May/Jun 2011 UnderwaterUnderwater PhotographyPhotography Issue 60 Issue 60/2 www.uwpmag.com 41 Selective lighting Contents by Daniel Stassen 4 Editorial A web magazine UwP60 May/Jun 2011 5 News Travel & Events 15 New Products 30 Fantasea FP7000 59 Antarctica 73 Visaya Island by Peter Rowlands by Chris Sterritt by Massimo Mazzitelli 45 Talking tek by Damien Siviero

64 Amazon 33 Sigma 8-16mm 49 Alternate views by Oliver Lucanus by Tim Rock by Mark Webster 75 Guga Hunters by George Stoyle & Richard Shucksmith

68 Heron Bridge by Mark Sagovac

36 Born free 54 Raja Ampat 81 Book Review by Tim Rock by Carlos Virgili 84 Parting Shot by Chris Sterritt Underwater Photography 2001 - 2011 © PR Productions Publisher/Editor Peter Rowlands Cover shot by www.pr-productions.co.uk [email protected] Tim Rock www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/3 UwP60 so I decline. Editorial I like it a bit more personal and Well, well, well. Who’d have e mail is just fine for me and so far as thought it, eh? 60 today and the have provided a platform from which the oceans are seriously damaged. me communicating outwards, so to contributors for this issue have so many have set out. What’s the point of having all speak, I think it’s more than enough surpassed themselves yet again in the The cover images should also this amazing camera gear when we that you should have to put up with range of locations from hot to hostile, take a bow and I’m going to pat won’t have much to photograph? me every 2 months. photo techniques that won’t break myself on the back if that’s OK. You the bank illustrated with inspirational see it’s my job to spot them and with New website Sell your old gear images from all over the world. very few exceptions they’ve all been Each issue, for me, has a stand lurking in the submissions. I don’t I am fortunate to know an Now is always a good time to out article. In the last issue it was worry about finding the front cover excellent website designer who has sell that gear you don’t want or don’t Alex Tyrell’s ‘Egg-cellent shots!’ and each time I’m compiling a new issue. recently rebuilt ours from the ground use anymore. in this issue it is undoubtedly Tim They just seem to jump out as I’m up, given it a fresh new look and There are tens of thousands of Rock’s ‘Born Free’. It is an excellent working on a layout and it’s always added many excellent new features. UwP readers who are looking for example of what can be done without very satisfying when they do. Ah, He is great to work with, doesn’t gear which you might have, so book a scuba gear and the benefits it brings. that’s where you’ve been, I say to charge a king’s ransom and does small ad on the UwP website for just Tim is a consistent UwP contributor myself. exactly what I ask him to do. I like £5 and before you know it there could yet we have never met but his One thing’s for sure it will working with people like that. be a space on that shelf and you’ll support of the magazine is very much be a very different world when we have a healthier bank balance. appreciated by me and I am sure by celebrate our 20th birthday in 2021. With international currency sites you the reader. Think of the changes that have Facebook and Twitter like PayPal it’s never been easier, The other contributor I would happened between 2001 and now, then or cheaper, to accept money from like to take a bow is Mark Webster multiply them exponentially and you It might appear to the outward anywhere in the world so get listing whose output is both consistent in might be somewhere near the mark. observer that I am bang up to that gear and get a Small Ad booked. terms of interesting subjects and But such technological capability date with the modern methods of impressive in terms of images, comes at a huge cost. If the scientists communication and that is actually especially his UK work which at the National Center for Ecological quite true but what I don’t quite Buy your small ad produces very attractive images in Analysis and Synthesis in Santa understand, and so can not raise any here what can be far from easy waters. Barbara, USA are right only 4% of the enthusiasm for, is the Facebook and With the exception of Tim and worlds oceans are now undamaged Twitter method. Mark all of the other contributors to by human activity. Climate change, I do, however, get very kind Peter Rowlands this issue are new and I’m delighted fishing, pollution, and other human invitations from Facebookers and [email protected] to welcome them all. It is one of my factors have taken their toll in some Twitterers to hear what they are up to great pleasures to work with new way on all the other 96 per cent of the and to see the shots they are taking contributors and I am proud that we and a staggering forty-one per cent of but they are not my prefered method

Issue 60/4 www.uwpmag.com The Sardine Run with Mauricio Handler News, Travel & Events June 11-17, 2011 June 19-25, 2011 Shark Fin Possession Bill Made Law in Guam Join Mauricio Handler on this one of a kind live-aboard photography expedition to the Sardine Run off of South Africa. Two back to back expeditions aboard 153’ Snow Petrel. A few berths still available. June 11-17, 2011 (3 spaces) June 19-25, 2011 (2 spaces)

www.handlerphoto.com

Canadian photographer unveils u/w portraits

Guam became the third place in curb the trade of shark fins in the US An underwater the world to ban the possession and Territory of Guam. art project had been sale of shark fins and ray parts today The bill is an act to prohibit the on Rodney S. Braun’s as Guam Governor Eddie Calvo Jr. possession, selling, offering for sale, white board for 7 years. signed the legislation into law. Guam trading or distribution of shark fins The Winnipeg, Canada joins the Commonwealth of the and ray parts. portrait photographer Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) The shark fin trade is a wasteful finally embarked on the and Hawaii as places that discourage industry that fins sharks for use in project in the summer and outlaw shark fin commerce. shark fin soup. This is considered of 2010 and unveiled it After a lot of emotional a Chinese delicacy that must be this March. Entitled, “H2Oohhh”, a Canon EOS Rebel T2i and a B&H testimony from fishermen, school served at Chinese weddings. The The project was a collaboration housing. Lighting was a mix of students, shark lovers and an amazing practice is roughly 6 decades old. 73 with local Winnipeggers (who ended natural available , on-camera show of support from an international million sharks are killed only for the up being women), some of whom flash and off-camera flash. community of ocean loving concerned fins every year with the body being were dancers. There were about A 50-image exhibit and a 96- citizens from well over 100 countries, discarded. 20 different sessions in all, mostly page book were created. Guam’s legislators passed Bill 44-31 outdoor, as well as several Manitoba unanimously. The bill is intended to Story & Photos by Tim Rock locations. The project was shot with www.rodneysbraun.com www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/5 Estonian U/w photo Exhibition

Your advert could be here for just £50 or less. For full details visit

www.uwpmag.com/?p=advertise

or e mail [email protected]

DOLPHIN DREAM Have you heard about an the end of last year he started a Bahamas Live Aboard Diving underwater photo exhibition? Not just travelling exhibition WET EYES II. and an exhibition of underwater images, It differs form the first one in many Big Animal Encounters. but a photo exhibition under the ways. Apart from being a traveling Expeditions to: water? exhibition, that has been up in more Dive with Tigers Sharks, Five years ago award winning than 20 different swimming pools Lemon Sharks, Sharks, Estonian photographer Kaido Haagen all over Estonia, the photos of WET and more. opened his first underwater exhibition EYES II are all taken in Estonian with Friendly WET EYES in Tallinn’s KalevSPA waters and shot on , Wild Dolphin. swimming pool. “If you want the as opposed to the first WET EYES visitor to get a great but also a real exhibition, where all photos where Spacious and comfortable expedition trawler experience, you have to put him in an taken in tropical waters and shot on Owner Operated environment similar to the one where film. Small groups www.sharkexpedition.com the photos were taken” www.dolphindreamteam.com Haagen explained the unusual www.kaidohaagen.com Ph 001 561 351 9354 choice of the exhibition hall. In [email protected]

Issue 60/6 www.uwpmag.com Zeeuws and Dutch Open Championship 15th May 2011 and 26th June 2011. Underwater photography THE ULTIMATE IN DIVING HOLIDAYS is extremely popular these days and more and more divers are taking underwater pictures. Do you also take underwater pictures? We would very much appreciate if you will join us on (one of) our competition days in 2011. Zeeuws Championship Don’t think “I just started” or “I am not good enough yet”. The Zeeuws Championship is photographs regularly appear in a perfect competition for all starter magazines. underwater photographers. There How do you organize a is nothing to lose, only to win. If competition that is approachable to you are not a winner of one of the everyone, but also has enough of a beautiful prices there is to win, then challenge for the very best national at least you will have the experience and international photographers? of competition in the beautiful waters The organising committee of Zeeland where the competition Aquashot succeeded in having the OUT OF THE ORDINARY takes place every year. Let the right formula by having different competition inspire you to make more opportunities to join the competitions. INTO THE BLUE

GUESS beautiful pictures and learn by having - You are free to join the contact with the other competitors. competition in one or more categories. If you see beautiful pictures of top - You are free to participate on photographers in the magazines, one or both competition days. Also in this competition there are just realise that they also had to start U.K: www.divequest.co.uk MARTYN PHOTO: somewhere too. very nice prices to be won. We hope The Dutch Open Championship to see many international competitors U.S: www.divequest-travel.com Apart from the beginners there is during the competion in Zeeland this a wide variety of photographers that year. For the fi nest tailor-made underwater photography holidays and already have some more experience www.aquashot.nl group trips worldwide phone right up to top photographers whose U.K 01254 826322 or e-mail [email protected] www.uwpmag.com U.S toll-free1-877-660-0193 or e-mail [email protected] 60/7 Issue 60/8 www.uwpmag.com The Raja Ampat Photographing Marine Photoquest with Animals South East Group MCS Martin and Sylvia Edge with Paul Naylor 2nd - 18th November 2012 24 - 25 September 2011

Martin Edge considers the Celebrating 5 years of underwater photography potential at award winning course guests

Misool Eco Resort to be the very best One Day Courses in in the world, so one cannot have a • London • Leeds higher recommendation than that! • Scotland The reefs of the Raja Ampat • Ireland are the richest reefs on earth, with Photo: Gerry Casey • or at your own dive club more coral, fish and invertebrate The aim of the course is to show Join our small, friendly photo species having been recorded here expeditions at some perfect those new to underwater photography than anywhere else on our planet. underwater photography how to start taking successful locations: Pelagic fish have not been fished • UK day trips photographs/images and help existing out and still hunt these reefs in • Costa Blanca, Spain photographers who are not having the • Nuweiba, Egypt numbers. The condition of the coral • Lembeh Straits & success they had hoped for improve is magnificent, the reefs pristine, the Marine Park, Indonesia their technique. diving spectacular. Most dives are Paul Naylor, author of three Over 10 prize winning guests in the UK & Bonaire close to the resort, though some day underwater guides to marine species trips to more far-flung dive sites may of Britain, will lead you through be offered. The house reef is there ‘at Buy your signed copy of the award winning when and how to use the types of your door step’, quite literally. Misool Eco Resort offers a "Without Maria's passion I would equipment available to the underwater not be producing such wonderful Combine the quality of the choice between Water Cottages and underwater photographs, photographer. teaching and photo support, the luxury villas. Water Cottages have something that I've been striving The course will take place at to achieve for some time. She dive management, the comfort of the advantage of air-conditioning, are helped me overcome my fear of Leeson House , , the resort, the sheer exotic nature close to the dive centre and restaurant the technical side and helped Interested ? me learn the advanced topics of this location and its unsurpassed and are actually built over the resort’s with ease .My photographs have Contact Gerry Casey Tel: 01923 Book of the Year ‘10 and you will know why house reef. Step off your veranda and hugely improved. " 231575 or email: Helen Denholm-Simmonds you should be part of the UK’s first land in the epicentre of biodiversity! underwater photography expedition to Tailor-made courses just for you all with [email protected] this area. www.divequest.co.uk the special personal touch www.mcsuk.org Contact Maria Munn for your FREE personal tips NOW www.oceanvisions.co.uk www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/9 Maluku Divers, Ambon, Misool Eco Resort diving for $3483 pp. We have Indonesia Raja Ampat, Indonesia worked out the September 21-28, 2011 Sept 29 - Oct 6, 2011 transfer logistics Hosted by Ryan Canon allowing guests to Join us in Raja Ampat for some do both Ambon and Got some of the lushest coral reefs and densest Raja trips together new gear? This fish populations in the world. Misool for an extended is the perfect spot Eco Resort pioneered a 1,220 square diving holiday. to figure it all out. km no take area around the resort with Can’t Decide? Located on the the cooperation of local fishermen, Do both trips! best protecting this pristine environment A transfer & site in Ambon, for years to come. Accomodation is hotel package is Maluku Divers provided in spacious and beautiful availabe for guests offers action the now famous psychadelic frogfish, over the water cottages just a short interested in both packed critter rhinopias, and more! Our package distance from the house reef. destinations. diving without the includes diving, accomodations, and Our package includes transfers crowds! Home to meals for only $1550! from Sorong, meals, and unlimited www.reefphoto.com Sardine Run, South Africa with Mauricio Handler Six nights / all meals 5 full days of diving June 11-17, 2011 3 spaces available! Only 8 passengers June 19-25, 2011 Sold Out! $5,200 pp plus air

M/Y Snow Petrel Length: 153’ Beam: 27’ Speed: 18 knots

Bait Balls, Sharks, Whales, Dolphin, Birds and you! Follow the Sardine run like never before! from sunrise to sunset... Call us for complete details on this, the greatest underwater shoal on earth! 207-504-0733 cell [email protected] www.handlephoto.com

Issue 60/10 www.uwpmag.com Maria Munn uw photo workshop with Presents Nikon P7000 / Fantasea FP7000 Eco Divers 27 Nov to 9 Dec 2011

Available Now Thanks to Maria Munn’s innovative and inspiring approach to teaching underwater photography, she is celebrating five years of in the spectacular walls and marine helping more than 10 guests win life of Bunaken Marine Park. Wide- prizes with their compact cameras angle techniques and lighting will by running a special 12-night be explored to take compact camera underwater photography workshop skills to a high level and help to PERFECTION with Eco Divers from 27 November develop techniques to capture a wide www.fantasea.com | [email protected] to 9 December in the Lembeh Straits range of subjects. and Bunaken Marine Park, Manado, North Sulawesi. Maria will also be Package price of $2,745 celebrating her recent award for her includes: book, “Underwater Photography for * 7 nights at Lembeh Cottages in Compact Camera Users”. air-conditioned room Staying at Lembeh Cottages * 5 nights at Kima Bajo Resort & Resort & Spa for the first seven Spa, in air-conditioned Kimez Studio nights, Maria will help beginners and Room more advanced compact camera users * 10 days diving (6 in Lembeh, 4 master the art of capturing magical in Manado), with up to 3 guided day- macro subjects with daily informal dives per day, by boat, with cylinders presentations to help make the most of & the photographic opportunities in this * Breakfast, lunch & dinner world famous area. Slideshows of * Free airport transfers and resort- guest’s photos will be shown nightly resort transfer in the lounge as well as help with both * Hotel tax & service; Diving tax Lightroom and PhotoShop techniques. Moving on to Kima Bajo Resort www.oceanvisions.co.uk & Spa for five nights, guests take www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/11 1st SNUPS Philippine Competition – SPLASH- MSY Seahorse NUDI Underwater Photo Shootout Indonesia’s Fine Diving Specialist

Alor: Ambon: Komodo: Raja Ampat: Dive and shoot in the etiquettes, pre & post dive proper Triton Bay at – May 20-24, Dauin – May handling of imaging gear by dive staff 27-31 and – June 3-7, 2011 to and photo-video diver friendly dive win over US$15,000 worth of Digital resorts. The results of the competition SLR housing, Strobes, Accessories will showcase the splendor of our and much, much more! oceans, which will provide the SNUPS is a yearly underwater opportunity for other divers and photo and video competition where non-divers alike to gain awareness on its first year, it will take place on the importance of environmental Fine Diving : Fine Cruising in three unique locations around conservation. Fine Dining the Philippines, namely: Anilao SNUPS is a yearly underwater (Batangas), known globally for having photo and video competition one of the most diverse species of organized by Splash Underwater nudibranchs and macro life; Dauin Imaging, Inc. The event is done in (Negros Oriental), known for the cooperation with the Network of marine sanctuary of ; and Underwater Digital Imagers (NUDI), Cebu, home of the thresher sharks an underwater photography club based (, & Tingo) and in Manila. the sardine run (Moalboal). It is the intention of SNUPS to www.snups.ph be the anchor event for Philippine 15% off all Komodo underwater imaging competitions trips this summer where set standards on diver shooting and 10% for the rest of the trips in 2010 [email protected] Issue 60/12 www.uwpmag.com Galapagos - Art of Underwater Photography In Cooperation with Extraordinary image making with Shannon Conway UW PHOTO - VIDEO EQUIPMENT 11th - 24th June 2013 PRO SHOP

Shannon has chosen the Be in the Philippines at: infamous Galapagos Islands In Cooperation with of Ecuador for his next Art of Anilao, Batangas Underwater Photography expedition. May 20-24, 2011 The photographic potential here is immense, however it is for the Dauin, Negros Oriental experienced diver and photographer May 27-31, 2011 calmer. Shannon will be available and only! Because of the nature of Mactan, Cebu 1st Annual Galapagos diving, and the prevalence willing to critique and evaluate your June 3-7, 2011 of swift currents, Shannon will not work in the evenings. He will also be conducting a formal workshop give talks and host discussions on as he usually might. It is simply not some evenings. possible to dive and shoot the way he SNUPS1st Annual SPLASH-NUDI Underwater Photo Shootout might usually where conditions are www.divequest.co.uk Compete in Compact or SNUPS Open Class Frogfish workshop in Sorido Bay Resort, Raja Ampat in 2012 Splash NUDI Underwater either 15th -22nd April 2012 or 22nd-29th April 2012. Over US$15,000 worth of Photo Shoot prizes of underwater Limited places are now photo gear up for grabs available for all level of underwater New Products such as Digital SLR housing, strobes, photographers, from enthusiastic accessories and much more! Be In the Philippines at: beginner to budding professional, Pre-register to join at : www.snups.ph Compact Camera and SLR users are ContactAnilao, Batangas us at: May 20-24, 2011 welcome to join us on this fantastic Splash Photo-Video Pro Shop / +632 7249803 / [email protected] underwater photography expedition. PrizeDauin, sponsors Dumaguete and partners: Raja Ampat has everything for May 27-31, 2011 the underwater photographer. You © Nick-Frogfish photography Mactan, Cebu will be diving in small groups, with a June 3-7, 2011 DIGITAL SYSTEM relaxed and casual atmosphere. In the you are comfortable with before each evenings you will be able to attend day is planned. interactive workshops. This trip is open to all levels of diver and you will www.frogfishphotography.com

C 99 C 41 M 51 M 0 be able to discuss the type of diving Y 8 Y 24 K 36 K 0 www.uwpmag.com ForAmphibico equipment CMYK Colours sales visit www.splashuwimaging.comIssue 60/13 New UK photo friendly dive charter

UwP editor Peter Rowlands is now offering uw photo friendly dive charters out of Plymouth in Devon. MV Magic is an 8.2 metre Botnia Targa which has a cruising speed of 20 knots and a very soft riding, planing hull. She has a walkaround design so there’s lots of working space both fore and aft as well as comfortable seating. Magic Charters limits the number of places available to five so that everyone will have plenty of space and there are tables available to work on equipment in between dives. With work spaces both fore and aft, kitting up needn’t be a scramble Magic Charters is hoping to appeal to small groups of underwater photographers who appreciate being able to concentrate on their hobby without a boatful of other divers. Being able to cruise at 20 knots gives quick access to offshore sites such able to get out of the wind and warm up in between as the Eddystone and Hand Deeps reefs as well as dives (once you’ve taken your off outside!). wrecks like the James Egan Layne and the Scylla. A 240 volt power supply is available in the The style of diving is obviously the choice of the cabin for powering battery chargers and laptops so group but Peter has several shallow sites where it is you can check the results from your first dive before possible to anchor up and dive as much as you like. going in again or top up your strobe batteries. This gives you maximum time underwater with the MV Magic is based at Dry Stack Marina on freedom to return to the boat whenever you want to the east side of Plymouth and there’s plenty of free change . parking all day. The central cabin is heated and there is plenty www.magic-charters.co.uk of solar gain through the 360° windows so you’ll be

Issue 60/14 www.uwpmag.com IKELITE

COMPACT VIDEO Housings for Flip • JVC • Kodak Panasonic • Sanyo

Dive into with this incredibly compact and simple to use combination. The Compact Video housing is high quality, built to last, and backed by Ikelite's long-standing reputation for excellence. A full line of accessories allows you to really get creative with your underwater video. All camera controls are fully functional through the housing and depth rated to 200ft (60m). Easy open latch and drop in camera loading make set-up a breeze.

