Underwater Photography Jul/Aug 2016 Issue 91 The magazine that doesn’t have to say anything here An experience without equal At Wakatobi, we take great pride in providing the ultimate in exclusive and personalised service. Our dive staff and private guides ensure your in-water experiences are perfectly matched to your abilities and interests. While at the resort, or on board our luxury dive yacht Pelagian, you need only ask and we will gladly provide any service or facility within our power. For all these reasons and more, Wakatobi takes top honors among discerning divers and photographers. “Simply put, it doesn’t get any better than this. Everything is about service and maximizing your diving experience. The dives were amazing, and the dive and hotel staff are first class. They will accommodate any request, but you hardly need to make any since they have thought of essentially everything!” Dr. Jim & Laurie Benjamin www.wakatobi.com Contents Underwater Photography 3 Editorial A web magazine UwP91 Jul/Aug 2016 4 News Travel & Events 34 Glowdive dome lighting by Phil Rudin 75 Bimini and Cat sharks by Albert Kok 13 New Products 56 Cave photography by Jean-Michel Machefert 37 Macro etiquette by Alex Tattersall 79 Seahorses and Pipefish by Mark Webster 62 Liveaboards 85 Book review 27 Pelican Air 1535 case by Colin Marshall by Peter Rowlands by Phil Rudin 76 Parting Shot 45 Fluo lighting by Peter Rowlands by Steve Miller Cover shot by Bassem Jamour Underwater Photography 2001 - 2016 29 Sony A6300 review © PR Productions 69 Secrets of the forest Publisher/Editor Peter Rowlands by Jim Decker 50 Monaco by Tom Burd www.pr-productions.co.uk by Bassem Jamour [email protected] Issue 91/3 www.uwpmag.com 4k stills in agreement that such practices are Editorial no longer acceptable. I have something in common As a result, and again aided with Chuck Nicklin in that one of the People power by the internet, a poll was set up at first cameras I used was a Rolleiflex change.org and to date there are over in a RolleiMarin housing. The only Sorry to keep harping back to the His complaint was met with a 750 supporters. Our community was difference was that he used his in the days of film but it is relevant here for tirade from the Competition organiser standing up and making its views 1950’s whereas I was in the 1970’s. when you only had 36 exposures you and he was belittled and accused of known to competition organisers, It was a superb piece of did your darndest to make sure that being a sore loser. magazine publishers and anyone in engineering and design but it was every frame counted so there was an His response was to reply in a a position of influence including at limited to just 12 shots per roll. Yes, element of ‘Do whatever is needed’ to calm, reasoned and logical way that grass roots level the dive guides who that’s right. I said 12. So that made get the shot. competition organisers have a duty in the past were put under pressure you think very carefully before This led to underwater to encourage more responsible UW by clients wanting rarer and rarer pressing the shutter. photographers getting a justified photo behaviour and delete any entries subjects. In the 1960’s expensive reputation for damaging marine life to that show obvious signs of such I am pleased to say that this poll motordrives were available as an get that better angle or moving marine activity. is already having a positive effect optional accessory. The Nikon F life to a more suitable photographic Now in the days before the in that dive guides in the hot spots version for example blazed away at location. internet, this discussion would have such as Lembeh and the Phillipines 3 fps and with a 36 exposure film Add the element of a competition been by letter and postage stamp, are being asked less and less to find cassette this meant you had to rewind and you pumped up the ‘Must get one to one but with the internet and, rare subjects and that the majority of and load a new film after 12 seconds. the shot’ mentality to a frenzy of in this case, Facebook, the same visiting underwater photographers Nowadays with small mirrorless justification. correspondence was being seen by the are much more concious of their cameras you can shoot 4k video at But like so many things whole community. behaviour and performance 30 frames per second. “But I don’t nowadays times pass and attitudes The response letters became underwater. shoot video” I hear you say but each change but sometimes it takes a more aggressive but the contestant felt They are just visitors but they of those frames is an 8mp still image trigger to start that change. that there was a principle at stake here must leave everything