Darnold9999
Contributor
I wouldn’t mind being a buddy to a photographer as I like to see interesting small things too, but if the photographer is really engrossed in their work, aren’t I functionally just solo diving if I get into trouble? I’m looking out for him but he’s looking out for a critter.
Depends on the photographer. It is rare I don't know where the DM is - even if I can't see them - they tend to be very predictable. While I do get engrossed in what I am doing, if I have a buddy, I keep an eye on them pretty constantly, and am generally aware of where they are and what they are doing. However there are times where the need to line up the shot means I am focusing on what I am doing not what my buddy is up to. First thing you do after taking the shot is locate your buddy in those situations. Having said all that I much prefer diving solo as a photographer - which is really off topic. I can spend as long as I want on a single creature.
However as a diver I can also spend a long time looking at one thing. Spent about 20 minutes on one dive in Lembeh watching a wonderpus dig a whole new burrow and go from an octopus hunting on the sand to a single eye poking out from the sand. (took a surprisingly long time and a fair amount of work) I think I took 4 shots during the entire process. Not at all photogenic, but really interesting - to me. With a buddy I would have likely had to move on. I like watching the behavior of fish and other creatures. Part of that is that it allows me to attempt to predict what a given creature will do next so I can get a better picture, but part of it is that they are often doing interesting things and often even more interesting things once they have gotten over their initial fright of this huge creature that has just invaded their space.