sign in sign up
<<
Home , Eric Cheng, Nikonos, Underwater photography

Underwater

Jan/Feb 2015 Issue 82 Underwater Photography1_Dec-FP_V1_PATH.pdf 1 19/12/14 10:23 pm

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Issue 82/2 www.uwpmag.com Contents 4 Editorial 36 Nauticam D750 A web magazine UwP82 Jan/Feb 2015 5 News Travel & Events by Alex Mustard 50 Stills to video 62 Gulf Gobies by Rob Duncan by Alex Tyrell

12 New Products

41 Flip pro by Dan Bolt 53 Storytelling 69 SouthWest Ramblings 11 by Mark Webster by Eric Hanauer

30 Edward Lai interview by Peter Rowlands

45 DeepPro GoPro by Ron Lucas 74 Book Review 59 Lembeh workshop by Dan Bolt by Paul Macdonald 78 Parting Shot by Peter Rowlands

Underwater Photography 2001 - 2015 Cover shot by © PR Productions Alex Mustard Publisher/Editor Peter Rowlands www.pr-productions.co.uk [email protected] www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/3 Video in print Now everyone is leaping into 4k Editorial and even the top GoPros can shoot There’s no doubt that with the it but my suspicion is that there will in this issue confirm just that. Rob volume of the float arms, you are marketing hype behind 4k, video is only be a few who stick with it and Duncan has written a very informative pushing something much larger/ the new hot potato but discussing it in produce watchable end products. account of the transition from bulkier through the water which has a all its facets is actually quite difficult There is so much more to do with shooting video as opposed to stills dampening effect on any movements. in a ‘printed’ magazine. video from the story idea, actually and Eric Hanauer discusses the vital With stills it also means you can hold Despite being in the digital age shooting the right footage to tell that ingredient of any successful video clip the system much steadier so should be there are still lots of conventional story and then editing it and adding be it 1 minute or 50 minutes long - able to get away with slower magazines dedicated to photography sound or narration. storytelling. speeds. where still images and the techniques With stills your work is mostly Enjoy. If your system is quite heavy behind them are displayed in print and over when you press the shutter but underwater I recommend you try discussed in the written word. The with video your work has only just floats as I think they will moving image - or video- however Balance and buoyancy begun. make a big difference. has been almost impossible to feature I learned all this from watching successfully in print because pages Believe it or not I was recently and diving with the late great Peter Parting Shot can’t include video clips. asked “How do you get your video Scoones whose video housings were In a funny sort of a way UwP is footage to be so steady?” and once perfectly trimmed and balanced. I Eagle eyed readers will notice rather like a conventionally printed my artistic ego has shrunk to normal remember watching some footage he that this issue’s Parting Shot is not magazine in that it too is limited as again I explained that balance and had shot that day and I remarked how only written by me but is also not to how it can convey and discuss buoyancy are the basic ingredients for good and smoothe it looked. “Ah”, really the ‘story within a story’ that video footage and techniques. Sure success and they apply equally well to he said, “I’d forgotten the the format is designed to encourage. we could embed video clips to go stills as well as video shooters. was still rolling then”. Such was the Those readers who will accuse with the text but that would make With video my personal balance and buoyancy that even his me of giving myself priority over the downloadable file size far too big preference is to get the balance of unintentional footage was good. other contributors would actually be which would take away from UwP’s my system - housing, arms and quite wrong for this is only the second advantage. lights - to be ever so slightly time in UwP’s 82 issue history that The perfect domain for video underwater and that, ideally, if you 4k frenzy there have been no Parting Shots is the web with sites like YouTube were to let go of it, it would ever so submitted. where you can link to them or even slowly sink but remain level. That can People are funny, aren’t they? So if you have an interesting shot embed their link as being the best way be achieved in most cases by adding Well, not funny exactly but more which has a ‘story with a story’, UwP to discuss and illustrate everything buoyancy in the form of closed cell weird. would love to hear from you and you from storyboarding to shooting to foam floats but also by getting the Take 4k video, for example. could be the next Parting Shot. editing with actual moving examples centre of gravity as low as possible. You’d think video has just been on screen. This will result in stability. invented and that prior to 4k the That doesn’t mean that UwP Being lighter means less wrist moving image was not worth Peter Rowlands can’t feature video and 2 articles strain and, with the added bulk/ considering. [email protected] Issue 82/4 www.uwpmag.com News, Travel & Events World Shootout 2015 The World Shootout 2015 has 10th DEEP Indonesia Photo Competition announced that it will be accepting entries from 1 January 2015. The hosted by DivePhotoGuide and Wetpixel contest will accept underwater images taken anywhere in the world between The prestigious 1 January and 1 November 2015 and DEEP Indonesia offers over $70,000 worth of prizes. International Underwater The winners will be announced at the $3,000 check for the 1st prize! Photo Competition is part BOOT Show, Dusseldorf in January Early Bird Registration, carried of a unique series hosted 2016. out from January 1st to August 30th, by DivePhotoGuide & Submit your best underwater entitles the participant to submit a Wetpixel, in association images, taken in any destination free additional set of images in each with DEEP Indonesia, around the world, and win some of category the participant has registered Indonesia’s first-ever the most valuable prizes awarded to to. diving, adventure travel underwater photographers, including a www.worldshootout.org and extreme sports expo. Photographers will compete in six themed categories to win over $40,000 in prizes, including magazine editors from around the Swim with Whale Sharks underwater photo equipment and world. July 13 - 18 & July 18 - 23 2015 premium dive travel packages to some Deadline for submissions 4 d ays on private charter of the top photo destinations in the February 27th, 2015 Isla Mujeres, Mexico world. Winners will be announced The DEEP Indonesia competition online, published by our media is part of a unique series, that together partners worldwide and exhibited with the Our World Underwater during the DEEP Indonesia Expo. competition, has a prize pool of The fee to enter is $10 per image. over $90,000. The prestige of these As with all UnderwaterCompetition. contests means that winners also com events, 15% of entry Swim with Wild Dolphins achieve the glory of being named proceeds will be donated to marine June 20 - 26, 2015 some of the world’s best underwater conservation efforts. 6 days on a in Bahamas photographers. Esteemed judges include leading professional www.underwatercompetition.com www.GregorySweeney.com underwater photographers and www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/5 Underwater Photography2_Dec-FP_V1-PATH.pdf 1 19/12/14 10:21 pm

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Issue 82/6 www.uwpmag.com 51st Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition John Collins Photography Workshop 9-16 September 2015 Open to Marsa Shagra, Southern Egypt young, amateur and professional photographers John will be offering worldwide, the 51st photography and video workshops Wildlife Photographer at Red Sea Diving Safari’s Marsa of the Year Competition Shagra. For this 5-day workshop, John launches for entries on plans to offer a combination of photo Monday 5 January 2015 and video instruction. This is suitable for eight weeks. to a wide variety of divers, from those Critiquing the with entry-level compact many tens of thousands right through to DSLR-experienced of submissions to photographers, and those starting out find the winning 101 will be an impressing the panel is to make sure with GoPro action cameras. international jury of experts including your basics are exemplary and then National Geographic Senior Editor dare to be different.’ www.oonasdivers.com Kathy Moran, master of nature There are two special awards photographer, Tom Mangelsen, TIMElapse calls on adult entrants to French aerial photographer, Thierry submit up to three sequences each Vezon, and underwater photographer, lasting between 45 to 90 seconds, Dr Alex Mustard. which tell a story or reveal something Wildlife Photographer of unique from the natural world, be it the Year (WPY) has remained behaviour or an event; and WILD-I at the forefront of contemporary seeks natural world stories caught on photography, championing the ethics, mobile devices from young citizen while also recognising and awarding reporters. artistic composition, narrative form, By taking part, photographers get and technical excellence. the chance to win a trip to London to WPY 2015 judge, Dr Alexander take centre stage at the 51st Wildlife Mustard, says: ‘Like all judges I’m Photographer of the Year Awards, as hoping and expecting to see amazing well as enjoy public of their images, the likes of which I’ve not image as it tours across the world in seen before. My best advice for the annual exhibition.

