I recently returned to Sharm El Sheikh as a special guest for an underwater photography event hosted by the Sinai Dive Club, my go-to dive center for the Red Sea. While I’ve always specialized in super macro photography, I took this opportunity to focus on wide-angle shooting and run a thorough field test of the new Ikelite DS230 Strobes, kindly provided by the American brand I proudly represent as an ambassador.
The DS230 strobes are not just powerful and dependable — they are tools that expand your creative freedom.
1/160 • f/13 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
Between the marine parks of Ras Mohammed and Tiran — as well as the so-called “local” dive sites, which are just as full of life — I encountered some of the Red Sea’s most iconic underwater landscapes: coral pinnacles, giant sea fans, clouds of glass fish, and large pelagic visitors crossing the blue. These breathtaking scenes are not only beautiful, but also demanding when it comes to lighting — and this is where the DS230s truly excelled.
The quality of light is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Ikelite strobes: soft, even, and beautifully graduated, even when working in water with some suspension.
1/250 • f/22 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
Power Meets Precision
The Ikelite DS230 delivers a rare combination of raw power and precise control. With a guide number of 32 and a 120° beam angle (without diffuser), it’s designed for photographers who want both reach and finesse. I used them extensively in backlit compositions, positioning them behind large gorgonians or off to the sides of coral structures to bring out volume and texture without flattening the scene.
1/160 • f/18 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
The quality of light is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Ikelite strobes: soft, even, and beautifully graduated, even when working in water with some suspension. With proper strobe placement, backscatter is minimized, and subjects stand out in a natural, almost three-dimensional way.
Whether I was lighting expansive seascapes or isolating key elements within the reef, the strobes delivered excellent coverage and color consistency.
1/100 • f/8 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
Whether I was lighting expansive seascapes or isolating key elements within the reef, the strobes delivered excellent coverage and color consistency. Compared to my already impressive DS161s, I immediately noticed a clear boost in power — allowing me to push my settings further, even in challenging conditions. Fine details like the polyps of soft corals or the rugged texture of a resting grouper came out crisp and true.
1/80 • f/11 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
Shooting on the Edge
I deliberately pushed the DS230s into demanding scenarios: extreme backlighting to paint with sunlight and black backgrounds, side lighting of large structures, and fast shots of swirling fish schools. The quick recycle time kept up with the action, ensuring I never missed a key moment.
1/250 • f/22 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
Biology in the Spotlight
Throughout the dives, I encountered a wide variety of subjects in both low-light and particulate-heavy environments. The strobes allowed me to precisely shape the light, enhancing contrast, color, and detail without ever overpowering the scene. Even when ambient light was sufficient, the DS230s let me craft the mood of each image — making it more expressive and visually compelling.
1/160 • f/18 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
The DS230 strobes are not just powerful and dependable — they are tools that expand your creative freedom. They allow you to think in terms of light, to sculpt it, to use it as a compositional element. In every image, I felt I had both control and strength, but also subtlety and elegance.
The quick recycle time kept up with the action, ensuring I never missed a key moment.
1/200 • f/22 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
As a photographer, I can confidently say these strobes are truly remarkable: they go where you go, perform when you need them, and most importantly, they inspire you. If you, like me, tell ocean stories through images, the DS230s become more than just gear — they become partners in your vision.
The Ikelite DS230 delivers a rare combination of raw power and precise control.
1/80 • f/16 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
1/160 • f/13 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
1/200 • f/20 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
1/250 • f/20 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
1/100 • f/14 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
1/200 • f/16 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
1/200 • f/16 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
1/250 • f/22 • ISO 100 © Lorenzo Terraneo
Additional Viewing
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4 Creative Uses for Backscatter in Underwater Images
Macro in Lembeh Strait with the Nikon 60mm and Kenko 1.4x Teleconverter
Ambassador Lorenzo Terraneo, from Milan, Italy, works in the world of communication and web marketing and is a journalist enrolled in the Register. In 2010, he joined a strong passion for the sea and diving with one for photography that has accompanied him since his first analog Nikon SLR. Passionate about marine and terrestrial biology, he is always looking to recreate the magical meeting between the wonders of nature and human emotions aroused by unusual shapes and colors. Therefore, not naturalistic photos in the strict sense, but moments of artistic beauty according to the human canon, which nature expresses incessantly. Read more...