PRO-V8 LED Video Lite Light is the most important contribution to underwater video. The Pro-V8 LED is the easiest and most affordable way to add valuable light to your system. Three 5-watt LEDs are arranged behind a special optical to give an exceptionally even 45° beam completely free of hot spots. The is daylight balanced for warm, beautiful tones with or without color filter. Light output is the same over its entire 10 hour burn time, providing more than enough light for an entire week of diving from one set of 8 "C" cell alkaline or NiMH batteries. A lightweight and flexible pop-bead arm provides versatility in aiming without adding bulk. The included flex mount ball attaches to the top of any Ikelite video housing handle without tools. Additional pop beads can be purchased in 4-piece sticks to extend the arm.

Underwater Systems • 50 W. 33rd. Street • Indianapolis, IN • 46208 • 317-923-4523 www.ikelite.com New Products Bonica 1080P HD Nauticam NA-LX5 for the Panasonic LX5 Subal ND7000

The Subal ND7000 is an aluminium housing for Nikon D7000 SLR camera. The ergonomic placement of all Bonica Precision, manufacturer and distributor important controls of underwater video systems, announced their The first true compact to enter provides convenient and fourth generation underwater housing, compatible the Nauticam range, the NA-LX5 comfortable handling of and interchangeable with their line of high houses the Panasonic Lumix LX5 and the camera functions. The definition video cameras evolving since their also the Leica D-Lux 5. camera is mounted on a introduction in 2006. The NA-LX5 housing features saddle for precise positioning inside the housing. A 4 mm main- Starting at $399 MSRP US, for a 1080P HD an outstanding ergonomic design in a O-ring and the SUBAL QuickLock system make it virtually camcorder with a unique 180 foot-rated, dual layer compact housing body in that it allows impossible to close the housing if the O-ring is not lying housing - Bonica will bring a new element to scuba full access to all camera functions. It correctly in its groove. Maximum security is assured. divers and the whole recreational industry.” also features a super sensitive shutter The first time SUBAL offers 4 different viewfinder systems Bonica’s new housing showed several release mechanism, which results for this housing: incremental improvements. They said that many of in an enhanced tactile experience The Standard-Viewfinder reduces the viewfinder image the design changes were inspired by real world use underwater. slightly to allow the whole frame to be viewed whilst wearing a and customer feedback. These included: It has a 67mm threaded front diving-mask. · A removable visor over the LCD viewscreen. allowing various brands of external GS-180 viewfinder and WS-45 angled viewfinder offers · A bayonet-style mount for wide-angle lenses diopter to be attached, and a wide a image sized equal to the cameras viewfinder. The GS-180 and filters. angle dome converter allowing viewing angle is line of sight and the WS45 is 45°. · Ergonomic improvements in control buttons. full exploitation of the camera’s The new Prism finder PS-30 shows the viewfinder image · A new fiberglass enhanced, nylon shaft in wideangle 24mm Leica lens. The full sized with a viewing angle of 30°. The PS-30 has a long eye the housing hinge, eliminating all possibility of NA-LX5 can be used in conjunction relief which is especially helpful for video shooting. oxidation. with Nauticam’s new universal All SUBAL ports with bayonet mount can be fitted to this The newest version of the Snapper HDDV housing tray and soon to be released housing. system is now available. arm system. The NA-LX5 retails at www.subal.com www.bonicadive.com US$950. www.nauticamuk.com

Issue 60/16 www.uwpmag.com Dyron dome port TLC 1” ball with 1/4- for Nauticam D-SLR 20” threaded hole: housings

This newly introduced TLC 1” diameter ball with its 1/4”-20 threaded hole will bridge the gap between a Dyron have announced a regular tripod screw and our TLC hemispherical glass dome port for line of strobe adapters and arm D-SLR Nauticam housings components. It can be used with the following One popular use for this 1” ball lenses: is to mount it on a compact tripod and 10.5mm Nikon, 10/17 Tokina, then attach a slaved strobe using our 15mm Canon, 4.5mm Sigma, 8mm regular TLC component. This gives a Sigma. The shade is removable for 4.5 photographer more creative freedom and 8mm lesn Sigma with its lighting techniques, Strobes Specifications: with snoot attachments will be able Material: optical glass - to attain and maintain, the critically www.uwpmag.com/?p=advertise aluminum - POM-H Delrin- Size : precise and independent positioning 4.8” , 120mm- : 680g- Depth necessary when using this method. rated: 100 meters In cave and , multiple slaved strobes on mini www.dyron.fr tripods can add another artistic dimension by being able be hidden advert could be here for just £50 or less Your behind objects or structures, all the while, retaining the flexibility to position the angle of light where the photographer wants it directed.

www.aquatica.ca www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/17 Dyron glass dome Nauticam NA-60D port for Ikelite D-SLR for Canon 60D housings Nauticam Universal optical viewfinder

The NA-60D continues the dynasty of dSLR housings with all of the Nauticam trade mark ergonomic features including: Features include: Easy to use Dyron have announced a locking latches with embedded hemispherical glass dome port for safety button - Easily adjustable D-SLR Ikelite housings ISO switch - Patented locking port It can be used with the following release lever- Super sensitive shutter “Clearly better” release - Audible and visual moisture lenses: - Available for the following alarm - Lens release button - Optical 10.5mm Nikon, 10/17 Tokina, SLR housings: strobe connectors - Rubberized 15mm Canon, 4.5mm Sigma, 8mm - Ikelite, & Sea, Aquatica, ergonomic grips - Three customizable Sigma. The shade is removable for 4.5 Subal and Nexus accessory holes -Embossed control and 8mm lesn Sigma - 1:1 reproduction function labels - Quick release Specifications: - No color bias camera mounting shoe -Four strobe Material: optical glass - - Low distortion & accessory base mounting locations- aluminum - POM-H Delrin- Size : - Low color fringing. Complete access to all key camera 4.8” , 120mm- Weight: 680g- Depth - It’s bright! rated: 100 meters controls.

The NA-60D retails at US$3000. Morrissey

-Flexible eyepoint viewing www.dyron.fr

Pat - External diopter adjustment www.nauticam.com

by - Multicoated glass optics www.nauticamusa.com

www.nauticamuk.com www.nauticamusa.com Photo

Issue 60/18 www.uwpmag.com UnderWater Camera Nauticam PanasonicUnderwater Camera Housing for Stuff Modular 5” GH2 SIGMA DP2 / DP2s / DP2x / DP1 / DP1s / DP1x

5 di erent portsarrangement is available. Domes Nauticam NA-NEX5 Sony NEX-5 housing

UnderWater CameraACQUAPAZZA Stuff has APSG-DP2x,DP1x announced the release of their two http://acquapazza.jp/Nauticam have released “Back to the future” Modular 5” Domes. renderings of their forthcoming housing for the Panasonic GH2. The Sony NEX-5 provides DSLR Each dome is tuned for a specific image quality with the full HD video lens and both versions are designed At the time of going to press of a camcorder in a compact size. to work with the ikelite modular port no further details were available The Nauticam NA-NEX5 extends Underwater Housing for system. One dome is tuned for use except that the housing is designed that capability with a form fitting SONY NEX-5 and NEX-3 with either the Tokina 10-17 Fisheye for 100M depth rating, and there aluminium housing and a full range lens or the Nikon 16 mm F2.8 AF will be dedicated ports for 14-42mm of ports from fisheye to macro. APSO-NEX5APSO-NEX5 lens. The second dome is tuned for zoom, 45mm Macro (with 67mm But the most innovative twist is the Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye thread), 14mm pancake lens, 7-14mm a port adaptor to use APSO-NEX3APSO-NEX3 lens or the Sigma 15mm Fisheye lens. wideangle zoom, and 8mm fisheye. lenses from the pin sharp 15mm Both domes work well with full- UW Nikkor to the super macro combination of 35mm and frame sensor cameras and cropped www.nauticam.com extension tubes. sensor cameras. Having a dome For decades the Nikonos range of tuned to a specific lens means that the lenses were world leaders but the images captured with that lens and advent of digital saw them put on dome will be in focus from edge-to- the shelf. Now we can use them edge. all over again to benefit from the past with a camera for the future. www.UwCameraStuff.com http://acquapazza.jp/ www.nauticamusa.com www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/19 Subal prism finder New External Filters from Magic PS-30

FIX Housing for Canon S95

Magic Filters are proud announce a new version of their Auto-Magic filter designed for external mounting on digital underwater cameras. The new filter uses their proprietary formula making it available for the first time in a “The ultimate compact” Plexiglass filter that can be added or removed from the lens underwater. Because the filter can be taken on an off your camera during a dive, you FIX has a reputation for building can shoot macro, wide angle with flash and filter images all on the same dive. compact, durable housings and the FIX S95 is no exception. At the Dusseldorf BOOT Show, The filter is suitable for both still and video shooting in blue waters. They Subal showed a drawing of a new are currently on sale in a variety of screw thread filter sizes as well as square All camera functions can be viewfinder prism they are working on. filters for the Amphibico .55x lenses with more shapes and sizes planned. controlled with one hand. The new prism finder PS-30 The Auto-Magic filter allows you to take colourful underwater pictures New shutter release mechanism. shows the viewfinder image full sized without the hassle and Improved locking mechanism. with a viewing angle of 30°. The difficulty of getting good PS-30 has a long eye relief which is results with the internal flash or 52mm thread port especially helpful for video shooting. an external strobe. The Auto- for wet mount lenses. Magic delivers great colours www.subal.com without the risk of backscatter. Call Toll Free 877.453.8927 www.magic-filters.com International or Ft. Lauderdale: 954.537.0644

www.reefphoto.com

Issue 60/20 www.uwpmag.com Panasonic DMC-GH1 underwater housing

important reasons to make Reef Photo and Video your choice for underwater photo and video We are divers and photographers Everyone on our friendly staff is an underwater photographer. We use the gear that we sell, and we keep up with the latest imaging products for both underwater and topside. U/W photography is our only business We’re not a dive shop and we’re more than a camera store. Vivid Housings introduces PGH1 The housing features Leak We concentrate all of our energy on the constantly changing underwater housing for Panasonic Sentinel, pre-dive vacuum leak world of underwater imaging. Lumix DMC-GH1 micro four thirds detection system, making it even more camera. Made of clear cast acrylic, reliable and fun to use. Selection and Inventory the housing features all camera Standard and custom macro and Our huge inventory from over 58 manufacturers means that controls, anodized aluminum tray with dome ports are available upon request we probably have what you need in stock. Orders for ergonomic handles and simple, yet (here pictured with macro port for in-stock items placed by 4pm EST ship the same day! effective and reliable port fastening LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT system. 45mm / F2.8 lens). Service After the Sale Our in-house technicians are experts in repair and service PGH1 housing allows Dimensions: 160x140x100 mm of your equipment. In addition, our custom shop can fabricate underwater photographers and Weight: 1800 g those ‘outside-the-box’ parts that you may require. videographers to enjoy the advantages Price: €850 of micro four thirds system - easy, fast and accurate framing, focusing and www.vividhousings.com Free Ground Shipping! shooting using the LCD screen and Orders over $200 qualify for FREE high quality video. domestic Ground shipping via UPS! www.reefphoto.com Dyron Double Macro Lost Fleet of Bikini M77 Atoll Shark Diving Expedition by Joseph Dovala In the Bahamas on a Live Aboard Our comfortable 26 meter vessel leaves from West Palm Beach Florida Scuba with Tiger, Lemon, & Hammerhead Sharks without a cage Join professional photographers Gregory Sweeney & Takaji Ochi on this thrilling adventure photographing predators Amazing Photography! www.TigerSharkDive.com January 7 - 13th 2011

Thanks to the two UV coated lenses and anti-reflection glass, these lenses restore a distorted image to a perfect one.for sharper pictures with Hello All, same magnification I’ve finished my second book The Dyron Double Macro M77 called Lost Fleet of Bikini Atoll - A Underwater Camera Housing for can be used with most of the cameras photographic journey through the SIGMA DP2 / DP2s / DP2x / DP1 / DP1s / DP1x in wide angle position or full range lagoon.” I did an eBook awhile back zoom 5 di erent portsarrangementbut this “real” is available.book has been updated The Dyron Double Macro M77 with some new images and layout. is +7 and comes with an M77 Bikini Atoll has been closed since late mount (male/female) as well as step 2008 due to bankrupt Air Marshall ring M67 Islands. There are no plans

to open again. So if you’d like to see The specifications are: what you’re missing please click on Depth rated: 100 meters. link below. Material: Optical glass - Aluminum. Weight: 170 g. Warranty: 2 years www.blurb.com/books/2047951 www.dyron.fr ACQUAPAZZA APSG-DP2x,DP1x http://acquapazza.jp/

Issue 60/22 www.uwpmag.com

Underwater Housing for SONY NEX-5 and NEX-3 APSO-NEX5APSO-NEX5 APSO-NEX3APSO-NEX3

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www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/23 LeakSentinel - pre dive leak prevention Nauticam Ireland Submerge Camera for any UW housing! Turtle HD Video Housing Vivid housings introduces Leak Sentinel, the new vacuum pre-dive leak prevention system. For only the fraction of the price of existing systems, you can now have the peace of mind and concentrate on photography, rather In a unique partnership with than guessing if the respected video housing manufacturer housing is properly sealed or not. and LED indicators Submerge Camera releases its own Leak Sentinel is a must-have part of are installed in the transparent valve “Turtle” underwater video housing. equipment for any serious underwater body, visible at all times and from “Basically we took an already photographer. any angle, rather than just by looking UnderWaterVisions Ltd are great idea and just expanded on Leak Sentinel is lightweight, through the viewfinder. pleased to announce that they are now it by adding a second handle for reliable and simple to install, and Letting the air in after dive is the official Nauticam distributors for balance, softening up the push button even simpler to use. It comes with even more simple then pulling it out - Ireland. electronic controls for divers that are everything needed for the installation, just moving the valve sideways with Alongside Nauticam, we are primarily using the unit above 110ft including the drill bit and wrench. the fingertip does the job. No hoses or pleased to offer Stix (33m) and adding a new professional The included hand pump valve disassembly are required. and floatation, F.I.T. diopters and color scheme all for under $1200.00/ eliminates the need for batteries, If one thing makes Leak Sentinel accessories, Fisheye housings and USD. It is really quite amazing if works smooth and fast, and requires stand out, it is definitely it’s price – at , Light and Motion lights, Zen you look at the units sitting below almost no effort to pull the air from 150€ and free shipping worldwide, Underwater dome ports, Ultralight or at that price point now and how the housing. saying it is affordable is simply an arms, trays and clamps, Inon and Sea it really is the absolute best value in Leak Sentinel can be installed on understatement. and Sea strobes, Glowdive and Magic the industry for shooting HD video any housing with flat place of 30mm filters, and Cameq cold water dial underwater,” states TJ Mansfield (1.2”) in diameter. Custom threads for www.vividhousings.com extenders for the UK and Eire. owner of Submerge Camera and long installation in existing bulkheads and time industry professional. fittings are available upon request. www.nauticamuk.com www.submergecamera.com

Issue 60/24 www.uwpmag.com We manufacturer trays for your digital camera & video housings and arms to add a strobe or light.

16 years in business. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. The original arms with the O-ring in the ball. ULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS SELLS THE ONLY TRAYS, HANDLES, ARMS, CLAMPS AND ADAPTERS THAT ARE MANUFACTURED AND ASSEMBLED IN THE USA. QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE OUR #1 PRIORITIES. ALL PARTS ARE MACHINED (NOT MOLDED) FROM THE HIGHEST GRADE ALUMINUM AND HARD ANODIZED. OTHER PARTS ARE STAINLESS STEEL.