www.wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/7 Dive Lembeh Gerald Rambert in Truk Lagoon 28 Jun - 9 July 2015 S/Y Truk Siren, 2nd - 12th Sep 2015 Gerald, from Mauritius, will We will be taking a dive once again be hosting a 10-night trip to unique Lembeh in Underwater Photography Workshop North Sulawesi on 28 June to with the Siren Fleet. 9 July 2015. Underwater photographers will North Sulawesi is delight in the range of photographic a home to many unusual subjects both wide-angle and macro. species, for example the Many of the wrecks are well within prehistoric “coelacanth” recreational limits and suitable for all The dominating volcanic landscape divers. Whether you are a beginner or creates a unique backdrop for you more experienced photographer you www.geraldrambert.com to discover North Sulawesi, one of can benefit from Gerald’s instruction- the world’s best yet least known or simply join a like-minded group. www.sirenfleet.com dive destinations The cost of $2210 per person includes 9 nights twin share airconditioned accomodation at Eco Divers Resort Lembeh, 3 How would you like to own the land by Hairball in Lembeh? boat day dives per day for 8 days, all meals and internet access. For Sale : Price also includes air-conditioned Islands and the strait between the two Unique Lembeh airport transfers. is a world class dive attraction. Coastline Land The cost of $3215 per person Dive Alor includes return Airfares Bali Lembeh in North Sulawesi in Indonesia is generally viewed as the world’s top des

in

Specialists

Underwater Photography

Sir en Fle et

C Dive China 2015 M

Y Guangzhou, April 28 -May 1

CM

MY

CY Dive China 2015 will be held In 2015, Dive China will join CMY Six Luxury in Asia’s International Yacht City, the Luxury Feast for the first time, K Guangzhou from April 28 -May 1. held together with the other related Spacious cabins & Dive Deck Building on the outstanding exhibitions as mentioned above. For Superior Service & Dive Guides Your advert could be success of 2014’s show, Dive China Dive China, this will be the most 2015 will be more promising. We are important turning point. here for just £50 and will planning to have about 250 booths By joining Luxury Feast, Dive be seen by over 10,000 spread over an area to 8000 sq.m. China will be able to share the underwater photographers Besides, we will organize many vigorous promotion and publication worldwide. No other on-site activities like seminars, through over 500 media cooperated underwater photography, Try with the organizing committee, publication has such a Diving,etc. and the most important, share the targeted audience. For

Truk • Fiji • Palau Luxury Feast, the brand show high-quality visitors brought by the more details visit: Indonesia • Philippines of our organizing committee, aims to concurrently held exhibitions which is www.uwpmag.com/?p=advertise Call the experts: +44 208 099 2230 build a high-class business platform expected to be over 150,000! www.sirenfleet.com by gathering Boat Show, Air and [email protected] Helicopter Show, Luxury brand Show, www.chinadiveshow.com etc, under one roof. www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/9 Ultimate Manado with Nick & Caroline Robertson-Brown 6th - 20th September 2015

The Manado Region of Sulawesi, Indonesia, is world renowned for its stunning of marine life. Boston Sea Rovers Home to creatures such as DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Frogfish, Pygmy Seahorses, Porcelain Boston North Shore in Danvers MA Crabs, Waspfish, nudibranchs and March 6th - 8th 2015 forests of coral and soft sponges, Manado has quickly become a The Boston Sea Rovers are heavenly place for underwater the proud sponsors of the “Longest photography. If you love all creatures Continuously Running Dive Show weird and wonderful, the sheer in the World,” a distinction made variety of subjects in this region possible primarily due to the can leave underwater photographers excellent quality of speakers that mesmerized. have continued to grace our stages. The Ultimate Manado trip We take great pleasure in hosting the will be guided by prominent best educators, explorers, scientists, photographers Nick and Caroline divers and speakers in the world. The Robertson-Brown of Frogfish purpose of these lectures help us to Photography and it will encapsulate (Image by Frogfish Photography) achieve our club our mission, “To this region’s highlights both above educate the general public about the and below the water. underwater world.” Nick and Caroline met whilst run Frogfish Photography, based Our daytime presentations form The jewel of each annual studying Environmental Biology at in Manchester, offering tuition, the backbone of our show. In two Clinic is our Saturday Evening Film Manchester University. While Nick commissions, equipment sales and days we will host over 40 speakers Festival. The Sea Rovers take pride went on to become a teacher, Caroline advice and running trips all around the covering a myriad of diving and in the fact that we have continuously got her MSc in Animal Behaviour. world. The trips are specially designed marine related topics. Each hour there blazed the trail in the underwater They have worked as dive instructors to suit underwater photographers are three simultaneous lectures being world, premiering more speakers and abroad and in the UK, before they of all levels, with workshops and held on Saturday and Sunday from presentations from our stages than any focused on their passion - underwater practical sessions to help improve the 9am to 5 pm. You get to choose which other show. photography. Nick and Caroline now images you will take home. speaker or topic you would like to see www.divequest-diving-holidays.co.uk based on your interests. www.bostonsearovers.com

Issue 82/10 www.uwpmag.com What does your profile pic say about you?

Waterproof housings for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Sony cameras. Designed and manufactured in the USA.

Find an Authorized Dealer at ikelite.com.

Your camera... anywhere there's water. New Products Subal housing for the Panasonic GH4 Ikelite’s TTL housing for the Nikon D750 DSLR GripBase

SUBAL is proud to present the GripM+BaseQM Ikelite proudly announces the back of the housing acts as a remote first rendering images of the New + Quick shoe M latest addition to its DSLR Housing control for compatible Ikelite DS- SUBAL GH4 housing to be released. line, which is designed to offer one series strobes. Access plus/minus Austrian world’s most renowned uw of the best performance to dollar in TTL mode, housing manufacturer is applying purchases in the world. The Ikelite plus manual power settings in half- the last finishing touches to the most DSLR housing is a seamless blend stop increments. ergonomic housing on the market for of functionality, lighting integration, This housing includes a the Panasonic Lumix GH4 camera. durability and waterproof integrity. balanced aluminum tray with our The meticulously crafted GH4 Underwater Camera Housing for SIGMA DP EMerrill TTL or “Through-The-Lens” signature quick release handles housing expands the possibilities metering means the camera for easy attachment and removal for professional photographers who GripM controls flash duration to properly of external lighting. An aluminum +BaseGTM (With a mount base) demand the best performance and expose an image. Built-in proprietary 1/4-20 threaded top mount provides reliability in the most challenging circuitry tells the camera that a TTL an additional attachment point for environments. external flash is attached, allowing lightweight accessories. With its already known design, the camera to adjust exposure more Product Number 6812.75 quality construction and ergonomic accurately than with slave TTL US Suggested Retail Price handling the SUBAL GH4 adds strobes. $1,800 another housing to his line. Crafted An Ikelite exclusive: exposure from a solid block of high-grade adjustments directly through the back www.ikelite.com seawater-resistant aluminum, which is of the housing put the perfect shot anodized and put through a chemical within reach every time. Tweak your GripM+BaseGM hardening process. (General purpose) TTL exposure or take total manual control without taking your hand off www.subal.com your housing. A dial control on the http://acquapazza.jp/enhttp://acquapazza.jp/en

Issue 82/12 www.uwpmag.com Keldan Video 8X 10,000 lumen light

NEW Coming Soon TYPE

Ten thousand lumens in a light light that combines high output APSO-A7 Underwater Housing for the Sony ILCE-α7R/α7/α7s is an impressive feat... especially with the ruggedness and precision when you pack it in a travel friendly that KELDAN is known for... the underwater video light that is KELDAN Video 8X. At 10,000 actual available for purchase now. It’s lumens output, this is the brightest especially impressive when that much KELDAN to date. The Video 8X lighting power comes in a rugged yet combines the new and dome precise Swiss-made package that is lens configuration from the popular ready to dive as deep as 200 meters. Video 4X with a higher output led Where other light manufacturers drive circuit and larger battery, might use an LED (or 2) that claims resulting in a super wide 10K lumen it can achieve this kind of output, light that packs easily for travel. KELDAN delivers it; actual measured The Video 8X takes advantage of output at operating in the fixed light head style (as compared real world conditions. This kind of to the modular Video 8M) to shunt obsession with accuracy is part of heat effectively, allowing for the high the reason that KELDAN lights are output. known as the best underwater video MSRP: $2190 lights available. Today KELDAN is proud to www.nauticamusa.com announce a new underwater video www.keldanlights.com http://acquapazza.jp/enhttp://acquapazza.jp/en www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/13 Subal ND750 for Nikon D750 Ikelite TTL housing for Panasonic Lumix LX100