as they found it which you can pause/extract and use There was a high profile and he stood his ground. Gradually for the next visitors. as a high quality still image. Ah, now competition recently where the 2nd supporters of the contestant’s Hopefully the tide has turned and you’re interested all of a sudden! placed Macro contestant complained principles started to come out of should anyone witness bad behaviour Just imagine for a moment to the organisers that the winning the woodwork from all around the they should feel empowered to that the Rolleiflex could shoot at 30 photographer had moved the subject world and a healthy to and fro of approach the perpetrator to nip it in frames per second. That would mean to a more attracive background. messages ensued; the majority being the bud there and then. that each roll would last just 0.4 seconds. https://www.change.org/p/competition-organisers-more-ethics-in-uw-photography/c We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? Peter Rowlands [email protected] Issue 91/4 www.uwpmag.com News, Travel & Events UPY display at the Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire 16th July until 24th September 2016 UPY organisers are delighted that the winning images from UPY 2016 are to be on display at the Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, UK. The exhibition will be on display from 16th July until 24th September. Admission is free but normal admission charges apply for the venue. The exhibition is on the first floor of the museum with a choice of either stairs or a lift to access it. Lighting is low gallery level. The Abbey is located in the picturesque village of Lacock, Wiltshire. Built on the old foundations of a former Nunnery the building’s unique character and architecture styles is one of the places to visit in the county. the achievements of a former Lacock home, Lacock Abbey. In addition to the UPY 2016 resident, William Henry Fox Talbot There is much to see at the Fox images, visitors can expect to find who is famous for his important Talbot Museum, you can lean about great examples of Medieval rooms, contributions to the invention of the man, William Henry Fox Talbot Cloister court & a Tudor Courtyard. Photography. Fox Talbot is considered and his word with Photography. The Two of the Harry Potter movies as one of the founders of modern Museum has an extensive collection were filmed at Lacock Abbey and as photographic processes. of historical photographs and often you wander through the corridors and In 1835, Fox Talbot created the has exhibitions showcasing various rooms you can see why it was chosen. first ever photographic negative. It photographers work. The Museum itself celebrates was taken of a small window at his www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/a4296a95-6d87-4796-a95f-a8de1dd7c6a0/pages/details Issue 91/5 www.uwpmag.com HalmaheraHalmahera 20172017 BigAnimals Expeditions Explore from pole to pole with BigAnimals Expeditions to experience polar bears, narwhals, orcas, leopard seals, and much more. For the last 35 years, BigAnimals Expeditions has been going to the ends of the Earth to show you the true meaning of adventure. Join us on a quest to photograph the most environmental conditions and are endangered, elusive, and spectacular ultimately respectful of the animals’ animals in the world to inspire natural behaviors. conservation through powerful Our expert expedition leaders imagery and educational outreach. will guide you on epic journeys to From polar bears, narwhals, and engage with our planet’s threatened orcas in the frigid North to leopard ocean giants and help you create seals, penguins, and whales in the icy photographic narratives that are sure South, each moment will bring you to inspire hearts and minds. closer than you have ever been before Enjoy the adventure, expand your to becoming part of wild nature. horizon, and change your perspective We pride ourselves on leading with BigAnimals Expeditions intimate groups on adventures that www.SeahorseLiveaboard.com are carefully planned around the best www.biganimals.com [email protected] 91/6 www.uwpmag.com Travel Photographer Alex Tyrell Alor Divers is 10 ! of the Year 2016 opens Photography Alor Divers is celebrating its for entries Philippine Siren 10th anniversary in June 2016! 17th-23rd June 2017 We are sharing joy with our loyal Entries are now open for team and are thanking everyone the 2016 international Travel who helped us build our image and Photographer of the Year awards reputation !! Located between Flores (TPOTY). Amateur, semi-pro and and Sawoe Sea, Alor Archipelago is professional photographers of all ages one of Indonesia’s last frontiers.