Made in “Often copied, the USA www.ulcs.com never equaled” www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/25 100 ft / 30 mtr remote trigger Cousteau DVD films and box set

During the ‘60s and ‘70s, is credited millions tuned in to watch the not only with showing never before groundbreaking TV series THE seen images from the ocean depths but UNDERSEA WORLD OF JACQUES also with raising public awareness of COUSTEAU, held spellbound as pollution and other ecological issues. the renowned explorer, ecologist, Now, Go Entertain’s massive new box diver and filmmaker brought the set gives you the chance to experience hidden wonders of the world’s oceans a true classic of documentary film- into their living rooms for the first making in its entirety. • for all strobes with Nikonos * time. Now Go Entertain is proud Go Entertain is also proud to to present a complete 19-disc box present three of Captain Cousteau’s • no depth limit** set of the iconic show, chronicling finest movies in high-definition Blu- • microprocessor-controlled the amazing adventures of Cousteau ray for the very first time, as well as and his crew aboard the Calypso as on DVD: • large area illumination they journey from the icy reaches of , Antarctica to the coral jungles of the WORLD WITHOUT SUN & • distant spot illumination tropics. As well as capturing stunning VOYAGE TO THE EDGE OF THE • dual sync cord compatible footage of ocean life – from sharks to WORLD will be released on 23rd shipwrecks, whales to walruses – THE May 2011, price £14.99 Blu-ray, • batteryless design UNDERSEA WORLD OF JACQUES £12.99 DVD. COUSTEAU also charts the The 19 DVD Box Set and the fascinating life of a truly remarkable films will be available from 23 May individual. 2011 for £149.99 from Amazon, Play A landmark natural history title, or HMV THE UNDERSEA WORLD OF

(*) Motormarine version available. For incompatible strobes check www.heinrichsweikamp.net (**) depth limited by strobe connected. Max. operation depth 300 mtr. New Acquapazza housings

Japanese housing manufacturer An external diffuser is supplied to Acquapazza have announced 2 new increase the coverage of the internal housings. The first is the APSO- flash and reduce and unlit corners. HX 7V for the SONY DSC-HX7V The LCD panel port incorporates (pictured here) which should be a monitor hood mounting groove for available now. The second is the attaching an optional UN magnifier. APOL-XZ1 for the Olympus XZ1 Both housings are rated to 50 metres. which should be available by the end The APSO-HX 7V is available of May. with 2 ports. The first is for the 25- These 2 new aluminium housings 150mm range which has no cut off at will have a common specification the wide end or there is another port which includes a choice of 5 stock for the full 25-250mm range but this colours – black, violet, red, bright will cause cut off between the 25- and blue as well as 9 ‘build to 30mm range. Both ports have an M67 order’ colours. They have double O threaded front. ring seals, 3 tripod screws and 4 strap Both housings are rated to 50 holes as well as 2 optical connectors metres. for INON strobes. The internal flash is masked to eliminate light spillage. www.acquapazza.jp FrogFish@DiveLife Seahorn Canon bracket Small focus light

Two of the UK’s most innovative Seahorn have a custom diving companies have teamed up to made bracket for the Canon WP- provide the perfect facility for both DC28/DC34 housing( Canon budding and professional underwater G10,G11,G12 cameras) photographers. Frogfish Photography, It holds a focus light or the leading underwater specialist in small strobe and works with the the North will be offering workshops M67 adapter as well. at DiveLife where divers can come in Price: USD $ 28.00 The smallest aluminium focus with their equipment or photographs In addition they have an lternative adaptor light in the market! to get free advice from Nick for Subsee macro lens, compatible with any Now you can enjoy the Robertson-Brown. housings! Automatic Flash Off function in a DiveLife will also now be Price USD $ 28.00 for bracket, bolt and super compact body, its light pattern offering, via Frogfish Photography, nut only. is very even without visible hotspot, The Complete Underwater www.scubasymphony.com with the standard mounting clip, you Photographer course, which can set it up as your handy focusing includes the INON Academy Level light or your rugged pocket light for 1 qualification. Course dates will be backup.* released soon on both websites. Specifications Also Frogfish@Divelife will be Cree LED Light output 250 Lumens offering specialist photography dive Casing material Aluminum alloy. trips around the UK and abroad, with Power source3 x AAA battery. a photo expert on hand for advice on Angle of light beam 40° every trip. In the UK, Anglesey and Color temperature6500K the Farne Islands will feature heavily Burn time 1.2 hours for seal photography and they already Maximum depth 100m tested have a specialist trip to Raja Ampat Size46.4 x 151.6mm (DxL) booked for April 2012. Weight in air260g. Buoyancy in seawater-122g. www.divelife.co.uk Price: USD $ 123.00 www.frogfishphotography.com www.scubasymphony.com

Issue 60/28 www.uwpmag.com Win a Cousteau DVD box set and 3 Blu-Ray films plus one BluRay film for 3 runners up Worth £195!

During the ‘60s and ‘70s, millions tuned in to watch groundbreaking TV series THE UNDERSEA WORLD OF JACQUES COUSTEAU, held spellbound as the renowned explorer, ecologist, diver and filmmaker brought the hidden wonders of the world’s oceans into their living rooms for the first time. He also produced 3 Oscar winning films - The Silent orld,W World without sun and Voyage to the edge of the world. Now’s your chance to win all four of these fabulous prizes worth £195. There are also 3 Blu-Ray copies of each of the films up for grabs for 3 lucky runners up. All you have to do before May 31st 2011 is to download one or more back issues of UwP and your name will be put in a hat and the winner will be pulled out on June 1st. The more issues you download, the more chances you will have to win. UwP’s back issue download facility is a fantastic reference library chronicling all that has happened in underwater photography over the past 10 years. Buy your copies now and you could be the winner of this Buy back issues fabulous prize! here www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/29 Fantasea FP7000 by Peter Rowlands

The Coolpix brand has traditionally been Nikon’s mid level compact range but with the advent of the P7000 it has aimed it’s sights directly at the top end which in the past has been dominated by the Canon G and Panasonic LX compact cameras. The result is a chunky, fully featured pro level camera with a high specification that will appeal to those who want the controllability of an SLR without the bulk. I don’t intend to delve into the camera’s pros and cons as there are several excellent websites that provide such information and advice so if you are interested in this level of camera I’ll suggest www. dpreview.com as a good start. The Fantasea line of housings is a well established brand who have majored in housing Nikon compacts and the FP7000 is their latest for the Coolpix P7000. Just as Nikon raised their sights with the spec of their camera, so too have Fantasea upped their quality output with an excellent housing both in terms of moulding, construction, design and finish. The housing is opened with a large oval turn button on the right hand side which has an integrated safety lock. The red lever is lifted away from the housing and allows the large button to be rotated anti clockwise to open the rear door and reveal the inner workings of the housing. are as many controls as there are on most SLR accurate. Most notable at first is the main double O ring housings so it’s a wonder how they can provide Loading the camera is a piece of doddle. seal, compression and piston. In common with most all at such a competitive price. All of the controls Fantasea recommend removing the camera’s strap compact housings both sections are bristling with are very clearly marked. In fact some of the most lugs but in practice, if they are lifted up, they don’t controls – push buttons, dials and wheels, which clearly marked that I have ever seen and that makes get in the way. Then all you have to do is lift the operate all of the functions of the camera. There controlling the camera much quicker and more front mode dial and feed the camera into the front Issue 60/30 www.uwpmag.com to trigger external strobes for more controlled lighting. Fantasea produce a range of accessories to make this a true system of the housing where it is held very camera so it can be expanded to suit precisely in 8 padded supports and your photographic needs. The housing four front posts. All but 3 of the is 18 x 15 x 13.5 cm in size. On land, controls auto locate and these are the with the camera inserted, it weighs three control wheels which, when just 1.1kg which in saltwater becomes turned, it shows up on the LCD screen 0.3kg negative. what setting has been chosen so it’s At $599 the Fantasea FP7000 is not a problem. In reality it doesn’t the least expensive rigid housing on take a second to align these controls the market and I would argue that it is and the liklihood is that once it’s done the market leader in terms of quality, you won’t need to realign them again. performance and therefore value for There are 2 ways flash lit photos money. can be taken. The first is with the built in strobe and, to get even coverage, Peter Rowlands you need to attach the large front [email protected] diffuser. The second is to fit the supplied double fibre optic cable plate www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/31 New updated E-Shop! Easier navigation! Lower revised prices! Lower shipping rate with Fedex International Economy! Printing services available, paper, canvas, photo book! Photoshop service! Join our Facebook UW Photo Contest! Super Quality photo paper at ridiculous low price! Prizes over USD Full range cameras and lenses now available! $12,000 to win! Affiliate program available! Free entry! Like our Aquatica HD Wave Scuba Symphony Page! Olympus EPL-1/EPL-2

Olympus XZ-1 Seacam Prelude Subal 7D Epoque 550D Aquatica NEX-5 Aquatica D7000

FIX S95/ G12 Canon WP-DC34/G12 Fantasea BigEye Big BLue 1x5W AFO Memory Kick SI

Sea&Sea YS-01 Seahorn Snoot Dyron 15mm M67 lens StiX Floats FIX LED 1000DX Waterproof

Scuba Symphony- Your Ultimate One-Stop Events: Diving and Underwater Imaging ! • 19th March- Ivan Choong/ Scuba Symphony Workshop S103A Centrepoint Bandar Utama • 25 April- 1 May - Sim Chee Ghee/ Gorontalo Workshop 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia • 13-18 May- Aaron Wong/Manado-Cocotinos Workshop Tel: +603-77107197 Fax: +603-77251197 • 16-22 May- Maumere Underwater Photography trip Email: [email protected] • 29 May- Scuba Symphony Open Day/ Underwater Model Shooting • 1-3 July- Malaysian International Dive Exbithition ( MIDE) Issue 60/32 Online Shop: www.scubasymphony.com www.uwpmag.com New updated E-Shop! Easier navigation! Lower revised prices! Lower shipping rate with Fedex International Economy! Printing services available, paper, canvas, photo book! Using the Sigma 8-16mm Photoshop service! Join our Facebook UW Photo Contest! Super Quality photo paper at ridiculous low price! Prizes over USD Ultra-Wide Zoom Full range cameras and lenses now available! $12,000 to win! Story & Photos by Tim Rock with Elaine Kwok Affiliate program available! Free entry! Like our Aquatica HD Wave Scuba Symphony Page! Olympus EPL-1/EPL-2 When news of the Sigma wide dome and a couple of extension 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM ultra-wide rings. Basically the same set-up I use zoom first came out, I was elated. for my Sigma 17-70mmm Macro I like to use Nikon DSLR cameras zoom. with APS-C size image sensors. This I was looking at the 8-16’s little marvel would give me a 35mm minimum focusing distance of 9.4” Olympus XZ-1 Seacam Prelude Subal 7D Epoque 550D Aquatica NEX-5 Aquatica D7000 equivalent angle of view of a 12- (24cm) allowing CFWA images to get 24mm lens. in close to a subject to create some My idea of a perfect dive trip is cool exaggerated perspectives. At when I never have to use a macro lens 8mm, it really does some interesting during the duration of a trip. So what things both good and bad. I could do with an 8-16 on wrecks, So myself and my high energy in caves, for reef panos, shooting model Elaine Kwok decided we’d models and with big marine life was try some new stuff to put this thing FIX S95/ G12 Canon WP-DC34/G12 Fantasea BigEye Big BLue 1x5W AFO Memory Kick SI boggling my mind. According to through the paces. We had been the usual pre-release hype, Sigma’s looking at some nice natural light FLD glass elements, equal to fluorite shots done with a model in European glass, correct for distortions and color lakes. Elaine asked me where that aberrations to deliver beautiful high could be done in our neck of the contrast images. Yee-haw. woods and I told her the amazing cave My order from B&H arrived in Rota, an island 30 miles north of and I unpacked it and noticed it was Guam, had a hole in the cave roof that Sea&Sea YS-01 Seahorn Snoot Dyron 15mm M67 lens StiX Floats FIX LED 1000DX Waterproof Wetsuits quite a bit bigger in length and barrel created a mesmerizing shaft of light size than my bread and butter Tokina about 2 hours a day when the sun is 10-17mm workhorse. Still, it isn’t a strong. So we rounded up some gear Scuba Symphony- Your Ultimate One-Stop Events: monster and the lens shade is built in and props and made our way to Rota. Diving and Underwater Imaging Solution! • 19th March- Ivan Choong/ Scuba Symphony Workshop to reduce flare. Mark Michael of Dive Rota 25 April- 1 May - Sim Chee Ghee/ Gorontalo Workshop S103A Centrepoint Bandar Utama • This lens fit well into my knew the exact times for the proper • 13-18 May- Aaron Wong/Manado-Cocotinos Workshop 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Aquatica housings on both the D90 lighting conditions and soon we were • 16-22 May- Maumere Underwater Photography trip Tel: +603-77107197 Fax: +603-77251197 and D200 cameras. I used the 8mm finning into the undersea cathedral of Email: [email protected] • 29 May- Scuba Symphony Open Day/ Underwater Model Shooting 1-3 July- Malaysian International Dive Exbithition ( MIDE) Online Shop: www.scubasymphony.com • www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/33 Senhanom Cave. There are actually two places in this massive cave where divers can see … one in the upper roof and one along a back ledge. One can surface here and we set up shop. Sans tank, Elaine recalled her ballet days of youth as I moved up and down and in and out with the 8-16, trying to use a combination of natural and Ikelite strobe light to make some surreal images. I noticed I could work extremely close to her at every range. Distortion at 8mm was pretty minimal if I kept her center frame. There was no real problem at all at 16mm. But if a hand or foot got too close to the lens at 8mm, a very elongated distortion made her look a bit like E.T. So we had to watch that. But it was tack sharp, fast focusing and wide as wide could be. We tried different outfits on different dives and also some scuba shots. Shooting in this cave is magical and we had a lot of fun. Or at least I did. Elaine had to hold her breath for the better part of two hours, lost a few sacrificial contacts, froze to death and that sort of model thing. But her hard work paid off with some special images. Back in Guam, we were working on a book on Guam five marine preserve areas. Two of these are in shallow bays that range from 6 to 30 feet. In the Tumon Bay preserve, there is white sand, tons of fish big and small and stunning, gin clear water, preserve and watched the release could the water especially on high, incoming . and reef. The wide lens allowed me to free dive Here we tried lots of natural light images at down to 25 feet or so and get right into it and also both superwide and 16mm and got some pleasing shoot some spawning panoramas. results. The wide setting seemed to elongate the Shooting coral in shallow water with this model’s legs and fins a bit, which was acceptable to lens at 8-10mm lets one see the clouds through clear both her and me. water, the early morning rays of sunlight coursing create nice wide scenics. It does not have a filter slot We also stumbled onto a coral spawn in through the surface and get very close to stationary in back and the built-in lens shade prevents the use the daytime over the reef in the deeper part of this subjects like coral heads to maximize color and still of a front filter. But someone clever could certainly FULL FRAME

trim a Magic Filter to fit the back I am real IMAX effect! sure. As a wide angle zoom freak, Another nice touch is that I love this lens. I worked well with Sigma claims it has done a couple my Aquatica housings and there is an © of things to the glass and lens Aquatica zoom ring available to fit configuration to reduce flare. We tried this lens. I’m having fun with it and it Dear UwP Readers: some scenics and overlooks at sunset is working its way into the workhorse time and found for such a super wide position in my array. I don’t think it is Get ready for an exciting new era in underwater imagery. Along with a complete lens, flare was minimal in most cases. going to outdo my 10-17 Tokina, but redesign, Wetpixel.com is launching an exciting new photo essay feature called This lens is noticeably wider it has some great creative applications Full Frame. Along with stunning large-format images, photographers will tell their stories through extended captions and interviews. than the Nikon 12-24 and the 10-24. It no other housed lens can offer at this focuses quickly and quietly. It does let point. Give it a try wide freaks!! Look for our launch in late spring/early summer 2011. in a lot of light, so you have to shoot manually or really watch your meter in auto modes. It is fun to use in video Tim Rock as you can swim over the reef with it www.doubleblue.com Come join us online: and through schooling fish and get a www.wetpixel.com Born Free by Tim Rock

Free diving and are integral parts of underwater photography. In fact, you may be surprised at just how many photos are created without using any SCUBA gear at all. A couple of years ago I was talking with my longtime model Yoko Higashide. Although she is a dive guide and instructor, she told me she prefers free diving and snorkeling. Young humpback and Photographer Mark Strickland come face to face. Nikon D200 in Aquatica AD200 housing, Tokina So we planned a year of trips where 10-17mm lens at 10mm. 1/80th @ F5, 100 ISO and natural light in Vava’u, Tonga. SCUBA dive gear was not part of the Bottlenose dolphins and model Yoko Higashide in Palau. Nikon D200 with Aquatica AD200 housing, Tokina 10-17mm lens kit we would pack. at 10mm. 1/50th @ F6.3, 100 ISO and Ikelite strobes for fill at 1/8 power. Armed with mask, long fins and snorkel and a few cameras, we own a business that sits on one of the went to Ogasawara for dolphins and other Guam preserves. These are in whales, Bimini for spotted dolphins, shallow bays and offer lots of fish and sharks and stingrays, Mozambique for coral life. So I am in the water a lot, whale sharks, humpbacks and mantas, sans tank, trying to use light and reef Tonga for humpbacks and Palau for elements to make nice images on my dolphins and mantas. lunch break or before I go to work. The results of these tankless It is a great challenge to just trips very pleasantly surprised me. use your skills, as limited as mine may I came back not only with some be, and the results can be stunning. compelling images of big fish and The good news is that you don’t have marine mammals, but also an array to be named to do this. of varied shots we had taken in the If you can dive down to 3-4 meters shallows with wrecks, starfish, rippled for 20-30 seconds, you are already sand, stingrays and other reefy stuff on the right track. Here are some that those venues had to offer. situations where snorkel and free dive I live on Guam very close photography is not only handy, it is to one of our marine preserves and preferable. Issue 60/36 www.uwpmag.com Saltwater crocodile, Palau Rock Islands. Canon 20D in Aqautica housing with Manta Ray in Guam’s Tumon Bay marine preserve. Early morning natural light Ikelite DS125 strobes and Canon 10-22 zoom lens. 1/2000th @ F16. with manta swimming into light source using Nikon D200 in Aquatica AD200 housing with Tokina 10-17mm lens at 17mm. 1/100th @ F5.6. ISO 100.