This sophisticated installation SUBAL announces the release supports all important camera of the SUBAL ND750 professional functions including all three custom underwater housing for Nikon D750 function buttons and front D- SLR camera. dial. Rear controls are marked with Designed for the world’s most laser engraved indicia which will demanding photographers and never wear off or fade away. multimedia professionals, especially The tray and handle shown those in the fields of underwater are included with the base housing, sports and as well providing comfortable handling and as advanced amateur photographers. an attachment point for external With SUBAL’s more than 40 lighting. years of expertise in housing design The housing port is designed to and manufacture, high-quality accept filters, wide angle, and craftsmanship and ergonomic design macro options for 3.9-inch diameter are integral features of the new ports. Dealers for Nauticam, Aquatica, Gates, Equinox, Seacam, Olympus, Ikelite, Fix, Zen, Athena, Sea & Sea, Light & Motion, 10Bar, Big Blue, Keldan, i-Torch/i-DAS, Seahorse, ND750. The handling and feel of This housing is compatible Fantasea Line, MAHA Power, and more. We dive what we sell! SUBAL housings are unmistakable, with the WD-4 Wide Angle Dome matched only by their peerless for underwater wide angle which is reliability and dependability. sharper edge to edge than any external The ND750 housing will be wet lens. available in January 2015 at an MSRP LIGHTING PARTS SYSTEMS of USD 3,800 (port not included) www.ikelite.com Visit us Online at: OpticalOceanSales.com Email: [email protected] / Ph: +1 206-284-1142 or 800-359-1295 www.subal.com 1800 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 201, Seattle WA, USA 98109 Issue 82/14 www.uwpmag.com Canon, Panasonic, Inon, Sea & Sea, Hugyfot, Nauticam, Light & Motion, Fisheye, Patima, GoPro, etc... Acquapazza APSO-A72 Sony A7 housing

Japanese housing Acquapazza have moved forward on their development of a Sony A7 11 (ILCE-7M2) housing. Once the Sony’s lens road map had been announced, Acquapazza investigated the 28mm plus fisheye conversion lens and the 90mm Macro which will be available in 2015. A year ago since there were no such E mount lenses Acquapazza designed I the housing to take A mount lenses UW-PHOTOGRAPHY but these were large and resulted in Then you’ve come to the right place a large housing for a small camera. As a result they have now developed their APSO-A72 housing to take just E mount lenses so it is both small and lightweight. The housing will take the following lenses:

SEE US AT 28mm+fisheye, 90mm Macro, 16- THE DIVE 2014 35mm wide zoom and 28-70mm NEC 25-26TH OCT standard zoom. Close up lenses can be accommodated. rear housing – the slant allows the Ocean Leisure Cameras is There are 3 x M14 screw thread LCD screen to be tilted or the flat can the one-stop central London cameras underwater photography sockets, 2 for strobes and one for an incorporate INON’s 45° viewfinder specialist store. external monitor. as an option. There will also be an HOUSINGS A housing will be available for optional hand grip available. Address: 11-14 Northumberland Ave the Sony HVL-F20AM strobe which Acquapazza will continue London, WC2N 5AQ LIGHTS Underground: Embankment will provide optically triggered TTL to produce the APSO-A7 and the

Contact: photography. APSO-A72 will be available as soon Phone: 020 7930 5051 LENSES [email protected] As with many other Acquapazza as possible. www.oceanleisurecameras.com housings there are two versions of the www.acquapazza.jp/en London’s premier underwater camera store Open 7 days a week KNOWLEDGE www.uwpmag.com Canon, Panasonic, Inon, Sea & Sea, Hugyfot, Nauticam, Light & Motion, Fisheye, Patima, GoPro, etc... Issue 82/15 Ocean critters- Clayart Scuba Symphony Malaysia! Free Shipping Worldwide* !!!!!! Nauticam NA-D750 housing for the Nikon D750 Individually handcrafted, each one is unique! Scuba Gear, Strobes,Camera Housings,etc! ( Almost) All brands available!! www.scubasymphony.com! *Min. order USD $ 99.00, terms and conditions apply

NA-D750 is the 15th unique camera out to the housing handles, Nikon DSLR design from Nauticam, allowing quick access to Video and evolutionary improvements Record, AF-On (for thumb activated inherited from this extensive heritage ), ISO, and Image Playback. combined with new refinements result The patent pending Multi Controller in the most rewarding user experience Pad replicates this control from the possible. D750 Camera, allowing easy focus The operation of the housing in point selection, even on the diagonals. water is intuitive, comfortable, and Controls clustered at the right ergonomic. Key controls are placed grip place key camera functions right within easy reach of the housing at the users fingertips. handles, exactly where the underwater The rubberized handle provides photographer needs them. All controls an ergonomic, non-slip grip. are clearly labeled, and several button Nauticam’s patented Port and lever formats are used to allow Locking Lever is simple to operate, operation by feel. enabling easy port changes without Core camera functions such twisting or excessive . A vacuum as shutter release, aperture, shutter reset button inside the port mount speed, live view, info, exposure also allows the vacuum system to be compensation, preview, quickly reset from the port mount, Fn, flash exposure compensation, when making quick lens changes. focus mode, AF/M, and zoom are all located at the users fingertips. www.nauticamusa.com Dual thumb levers pull important Webshop:: www.marinemagnets.net functionality from the back of the facebook.com/marinemagnets www.uwpmag.com Email: [email protected] Issue 82/16 AMAZING MACRO Keldan Video 8M Modular U/W Video Light Announcing the OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-3 Video 8M - the 2015 update to the modular underwater video lighting system widely recognized as the finest Nauticam NA-GH4 light of its kind. The Panasonic GH4 Video 8M provides high output, high quality light in a modular format that allows the discerning underwater videographer to choose the right type of light needed for a particular look or set of conditions. “Stunning 4K Video, Click to View Sample The Video 8M is sold in two and quality of the beam is paramount. Compact & A ordable” Images and Video! different basic models, Video 8M The dome of the Video 8X allows for FLUX and Video 8M CRI, and both a 110º usable beam angle with gradual Nauticam has crafted the include the 90º/110º dome reflector. falloff. There are no hard edges to ultimate housing for one of the industry’s most exciting new Additional LED Modules are sold contend with even with ultra wide mirrorless cameras: The separately. The Video 8M FLUX lenses. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4. is the high output workhorse of the The beam angle in water of The NA-GH4 is designed with family. With 9000 measured lumens the standard dome reflector when the video shooter in mind, at operating , this light measured using the FWHM standard featuring 15˚ angled ergonomic handles, the most user friendly is able to add detail back to shadow of 50% intensity is 90 degrees, but control set in the business and a areas in the brightest . The that doesn’t accurately represent the host of features now standard. Video 8M CRI model produces beam pattern of this light. The usable Signature Nauticam Port 8000 lumens of broad spectrum high beam angle is much wider thanks to a Locking Lever, e ortless but USA West HQ USA East Color Rendition Index (CRI) light very even and gradual edge falloff. secure housing latch, integrated +1 831-645-1082 +1 603-432-1997 vacuum check and leak to faithfully restore that are detection system. 4K is ready – Backscatter_West Backscatter_East missing at depth. www.nauticamusa.com are you? To the keen eye of the www.keldanlights.com BACKSCATTER.COM/TG3 underwater videographer, the shape www.reefphoto.com www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/17 Ikelite TTL Housing for the Ocean critters- Clayart Scuba Symphony Malaysia! Free Shipping Worldwide* !!!!!! Individually handcrafted, each one is unique! Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Scuba Gear, Strobes,Camera Housings,etc! FROM POINT & SHOOT ( Almost) All brands available!! NEW TYPE www.scubasymphony.com! TO PROFESSIONAL *Min. order USD $ 99.00, terms and conditions apply

