the Mediterranean is very different from the Caribbean or the Indo-Pacific. The environment and the fish are not as colorful and the Med has been over-fished for centuries. Dives are usually deep and you have to work in the 35 meter range if you want to find something other than invertebrates. Most resorts in the Med talk about night dives only in their brochures. Once you arrive there I am sure there will be several excuses as to why there is only one night dive per week. Resorts such as those in Greece, Spain or France do usually only two dives per day. If you count the total Cost/total Dives you will notice that it is far cheaper to go to an exotic destination, which is what I do.
Last but not least, please note that any reader that has a specific question about equipment or travel can contact me by email at info@petrinos.gr
 Thank you Constantinos!
Kungkungan Bay Resort
www.petrinos.gr
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