Mr. & Mrs. Big hardly moving, that big paddle of a Using simple equipment with tail pushes it along at a knot or so. them as they feed is also best done on When I use the term model here, I am large marine creatures like whale You have to swim, sometimes swim snorkel. When they feed, they don’t not referring to a high fashion model sharks, whales, dolphins and feeding hard, to get the shots you may want. care about a human so much. Mantas slinking her way down the runway. mantas is not only the easy way to Fly-bys are also common with whales march on their stomachs. Do not I mean an underwater model, which go, it is also the most effective and and dolphins, where the boat drops hinder them but grab the shot as they requires special skills and knowledge least intrusive. Some creatures just you in the path of the creature and swim by, mouths agape. on the part of the model, be the don’t like bubbles. So SCUBA is out. you have a very limited but excellent Snorkeling and finning make person male or female. Those include In other cases, like trying to keep up encounter that you can shoot as it all these encounters with large knowing the habits of many species of with a whale shark or whale, SCUBA comes, swims at or by you and allows creatures a simpler and more effective marine life and how to best approach gear creates too much drag. You work you to keep up for a few fin kicks affair. them without scaring them. It requires more and burn up more air with the before all you see is tail or tails. being an excellent snorkeler and gear than without and don’t get photos Mantas feed a lot on surface Model and Specialty Shots competent free diver. A model must that are any better for the effort. plankton. So dipping down past the There is a good reason to use free also understand photography and Even when a whale shark is plankton layer just a bit and shooting diving and snorkeling for model shots. lenses and be able to strike a pose in www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/37 a user who was at Cocos Island and waiting alone to take video of some hammerhead sharks. He said all was tranquil when all of a sudden he heard what he thought was a herd of buffalo coming. But it was a group of ten divers. SCUBA is noisy and the bubbles do distract some marine life like spinner dolphins, most whales and mantas. So how to get around it? Well, this isn’t for everyone but I spent some time with champion free diver Ai Futaki in Yap at Manta Fest a couple of months ago. She can easily drop to 15 meters and stay for 2-3 minutes. She was able to interact with gray reef sharks, schooling blackbar Cave ballet with Elaine Kwok in Senhanom Cave, Rota, Northern Mariana barracuda, rainbow runners and other Southern stingray and snorkeler Yoko Islands. Nikon D90 with Aquatica Ad90 housing, Ikelite strobes at 1/2 ower and fish with great ease. Higashide at Honeymoon Bay, Bimini, Sigma 8-16mm lens at 8mm 1/60th @ F7. 200 ISO. Now I had SCUBA and also was Bahamas. Nikon D200 with Aquatica able to approach them too, but the free AD200 housing, Tokina 10-17mm lens diving skills she used allowed her to 1/60th @ F6.3. ISO 100. and Ikelite Also, the proper interaction between color in the model and/or the subject. move more freely than me, change strobes for fill at 1/8 power. the marine subject and the model For our Bimini, Bahamas, depths at will and not worry about again creates viewer interest. It helps shoot I mounted strobes on the camera large exhalations. mid-kick. If you find a good person to personalize the image. housing and left them at low power Ai is trying to turn her video with most or all of these attributes, Using photography in the for the entire two weeks we were work into an artform and she has treat them well. These people are hard shallows lessen the loss of the color there. They added just enough color made some pretty nice short clips to find. red, which is pretty much gone after 3 and light to make almost every shot already of Komodo, a Guam spearo The reason for using a “model” meters due to light . So skin I used acceptable without having to in action and the Yap sharks using is pretty simple. It adds a dimension tones remain true and the color of the resort to Photoshop fill. just free diving breath hold skills. to the image… another element of marine creature, like a dolphin, is also Most free diving classes boast that composition. It helps put the viewer in easy to render. A couple of wide angle Approaching Wildlife they will be able to allow you to reach the model’s place. The person looking strobes mounted on a housing at the Do bubbles scare marine life? 18 meters within a couple of days of at your photo thinks “that could be handles at very low power can help Yes. Plus, underwater training. So this approach is readily me” and adds interest to the image. just to provide enough fill to bring out makes a lot of noise. I was talking to available through training and brings Issue 60/38 www.uwpmag.com another weapon to your underwater photography arsenal. It also helps keep you in shape and you do need to be fit to dive using free diving techniques.

Creative Shallow water is great for artsy images. Reflections and sun ripples add a lot of a photo. Using the natural light, you can get patterns and shapes across the sea floor and on your subject. It is also great to catch the sun’s rays. Early morning and late evening make warm images with the sun streaking through. In fresh water and some of the clear caves, a light Young humpback. Nikon D200 in Aquatica AD200 housing, Tokina 10-17mm source become a beacon, bringing lens at 10mm. 1/80th @ F5, 100 ISO and natural light in Vava’u, Tonga. dancing light to the walls or floor of (Left) Whale shark in natural light in Thailand with Nikon D200 with Aquatica the cave for great still and video. AD200 housing and Tokina 10-17mm lens. Half-half shots can be made with a fisheye lens in a half meter of water. A good wide angle and balanced strobe lighting also allows for artsy and compelling half shots. What you need lens. Use a wide dome and keep it free dome. from scratches. You will be shooting Then, when you’re out at sea, Conclusion For the photography part: on or near the surface and lens flare use the potato. Rub the juice across The use of snorkeling and free First, get a potato. Then, from the sun is a fact of life with these the dome to keep water from beading diving techniques opens a whole assuming you are using a housed wide lenses. and streaking. It works great for new world with a plethora of critters DSLR, which is the most functional Shallower depth, in general, surface shots and half-half images. ranging from massive to tiny. It will type of camera for this, use a wide also means a higher f-stop. So Also, for models and medium put you in places that allow you to angle lens of at least 20mm or less. scratches and dings on the dome will to small subjects, use a pair of wide use natural elements like the sun and I personally like the Tokina 10- show up. Go to your local auto body angle strobes mounted on the handles clear water to make special images. 17mm zoom lens for photographing shop and tell them you want your and pointed outward for fill light to Don’t overlook this aspect of your humpbacks, dolphins and mantas. dome polished. The same treatment add color and fill in the dark areas. photography. It is a great way to see The Nikon 14-24 wide angle on a they give to make headlight lenses For whales, don’t worry about filling the sea and bring it home. full frame camera is also an excellent like new will give you a shiny new the barnacles of a whale! www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/39 rubber volume down. You will also want to weight yourself so you are a bit negative. This allows you to sink under the surface just by exhaling. As large as they are, whales like humpbacks are extremely skittish. They don’t like humans diving down on them very much. But you can calmly slip under the surface so you are a meter or so down. This gives you a better eye-to-eye shots. The weights also help if you have to go down quickly to keep up with dolphins. On your weight belt, bring a safety sausage of some sort as well. Ocean currents can be tricky and you can find yourself miles out to sea when chasing whales or looking for Bottlenose dolphin and model Yoko Snorkeler near Maap, Yap, Micronesia. Nikon D200 and Tamron 10-24 mm lens sailfish and bait balls. Don’t take a Higashide in the dolphin grounds off at 10mm 1/160th @ F6.3. ISO 100 and circular polarizer chance. It can help with floatation as Bimini, Bahamas. Nikon D200 with well as alert those that the current is too much for you to get back to the Aquatica AD200 housing, Tokina 10- For the free diving and snorkel is best. boat. 17mm lens at 10mm 1/160th @ F6.3. snorkeling part: But for swimming with Keep in shape and try to keep ISO 100 and Ikelite strobes for fill at It may seem simple but there dolphins or trying to keep up with a 1/8 power. the body fat down. This will also help is a true art to staying streamlined, whale shark, you may want something you move and sink and keep up with properly weighted and equipped when with a purge and a bit of height that your ridiculously fit model. If you Shoot at a high shutter speed if trying to photograph marine life using keeps the air hole above the waves. don’t live near an ocean, keep the fin you can. Around 250th or better. Your snorkeling and free diving. Get a low Use long free diving fins. They muscles in shape in a pool. swimming creates a lot of motion and volume mask and low profile snorkel. add more power to your kick and give you’re moving with the subject, you Both should be easy to clear. you speed. You can also keep up with need some stopping power. This may Most free divers don’t actually creatures easier. I prefer full foot fins Tim Rock mean you’ll also want to up your ISO keep the snorkel in their mouths while and they seem to create fewer rubbing www.doubleblue.com to 400 to help out in this area. underwater as it tends to put air in points and thus less blister and skin the cheeks. It is just used to catch a rubs. breath at the surface. So for this kind Wear at little as possible of up and down photography, a simple without freezing to death. Keep your

Issue 60/40 www.uwpmag.com Selective lighting for macro By Daniel Stassen

Many dive sites around the Even though this technique may world have not only been extensively remove unwanted shadows, in my dived in the last couple of years, opinion it creates flat, 2-dimensional, but also most of their critters have unflattering photos. I find that the been photographed by thousands of most difficult part is to aim my keen photographers at every level. strobe(s) in a way that will not How can we take original photos of illuminate a distracting background subjects that have been photographed or anything that can take away the a million and one times? There attention from a subject. In most are many techniques that you may instances, a single strobe properly or may not yet have experienced angled works best to produce dramatic with, for example the use of a snoot results, keeping the focus on the to isolate a subject from the rest subject. By trial and error one can, of a frame or emphasize a certain sometimes, find the perfect strobe part of that subject. Snoots have angle that best isolates a subject in become increasingly popular, thanks the frame with a black background to (Left) Ribbon eel (With black background) One way to remove a distracting to the inspiring work of Keri Wilk ! add drama to a scene. Of course, it background is to use the inwards strobe technique . Canon 7D, Nauticam ND7, However, in this article I am going to is not always a success and one will 100 mm macro, twin Inon Z240, ISO100 f16 1/250 try to explain selective lighting with often end up with stacks of rejects, but (Right) Ribbon eel (With blurry background) It is difficult to isolate a ribbon eel the use of a single or twin strobe and when it works, it is most rewarding from its background. Canon 7D, Nauticam ND7, 100 mm macro, twin Inon Z240, nothing else, which can be all you experience! ISO100 f16 1/250 require for creating photos with a Even though you can achieve special mood and showing a subject in stunning results by using large Hand covering a “new light”. apertures in macro photography, to change the aperture until I have Some people like to use two rendering a background blurry and achieved a good exposure. I always You can achieve selective strobes at equal distance from each isolating a subject from the rest of a start around f32 or f29 and try my way lighting by partially covering a strobe other on each side of the housing. frame, personally I prefer using the down to f16. As they say “a picture with your hand. By doing this, you They will happily use both of them smallest aperture possible to maximise is worth a thousand words”; hence I can choose where the light will and simultaneously for a whole dive the overall sharpness of my images will explain how I achieve selective will not illuminate a frame. Instead without even thinking to change and create a black background. What lighting with examples of my own of using a hand, you can also cover angles or even turn one off, regardless I have found works best is to set one trial and error experiences. part of your strobe with a black of a subject and its orientation. or two strobes on full power and plastic or anything that will block the www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/41 It is difficult to get an original photo of a Waspfish because they lay in sand A tiger shrimp sitting at the edge of a black sponge. The sponge stopped the light around leafs and logs. Canon 7D, Nauticam ND7, 60 mm macro, single Inon illuminating the subject’s background, creating a spot-like effect. Canon 7D, Z240, ISO100 f16 1/200 Nauticam ND7, 60 mm macro, single Inon Z240, ISO 100 f8 1/100 light. I prefer using my hand as I can part of the strobe with my hand, only rock, or anything that is strategically of the port angled outwards. The directly adjust the coverage of the lighting with the edge of the beam the positioned in relation to a potential neck of the bottle created shadows beam underwater. Let’s have a look most important features, the mouth subject. It may not be obvious on the top, right, bottom and back at the Waspfish photo. The Waspfish and the eyes. at first but with practice you will part of the head, creating a different was sitting in the front of a log, and develop an eye for these kinds of atmosphere all together. I must say front lighting would have also shown Use the surroundings scenes. I used this technique for that eels are excellent for this type of a distracting background, not exactly One more way to create a an eel inside a bottle. The bottle lighting because they are often hidden what we’re looking for ! To achieve moody atmosphere is by using the acted as a perfect tool to play with between rocks, wood and the likes. the black background on left side of surroundings of a subject. By using the light. I chose to light the right The majority of times I encountered the Waspfish, I used a single strobe the same principles as the “hand side of the eel’s head because, at the tiger shrimps, they stood hidden positioned at the right side of my port cover” technique, an object located moment, it seemed the better angle among crinoids or inside crevices. and angled outwards. I could have close by a subject can also stop the of approach with the slight tilt of the One time I got lucky, a tiger shrimp stopped there, but I wanted to create a light illuminating distracting parts eel’s head. I took the photo with a stood at the top of a black sponge more dramatic image; hence I covered of a frame. It can be a log, leaf, single strobe positioned on the right looking up towards the sky. I took the Issue 60/42 www.uwpmag.com background for a blue and yellow next level, and in many instances can ribbon eel photo. I must agree that transform what we see. Because of two strobes on each side of the port the narrow range of lenses we can facing outwards produced a relatively effectively use underwater, we have a pleasing result and I could have considerable challenge to differentiate gone searching for more photogenic our work to others. Thus, it is subjects such as Rhinopeas which important to always try new camera are commonly photographed at settings and/or strobe angles for a Aer Prang in Lembeh. However, I same subject until you have exhausted always experiment new techniques to all the photographic possibilities. If improve my photos, and by placing you adopt this mind set, you will both strobes at each side of the port need to be patient and never give up but facing inwards, I could isolate any single idea because two or three a commonly photographed subject different strobe angles did not produce from its rubbly background, creating any satisfying results, and sometimes a beautiful black negative space. As you might also need to spend a whole a bonus, the ribbon eel opened its dive with a single subject until you are mouth as much as it could, making satisfied with the results. Leaf scorpionfish make excellent subjects for backlighting. Canon 7D, Nauticam this photo even more special. Of course, there are many more ND7, 100 mm macro, single Inon Z240, ISO200 f16 1/160 techniques than the ones described Back lighting above to achieve stunning selective Back lighting works best lighting. There are no limits to your opportunity and lit the tiger shrimp easier in theory than in practice, I for subjects that are somewhat imagination! with the outside edge of a single could directly obtain solid results. translucent. Leaf scorpionfish are strobe which was angled outwards to For those of you who have not read particularly good subjects to practice Daniel Stassen the frame. Angled properly, the black Martin Edge’s last book, I will try to this type of lighting because the sponge acted as a barrier to the light, explain. It works by positioning one light seems to shine through, and not illuminating the negative space at or more strobes towards the inside of as a bonus they do not move very the back of the shrimp. a port until the majority of the output much. What I usually do is place my beam will only illuminate a subject strobe in the desired angle, which Inwards strobe position and not the background. Basically, needs to be adjusted until I find the I learnt about the inwards strobe a subject is lit with the outside best position to avoid backscatters position technique in the last edition edge of a strobe’s beam, whereas and to illuminate the subject. Then, of Martin edge’s book “Underwater in more traditional techniques we I change the aperture and/or shutter photography”, or should I say “the try to light a subject with the inside speed until I obtain the desired effect. bible of underwater photography”. edge of a strobe’s beam. I used this Selective lighting enables us to take Even though most techniques seem technique to eliminate a distracting our photographic experience to the www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/43 Creative Lighting with Seahorn Snoot!

Seahorn Snoots are available from: Scuba Symphony Malaysia: http://www.scubasymphony.com Reefphoto & Video,USA: http://www.reefphoto.com Fotosub, Italy: http://www.fotosub‐shop.it Flexible fiber optic attachment coming soon! Onderwaterhuis, Netherlands: http://www.onderwaterhuis.nl Scuba Supply Sweden: http://www.scubasupply.se Many thanks to Kay-Burn Lim, Digital Dive, Germany: http://www.digital‐dive.de David Baxter and Jeffrey de Underwater Visions,UK: http://www.uwvisions.com Guzman for the wonderful Cameras Underwater, UK: http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk photos above! Splash Underwater Imaging, Philippines: http://www.splashuwimaging.com Oceanic Focus, Singapore: http://www.oceanicfocus.com Issue 60/44 Diver Channel, China: http://www.diverchannel.comwww.uwpmag.com