High definition in the palm of your hand. Ikelite proudly announces the Like every Ikelite product, this latest addition to its DSLR Housing housing is designed, built, and tested line, which is designed to offer one in the USA. Ikelite housings are built APSO-RX100M3 of the best performance to dollar by hand and individually tested for Underwater Camera Housing for SONY RX100 III purchases in the world. The Ikelite fit, function and waterproof integrity. DSLR housing is a seamless blend The average assembly technician is a of functionality, lighting integration, certified scuba diver and has over 16 durability and waterproof integrity. years of experience building Ikelite Special polycarbonate blends products. We back our products with allow us to create an extremely over 50 years of experience and strong yet clear and lightweight the most accessible and responsive enclosure. There’s no substitute for customer service staff in the dive inspecting the actual o-ring seal industry. We Dive, Shoot and Service Everything We Sell once your housing is closed. Ikelite This housing requires the Free Lifetime Tech Support! signature clear construction lets you addition of a compatible lens port for see that the housing is watertight waterproof operation. Lens port not and dry before you enter the water, included. USA West HQ USA East and provides full view of the camera Product Number 6871.08 US +1 831-645-1082 +1 603-432-1997 while you’re diving. Polycarbonate is Suggested Retail Price $1,800 Backscatter_West Backscatter_East fundamentally corrosion-resistant for Webshop:: www.marinemagnets.net http://acquapazza.jp/en easy maintenance year after year. www.ikelite.com http://acquapazza.jp/en BACKSCATTER.COMBACKSCATTER.COM facebook.com/marinemagnets Email: [email protected] Issue 82/18 www.uwpmag.com Ocean critters- Clayart Nauticam NA-7DMKIIScuba Canon Symphony housing Malaysia! Free Shipping Worldwide* !!!!!! Individually handcrafted, each one is unique! Scuba Gear, Strobes,Camera Housings,etc! It is clearly true that ( Almost) All brands available!! the NA-7DMKII is an www.scubasymphony.com! *Min. order USD $ 99.00, terms and conditions apply improvement over the original NA-7D housing, but Nauticam has come so astonishingly far in the last 5 years that this really is not a useful comparison. The NA-7D was an important housing for Nauticam but Nauticam SLR housings have advanced considerably. Take for example the housing latches. The NA-7D was the last Nauticam housing to use the “old school” stainless steel buckle style latches. The NA-7DMKII takes advantage of the simple yet secure locking latches that have since become famous. These latches are more secure, effortless to close, and eliminate the knuckle busting snap of the old buckles. The NA-7DMKII represents the ideal example of to be quickly reset from the port Nauticam housing design. mount making quick lens changes a Nauticam’s patented Port snap. These touches further reduce the Locking Lever is as simple to operate stress of proper gear preparation and as ever, enabling easy port changes allow more time for diving. without twisting or excessive force. Webshop:: www.marinemagnets.net A vacuum reset button inside the port www.nauticamusa.com facebook.com/marinemagnets mount also allows the vacuum system www.uwpmag.comEmail: [email protected] Issue 82/19 PROFESSIONAL Aquatica Canon A7D Aditech Mangrove GOPRO MACRO Mk II housing VC-3L6 FOR YOUR HERO4, HERO3+ & HERO3 CAMERA

Building up on the initial ground breaking Aquatica A7D housing, the FLIP LENS A7D Mk II version keep all aspect of what made this housing one of Aditech is pleased to announce the best ever made. But with newer the release of the new upgraded improved ergonomics, with a versatile MANGROVE video light VC-3L6, port system, a rugged, yet compact which is smaller and lighter than the Click to Watch Actual Macro Video design, this housing is built to bring previous one. Shot with the Macromate Mini! back images in all kinds of aquatic The VC-3L6, specially designed environments. for underwater video and photo, Access to the camera controls is supplied with a solid-State LED is complete, with special attention module array emitting a staggering been given to the controls of the video 6750 lumens. Featuring two output features, for which a smooth operation levels, the 50W light can dim from is always crucial when shooting high to medium power output level video footage. Knobs are large sized, allowing you to dim lighting for a giving the user a better and smoother quick exposure adjustment. Sun- feel when working with cold water similar light in 16:9 illuminating with gloves, depth rated to 300ft/90m and approx. 100° reflected beam angle and up to 425ft/130m (free of charge) on approx. 200 W (halogen). USA West HQ USA East request. +1 831-645-1082 +1 603-432-1997 www.aditech-uw.com Backscatter_West Backscatter_East www.aquatica.ca BACKSCATTER.COM/GOPROMACRO

Issue 82/20 www.uwpmag.com INON LF800-N

Nauticam NA-RX100 III Sony RX100 III

Inon is happy to announce the official release of the 5° super narrow LED flashlight LF800-N. The new dual use on land/underwater LF800-N produces an 800 lumen/5 degree beam with only 3 x AA batteries. www.inon.jp “Simply Awesome”

Ikelite TTL housing for With 20mp, this camera and housing package o ers the Olympus OM-D E-M10 complete control and image quality of an SLR system with It’s everything you love about an the size and convenience of a Ikelite DSLR Housing, shrunk down compact system. Controls are simple, but well thought out into a perfectly-sized package for with easy to access push travel. You can impress friends with buttons. Dual command dials your photo gear or your photos—the immediately access frequently only housing with built-in TTL strobe used manual settings like Manual exposure helps you do both! Focus, F-Stop, and . Full 1080P 50 mbps HD Housing shown with MIL Port, video performance and excellent not included. Please note that a wet lens options make for one compatible MIL Port is required for powerful, compact package. waterproof operation of this housing. www.reefphoto.com www.ikelite.com www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/21 Light & Motion AOI Acrylic Dome Port DLP-06 SOLA 3000 for Olympus PEN Housings

The new AOI underwater ports for the Olympus PEN series housings allow you to expand your system with the addition of new lenses. The DLP-06 dome lens port is designed for the Panasonic 8mm Light & Motion has announced and allows you to get up close and their new SOLA 3000 Flood video personal with the underwater world. light. Featuring an output of 3000 The acrylic dome is a more affordable lumen and a burn time of 50 minutes option over glass and can be polished at full power, the light can be charged if scratched. from 80% to full power in 1.45 hours. The light will retail at $799.00. www.backscatter.com www.lightandmotion.com Gates RS adapter kit

Gates Underwater Products has Advanced Lighting Technology announced a new adapter kit for the RS lenses. Designed by Nikon specifically for underwater use, the Nikonos RS suite of lenses – 13mm fisheye, 28mm, 50mm macro and 20-35mm NEW zoom – remain underwater glass par Keldan Video 8X excellence. The Nikonos RS Adapter 10 000 lumen Kit fully integrates these lenses to a 5000 kelvin 5 power settings Gates housing, mapping focus and Rated to 200 meters iris directly to the existing housing 110° beam in water controls.

www.gateshousings.com

Issue 82/22 www.uwpmag.com Ikelite TTL housing for the Olympus PEN E-PL7

It’s everything you love about an Ikelite DSLR Housing, shrunk down into a perfectly-sized package for travel. An interchangeable lens camera demands a housing with interchangeable lens ports. It couldn’t be more simple to change ports than this system—just press the port on and tighten three thumb screws. Feel positive reinforcement that the port is secure without any complex moving parts that can jam or break in a remote location. Plus, Ikelite’s signature zoom sleeves are the lightest, most affordable, and easiest to assemble out there!

www.ikelite.com

Sealux Nikon 810 housing

The CD810 housing features very small dimensions. Large O-rings, doubly sealed shafts and even quadruply sealed keys provide the highest degree of safety. The camera does not need to be moved in order to swap memory cards. All flash units can be connected without synch leads via the fibre jack. www.sealux.de www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/23 Ikelite 67mm Amphibico 5.6” HDMI, Lens Holder 1080p IPS LCD Monitor

Stunningly crisp high definition The beauty of a “wet lens” is the video can now be viewed underwater ability to add and remove them while using the Amphibico 5.6” HDMI, HD underwater. This holder provides a monitor for above water use as well. convenient method to have your lens With an impressive 5.6” (14.2 right at hand when you need it, and cm) 16:9 IPS technology display, safely secured to your system when you are certain to keep your eye on you don’t. No more stuffing your lens what matters most and ensure that in a BCD pocket! your subject is clean in focus for your Hard anodized aluminum for video shot. strength and corrosion resistance, Definitely, eases the it attaches to any Ikelite Ball Arm awkwardness that comes from head Extension Mark II. bobbing from eye to viewfinder and Two Lens Holders may be up at your subject, you do not want to combined back to back to hold both take a chance missing that great shot! your wide angle and macro lens on the same arm section. MSRP $65 www.amphibico.com www.ikelite.com