Talking Tec By Damien Siviero

Early on in my closed-circuit on. Each risk needs to be assessed and rebreather (CCR) training my if practical mitigated as small issues instructor once said “that camera is can snowball into bigger ones. I say going to kill you”. He also forced “if practical” as it is my opinion that me to conduct the vast majority my certain risks are best left alone and training either carrying or using a accepted, because the overhead of DSLR camera . His sobering words eliminating it is too great – it is up to made me carefully consider how each of us to decide where that line is. and where I would take a camera in During the execution of a the water from then on. Underwater typical dive I consider the ascent and photography presents a serious task descent phases to be of particular load on any diver, so the concepts risk to me. We dive in high current, in this article apply also to standard rough and limited visibility more diving as well as tec diving, loosely often than not. The result is ascents defined here as any diving conducted and descents that require particular Bow and anchor of the SS Catterthun, past accepted norms of depth and/or attention and often two hands to hang 60m, Sydney overhead environments. on, manipulate equipment, etc… 1/50s @ f/3.5; ISO1600 To manage this risk I clip off my Canon 7D, Tokina 10-17mm, Aquatica, Understanding Risk camera, but in doing some argue that 2 * z240s From the start of our open water I am at risk of losing it due to a clip course we are told that failure. Personally I accept the risk of Scooter diver over the bow of MV has risks; that is true but no where do equipment loss (ultimately a financial Fairwind, 90m, SW Rocks, Australia. they become more real than when tec issue) to manage what I consider a 1/60s @ f/3.5; ISO1250 diving with a camera. Understanding real issue to my safety. Not holding Canon 7D, Tokina 10-17mm, Aquatica, what additional risks a camera puts a camera rig frees up both my hands 2 * DS125s on us is critical in mitigating and/or and mind for other more critical tasks. accepting them. Lack of attention/awareness We are confronted with (often described as complacency) various types of risks that effect is another area of high risk whilst different things. Different risks tec diving. Managing deco time, effect different aspects of our diving gas, PPO2, and so on are critical to and photography, such as safety, executing a dive safely. Underwater equipment, mission objective and so photography does a great job at www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/45 distracting us from these tasks. My approach to address this problem is to dedicate a block of time I use to shoot a given subject. I estimate the time required to shoot a subject (e.g. 3-5 minutes), assess the variables (gas, time, etc…) and if it is within parameters I will proceed. If not, I will either not shoot or revise my objective to fit within the allocated Sturdy clamps and 12+9” arms allow limited. Maintaining awareness of a DSLR rig to be tightly wrapped up. how long I am shooting for and Stix arms provide lift, making the it Shooting in high flow caves with models and off camera strobes can be difficult. what I am achieving helps give me near neutral. Front and rear neoprene Ginnie Springs, Florida. reference to overall dive time. Safety covers are tied together with 3mm 1/100s @ f/4.5; ISO800 divers are a great solution too, though bungee along with a boltsnap for Canon 7D, Tokina 10-17mm, Aquatica, 2 * z240s, DS-125 off camera unfortunately a rare commodity in clipping off when not in use. non-commercial circles. On many dives my buddy/model becomes the safety diver by default, and if he/she example, hook/suicide clips can make A clean, tidy and consistent with a large camera rig was what to says we’re going or calls the dive that handling gear difficult, so switching equipment setup will make tec diving do with it when executing tasks (e.g. it and the camera is away. them out for standard boltsnaps often easier to execute. The same is true gas switch, pickup a cylinder, run line, makes handling easier and avoids the with your camera rig. Strobe sync deploy a SMB). Having the ability Equipment Overload snowball effect. chords (particularly thin optic fibre to clip off your rig and free up both The hallmark of a tec diver The amount of equipment we ones) should not have exposed loops hands is at times critical. surely has to be the amount of carry adds greatly to the task load or other loose ends that can snag and Multiple ways to clip off a rig equipment that is carried on a dive. underwater, so if you do not need it cause entanglement issues. Making exist and your particular equipment , twin tanks, stage leave it at home. The bare minimum your rig neutral (or near neutral) in the configuration may dictate your best cylinders, reels, canister lights, of equipment can still be a lot and water will make it easy to handle and approach but for me it is often to computers, and so on are all carried the best way to deal with it all is when appropriate clip off. Consider clip the rig off to my right d-ring. To to safely execute a typical dive. When incrementally. If you can deal with a buoyancy arms that provide positive enable this, my housing has a single we add a sizeable camera to this, it single small stage cylinder, don’t add lift for this purpose. The smaller boltsnap (with large eye for finger can quickly become overwhelming a reel and canister light until you can you rig gets, the easier it will be to insertion) attached to the base of the and dangerous. do that too. Your camera rig is the last manage. right grip. With the strobe and arms One approach to addressing piece of equipment you want to add, wrapped up tight, this makes my rig this scenario is by managing smaller and even then perhaps start out with Handling your rig reasonably small and discretely tucks issues one by one or even eliminating no strobes, then small arms and finally One of the biggest issues I faced in behind my twins or rebreather. It them before the dive begins. For multi segment ones. when I began doing complex tec dives does not clutter my front chest area or Issue 60/46 www.uwpmag.com dangle below me, which is a major issue in wreck/ cave penetration. When clipped off, I always have the front and rear covers on to protect the port and viewfinder. Both are made from neoprene and are tied together with a piece of 3mm bungee with a boltsnap at one end. When using the camera, the covers are clipped off to the right hip d-ring and again float upwards from there and neatly out of the way. My experience with most cave and wreck photography is that it can be either mission specific of opportunistic. With the former, we set objectives (e.g. shoot a given section of cave) and then Stern and propeller of SS Birchgrove Park, 50m, Diver twisting through passages of Devil’s System, plan depth/time/distances around that objective. Sydney 1/100s @ f/3.5; ISO800 Ginnie Spring, Florida. 1/80s @ f/10; ISO650 Opportunistic dives are very different and I tend Canon 50D, Tokina 10-17mm, Aquatica, 2 * DS125s Canon 7D, Tokina 10-17mm, Aquatica, 2 * z240s to fit photographic opportunities into a given dive plan; this often makes sense when I’ve not dived a wreck before and don’t really know what I’m going magnet to guidelines. Other than holding the camera Rebreathers and Photography to find. in a position clear of the line (not always possible Closed Circuit Rebreathers (CCR) offer the tec Years ago I used a tether or camera strap with and also a high task load), a clean and tidy rig that diver a virtually unlimited gas supply and greatly a quick release buckle and squiggly coil. I quickly is stowed clear is the best way I have found to deal extend time underwater. Contrary to popular myths, found out that for deep wreck diving this was not a with line entanglement. Taut line and awareness is CCRs do not make you immune to nitrogen and good idea as it would snag and catch on everything. the key to success, so pay attention to where the line they do not make you undetectable to marine life. Simple tasks like removing a stage cylinder or is and how it may attach you camera. Also apply For an overview of the types of rebreathers, visit inflating a SMB became a burden; it was also the particular care when deploying a SMB at depth as my rebreather guide at http://damiensiviero.com/ source of the “that camera will kill you” comment an inflated SMB snagged on the camera attached to rebreather-guide/. by my instructor. The logic behind a long tether is you is not fun. If you consider time and light as the biggest that when dropped, the camera will hang below you Coming from a cave background, one area I do constraints in underwater photography; the former and out of the way. In practice I found it to be an not compromise on is lighting. I always dive with is addressed in a big way by CCRs. Reducing gas irritating distraction hitting my legs (when vertical) a primary light as standard and never rely on my limits and optimal PPO2s enable you to spend more and an obstacle between my buddy and I (should on camera lighting for safety. More often than not time in the no- zone and/or far less proximity be required). my on- camera lighting is more than adequate and time decompressing. Net result is you can spend Many divers talk about cave and wreck line I don’t bother using my primary, but if I decided to more time shooting, but this comes at a cost of as coming alive underwater. Unless managed leave the camera on the surface or ditch it mid dive complexity and monitoring. The latter is critical for properly, it snakes and weaves its way around as if that leaves me in a less than ideal situation. the photographer, as instead of the focus being on it were possessed. DSLR rigs, with their controls/ gas volumes it now shifts to PPO2 monitoring. For dials, strobe arms and clamps appear to be a natural this reason I consider a Heads Up Display (HUD) www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/47 narcotic effect. Whilst very effective, helium is a attitudes, tec diving is still a dangerous activity relatively expensive gas, which results in people and sadly people do die. Applying our craft of either on air or running it lean to save underwater photography in caves, wrecks and at money. Due to the low levels of gas consumed, extreme depths only adds to the risk already present CCRs make diving even on liberal quite on those dives. Although you can find yourself a affordable. tec instructor and get certified with relative ease, Although other forms exist, rebreathers are developing the skills and confidence necessary to commonly either manual (aka KISS style) or safely execute a photographic dive is not as easy. electronically controlled. Both have their merits, Finally, be prepared to put the camera away, or if it though I have dived both types extensively and find comes to you or the camera even ditch it, as in the the electronically controlled rebreather to be more end you can always repeat the dive and cameras are suited to the type of diving I do. KISS style units replaceable – you are not. Descending into the high flow of Devil’s Eye as tanic require a busier hands on approach in addition to the water mixes with fresh, Ginnie Spring, Florida. same level of monitoring and for the photographer, Damien Siviero 1/60s @ f/3.5; ISO1250 I consider the electronic CCR with their alarms and http://damiensiviero.com Canon 7D, Tokina 10-17mm, Aquatica, 2 * z240s automation to be a more appropriate solution. DISCLAIMER: Tec diving is dangerous and Diving with models that conveys PPO2 information to your mask very should not be undertaken without proper training. Unfortunately in tec diving competent important for the photographer. The concepts and techniques discussed in this and willing models are hard to come by. Being stealthy underwater also provides the article should be considered editorial opinion and Understandably, not many people want to spend photographer with an advantage, but it is in my are not in any way an adequate substitution for what little time they have on a deep wreck or cave opinion often overstated. Marine creatures are not training from a qualified professional. being told to shine their light here or move a bit stupid, they know you are there but seem to have over there. My advice is if you find a good model, much more tolerance for a diver when you are not treat them well! Consider their safety first as it can spewing out noisy bubbles. Shooting sharks and be just as (if not more) being the model schooling fish are particular scenarios where CCRs than the photographer. provide an advantage because they do not emit In caves with flow it is often easier for a bubbles. Bubble-less diving is also an advantage model to retrace their path giving you another when shooting macro, as it results in a calmness that opportunity to take the shot, than it is to have them tends to make creatures more amendable to being hold a stationary position back-finning against photographed. the flow. The forward movement also pulls back Deep dives and present a their equipment and yields a more aesthetic body serious problem to underwater photographers. position. Typically, divers either do their best to cope with the narcosis or use trimix, a combination of , Conclusion helium and nitrogen, to remove or reduce the Despite advances in equipment, training and Issue 60/48 www.uwpmag.com An Alternate View in the UK by Mark Webster

I am returning to the theme of opportunities. There are all sorts of familiarity and alternate views but ways to interpret this approach, but this time with your local dive site in here are a few examples which I hope mind. Although for many of us just will encourage you to see common having the opportunity to get into subjects in a new light (excuse the the water and explore the reef may pun!). be enough itself, if you have gone to the trouble of preparing your camera Nudibranchs and choosing a lens for the dive you I think that most photographers might feel disappointed if no new will appreciate that there is a or interesting subjects turn up. In difference between a technically good order to keep our photography fresh shot and a well composed shot taken we need to consider photographing at the right moment. Sometimes this (Above) Flabellina lineata nudibranch familiar subjects in different ways is referred to the peak of the action, - in this image the composition is fairly or perhaps look for opportunities to but where nudibranchs are concerned straight forward and is a reasonable photograph these subjects in different the word action is a little misleading species ID shot, but looking at the situations or habitats. as most species move very slowly. So shape of the kelp and the direction of To achieve this we need to can you capture a nudibranch at the travel there were better compositions consider some alternatives. Firstly peak of the action? available. Nikon D300, Subal ND20, think of the subjects you are likely Well, hopefully these two images 105mm micro, Inon Quad flash, to encounter and select the same lens will demonstrate that you can. This ISO100 f18 1/200. you would normally use, but plan for species of nudibranch (Flabellina a different approach with exposure lineata) is fairly common on my (Right) Flabellina lineata nudibranch and lighting. Another option to local dive site in early spring time - waiting patiently paid off and the consider is to simply try and capture and is often found feeding on the nudibranch eventually stretched a subject in a more unusual pose kelp torn from the reef after a storm around the curve in the kelp and a soft or position which may require an which has collected in gullies on the background. Worth the long cold wait! element of luck but mostly a good sea bed. The first image is probably Nikon D300, Subal ND20, 105mm deal of patience. The third option a fairly typical presentation of the micro, Inon Quad flash, ISO100 f18 is to try and capture your subject subject and the temptation for me was 1/200. with a different lens or optical simply to move on and try and find combination to introduce new imaging other perhaps more exciting subjects. www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/49 However, I noticed that the shape of this particular kelp frond included a number of swirls and scallops along its edge and it occurred to me that this nudibranch would eventually find its way to these locations offering an opportunity for a much improved composition. The water was cold and the nudibranch was definitely taking its time so I made several forays further along the reef returning every ten minutes or so to observe its Polycera quadrilineata nudibranchs - With a macro lens it is easy Polycera quadrilineata nudibranchs - Using the combination progress and take a few more to capture these nudibranchs in pairs or small groups but you of fish eye zoom and teleconverter allows a very close approach images. On the first couple have to move too far away from the subject to capture a larger to the subject whilst retaining a wide view. This wider shot of curves it did not quite group which decreases definition, saturation and increases the illustrates the congregation of the species which is difficult reach the edge of the kelp or chance of backscatter. Nikon D100, L&M Titan housing, 105mm to capture with a macro lens. Once you have the focus and the curve was not extreme micro, Inon Quad flash, ISO200 f18 1/200. exposure correct you can play with the zoom to adjust the enough for the shot I had in background and capture some open water and even a sun burst. mind. But eventually, perhaps The second example colour of the kelp. We would Nikon D300, Subal ND20, 10-17mm FE zoom, 2X teleconverter, through me telepathically is another common species normally shoot a subject like Inon Z240 flash guns, ISO200 f16 1/30. urging it on as I got colder, (Polycera quadrilineata) that this with a macro lens which the little guy finally started to congregates on kelp fronds can produce good results, but terrestrial nature photography you had to compose without move around a tighter curve in early summer both to it is difficult to get a large and had seen some action a viewfinder. Now I use my and right on the edge which feed on encrusting sea mats number of the nudibranchs in the film days of yore. We Tokina 10-17mm zoom with produced the final shot which (bryozoans) and to mate and in the frame and retain both used to make these sort of a 2X teleconverter which I felt was far a more pleasing lay their egg spirals. There perspective and . compositions using a Nikonos allows me to capture a wide composition. So, yes you can are always small groups Like many other 15mm plus extension tube range of subjects down to true capture a nudibranch at the found together or in pairs, photographers I am using a which I think first saw macro. peak of the action, but you but for a few days there can combination of fish eye zoom presented by Using this combination must be prepared to slow your be very dense congregations and teleconverter for close at Brighton ‘83 (yes a long allows true macro mind and expectations to the of these sea slugs which is focus shots which is ideal time ago!), but of course was magnification with a much speed of time that exists in very striking and contrasts for this type of subject. This much more difficult to get greater depth of field which the sea slug world! well with the green/brown technique has its roots in focus and framing spot on as has produced image which Issue 60/50 www.uwpmag.com Sea hare (Anaspidea sp) - Here again this macro shot Sea hare (Anaspidea sp) - With patience I eventually Tompots are naturally inquisitive and this one was illustrates the species well enough but the background found a sea hare that was feeding on a kelp frond fascinated by its reflection in the dome port and even is dark and can be improved with a different and could see that it would eventually reach the rubbed his/her head against it....perhaps it was love?! approach. Nikon D300, Subal ND20, 105mm micro, edge of the kelp and strike a more attractive pose. Nikon D300, Subal ND20, 10-17mm FE zoom, 2X Inon Quad flash, ISO100 f11 1/125. I made a few test shots to be ready for the moment teleconverter, Inon Z240 flash guns, ISO200 f16 and was then able to take two or three exposures as 1/125 I think illustrates the almost frantic (well for a the sea hare moved from one side to the other. Nikon nudibranch anyway...) activity on the kelp whilst D300, Subal ND20, 105mm micro, Inon Quad flash, including the open water and sunburst as negative ISO100 f16 1/25. Tompot Blenny space. If you are familiar with UK diving then you are bound to have encountered a tom pot blenny which Sea hares is an irresistible subject much like a clown fish - i.e. Sea hares (Anaspidea sp) are another very by capturing the sea hare against open water in it is very difficult to swim past one without being common species on inshore dives in the early spring order to improve the subject separation. To achieve tempted to take a picture! On my local beach dive time and can appear in their hundreds over a small this we need a compromise between an adequate I have a couple of resident tom pot blennies which area when they congregate to mate. They are found aperture to maintain a reasonable depth of field with have occupied the same holes for several years and on several species of seaweed both feeding and your macro lens and a slow shutter speed in order to are now quite familiar with my attentions as well as mating and are relatively simple to photograph. expose the open water behind the subject. Boosting a few other photographers in the area. But for something a little different in terms of the ISO will also help and using ISO 200 or even My aim with this shot was to capture the composition and impact we need to separate the 400 will make life easier but you need to search whole of the tom pot and some of its habitat which subject from the sometimes busy background patiently to find a kelp frond with a sea hare grazing is difficult to achieve with a macro lens without negative space. As with the nudibranch species on it in a suitable position. You may suffer another moving too far away from the subject. So I selected it is the kelp on the reef top which offers the best long wait and several attempts before the sea hare the combination of fish eye zoom and teleconverter opportunities. will finally began to crawl over the edge of the kelp once again for this shot which allowed me to get You can improve on the standard composition and perhaps produce a better image. very close and also to control the field of view www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/51 with an undulating motion through the kelp along the reef, quite slowly and often pausing every couple of metres for a rest. These pauses are the best opportunity to capture an image with a more unusual background or pose. They will often rest on a blade of kelp and peer inquisitively at the camera which is time enough to get two or three exposures if you are prepared. If you are very lucky they will settle on a ledge allowing you get a very low approach and include an open water background. This has only happened once for me long enough to capture an image way back in the film days, but I Topknot flatfish - these flatfish are very common on In this shot the topknot had begun to shuffle along have included it here in the sequence to prove that it inshore dives and are frequently found on the reef the ledge preparing for take off and I was able to get can happen! edge where it meets the sea bed or on flat ledges and low enough to include a distant sun burst. Nikon in fissures on the reef. They are normally a patient F90X, Subal housing, 60mm micro, Sea & Sea YS50 Snoots and Double Exposures subject convinced of their camouflage and this would & YS30 flash, Fuji Velvia 50, f11 1/30. In many ways underwater photography is a be a typical head and shoulder portrait with a macro little like fashion and we often see the resurgence lens. Nikon D300, Subal ND20, 105mm micro, Inon of tools and techniques which go through another Quad flash, ISO100 f11 1/25. period of popularity. Snoots and directional lighting make an image stand out a little. Topknots are a were an essential tool in the film days particularly in common flatfish reef species which are frequently photosub competitions in the 1980’s and 90’s where with the zoom. This lens combination produces a seen at the edge of the reef or on any flat reef you would see an elaborate array of snoots and dramatic change in perspective when compared with surface often just peering out of a crack. They have funnels as photographers chased the perfect double a straight macro image taken with a 105mm lens. In very good camouflage but once spotted they are exposure for the creative category. Directional fact the tom pot was so fascinated by its reflection normally convinced that you cannot actually see lighting is making a come back and the latest in the small dome port that it happily came out of them which allows a close approach. variation is the fibre optic snoot which will direct its hole to perch on the reef in front of the camera. Occasionally you will encounter them your light more accurately to your subject, well The lens combination does of course introduce swimming over the reef from one resting spot to in theory anyway. This latest tool has encouraged some forced perspective distortion to the subject, the next and it is these movements that often give me to try snooting again and I have acquired a pair but I feel that this actually enhances the comical you the opportunity to capture a different image. for the Inon Z240 from Ken Sullivan in the UK. expression of the tom pot - that is open to debate of Again it is a game of patience once you have found This version uses large single fibre optics housed course! your subject. When you have your cooperative in Loc-Line arms which are more flexible that a topknot you can spend some time capturing the bundle of fine fibres and (according to Ken) not Topknot Flatfish standard shot and perhaps a few portrait shots in a hydroscopic like some of the fine fibre optic fibres. Sometimes simply capturing a common subject vertical format whilst you wait for some movement. (you can contact Ken through his website: www. in an unusual pose or environment is enough to If you wait long enough the topknot will take off kensunderwaterphotography.com). Issue 60/52 www.uwpmag.com So whilst I am sure that we all yearn for that next tropical trip and a variety of new subjects, try not to ignore the opportunities we have on our own door steps. The subjects may be common and photographed frequently but with a little imagination and a large dose of patience we can produce slightly different and pleasing images. The added benefit is of course Fibre optic snoots (www. keeping your creative and technical kensunderwaterphotography.com) skills honed for that next overseas trip mounted on an Inon Z240 with Pelican which means you can be productive Mitylites for aiming. from the first day. allows image overlay. This is still Mark Webster work in progress for me but I have included a sample image. www.photec.co.uk Snoot lit scorpion fish - when visibility Snoot lit nudibranch - you can isolate a is poor you can use a snoot to reduce small subject like this nudibranch in a backscatter by selectively lighting a pool of light with a narrow beam snoot. subject and keeping the background Pale colours contrast well with the black. Nikon D300, Subal ND20, 10- black background. Nikon D300, Subal 17mm FE zoom, 2X teleconverter, ND20, 60mm micro, Inon Z240 flash Inon Z240 flash with fibre optic snoot, with fibre optic snoot, ISO100 f11 1/25. ISO100 f8 1/250.