Issue 82/24 www.uwpmag.com OpenROV SeaLife AquaPod Mini

SeaLife is introducing an addition to the incredibly popular AquaPod – the new AquaPod Mini. Similar in features to the original, the new AquaPod Mini is an extendable underwater that mounts any camera with a standard mount as well as GoPro cameras. Get up close footage of dangerous or easily frightened sea creatures while remaining at a safe distance by mounting your camera to the AquaPod or OpenROV is a open-source underwater robot. AquaPod Mini. Capture both It’s also a community of people who are working videos and stills (using the together to create more accessible, affordable, and interval shooting mode awesome tools for underwater exploration. on your camera) from The backbone of the project is the global amazing perspectives. Both community of DIY ocean explorers who are AquaPods are non-corrosive and resistant to salt working, tinkering and improving the OpenROV water, making them unique among other design. The community ranges from professional and ideal for underwater photography. ocean engineers to hobbyists, software developers In addition to getting up close with sea to students. It’s a welcoming community and creatures, AquaPods allow divers to easily capture everyone’s feedback and input is valued. self-portraits - angle the camera using the adjustable The project started in a garage in Cupertino, knob and take the perfect underwater . with a few guys who wanted to explore an Both AquaPods are non-corrosive and resistant underwater . The project has evolved into a to salt water, making them unique among other network of connected devices, exploring the oceans monopods and ideal for underwater photography. and lakes of the world. The anodized aluminum body, stainless steel You’re welcome to join us! Either by building hardware and rubberized grip give both monopods a your own ROV or contributing on the forums. No rugged and ergonomic design. prior experience necessary. Questions or suggestions? Feel free to email us www.sealife-cameras.com [email protected] www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/25 NEW TYPE

Nauticam A5000 Ikelite TTL in select Aquatica housings Sony A5000

Ikelite and Aquatica will be provides an unprecedented access for Not a Digital SLR, partnering to make Ikelite’s signature the consumer to better photos through not a film SLR, internal TTL circuitry available in the most sophisticated underwater but with a picture quality Aquatica’s distinguished line of TTL exposure available! housings. that exceed the two! Consistent exposure is the www.aquatica.ca hallmark of Ikelite TTL technology. www.ikelite.com Integration directly into the housing APSG-DPM gives the photographer total creative “Small & Versatile” Underwater Camera Housing for SIGMA DP1 Merrill lighting control, with the opportunity DP2 Merrill The Sony A5000 is blurring the DP3 Merrill to access both over/under exposure lines between compact camera compensation and manual exposure and DSLR with its 20mp APS-C settings through a single easy-to-reach sensor and selection of lenses control. allowing your pick of the right The visionary design of the lens for the job. The 16-50mm power zoom kit lens is easily Ikelite TTL circuitry takes its power and comfortably controlled in source directly from the strobes, the Nauticam A5000 housing, eliminating the unreliability of small oƒering a user experience batteries commonly used in TTL familiar to compact users, but converters. elevating image quality to that of a DSLR system twice its size. The Aquatica A7D Mk II housing So feel free to shoot it like a for the Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR, compact, but when you are to be introduced in early 2015, will ready, it can do so much more. be the cornerstone of this new and exciting collaboration. www.reefphoto.com http://acquapazza.jp/enhttp://acquapazza.jp/en This exciting partnership

Issue 82/26 www.uwpmag.com Sea & Sea YS-03 Strobe and lighting system Bite Back Calendar

Thirteen of the world’s finest underwater photographers have been united in support of Bite- Back and its goal to make Britain the first country in the world to ban shark fin soup, each donating a stunning image that features in a limited edition 2015 fundraising calendar. Among the images is a shot of a blue shark The new YS-03 Strobe is a that won Alex Mustard the coast and simple to use, DS-TTL only strobe marine category award in the 2014 that has been designed primarily British Wildlife Photographer of the for new underwater photographers Year. Other images by international using compact camera sets but can photographers Adriana Basques, be used by anyone. The only control Amanda Cotton, Carlos Villoch, Chris is a rotary power switch on the rear Fallows, Christian Vizl, Doug Perrine, and by simply turning it on (and Ellen Cuylaerts, Imran Ahmad and positioning the strobe), the user can Lia Barrett include sharks, whales, take beautiful underwater images. The crocodile, stingrays and manta rays. fragile underwater world.” strobe is compatible with any camera The 2015 calendar is the Sales of the calendar are a with pre-flash that also has a TTL eight edition of the highly popular financial lifeline for the small charity Flash Exposure function, regardless of production and it presents a beautiful and all profits will help fund its make. reminder of the marine life at risk ‘Hacked Off!’ campaign to eliminate The Lighting System includes from overfishing, pollution and rises shark fin soup in British restaurants. the YS-03 Strobe Head, a Fibre-Optic in ocean temperatures. The A4 calendar makes an ideal Cable II M/2 plus a Flexi-Arm and Campaign director at Bite-Back, gift for a shark fan, scuba diver or Tray; all you need to add lighting to a Graham Buckingham, said: “It’s wildlife enthusiast. It costs just £8.99 compact underwater housing. very exciting to have the support and can be shipped anywhere in the and friendship of so many talented world. www.sea-sea.net photographers. Their stunning images are a window on the beautiful yet www.bite-back.com www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/27 Dive Guide Underwater Photography by Tobias Friedrich

In this book, award-winning The text is supported by images from photographer Tobias Friedrich teaches some of the most beautiful diving areas on us how to create stunning underwater Earth. Also included are countless tips and images, covering everything from tricks for the beginner and intermediate the equipment needed, to creating photographer. powerful compositions, to processing An added bonus is the 22-page the final image. He uses case studies Guest Gallery featuring images by some to show how his own images were of today’s most recognized names in created, and provides detailed underwater photography, including Ernie explanations for specific techniques Brooks, Alex Mustard, Richard Salas, that can be applied to your very next Imran Ahmad, and . dive. www.rockynook.com/shop/photography/underwater-photography

Dive Cozumel is the latest interactive eBook from well known, Eilat Red Sea Shoot Out book ‘…for all U/W photographers who award-winning photographer and want to get ahead of the game’: UWP author Steve Rosenberg. The spectacular images submitted This eBook contains the latest by Eilat Red Sea & World Shoot-Out information on dive sites, marine 2014 nominees and winners were all life, above-water activities, travel, gathered together into one album. accommodation, shopping, touring, The result is a 182-page island history and much more. breathtaking journey, introducing some With over 250 high-quality color of the best and most creative underwater , Dive Cozumel is perfect images ever taken. for anyone planning a trip and for It’s the perfect gift and a must-have those who have already visited this for any underwater photographer, diver, beautiful destination. fan of the sea or fan of art. You can purchase the book from Regular price: 39 Euro iBooks, Google Play or Kindle. Price Special intro offer: 25 Euro $8.95. Paperback & Ebook | 224 pages | Out now! www.eilatredsea.com/?CategoryID=357&ArticleID=349 www.rosenbergebooks.com Order from DivedUp.com Issue 82/28 www.uwpmag.com JA Universe Calendar

Jeremy & Amanda’s 2015 BALI “Diving Dreams” calendars are now Oct 11-18 available to order at a cost of £9.00 (including Post & Packing within the PHOTO UK). For orders outside of the UK, please enquire and we will provide a VIDEO costing including postage & packing. + Jeremy said, “The Diving such as Galapagos, the Turks & Dreams 2015 Calendar features a Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands variety of images from destinations and the Maldives.” www.ja-universe.com/calendars.htm BLUE HERON Underwater Dogs Calendar BRIDGE INDONESIA Feast your eyes on the hilarious expressions PHOTO of these Underwater Dogs! The calendar features /INTENSIVE a series of underwater photographs taken by Seth Casteel of Pugs, Terriers, Labradors and more. You’re sure to be amused through 2015! www.calendarclub.co.uk Jens Tröger Calendar LIGHTROOM™ FT. LAUDERDALE PALM BEACH, FL It’s been two years since my WORKFLOW 2013 calendar “Nudibranchs of the Offered year-round Pacific Northwest,” and I’ve been /PROCESSING busy gathering new photos ever since. And so, today I’m happy to share my new 2015 calendar which showcases all sorts of critters we can find in the coastal waters of the American Westcoast, from Southern California to Alaska. www.reefphoto.com www.savage.light-speed.de/marine-critters-calendar-2015.html 877.453.8927 An interview with Edward Lai by Peter Rowlands

Edward, thanks for taking time out redesigned and workable version of at this busy DEMA show to let me the white balance port, and an 180 interview you on this the 7th DEMA degrees viewfinder. since you first exhibited. Timing couldn’t have been At that show in 2008 you had a single worse when we started Nauticam. product on display - a manual white 2008/2009 were perhaps the worst balance port for various housings. years in history being hit severely What was the response at the show and by the Financial Tsunami. We had did you envisage or have plans on how to close down another mold making far you and your Company would come business unit to stop losing money, in just 6 years? and consolidated the factory for sole development of Nauticam products. Founder of Nauticam, Edward Lai, at Amazingly the response was We frankly didn’t know how far we DEMA 2014 better than we anticipated. We met could go other than working hard to many knowledgeable people from the remain surviving. We exhausted all Nauticam’s first product in 2008 - the industry who were willing to share means of financial resources while innovative manual white balance their insights. We were excited to developing new products and patiently port which went on to win the coveted be interviewed by Eric Cheng and waited for the brand to mature. reddot design award in 2012 got reported on Wetpixel - quite Looking back, it was perhaps encouraged as a newcomer. In those 4 this that kept us alert and days we were able to receive valuable concentrated at all times and saved us opinion and suggestions. from making terrible mistakes along To be honest, by that time our growth path. Jacqueline told we didn’t have a concrete plan of many people that she had never seen our future yet. I gained a lot of her father worked so hard and under information and inspiration being able such stress. to communicate with so many people in one place. On the way travelling I am assuming that you were already back to Hong Kong I felt I already a keen underwater photographer and had some nice ideas. At the next presumably like all entrepreneurs you Dema we were able to showcase our looked at existing products and thought D90, D300, D700 housings, a totally you could improve them?

Issue 82/30 www.uwpmag.com I was actually not that keen on diving before of the strobes. My buddy always commented Nauticam was founded. I only went for 1 or 2 I was just ‘playing’ with my set up rather than diving trips per year, and started photography with concentrating on real photography. an Olympus 4040 in 2002 taking quite normal I slowly picked up more interest in u/w quality pictures with a torch. After seeing some photography seeing small improvements that I very nice pictures of my dive buddy using a film achieved through my own modifications. Taking SLR, I decided to be more serious and bought a pictures became easier to me with TTL and Nikon D2X camera and housing in 2005, and was gradually I got pictures that I was not ashamed to very frustrated by the problems I encountered for show, and all of a sudden I found joy in diving. the money I spent. First of all, not all controls of I had personally purchased equipment from 4-5 the housing worked, and it was such a pain to install different manufacturers hopefully to find one that the camera, lens and gears into the housing having was build to my taste and expectation. Obviously to align all these simultaneously. And secondly, to this was very subjective and at times I thought I my surprise, TTL was not available for underwater might have to build something myself in order to photography even for such an advanced camera. get what I wanted. health care and electronic product manufacturers. As a mechanic, I had been constantly changing An interesting aspect of being in this business is things and improving here and there in my system. Prior to Nauticam what was your primary line of that we got to see many new products before they I bought two Nikon SB-800 flashes and made them business and skill set? were launched, and chances to interact with product work in TTL mode underwater. Later on I changed designers. to Nikon D300 and bought a housing with optical Between 1991 and 2005 I was involved in high In 2000 we helped Nokia refine the design bulkheads, and used two Nikon SB-200 flashes via precision mold making utilizing the most advanced of the 5210 phone and was awarded commander mode from the camera. And then I cad-cam software and computerized machinery. We the order to build all the molds they needed for changed to Inon Z-240 utilizing the S-TTL function built molds for many multi-national mobile phone, this product. Our team of 5 technicians stationed www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/31 experienced mold designers from this change, and slowly trained them for designing our new range of products. They became an important seed team into which we could gradually add new members. It is important that we share our experience of diving and underwater photo taking with them so that they know what our customers are expecting from our products.

Your choice of housing materials has followed the traditional route of machining solid blocks of aluminium with plastic and stainless steel controls. Did you consider alternative materials such as 2 weeks in Finland to ensure a smooth start up I did it the other way around. We spent some time composites or polycarbonates? Also do you see 3d there. Some other significant projects included a on internet to try to find a ready registered company printing becoming the future? rugged splash proof casing for Compaq ipaq, and with a .com domain name, and bought it. rubberized shaver parts for Gillette. Interestingly We did research other alternative materials, but all these involved waterproofing functions. In the early days I imagine you were doing a lot of so far none of these can be put into mass production the work yourself but that as the demand for your in a way as economical and efficient as machining At what point did you decide to ‘go for it’ and how did products increased you had to employ staff to step from solid blocks of aluminum. Certainly we will you come up with such a great business name in an up production. Was it easy to find suitably qualified keep researching in this area. already saturated market? employees to work with such specialised products? On the other hand, we can see that 3D printing can be used for producing certain small parts such Around 10 years ago a Finnish company who I must say that I have been very fortunate as a zoom gear or an internal part. But mechanical was then the biggest worldwide mobile phone having changed to building underwater strength and dimension stability has yet to be plastic parts manufacturer offered to acquire my photographic products. Shortly after we departed improved until it can be applied to waterproof and mold shop at a very attractive price. Prior to mold from mold making business the mobile phone constructional parts. We will keep watching the making I ran a custom molding business and its industry underwent a major revolution in development in this field. similarity to mold making was that they both built functionality and form. From not-so-long ago it things to our customers’ product design. With these changed from a phone with plastic casing and a lot What criteria makes you decide to make a housing financial recourses we could finally chose to build of buttons to a mini computer in a metal frame with for a new camera? Presumably the Nikon and Canon something we design, enjoy to build, and with our no button. Hence an extreme substantial drop in SLRs are priority but do you ever get so impressed own brand name. the use of plastic parts. The Finnish company who with a camera that you want your own housing for it These days it is so difficult to own a ‘’.com’’ acquired us couldn’t survive this impact and had to or is it always a business based decision? company. In the previous businesses we failed a be sold to a Taiwanese company which was much few times registering our own .com domain name smaller. I do consider to be successful in this business with our company name. Having these experiences We were able to get back a small team of you need to love photography, and the technologies