My attempts with this kit are still using a traditional snoot you can often in the early experimental stages and use the flash focus light to good effect the first observation I would make is to help with aiming. that you need some way of helping Snoots allow you to isolate to aim the light as the beam is quite a subject with a surrounding narrow. I have added a pair of Pelican black background, introduce deep Mitylites which has helped, but so far shadowing and textures with strong I have only managed a couple of dives side lighting and perhaps play with in my cold home waters. If you are double exposures if your camera www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/53 Raja Ampat The Green Labyrinth By Carlos Virgili

We have travelled to Indonesia Celia from Barcelona now based in many a time as it’s one of our the Costa Brava much closer to our favourite diving spots. And whenever Mediterranean Sea. we choose the live aboard system, Whilst we are sailing, I stroll we always opt for the Ondina, a around the ship refreshing my traditional “pinisi” adapted for scuba memory. At the stern of the ship diving. A few years back we spent there is a shaded area where all of the some time in Papua, but in Triton Bay scuba is kept and which we loved, and even though a set up from the first day to the last. lot has been written about Raja Ampat Furthermore, you don’t have to lug we hadn’t had the opportunity to visit the bottles down to the zodiacs – it’s The famous jetty of Airborek. Nikon it since it became a “World Class” all done for you. I see that the bottles D300, Subal housing, 2 Inon Z-240, destination. are new, with practical covers to strobes, 10mm, ISO200 1/100 F13 Looking down from the window protect them from rubbing against the of the plane at the immense mass of other equipment. Wow, what a luxury! The nice reef off the island called green forest of this great island, my The photographers’ area is just Pulau. Nikon D300, Subal housing, 2 imagination began to plunge into its behind the equipment room and has a Inon Z-240, strobes, 10mm, ISO200 waters and the tangled jungle. big table with shelving below and two 1/320 F22 After a briefing with our Cruise small water trays for sweetening up Director, we raised anchor and headed our “offspring.” north. Even though Indonesia and the Outside at the bow, there is a they’ve got a new plasma screen but Ondina are now like a second home to glass-top table and benches where you they’ve still got the original sound us, we had never been to Raja Ampat can sit down to eat or rest between system, which they promise to change which we had heard so much about; dives; a very popular spot to watch the this year! There are plugs under the and to be quite honest we were keen very moving Indonesian sunsets. tables to connect our laptops or a to get there. The lounge next door has popcorn machine (or whatever takes Oh, by the way we’ve forgotten benches rather than the “sliding your fancy…) to introduce ourselves. We’re the chairs” you tend to find on other One thing I’ve always liked photographer and model Carlos and cruises. What a great idea! ... I see about this organisation is that on the Issue 60/54 www.uwpmag.com The impresive sea fans located on Fiabacet. Nikon D300, Subal housing, 2 Inon A blackish Manta Ray exiting the clean station. Nikon D300, Subal housing, 2 Z-240, strobes, 10mm, ISO200 1/80 F13 Inon Z-240, strobes, 10mm, ISO200 1/80 F8 first day you’re always given a kind of far from spectacular having seen the find on other similar cruises. These in the water and the strong currents folder which you can use as a logbook enormous biodiversity milling around allow you to stay underwater for which, in themselves, are the ideal throughout the trip, and in the dining the during the day. Is there longer and mean that you don’t have conditions for a tremendous explosion room there is a map of the islands, a biologist around to enlighten us on to carry the bothersome lead weights. of life. However, this is not a trip for all with unpronounceable names, this? And of course if you want it´s beginners, certain skill is needed to indicating where we are. Although the timetable is flexible available, too. cope with the currents, which can be After the standard “check dive”, based on what the passengers want, As we did 35 dives I’m not treacherous like in the Galápagos or our cruise really begins with a night and needless to say on the climate, going to go into all the detail, but I the Maldives. dive in the same waters as earlier which tends to be good the whole year shall tell you about my favourites The Passage: As its name on, but because we are still close to round, there are usually three dives which I hope will be yours too. suggests, it really is a passageway, the populated areas, it wasn’t really plus the night dive. The diving conditions in this like a river (of salt water) between worthwhile; no doubt there’ll be better Oh, by the way, I forgot to area are quite different to other two islands. On the left-hand side in dives to come. Curiously enough, I mention that as the owners are areas of this vast country as here, a cove, there are large gorgonians and have never understood why the night Europeans, there are 15-litre stainless depending on the , there is soft coral less than 6 metres from the dives in this part of Indonesia are steel bottles on board, difficult to less visibility due to the plankton surface. Totally unthinkable anywhere www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/55 else if it were not for the currents which feed these animals/plants and the fact that they have very little light in the shallows owing to the shoreline trees. If our fellow diver doesn’t break the spell with his bubbles, on a day with the sea in a state of total calm we can see the reflection of the tops of the trees casting their shadows over us. In the mangrove swamps there lives a curious fish called the Archerfish; a nifty hunter of insects which he cleverly catches with his…spit. Well worth seeing. When we’ve used up the memory card with our shots we can swim out to the middle of the “river” and literally let ourselves go with the flow. There’s not much to be seen on the riverbed but shooting down the One of the holes in Goa Farundi. Nikon D300, Subal housing, 2 Inon Z-240, One really close ascidian and a diver. current feels like being on a roller- strobes, 12mm, ISO200 1/60 F13 Nikon D300, Subal housing, 2 Inon coaster. During our little “excursion” Z-240, strobes, 60 mm + Inon Semi we were accompanied by a remora Fish eye, ISO200 1/125 F32. fish which came from nowhere and jetty, you´ll watch spellbound as the a cleaning station. Right next to them mistook me for a ray fish, a shark or sun´s rays pass through the battered are several considerably large tridacna god knows what…when the “river” planks and light up the pillars and clams pouting their colourful lips. Not beings. It is important that the reaches its end, the current slowly the nets which are used to hold the only this, but this construction is also divers go down quietly and position comes to a stop and the zodiacs catches for a short time.. These the gateway to a very pretty village, themselves around the pillars although “fish us out” and take us back to the conditions of shallow water, plenty of and is well worth a visit to stretch not too close to bother the rays during “mother ship”. light, relatively clean water, shapes, your legs, chat to the friendly villagers the parasite removal process, to Airborek: The jetty of this colours and light are a photographer´s and see its curious catholic church of watch their elegant but sometimes island is probably one of the most paradise… which they are very proud. nervous movements while they are photographed in the world. Its wooden Furthermore, under the shaded Manta Mantra: Almost in single being cleaned. With a bit of luck we columns have not only got sponges grid, a shoal of jack fish wanders by, file, three coral pillars stand in the might even spot them queuing up to embedded in them but also soft coral giving some movement to the scene. middle of the sand and form the be de-wormed or perhaps see how bushes of vibrant colours. If you dive And at the far end of the jetty there is invisible road which joins several one of these specimens repeatedly in with the sun directly above the usually a group of friendly batfish at cleaning stations for these graceful goes around the coral towers, trying to Issue 60/56 www.uwpmag.com My wife and model watching at a school of snappers. Nikon D300, Subal housing, The belly and head of a big wobegong flying over my head. Nikon D300, Subal Subtronic Nova + YS 120 strobes, 17mm, ISO200 1/80 F8 housing, Subtronic Nova + YS 120 strobes, 17mm, ISO200 1/80 F16

catch the attention of its small “flight in these waters. A powerful 7-ton, and best kept gorgonians in the world, shark (a curious bearded shark) looms crew”. Funnily enough, the ones that bomber plane, one of the 15.700, had we done a dive with such lavish out of a bleak area which appeared to we saw were very dark, even their P-47D Thunderbolt, built in the USA examples swishing and swaying with be nothing more than sand and shows bellies, something I´ve only seen in which still conserves some of its the current; half a dozen different us its incredible camouflage, going Socorro (Mexico). After the dive, the guns but, needless to say, they are species, some of which, were bigger from a pale brown to a strong copper- biggest pillar is well worth visiting totally covered in coral, sponges and than a diver, all in perfect condition, colour. Barely swishing its tail from to see a shoal of glassfish just off to alcyonarias. one after another at different depths side to side, hardly moving the top of one side. At 30 metres deep we found the ranging from 12 to 50 metres. In and its body, it swims inconspicuously, Pulau Wai: A pretty island plane on a slope, lying on its back. out of their branches, small fishes look looking for another place to lie in wait surrounded by spectacular reefs where It’s well worth taking a look at the for shelter, and in the blue, a couple for its unsuspecting victims. it is possible to get “fifty- fifty” type wrecked cockpit and single powerful of shy Napoleon Wrasse; shoals of Raja Ampat which owes its name photographs and where a shore visit propeller. smallish brightly coloured fishes, to 4 islands, the 4 Kings, is not only is highly recommended. A second- Fiabecet: Not even in Fiji, quite weaving through this winding forest an underwater Paradise; the landscape world war plane lays hidden deep rightly famous for having the biggest of flexible arabesque. A Wobbegong which lies beyond the “blue frontier” www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/57 ondina publicidadesAF 27/2/07 09:44 P�gina 1

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The Ondina at sunset.

hands, fish, deer, turtles… Neither their origin, nor their antiquity is clear, but there is no doubt that they are worth a visit, even if it’s just to “lose yourself” in the tangled “seawater jungle” of the Raja Ampat islands. enchants us with its outstanding These are the dives that you beauty. Rocky formations, no doubt of just cannot miss if you ever come to volcanic origin, crammed with trees, this remote part of Papua. From here plants and wild flowers all competing onwards, we continue our voyage to colonise every nook and cranny. towards Ambon, but that is yet Owing to the erosion of the sea, the another story to come… majority of the islets are shaped like mushrooms and some of the smaller Carlos Virgili ones – and sometimes the not so small ones, are on the verge of losing their www.risck.com precarious balance and crashing down nosily into the sea One afternoon, with the sole help of a GPS and a few notes jotted down from the Internet, we set out on an unforgettable trip in search of a wall with cave paintings. We sped off on the two zodiacs leaving the Ondina behind, plying the peaceful waters which are found in these intricate labyrinths of islands. The waters are shallow and you have to be on the alert: after getting it wrong a few times in the many canals, we finally reached the wall where we photographed all sorts of shapes and forms, some almost indistinguishable:

Issue 60/58 www.uwpmag.com

Composici�n Antarctica by Chris Sterritt

We all have one special dream Fuji F30 as a second backup. I packed destination and mine was Antarctica. an extra Inon Z240 strobe along with I have visited the Russian Arctic various other spare parts so I didn’t for five weeks under ice and have have much baggage allowance left even taken a week’s out over for clothing by the time thermals of Murmansk, but Antarctica has and waterproof outer garments were always been my ultimate adventure. in the bag. Earlier this year, an email from Aqua A week later and I was in Firma (http://www.aqua-firma.co.uk) Ushuaia with a day to kill before spotlighting a late-booking special boarding M/V Plancius for my trip offer set me to thinking. It only took a of a lifetime. I spent my day in the few days before I had flights, a hotel Tierra del Fuega National Park and in Ushuaia, capital city of Tierra del walked for six hours along the most Fuego Province, Argentina and the 12 beautiful coastline I have seen. It was day boat trip booked! the perfect opener for my trip. The diving is so remote that you The next afternoon, I presented have to take everything you might myself for boarding and got my first need with you, including a spares sighting of the Plancius, named after kit, so I carefully prepared my dive the 16th century Dutch astronomer bag and camera gear. I began to and cartographer Petrus Plancius, worry about flooding my housing. which was entirely re-fitted in Ordinarily, I would see it as an acceptable risk and simply a part of (Top) “Weddell Seal and M/V diving with a dSLR. However, this Plancius”Canon EOS 5D II with trip was special so I couldn’t bear the Canon 70-300 DO lens at 135mm. thought of wrecking my camera on Aperture priority, F7, 1/160s ISO 100 the first day and coming home with Ambient light no photos. A long talk with Steve (Right)DiversIceberg.jpg “Getting a Warren of Ocean Optics (http://www. closer look at an impressive iceberg”. oceanoptics.co.uk/) helped clarify Canon EOS 5D II with Canon 25-105 my options. In the end, I took a spare L lens at 35mm. Shutter priority, F8, Canon body with me and a housed 1/160s ISO 100 Ambient light www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/59 (Right) “Diving an iceberg” Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 strobes, Canon 15mm Fisheye lens. Manual exposure, F11 1/100s ISO 200

(Far right top) “Plenty to look at along the bottom” Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 strobes, Canon 16-35mm L lens at 16mm. Manual exposure, F10 1/80s ISO 200

(Far right bottom) “Macro Heaven” Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 strobes, Canon 100mm F2.8 IS lens. Shutter priority, F2.8 1/200s ISO 200

2007. She is 89m long and 14.5m wide, carries a maximum of 114 passengers with 43 crew. This was going to be a luxury cruise ship rather than a diving liveaboard. In brief, we had fantastic accommodation, excellent food and the most helpful crew you could find. I was in a twin sharing with a non-diver and had more than enough room for all of my clothing and camera gear. Our cabin had 4 unused power points, so there was plenty of room for chargers. Dive gear went in a boot room next to the deck and stayed there until we returned to Ushuaia. We had adequate space in the heated room to hang suits and undersuits which each way, with diving in the South Shetlands and always dried out thoroughly between dives. We the Weddell Sea. However, a 11 storm whilst were told that one trip had seen 34 divers aboard. crossing from Argentina to Antarctica through the With that number, the facilities would have been notorious Drake Passage pushed us a long way Port Lockroy, a scientific station part of the British very cramped, but I am assured that a dozen or so west of course and as no headway was being made, Antarctic Survey. divers is far more usual. The trip after ours, the Plan B was devised. It is said that you don’t take During the crossing, the expedition crew final one of the Antarctic summer, had no divers on a trip to Antarctica, but that Antarctica takes you. kept us entertained with various lectures. We board. We were now heading for the western side of the had Antarctic Photography Tips, documentaries The plan called for almost three days sailing Antarctic Peninsular, with our first landfall to be at about Port Lockroy, Antarctic Weather, Antarctic Issue 60/60 www.uwpmag.com “Kelvin found a beautiful pygmy octopus” “Antarctic Fur Seal” Canon EOS 5D II with EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lens Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 at16mm, manual exposure, F10 strobes, Canon 16-35mm L lens strobes, Canon 16-35mm L lens at 16mm. Shutter 1/100 sec, ISO 200 at 20mm. Manual exposure, F6.3 1/80s ISO 400 priority, F5.6 1/100s ISO 200

Mountaineering and Antartic Wildlife. There were Our second dive manager was a large Scot happens. Maximum dive times would be announced others, but I didn’t see all of them. On the return going by the name of Kelvin Muir. Kelvin was before each dive and we were asked to respect sailing, Kelvin presented a talk on the Officer of the British Antarctic Survey at them, particularly for the first few dives. We were world using photographs we had taken during Rothera for 18 months, so confidence was restored. reminded of the pristine nature of the Antarctic our dives. Most of the divers learned a lot as we One day, you may be lucky enough to meet this and requested to respect all forms of wildlife. Any don’t always know a great deal about what we are chappie and dive with him. In the mean time, trust specimen collection would be rewarded by an end photographing. The other passengers enjoyed seeing me when I say that he’s not half bad in the water to our diving and possibly by prosecution as well. what was below the water line and we received a and a very knowledgeable marine biologist. Nothing unreasonable there and it was reassuring to lot of compliments. It was very nice to be able to Our first briefing whilst crossing the Drake see that our safety was genuinely a priority to our contribute a little. Passage had introduced us to both Henrick and guides. Eleven of the hundred or so passengers were Kelvin as well as laying out a few general safety The dawn of day 4 aboard found us sailing divers and we had a pair of highly experienced rules. With no easy access to SAR facilities or through the Neumayer Channel in flat seas and we guides running the diving operation. Henrick a chamber, we had to be very cautious in our arrived at our first dive site, Port Lockroy. Looking Enckell, the dive manager, had been delayed in at diving. There was to be an absolute 20 metre depth out of the window, we saw massive mountains least 3 cities on his way to join ship and arrived limit with further diving banned for anyone who covered in blue-white snow, huge glaciers without any of his luggage. This was not the disregarded this. No was permitted crumbling at the sea’s edge and lots more snow! By first time that this had happened to him, so we although the behaviour of underwater photographers this stage, we all had hundreds of ice and mountain wondered if we had a real Jonah in charge of diving was anticipated. We were asked to be sensible and shots. What on earth would we do without digital operations. Alas, poor Henrick, I knew him well. take more notice of our buddies than sometimes cameras? www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/61 “Dinner time” “This is my patch” “Diving an iceberg” Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon strobes, Canon 16-35mm L lens at 16mm. Shutter strobes, Canon 16-35mm L lens at 25mm. Manual Z240 strobes, Canon 15mm Fisheye lens. Manual priority, F5 1/80s ISO 400 exposure, F6.3 1/60s ISO 400 exposure, F11 1/100s ISO 200