Issue 82/32 www.uwpmag.com Phase One 645 housing Olympus EM10 4/3rds housing need it, at the right places, within easy reach, and provide you with the tactile feel that resembles the around it. I can readily name several projects file quality from this smaller format could become most well built German cameras. that we spent time and resources working on acceptable. I remember in 2012 I visited the CP+ We want to build the culture within our them regardless of the rather small user base. For show in Tokyo and Olympus showed several very company that the team thinks of good ergonomics example we have two housings built for the medium large prints from then the new OM-D EM-5 that as a must for our products, and keep identifying format cameras, quite likely a third one. I believe answered this query. They were so good that you areas for further improvement. there is a significance for a larger format camera to could easily believe the prints were produced by full be remain in the market because of their stunning frame cameras. Since then I very firmly believe that Following on from that do you personally field test file quality. We also have a housing for the Fujifilm the m4/3 format will become an important sector each prototype housing? X-T1. Again, I have great respect for Fuji and their of the camera industry. The much smaller sized sensor is so superior in design philosophy. yet optically uncompromised lenses for this format I still try as much as I can to field test every are another key success factor for the format as the new housing and major products. I actually enjoy I think it’s fair to say that you embraced the ports can also be smaller and travel friendly. doing that a lot. But for the last year I have spent a potential of the 4/3rds market well before most other lot of time in optical design and have had to skip a independent manufacturers. What was it about this Ergonomics are a strong feature on your housings. few. Luckily Jacqueline, Phoebe and Thomas can format that so impressed you? What are your thoughts and main priorities for good do some tests for me, and sometimes our distributor ergonomics? in USA and UK also help in testing new products. Almost as a hobby I read a lot about camera/ lens rumors/announcements/forums/reviews/ When we are driving a car we never have to Last year saw the very successful launch of your SMC reports. There was a lot of discussion about 4/3 look for the shift stick, the clutch, the brake and gas close up lenses. Without giving away any secrets do sensor quality in the early days of the format, and pedals etc. I want to design housings that people you have plans to increase your optics range? people were waiting to see if the sensor technology can use them without having to find or think about would advance to a certain point of time that the the controls. They should be right there when you Optics is a very essential part of photography www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/33 we saw in the last 5 years it is so difficult to predict the next 5. The rather young and immature industry is carrying out all kinds of experimental design concepts in order to find out which format/size/ form factor/viewfinder will eventually attract the most customers, and so is Nauticam. I hope we can produce the right equipment to work well with whatever the future cameras are going to be. They should be so well made Nauticam SMC close up lens that customers can easily take good pictures/videos without hassle. The upcoming popularity of and I believe there is still a lot 4K/5K TV/monitor may gradually to be developed for underwater push the boundary of quality pictures/ . For almost two years I videos. With these new high have been rather obsessed with the resolution displays probably even historical development of optics in Nauticam’s latest flagship housing - the NA-7DMK11 for the Canon EOS just showing a picture on the internet order to understand what it takes 7DMk11 demands higher quality. And with to design good lenses. It is like a the fast growing bandwidth it isn’t a black art even though today we have dream anymore that one day we will the help of modern computerized You have been consistently ahead of the the flexibility and efficiency to cater be streaming high quality 4K video at optimization software. It still takes competition when it comes to getting for multi-part products with short home. I think the market needs better a lot of knowledge of the designer your product to the market so soon. product life cycles. We are very underwater optical solutions, and to decide whether to add a lens, or Would you be willing to shed some light fortunate that these manufacturing hopefully Nauticam can fulfill part of replace it, or remove it, or combine on how you achieve this? processes proved to be easily this. two lenses to a doublet etc. An adaptable for housing manufacturing. acceptable end product is always Back in the days when we Thank you, Edward, for such detailed a fine compromise of cost, size, were in the mold making business Finally do you have a vision of where and inciteful responses. , manufacturability and optical our multi-national customers had the underwater photographic market performance. such ever unfulfillable demands that will be in 5 years from now and what I do hope that our optics range we should build highly-complex part do you hope that Nauticam will be Peter Rowlands will one day become a significant multi-cavity fully hardened molds playing? [email protected] business sector of the company. in unbelievably short lead times. As such, we have developed a team with Judging from the rapid changes www.nauticam.com

Issue 82/34 www.uwpmag.com We manufacture trays for your digital camera & video housings and arms to add a strobe or light.

18 years in business. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed.

Special GoPro The original arms with the O-ring in the ball. mounts 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, www.ulcs.com never equaled” www.uwpmag.comthe USA Issue 82/35 Nikon D750 and Nauticam NA-D750 by Alex Mustard

On paper, Nikon’s newest full frame SLR is most tempting. It boasts a 24MP FX sensor, which DxO’s tests show just beats the new D810 for dynamic range and noise at the level. It shoots at 6.5 frames per second and has autofocus that Nikon say doesn’t just match the D810, but improves on it. For the vidiots, it can record full HD at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p and uncompressed recording via the HDMI socket, with auto-ISO for smooth exposure compensation. The D750 has a 100% viewfinder (the D700 is the only FX Nikon that hasn’t), a new tilting, higher resolution screen and also squeezes in build-in use. I will also make comparisons with other current series of vertical reef scenics, as the AF group WiFi (those last two have very limited applications Nikon SLRs. can be left in the lower third of the frame, where underwater). And this is all wrapped up in a smaller, Nikon have pitched the D750 occupying a new the foreground subject is likely to be, so ensuring lighter, less expensive camera body, attractive to the niche between the D610 and D810. It is Nikon’s precise focus for the optimum depth of field. travelling photographer and means smaller housings fourth 24MP FX camera (after the D3X, D600 & However, I must admit that I have zero complaints too. D610), but the marketing bumf stresses the sensor about how Auto-Area AF works for these shots. Nauticam already have a housing out and with is all-new, the autofocus is an improved mark II For macro shooting the grouped AF worked, other brands sure to follow soon, I took the D750 version of the 51-point Multi-CAM 3500 from but I found it slower than using single point (the to the Red Sea to put it through its paces, enjoying the D810 and like the D810 and D4S, it has the fastest) or 3D tracking (the most versatile) for excellent encounters with oceanic whitetips and new Group Area AF mode (the D610 uses the less keeping a subject in focus. I also found it a little spinner dolphins and shooting classic Red Sea reef advanced 31-point Multi-CAM 2700). less accurate than either of the other two modes. life and scenery extensively: both bright sunny Autofocus is one of the D750’s trump cards Ultimately, the grouped AF did not fulfil my coralscapes and dark atmospheric caverns. and includes the new grouped AF mode introduced anticipation, but it is certainly nice to have the The D750 is likely to be most tempting with the D4S and claims improved low light option and more time with the system might reveal to existing Nikon shooters probably looking to performance over even the D810. The last Nikon more uses for it. upgrade from 12MP FX or any DX Nikons. camera I had with a moveable group of AF points The famous coral caverns of southern The aim of this review is to tell you about the key was the Nikon D2X, so I am excited to see it back. Egypt were ideal for testing low light AF with both features of the Nikon D750 and Nauticam NA-D750 Grouped AF is useful for many common wide angle and macro subjects. Although I didn’t and to discuss their performance critically, pointing underwater scenarios. For example in wide angle do side by side tests, I am very familiar with the out both strengths and weaknesses for underwater shooting it is a useful mode, say when taking a performance of my cameras in these conditions.