Conditions were very good with some of the pleasure lasted about 2 minutes before it turned to best visibility of the year. However, this didn’t mean concern. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind Red Sea clear water; there was a lot of plankton and that we were being warned off by this magnificent, “Macro Heaven” long algal strings on all of the dives. We were not powerful predator. The aggression was muted to Canon EOS 5D II, Subal housing, twin Inon Z240 lucky with cloud, having total cover for all of our be sure, but was constant. When I reached 40 bar, I strobes, Canon 100mm F2.8 IS lens. Manual diving bar the final dive. This meant that ambient looked at Kelvin and asked, “Up?” He concurred. exposure, F10 1/60s ISO 200 light was restricted and rather flat. All of the sites We slowly rose along the bottom, but the apart from the 2 iceberg dives were perfect for a buzzing never ceased. My worst moment came macro lens, but it was difficult to choose macro as immediately upon surfacing when I realised that I the prospect of photographing penguins, Antarctic couldn’t see where the seal was. She circled Kelvin Fur seals and Leopard seals was strong. and I as the 2 Japanese climbed into the RHIB. On the morning of our second day of diving, Every 10 seconds or so, I ducked my head to have a Kelvin jumped in with us and was our expert quick peek at our lady friend. Kelvin may have used underwater eyes. Only three of us were diving with a few Celtic words of encouragement when asking Kelvin as all of the others elected to go kayaking. Hiro to expedite his exit. This was the dive I came During the dive, Kelvin found so many macro for, but I really think we should be careful what we goodies that I was annoyed I had chosen to dive wish for as it was the first time in my entire life that wide angle. I was ever so slightly happier when I thought that I could die by animal bite. we were buzzed by a 3.5 metre Leopard Seal. My Rather oddly, 2 divers elected to go ashore Issue 60/62 www.uwpmag.com rather than dive the second dive level. At this point, an unpleasant that day. The dive was pleasant and image popped into my mind: what if unremarkable. Unremarkable for she shot up from underneath me to a dive in Antarctica that is! Upon grab the carcass in her jaws and bit surfacing, we were given the choice of me instead? I may have whimpered . c o m landing for a bit of penguin bothering, as I finned away as fast as I could. We DIGIDEEPthe online directory for digital underwater-imaging equipment having a look see if we could find stayed with the seal for what seemed the Leopard seal or returning to the like an age, but eventually returned to Plancius. I was considering Option the Plancius for tea and medals. 3, but the democratic majority chose All too soon, our diving was number 2 - Leopard hunting. Thank over and it was time for a thorough goodness they did. rinse down with the fresh water hose. Within minutes, we saw her Given the sea state on our crossing bobbing along with a rather frantic of the Drake Passage on the way out, Gentoo penguin ahead. The fated everything was carefully stowed and penguin looked fairly comic as its the boot room was secured. It took efforts to stay ahead became ever us 3 days to get back to Ushuaia, but more frantic. Within 2 minutes, there this time the Drake Passage was a real was a great swooshing of water pussycat and the boat hardly rolled or followed by a flying penguin. This pitched. wasn’t normal penguin flight activity I called this a ‘trip of a lifetime’ as it appeared to be flying feet first. but that’s probably incorrect as I am We saw the seal grab our hero’s legs already thinking of when I can go Your online resource to more than and go under. For the next 5 minutes, back. 2.700 underwater imaging products - photo & video we followed slowly in the RHIB as 5.200 enthusiastic underwater photographers the penguin was drowned. Cameras Chris Sterritt primed, we dropped in, snorkels at 600 news, articles, reviews and travel reports the ready. All except for me as I had 5.000 images in our weekly photo contest left my snorkel onboard the Plancius. ...growing every month! Anyhow, our Leopard seal ignored us and proceeded to flail the little penguin and eat it. join the She allowed all 9 of us to contest and win approach within a metre as we clicked a funky away. At one point, she flipped the t-shirt!!! dead penguin towards me and the carcass slipped under me to waist www.uwpmag.com http://www.digideep.comIssue 60/63 Uw photography in the Amazon by Oliver Lucanus

My fascination with fish opportunities are in shallow water, eventually became curiosity to find and taken with a snorkel. Diving with out where the fish come from. Unlike SCUBA is not always a good solution marine fishes the information on and can be dangerous due to trees and freshwater fishes is limited to water current in many of the habitats. analysis data, some information about The Amazon has three basic the habitat, but precious little about types of water: White water, which the actual behaviour of the fish below is silt laden and usually has a the surface. visibility of less than 20cm. Black Frequent trips to the Amazon water, stained by high amounts of made a new fascination possible: to tannins. This dark tea coloured water photograph the fish in their natural represents a challenge to photograph, environment. Before the age of digital because it is so dark. The usual rule camera this was a true hit and miss for underwater photography applies project, with Nikonos cameras in here: get as close to the subject as murky water with low visibility, lots possible. And finally clear water: of particulate matter in the water, and habitats with clear water are rare bad quality of light sensitive films. in the Amazon and usually found With the arrival of digital cameras many things became possible, because the 1200 ASA files from most cameras Rapids in the headwater of the Rio produce images good enough for the Xingu, a typical clearwater river Amazon’s low light situations. Canon 1Ds III, ISO 200, EF 24mm, Photographing with available F6.3, 1/640 light is most interesting, because it is the only way to show the actual The stream from the feeder spring in a lighting under the surface, and it small tributary of the Rio Xingu, Brazil also avoids the particles getting lit Aquatica Housing, Canon 1Ds III, ISO by the flash. Much of the best photo 400, EF 14mm, F18, 1/20 Issue 60/64 www.uwpmag.com Female Cichla pleiozona (peacock bass) guarding her nest, Northern Bolivia Aquatica Housing, Canon 1Ds III, ISO 400, EF Feeder spring in a small tributary of the Rio Xingu, Brazil 24mm, F4.5, 1/320 Aquatica Housing, Canon 1Ds III, ISO 400, EF 14mm, F5, 1/125 where springs form small lakes or streams at the the photographers hands and not bite. The most keep insects at bay. Soft bags easily get invaded by headwaters of the major rivers. The downside of feared fish in the Amazon are freshwater stingrays. ants, (or worse) when they are placed on the forest this is that the black water and clear water habitats The poison on the spine of the rays can cause floor while you are photographing in the water. are often less diverse. terrible wounds that will take years to heal. Local Working in shallow or fast flowing water also One great advantage of tropical freshwater fishermen will usually cut the tails of stingrays means elbows and hands are in the substrate, so it habitat is the incredibly localized diversity. Isolation before removing them from their nets. Wading in is best to wear gloves and some pads on elbows drives the speciation of all living things, and small Amazonian water can be more dangerous than and knees to brace against the bottom while taking freshwater fish often have very limited ranges of swimming because the stingrays often spend the day photos. Housings must be made of metal, because distribution. So any small habitat has the potential buried in shallow water near the shore. The other plastic easily get scratched or damaged knocking for new, endemic species, and dozens of cryptic, fish that can be of serious concern is the electric against rocks and wood. I dislike the use of strobes nocturnal catfishes and electric fishes. eel because the powerful electric shock from this because it takes away the beauty of the natural light, The strong currents are the greatest danger fish can cause a person to loose consciousness and with modern digital cameras and mostly shallow in the Amazon, as are insect and water borne drown. working depths there is rarely a need to use artificial disease. The fish and other animals pose little Photographing in such conditions is hard on light. threat to /snorkeler. The much hyped the gear. Nothing remains clean, and sand, and dirt The greatest problem with photographing in piranhas are in general harmless fish that will not eventually finds its way everywhere. It is best to the Amazon is to find the clear water habitats and be usually bite a person in the water. Even during a carry all gear in hard cases, which can be used as there at the right time of the year. For most places feeding frenzy the fish will swim within inches of tables to work on the cameras in the field, and also the dry season (our fall, early winter) is the best www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/65 Piranha (Pygocentrus cariba) feeding frenzy in the flooded Llanos region, Venezuela Aquatica Housing, Canon 1Ds III, ISO 400, EF 20mm, F5.6, 1/125

Potamotrygon leopoldi (white spotted stingray) is the shallows of the rapids Aquatica Housing, Canon 7D, Ef14mm, ISO 400, -0.33ev F &.1 1/250

time of the year. But a lot of this is hit Bonito, in SouthWestern Brazil. A and miss and scouting many locations series of springs forms several crystal to find a place ideal for photography. clear rivers that flow into the Rio Of course no tour company is offering Formoso. The rivers are all with 30 specialized photo tours for underwater minutes of the well organized tourist photographers. There is however one town with plenty of things to do and national park that is ideally suited, safe snorkeling (and diving) in the safe, comfortable and cheap to visit. local rivers. The region is called Mato Grosso do Sul and is located near the town of Oliver Lucanus

To see more photos and video from the Amazon have a look at my book’s website: www.amazon-below-water.com

Issue 60/66 www.uwpmag.com Don’t settle for 2nd best

Digital cameras have opened up new possibilities to underwater photographers. For available light photography manual white balance is an invaluable tool for restoring colours. But when you use it without a filter you are not making the most of the technique. You’re doing all the hard work without reaping the full rewards. These three photos are all taken of the same wreck in the Red Sea. The left hand image was taken on slide film, which rendered the scene completely blue. The middle image is taken with a digital SLR without a filter, using manual white balance. The white balance has brought out some of the colour of the wreck, but it has also sucked all the blue out of the water behind the wreck, making it almost grey. The right hand image is taken with the same digital camera and lens, but this time using an original Magic Filter. The filter attenuates blue light meaning that the colours of the wreck are brought out and it stands out from the background water, which is recorded as an accurate blue. www.uwpmag.com www.magic-filters.com Issue 60/67 Blue Heron Bridge in 90 Minutes with a Canon Powershot S90 by Mark Sagovac

Never disappointing, always constant flow of nutrients and clean changing, unlimited photo water resulting in amazing visibility opportunities, addicting, spectacular even when the oceans are kicking up West Blue Heron Bridge Span- full span of the west bridge showing fishing variety of marine life, an underwater only a few miles away. in foreground. Composite of 3 shots stitched together using Photoshop Elements 7 photographers dream!- these are My first introduction to the (1/1000s, f5.6, ISO 200). words and phrases to describe the “bridge” was where my dive French Angel- friendly and always inquisitive they are a diver favorite as they shore dive site around the Blue Heron instructor took me to complete a weave their way around the sponge encrusted columns and pilings (1/125s, f3.5, Bridge at Phil Foster Park located in portion of the open water certification. ISO200). Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County, My early diving days were without a Florida. camera but I knew one day I would Locals, visitors and readers start taking shots underwater but have long known of this site being wanted to be a good diver before one of the most accessible shore taking on the challenge. I had been dives in South Florida and habitat for shooting terrestrial since I was 12 astonishing marine life (289 species years old, how much more difficult reported by REEF) that inhabit this could shooting underwater be? Was area just north of the Palm Beach I in for a surprise! Underwater inlet. Ease of entry, excellent water photography has been both a visibility, location and park facilities frustrating and amazingly rewarding make this a unique destination experience. Within a year and after a for beginner and professional vacation to Anthony’s Key in Roatan photographers as well as Scuba and many “drift dives” off the Palm divers. The secret to the bio diversity Beaches later, I bought an Olympus is due to the tidal ebb and flow into FE-230 in Olympus housing. This the Lake Worth Lagoon. This tidal camera suffered from terrible shutter action flushes the water in the Lagoon lag and did not provide me with the out four times a day resulting in a quality image I was looking for,

Issue 60/68 www.uwpmag.com Polka Dot Batfish- these friendly Seahorse- something about the elegant Southern Stingray- I came up on this site favorites are always willing to let shyness of these creatures fascinates big fellow early morning, covered in the divers observe them as they lay us all. This area is home to several sand and gravel, still resting from the motionless and oblivious. (1/40s, f4.9, different species of this docile creature night before (1/250s, f2.5, ISO400). ISO100). (1/40s, f3.2, ISO200). so I purchased a Sea and Sea DX- One of the things that may Enter the water from the nice 1200HD which I turned around and surprise you about a dive trip around sloping sandy beach at the column sold on E-bay four months later. the Blue Heron Bridge is that the area just to the left of the playground. Here Spotting a Batfish- dive buddy puts the This camera had issues with the auto is comprised of several unique sites we head straight out across the “sand spot light on a young Polka Dot Batfish focus and macro mode as well as and conditions that these “critters” flats.” This is a shallow sandy area moving across the gravel (1/125s, f5.6, not having the capability to shoot in call home. I have made up names for with patches of brown algae. Expect ISO250) RAW (I think they discontinued this these areas since, to my knowledge, to see Stareye and Giant Hermit crabs, product right after I bought it). Today none exist other than East bridge Spotfin and Eyed Flounder, Pufferfish I am using a Canon Powershot S90 or West bridge. These areas have and Leopard Sea Robins picking their (compact) which I am very pleased different subjects to photograph way across the substrate in search of 24 foot (8m) speedboat sits upright with. It has all of the features a much within different backgrounds, lighting a meal. Look even closer and you and is covered in good growth and larger SLR has but in a compact size. conditions and water currents. We may see a Southern Stargazer peering swarms of tropical fish. Pay special The camera takes very nice shots (on can only visit the west bridge today up from the sand as well as the ever attention on the approach because land and under water) and is fully because water under the west span is present Polka Dot Batfish watching this is where I often see Southern and manual. I have it in a Fisheye FIX still closed for construction. Enter your every move. The Batfish are a Roughtail Stingrays patrolling under housing which I think is fantastic. It the water at least half hour before local favorite of the park. They are the moored sailboats as well as groups has strong tight seal and the buttons the slack tide. This will give us a big and healthy and relatively unafraid of barracuda. Look carefully on the are easy to work (even with gloves good ninety minutes on one tank of the approaching diver. We continue encrusted lines for Seahorse and on) and I use a Sea and Sea YS-27 of air before the visibility starts to a little further south to discover the Pygmy Filefish. I have been told this strobe. deteriorate due to tidal ebb. “Winn Dixie” wreck. This sunken is an area where “Froggies” can be www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/69 Florida Manatee- the inlet is a haven Southern Stargazer- not as often seen Flying Gunard- blend in nicely with the for these gentle giants as they stay free swimming they seem are more substrate, almost transparent, until you warm in the shallows in winter and comfortable laying hidden in the sand spook them and then are treated to a migrate up and down the intercoastal “gazing” up waiting for un suspecting vivid display of iridescent (1/100s, waterways year round (1/250s, f2.8, prey (1/125s, f7.1, ISO400). f2.0, ISO200). ISO 100). spotted but have yet to see one. I call Angels, Tangs and Sergeant Majors Coral Banded Shrimp. Blennies are this site “Winn Dixie” because just swirl around the hole at the end. popping in and out of the formations Encrusted with Life- pilings are 30 feet (10 m) to the East of the boat You can always find a little Yellow and here is where I see the largest covered with soft corals, sponges and are five grocery shopping carts (from Stingrays half buried in the sand, Queen Angelfish as well as the Long Hydroids (1/60s, f5.0, ISO800). supermarket chain Winn Dixie) on Seahorses as well as one of the Nose Batfish. the sand. Each one heavily encrusted resident Short Nose Batfish. Turning north towards the bridge boat channel pilings. The plan here with sponge and hydroid. Here you Moving due west to the next the water is getting a little deeper is to swim past, around and through can find the intricate and colorful site “Red Lobster.” This site is right now and the floor has changed from the pilings searching around the Decorator Crab, curious Blennies at the edge where the boat traffic silt sand to a gravel mix of shells column faces and gravel below. These and juvenile Angle fish operating turns out from the bridge channel. and stone. These are the “Gravel pilings are exploding with life. We their clearing stations. Be sure to take I recommend you be very careful, Flats”. This area is littered with Sea start at the southernmost set. Schools your self portrait at the old mirror in take your flag and visit only on a Urchin and Pillow Starfish. Due to of Chub, Spadefish and Snapper are front of the boat. Since we are still really “high tide” mid week and early the proximity to the open channel I drifting high in the water column. in shallow water there is plenty of morning when there is little boat have seen many Spotted Eagle and The lower columns are very nicely ambient light. traffic. This is a great place however. Cownose Rays pass through. This covered in orange, red and yellow We now move a little deeper The site is a large mound of natural is also the passage for the Florida encrusting sponge. Growing are many across the sand flats in a SSW rocks absolutely covered with red Manatee on their way up and down different species of Hydroid, Tunicate, direction just north of the red channel sponge. Rocks are crawling with the intercostals waterway. If our Barrel and Finger sponge. The water marker to wreck “Belly Up.” This Spiny Lobsters well as the presence of compass reading is correct we should in between the columns are alive 30 foot (10m) boat is upside down. multiple cleaning stations operated by come into the southeast end of the with French Angels, Queen Angels,,

Issue 60/70 www.uwpmag.com Arrow Crabs, Scorpion fish, Web Burr Nudibranch, juvenile fish, Spider is a great little camera that packs fish, Spotted Drum, Blennies, Lobster, crabs, Glass Shrimp and other super a powerful punch and takes great beautiful pink Finger sponge, macro subjects. You will also see the pictures underwater. I recommend and did I mentioned Red Bearded Flying Gunard in this area as he tries you use a post production software Bristleworms? to blend in with the gravel bottom. program like Adobe Photoshop. Now swim north toward the Spook him and he will give you a Delete the ones that did not come fishing pier. Carrying the dive float brilliant display of color! Heading out right then convert the “keepers” does not guarantee the fisherman east back towards the beach entry/ in the CR2 RAW converter using will not throw his hook and sinker exit point we cross a transition from the white balance tool. Next open in your direction but swim quickly rock to gravel to sand. This is where them in Photoshop and use any of the across and get under the pier. Down we find the Banded Jawfish peering adjustment tools necessary. I like the Jellyfish- not a common sight for the at the third last column is the “Bone from his well maintained little hole, tonal balance, brightness, and color bridge divers but when they appear yard.” This pile of left over bridge Pipefish and the secretive Mantis select, and saturation tools. Spot they are beautiful to look at and shoot pilings and demolished chunks of the Shrimp. Look up and you will see healing and clone stamp will take out (1/250s, f3.5, ISO250). old bridge are jumbled up and around. schools of swirling in and any annoying backscatter. Follow We are starting to feel a little bit of out between the columns. When the few these steps and I think you will be current now and are 60 minutes into sunlight is just right it is a spectacular thrilled by your efforts! Parrotfish (of all types) Wrasse, Tangs, the dive but that will not stop us. It show. Unfortunately time is running Give yourself a pat on the back, Hogfish, Butterfly fish, Bass, Porkfish is very dark under here but full of out. The tide is starting to go out and share your shots with everyone and and Sergeant Major to name a few. colorful life. Train your eye and find the silt is starting to kick up. One last get ready to do it again! Down on the floor look closely for the the Seahorses…they are here! The look around the bridge pilings and it is lurking Scorpion fish, Sharptail Eel, juxtaposition of the concrete poles time to exit. Ninety minutes are up. Mark Sagovac Spotted Moray Eel , Yellow Stingray, has created habitats. This area is well We surface to the sound of [email protected] Lizardfish, Stone Crab and Horseshoe worth further investigation. chatter and laughter. The divers are Crab. Nibbling their way over the Leaving the shade of the fishing relaxing in the shallow water of the sea floor are Sheepshead, Goat fish, pier we head back out into the varying beach discussing and describing their Sand Perch and Filefish As we light and dark conditions found in dive experience, dive instructors are weave our way up and down, in and between the fishing pier and bridge debriefing their students and children out you will notice it is substantially to find great subjects to photograph and beach goers are running around darker over here. You may have to with different backgrounds, lighting having fun. A short walk back up the use your strobe. I normally adjust my conditions and size. We cross the beach back to the tables to get the camera setting as I transition in and “Rubble Plain.” This area lies in the gear off and a quick fresh water rinse out of the shadow and light areas. This path of strong current and the area before heading home. Now the fun is especially true as we turn into the is littered with rocks and boulders, begins. Post production work on the “Swim Through” which is the narrow much of which could have been from amazing images and share them with passage between the channel pilings construction. This area is popular friends, peers and family! and bridge foundation. On display are with photographers. Here we can spot The Canon Powershot S90 www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/71 We’ve got you covered!

Magic filters are now available in 3 options. Original Magic for use in blue water with DSLR and compact cameras with Manual White Balance, The Auto-Magic formula is Auto-Magic for compact cameras in automatic now available in a Plexiglass point and shoot mode. filter that can be added or GreenWater Magic for use in green water with removed underwater. DSLR and compact cameras with Manual White Balance. Prices start at just £19. www.magic-filters.com Issue 60/72 www.uwpmag.com In the middle of Visaya land by Massimo Mazzitelli

Cebu island is in the middle of Visaya archipelago exacly where join Inadian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, Cebu island is long 225 km, its surface is 5088 km square, inhabitants 3.848.919; Cebu island is surrounded of 167 smaller islands, the principal city is . Moalboal town is far 3 hours by car from Cebu City. Moalboal is not frequented by mass tourism but is famous about its coral reefs, there are many dives suitable for every level of esperience. Open water can dive in the shallow water and expert divers there is the possibility go down in the depth where admire gorgeous giant gorgonians, crinoids big sponges and many kind of shells. Dives can be made directly from the beach because the reef is very close otherwise by the boat where can reach many dive sites that are located off the coast. Dive sites are located about 10 minutes by boat, the most important are Kasai, Gargage, Withe Beach, Plane wreck and . Small Pescador island is located 2 km off Panagsama Beach,on the island you can make a different dive every 5 metres, You can explore the

Sardines at Pescador Island shooting at a depth of 25 meters Nikon D200, Tokina 10/17 at 10mm, Easydive LEO housing, INON Z-240 strobe ISO100 1 / 60 F10 www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/73 (Top right) Sardines, taken at a depth of 8 feet, off Pescador Island Nikon D200, Tokina 10/17 at 10mm, Easydive LEO housing, INON Z-240 strobe ISO100 1 / 60 F18 (Right) Taken in midwater, my friend Loren and the background on top is the resort’s restaurant Nikon D200, Tokina 10/17 at 10mm, Easydive LEO housing, INON Z-240 strobe ISO100 1 / 60 F11 whole island under water, is a long way, you can see breathtaking drop off while the reef sourrounded the whole perimeter of the island. On this island is happening an incredible phenomenon even scientists and biologists can explain it: spring 2009 a small sardines shoal began to populate the island without raising interest but in a few time the sardines shoal became bigger and still growing. find them from 2 meters depth to 35 Surely the sardines shoal meters if they are disturbed shooting have found their natural habitat on and divided into several smaller the island, perhaps for the large clouds forming light effects. abundance of plankton and the reduced presence of predators that can Massimo Mazzitelli threaten it, even the presence of divers scares it. Despite you can see some fisherman with rod, the coast guard every day check whole area to respect ban on fishing by or trawl net because this is a protect area. Millions of sardines are compacted taking very curious shapes, often obscure the sunlight, we can

Issue 60/74 www.uwpmag.com In the wake of the Guga Hunters by George Stoyle and Richard Shucksmith

Descending to 25m onto a kelp- Halton on a calm Saturday evening covered rocky slope, we made our in Scrabster on the north coast of way north before stumbling upon mainland Scotland. A 70ft converted a spectacular wall plastered in an trawler, the Halton is a rugged vessel extravagant profusion of life. Covered built to withstand the worst weather, from top to bottom in delicate, multi- with a modern-day navigation system, coloured anemones, soft, vibrant spacious galley (including an oil sponges, radiant golden tunicates rayburn) and 6 comfortable twin- and luxuriant swathes of dead-men’s berth cabins. Our skipper for the fingers, wispy hydroids and matts of week was Bob Anderson, a seasoned bryozoans, macro life was in such and experienced operator and diver abundance not a centimetre of bare around the northern isles. Supported rock could be seen. by Seasearch , one of the aims of this 41 miles north of the Butt of expedition was to record the marine Lewis in the Outer Hebrides two rocks flora and fauna around North Rona rise out of the north Atlantic. One is and its neighbouring island 11 miles North Rona, the other Sula Sgeir, and north-east known as Sula Sgeir. together they are arguably the most remote islands in the British Isles. Cape Wrath Battered by massive Atlantic storms, Before heading to the islands Lewismen used to row the 41 miles we took the opportunity to ‘warm- in an open six-oared boat, without up’ at a couple of sites just off the compass, to collect juvenile gannets north-west Scottish mainland, a short for the meat known as ‘guga’. These 2 hour steam from Scrabster not far men are known as the Guga Hunters from Cape Wrath. Diving here is and still make the trip to these remote well-known for its rich marine life, islands every year in search of this clear Atlantic water and dramatic delicacy. scenery. Dolphins and basking sharks Twelve divers met the M/V were seen along the way and we www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/75 (Above) Entering the archway covered in colourful life. Nikon D300, 2x Inon Z240 Strobes, Ikelike Housing, Tokina 10-17mm f/9, 1/200Sec, ISO200. RShucksmith (Top right) Dead man’s fingers line the walls. Nikon D300, 2x Inon Z240 Strobes, Ikelike Housing, Tokina 10-17mm f/8, 1/100Sec, ISO400. RShucksmith (Right) Jewel_Anemones (Corynactis viridis) Nikon D700, 2x Inon Z240 Strobes, Nauticam Housing, Nikon 105mm VR Macro f/32, 1/100sec, ISO500. G. Stoyle weren’t disappointed as we explored constant flow of water allowing this a series of big gullies lined with myriad of organisms to flourish. These large, healthy kelp and a colourful sedentary creatures live most of their profusion of life. Multi-coloured lives in one spot waiting for food to jewel anemones, bright yellow and be brought to them in the current. For orange sponges, white and golden photographers it is macro heaven. tunicates, wispy hydroids, rough Numerous mobile species are also in mats of bryozoans and abundant abundance such as small spider crabs psychedelic elegant anemones. The decorated in yellow sponge, tiny but in these gullies causes a fairly elaborate nudibranchs, large, healthy Issue 60/76 www.uwpmag.com lobsters, red-eyed swimming crabs largely uninhabited. Continuously always on guard and swirls of Saithe farmed by the folk of Lewis, swimming gracefully over and around nowadays North Rona is owned by the swaying kelp. The relentless Scottish Natural Heritage who manage pendulum-like motion in these gullies, it as a nature reserve, primarily for its caused by the swell, makes it tricky grey seal and seabird colonies. to stop in one place for too long, let The small, natural harbour on alone take photos. Gripping on in a North Rona offers relatively good fight against the current presents a protection from the wind and swell fun challenge but the struggle soon and is the best chance of a safe becomes futile and it’s easier to just anchorage. Each evening as the light go with the flow. was falling we’d go out on deck and marvel at the dramatic cliffs towering North Rona above us covered in seabirds all in a After a decent night’s sleep and constant state of motion flying to and substantial breakfast (cooked and fro. Rafts of puffins sat on the water served by Mary, our gracious hostess, with hundreds more overhead flying deck-hand and general all-rounder) in their typical frenzied fashion, and we got the news we were anxiously above them cruised the evermore waiting for – the conditions were graceful gannets. good for our attempt to strike out to Although the majority of our Jellfish (Pelegia noctiluca). Nikon Diver moves between the boulder the islands. The North Atlantic swell dives would be around Sula Sgeir, the D300, 2x Inon Z240 Strobes, Ikelike gullies. Nikon D300, 2x Inon Z240 was fairly forgiving for the five hour neighbouring island 11km north-east, Housing, Tokina 10-17mm f/8, Strobes, Ikelike Housing, Tokina 10- crossing and soon we began to see we had the opportunity for a few dives 1/100Sec, ISO200 RShucksmith 17mm f/8, 1/60Sec, ISO200 North Rona looming on the horizon. around North Rona. Diving here is The island is steeped in history, relatively easy and presents the classic inhabited, on and off, for 700 years scenery one would expect from a wild and also the sheer number of snow- gaelic for gannet and ‘Sgeir’ meaning right up until the early 1900s. A small and exposed Scottish island – clear white and bright yellow Polycera rock). During the summer over population survived on the island water, abundant healthy kelp, large nudibranchs at times forming clusters 8,000 gannets crowd this small but during the 1600s, but were quickly boulders covered with pink encrusting of twenty or more. spectacular island making it one of wiped out after an infestation of rats, algae and mussels, and frequent the most important seabird sanctuaries likely from a visiting ship, ate most patches of colourful jewel, dahlia and Sula Sgeir in the UK. Underwater the scenery of the island’s produce and possibly elegant anemones. A lasting memory 11 miles from North Rona across is equally spectacular, similar to introduced the plague. Since then of diving the kelp forests of North choppy seas lies the remote outpost North Rona but with a more dramatic North Rona has occasionally been Rona will be the huge numbers of tiny known as Sula Sgeir. Approaching topography and greater diversity of occupied by shepherds up until the but charming iridescent blue-rayed the island it soon becomes obvious species many of which you would mid 1800s after which it has remained limpets clinging to the kelp fronds, how it gets its name (‘Sula’ being expect from such extreme exposure. www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/77 The sheer cliff faces that plunge most exhilarating diving with surging gannets circling overhead, apparently remote and difficult to get to, they directly into the cold, nutrient-rich currents and abundant, occasionally curious of the numerous fluorescent are a part of our heritage. We were waters provide the perfect habitat for unusual marine life. A particularly SMBs that had popped up. Watching fortunate to be allowed a glimpse and a remarkable array of life. Delicate impressive site, North Thamna Sgeir, them from the water while we waited privileged to be given the opportunity nudibranchs cling onto algae which includes a massive archway which for the Halton to pick us up created to report back to the world how truly cover dense layers of barnacles and leads through a large rock just off the a sense of dizziness as they circled magnificent these places are and other sedentary species. Golden north-east of Sula Sgeir. The archway above, at times coming just beyond how remarkable UK diving can be. tunicates and beautiful iridescent opens up like a black hole with walls arms reach to get a closer look. We only hope to return in the future Devonshire cup corals are scattered heavily lined from top to bottom with This expedition was a reassuring for more diving in the wake of the here and there. Invertebrate life is at softly coloured orange and white affirmation that diving in UK waters guga hunters and explore more of the times so dense not a centimetre of plumose anemones. The arch drops can be just as spectacular and underwater wonders of North Rona bare rock can be seen. The underwater down to 30m and forms the entrance rewarding as many of the far-flung and Sula Sgeir. landscape includes many gullies to a large cave which leads right tropical destinations so revered by Big thanks go to Paul Holmes which typically become dominated by through to the rock and out the other divers. These wild and exposed for organising the trip and to Bob, thousands of stunning jewel anemones side. islands provide habitat for an Mary & Kenny of the MV Halton for which line the walls feeding in the The island also provides astounding variety and abundance of their experience, care and attention to current. These anemones become so important breeding habitat for grey marine life. Places like these feel all detail. dense through a process known as seals so encounters whilst diving the more special because, although Thanks also to Seasearch and longitudinal fission whereby they Sula Sgeir are very likely. However, Chris Woods who helped financially reproduce by stretching their base unlike other better known sites such support the expedition. and splitting themselves in two across as the Farne Islands, the seals here the middle producing two identical are not used to divers and appear very George Stoyle and anemones of the same size. The cautious. One memorable interaction process only takes a few hours from involved a wary stand-off between us Richard Shucksmith start to finish and eventually creates and 5 seals, each maintaining neutral huge patches of anemones of a single buoyancy slowly edging closer for colour. These spread out overlapping a better look. We hung in the water onto other different coloured colonies for around 5 minutes staring at one resulting in sheets of bright luminous another before something startled green turning to deep purple, bright the seals and they darted away to orange to pink and all the colours the surface. Apart from a couple of in between, rivalling coral reefs for similar interactions we would mostly vibrancy. catch a glimpse of one or two seals in Sula Sgeir has a number of the gloom, or beneath us as we were impressive caves and archways, many ascending, watching us suspiciously. of which have rarely if ever been Each time we surfaced at Sula dived. These provide some of the Sgeir we were met by hundreds of Issue 60/78 www.uwpmag.com Underwater Photography Your FREE web magazine

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Issue 60/80 www.uwpmag.com Book review Great British Marine New features of the 3rd edition of Great Animals British Marine Animals by Paul Naylor include: 3rd Edition • 240 new photographs (out of The 3rd edition of Great British 600) that show further Marine Animals is now available and aspects of the fascinating for anyone who dives in British waters behaviour of common it is a must have for the bookshelf. animals in addition to Lavishly illustrated with over illustrating... British marine life. With photographs 600 quality images the accompanying • 30 extra species of 80 different species in a panoramic text is informative without being too (making 280 in total) montage, it can be used as a stand- scientific and provides the readers including several more alone display or as a backdrop for a with an excellent reference from found in rock pools specific conservation or educational which to enquire further if desired. • An expanded campaign. Whilst there is a logical layout introduction showing a selection The display can be borrowed by any in terms of chapters and categories, of habitats and some of the typical organisation involved in marine life Paul suggests that the best way to use animals that live in them Paul specialises in underwater conservation, and she only charges for the book is to scan through the photos • Unusual action shots of photography of British marine life. incurred carriage costs. The current looking for a similar creature to the cuttlefish hunting, a commensal The main aim of his web site is to make version is for use indoors or in a one you want to identify and then ragworm feeding with its hermit crab his work available to organisations good waterproof marquee; we hope refer to the accompanying text. This host, sunstars and starfish spawning, promoting the protection, conservation to develop an outdoor version in the is good unstuffy advice and makes gobies attacking a large sea anemone, and awareness of life in the beautiful future. the book a pleasure to use. In addition a sea slug’s defences in operation and but vulnerable seas around the British The display folds away into a container it would be the perfect addition to many more... Isles. that will fit in the boot of a medium- your ‘smallest room’ as you can open ISBN 978-0-9522831-6-4, 320 In addition his wife, Teresa, with sized hatchback car (e.g. Focus). this book at almost any page to see pages, RRP £16.00 National Marine Aquarium Within this, there are 2 spotlights that an excellent identification image and Available from bookshops sponsorship, has produced a stunning enhance the vibrant colours and, also, well written explanatory text. and dive shops, also from NHBS free-standing display for use at events instructions for display assembly. For owners of either of the two Environment Bookstore www.nhbs. by conservation organisations. The instructions are straightforward, previous editions, there is a lot to com. This stunning 2.9 metres x 2.2 metres but she do ask that users follow them recommend this new one and, at £16, curved pop-up display is ideal for closely so the display can last for a long it really is excellent value for money. www.marinephoto.co.uk promoting and raising awareness of time to come. www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/81 UK Dive Guide

It took three-and-half-years for to look to source experienced dive instructor and author images from other Patrick Shier to research and write photographers, and UK Dive Guide, which is published rather than let his by AquaPress on 1 March. The book limitations as a features detailed guides to some of photographer and some the best-known sites in the UK, from bad luck get in the way and , to Portland of a good story, Harbour and , plus some Andy Rankin and lesser-known gems. Ken Hawkhead are two The unique thing about UK Dive Irish photographers Guide is that every dive featured is who contributed many shallow, up to a maximum of 18m, photos to the book. which means everyone from newly- Others included Ann qualified divers to the hardened Smith, Peter Nitton, regular can enjoy the sites, which Seamus Bonner, Patrick hopes will encourage more Richard Scales, Tony people to take up UK diving, or at Leveritt, Mike Raby, least provide some new ideas for those Sarah and Tony IIes, who are diving regularly. Alison Dickenson, It’s the marine life which Patrick Peter Steele, Richard found provided numerous examples Daley, Dave Gordon, of excellent underwater photography Steve Myatt, Chris www.uwpmag.com/?p=advertise opportunities. So, armed with his Moody, Gaynor trusty Canon G7 with Epoque ES- Bennett, Len Bateman, conditions that photographers crave. 230DS strobe, Patrick set off around Dave Hargreaves, Richard Lafferty UK Dive Guide is available the UK in his battered van on a quest and Nina Hukannen. from all good bookshops 2011 priced

to seek out the best shallow dive Patrick says the nature of advert could be here for just £50 or less Your £19.99. sites. But as is often the case with the book itself, shallow diving, UK diving, the conditions weren’t presented problems for photography always best-suited to underwater with reduced visibility a recurring www.aquapress.co.uk photography. theme. However, Patrick identified a With so many dives to complete number of sites around the UK which and deadlines to meet, it was produced the goods when it came inevitable that Patrick would have to excellent marine life and reliable Issue 60/82 www.uwpmag.com Guidelines for contributors

The response to UwP has been nothing short of fantastic. We are looking for interesting, well illustrated articles about underwater photography. We are looking for work from existing names but would also like to discover some of the new talent out there and that could be you! UwP is the perfect pubication for you to increase your profile in the underwater photography community. The type of articles we’re looking for fall into five main categories:

Uw photo techniques - Balanced light, composition, etc Locations - Photo friendly dive sites, countries or Subjects - Anything from whale sharks to nudibranchs in full detail Equipment reviews - Detailed appraisals of the latest equipment Personalities - Interviews/features about leading underwater photographers If you have an idea for an article, contact me first before putting pen to paper. E mail [email protected]

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www.uwpmag.com Issue 60/83 Parting Shot 1

My friend and buddy Pete Bullen told me about Fibre Optic Snoots having heard a talk by Martin Edge and Alex Mustard last year. We both decided that, ‘I could make one of those’ so we set about trying to build our own. All those years of watching Blue Peter as a child had finally paid off. Mine started life as fibre from Farnells, Loc-Line from Cromwell Tools, some shrink wrap and Polymorph plastic from Maplins and a small baby bowl from Ikea! My wife Bea kindly donated some knicker elastic (from her sewing box, of course) to help secure the snoot to my Inon Z240 strobe. Having tested the snoot in my 10 dives we had in Antarctica, I used made pieces of underwatera camera living room and getting decent results, my macro lens on only 2 and took the equipment that had their sea-trials in I was very keen for full sea trials. Pete snoot in on the second. Antarctica! and I decided that under Swanage pier The site was an absolutely was our dive site of choice. stunning wall in Paradise Bay. I set Chris Sterritt Sadly, the British weather the snoot to be aiming downwards at conspired against us and our 2 an angle into the centre of the frame planned visits were both blown out. at just over the minimum focusing On our second attempt, we arrived distance of my macro lens. It took me Do you have an interesting shot with a short in Swanage to see a 1.5 metre swell about 10 minutes to get this right, but story behind it? after that, I could ignore my camera rolling in over our 5m dive site! If so e mail us and yours could be the next Two weeks later I was in viewfinder and use the snout of the Antarctica with the snoot packed into snoot to line up the shot. It worked a “Parting shot”. my camera bags; after all, it weighs treat. [email protected] practically nothing. Out of the total There can’t be many home- Issue 60/84 www.uwpmag.com