Issue 82/36 www.uwpmag.com Alex Mustard putting the D750 and Nauticam NA-D750 through their paces in Unlike previous mid-level FX Nikons, the D750 gets the full, state of the art, the Red Sea, photo by Gabriel Jimenez autofocus system, which is always valuable for underwater photographers who like shooting moving subjects, like this fangblenny. Nikon D750 and Nikon 105mm VR with Nikon 2x AFS teleconverter. Nauticam housing, Seacam strobes. The D750 AF coped very well when there can be zero debate about that. 1/250th @ f/16. ISO 250 shooting wide angle and I didn’t have In terms of dynamic range, DxO switch over to thumb focus at any measure it pipping both the D800 and must be reproduced (I stayed below than an FX shooter and produce the point. It felt a little less sure-footed D810 at ISO 100 and 200 and having 3200 when not specifically testing same corner sharpness behind any than my D4, but I attribute that to a larger advantage above ISO 1000. ISO). dome. In short neutralising the on- using a much smaller dome port As with all of Nikon’s cameras the My main surprise was that there paper high ISO advantage of FX over on this trip. Shooting fish portraits, noise comes in gradually as the ISO was not more of a difference between DX in the real underwater world. especially with a 2x AFS teleconverter clicks up. With such high resolutions the new 24MP FX D750 and year The D750 gives away 12MP I felt the camera struggled more than the noise then disappears again when old 24MP DX D7100. The full frame to the D810, but I find 24MP a mine does, but ultimately is still the files are downsized. The result is camera is clearly better than the DX, more desirable resolution than performed very strongly and remains that the main limitation of high ISO but not by as much as many would 36. Although I accept my view is one of the finest AF systems in any is really on final reproduction size. As expect. The DxO results shows only biased by how much I shoot and my camera to ever go underwater. a result, I would say that there is no a one stop advantage across the ISO professional clients’ requirements. I The image quality of the 4 figure ISO that is unusable, but the range. And critically a DX shooter can find the D800/D810 RAW files too Nikon D750 is from the top drawer, higher the ISO the smaller the image definitely shoot one stop more open hard-drive bloating, and while the www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/37 The latest generation of Nikons offer a grouped AF mode, where a cluster of Image quality is exceptional capturing detail, colour and dynamic range even sensors are active and the cluster can be moved around the frame. Nikon D750 at high ISOs. Nikon D750 and Sigma 15mm and Kenko 1.4x teleconverter. and Nikon 105mm VR. Nauticam housing, Seacam strobes. 1/250th @ f/18. ISO Nauticam housing. Seacam strobes. 1/100th @ f/14. ISO 250 250 resolution advantage 36MP is clear outguns the D610 and does deliver have constantly worked to improve are deeply sculpted, perfectly geared on my computer screen it disappears on its promises, pushing the D810 all aspects of their designs and and easy to use with the lightest of when my images are published, as very close in every department, at an characteristically the NA-D750, being touches with just a single finger. They magazines can only put so many enthusiast’s price, size and weight. the newest, has fresh innovations. are a pleasure to shoot with. I also on the page. Five years ago I reviewed my Nauticam really listen to underwater really love Nauticam’s multi-selector The only D750 spec that feels first Nauticam housing for the Nikon photographers and their products , which is used for moving a slight let-down is that the flash D700, concluding that it was a nice are all the better for it. The primary focus points around and for navigating synch maxes out at 1/250th and you product, with room for improvement controls on the NA-D750, which menus. can’t sneak it up by a third of a stop of the primary controls, but certain to caused gripes in my original NA- Some housing manufacturers to 1/320th, as you can on many other see Nauticam putting a cat amongst D700 review, are now exemplary in aim to replicate the feeling of using Nikons. I also felt that the viewfinder the pigeons of the housing market. the industry. the camera on land in their housing was a little inferior to that on the Five years on and Nauticam are a The dials for aperture and design. Nauticam aim to exceed the prosumer D810. dominant force in the market, but shutter speed (which are also used for ergonomic solutions of the camera In short the camera clearly more impressive to me is that they scrolling through various settings) by placing a number of the most Issue 82/38 www.uwpmag.com An anemonefish rubs mucous from a tentacle onto The D750 can rattle along at an impressive 6.5 freshly laid eggs to protect them from stings. The frame per second, ideal for action, like these spinner Nauticam NA-D750 has excellent primary controls to dolphins. Nikon D750 and Sigma 15mm. Nauticam help you catch the moment. Nikon D750 and Nikon housing. 1/400th @ f/6.3. ISO 1800 (Auto). 105mm VR. Nauticam housing, Seacam strobes. 1/250th @ f/18. ISO 200 Dark caverns are a challenge for both AF and high ISO capabilities and the D750 is strong on both important controls for underwater shooting on fronts. Nikon D750 and Sigma 15mm. Nauticam levers designed to be pushed with your thumbs. housing. Magic Filter. 1/3rd @ f/7.1. ISO 1600 On the left side of the housing there are levers for ISO and Playback, and on the right side for Video Record, Thumb Focus (AF-ON), Info and a small shutter release. This is usually called back-button one for exposure compensation. focus or thumb-focus. Nauticam have moved their Nauticam’s design philosophy is based shutter release lever on the NA-D750, so it is higher on finding optimal ergonomic controls almost relative to the handle of the housing and this makes regardless of how complex this makes the designs. it much harder to simultaneously reach the thumb new button to allow you to reset the system when I completely understand the motivation behind this focus. Every photographer has slightly different only opening the port to change lenses. approach, but as a field photographer I worry about hands, but if this feature is important to you, make It is easy to surmise that the NA-D750 is a first designs I feel are overly complex. Travel and time sure you check it. class housing. It is compact, yet not too heavy in the in the ocean have a way of revealing weaknesses. Nauticam also have an industry leading water. It is fully featured with excellent ergonomic Any ergonomic dislikes? The thumb lever vacuum system on their housings. They were not solutions, especially with industry leading solutions that many underwater photographers value the the first housing manufacturer to fit vacuum seals, in the multi-selector and integrated vacuum system. most is the one that activates the button for AF- but, to date, theirs are the best integrated. And that The Nikon D750 is a highly specified, highly ON, allowing autofocus to be separate from the gets even better with the NA-D750, which has a capable camera, which is most definitely suited www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/39 Underwater Photography Magazine_Aug-HP-PATH.pdf 1 6/8/14 5:46 pm

C

M

Y

CM Overall the Nikon D750 is an excellent underwater camera, highly suited to travel and capable of stunning image quality across many genres of underwater MY photography. Nikon D750 and Sigma 15mm. Nauticam housing. Magic Filter. CY 1/50th @ f/14. ISO 400 CMY K to underwater photography. It is the DX format D7100 should not be far more of a tempting prospect in ignored either, and perhaps hits the respect of the D810, than the D600 sweetest spot of all Nikon’s offerings was compared with the D800. Unlike for underwater shooting. In short, the previous generation, the cheaper Nikon users are lucky to have such option now has marginally better options, there are no bad choices. autofocus (and higher frame rate) meaning it is now arguably better at getting the shot. Alex Mustard The D750 costs considerably www.amustard.com less (the price of a quality piece of glass) and matches the D810 in many aspects of image quality. That said

Issue 82/40 www.uwpmag.com Onderwaterhuis Flip Snoot Pro by Dan Bolt

Snoots are nothing new to the over the coverage of the light emitted underwater photography scene, by the snoot than many other models indeed it was back in 2010 that on the market. There are actually 3 Keri Wilk won so many plaudits different ‘modes’ (or 4 if you count for his stunning array of accurately flipping the snoot out of the way) snooted images in the Our World which for ease of reference we shall Underwater competition [http:// call Mode 1, 2 and 3 (clever isn’t it?). www.underwatercompetition. Mode 1 is gives a fairly broad com/Competitions/Our-World- beam with its 67mm aperture, where- Underwater-2010]. as Mode 2 steps right down to a And so for many of us a snoot 24mm aperture and also incorporates has been a useful tool to keep in our a diffuser to soften the light. Finally, camera bags for quite some time, so Mode 3 uses a tiny, 10mm aperture. The three parts of the Flip Snoot Pro (l-r) Mode 3, Mode 2, Mode 1 I was quite intrigued to be asked to To have this variety of light outputs review the new Onderwaterhuis.NL available during a dive is a fantastic Flip Snoot Pro; especially as I already tool, one which I have certainly been own one of their existing non ‘Pro’ glad of on a few recent, low models. dives. What attracted me to the old The Flip Snoot Pro’s modular Flip Snoot was exactly as the name design is based around a 3D printed suggests; its ability to flip away from base that clamps to your strobe but the strobe allowing a great deal of also incorporates components from versatility in your lighting options other sources. The main body of the on a dive. My kind of diving rarely snoot (which gives us Mode 1) is in allows me to pre-plan shots or to reality a rubber which has know 100% what I will find down been firmly glued to the base. This is there so the ability to simply flip the actually a clever move as it keeps the snoot into, or out of position is a marvellous thing. Like its older sibling, the new Top-lit Plumose Anemones. Olympus Pro version is build around a modular E-PL5, 9-18mm @9mm, ISO640, f/6.3, design which allows greater control 1/80th. Snoot Mode 1 www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/41 Mode 1 mounted on YS-D1 Mode 2 Mode 3

weight of the snoot down to a minimum as well as too so you could actually have red snooted light. meaning that even quite a strong knock to the snoot Finally, an even smaller 3D printed part can be will not cause any damage. firmly pushed onto the end of Mode 2 which simply This rubber section has a 67mm thread at the acts to further narrow the beam of light and gives us base, into which a standard aluminium stepping ring Mode 3. is screwed. This stepping ring incorporates more 3D Having used the Flip Snoot Pro in both the printed parts that give us Mode 2, and into which a pool and in the sea, I can honestly say it is a very standard Inon LE torch diffuser has been inserted. versatile tool to keep mounted onto your strobe. If you don’t see the need for the diffuser you can easily remove it, and if you have an Inon LE torch Close up Mode 3. Olympus E-PL5 14-42mm kit lens of your own, you will probably have the red filter @ 42mm, ISO200, f/14, 1/250th, Subsee +10

Issue 82/42 www.uwpmag.com of the light – and when we’re talking about macro/super this can be frustratingly fiddly to achieve. Despite my two (quite personal) minor issues, I very much enjoyed using the Flip Snoot Pro and it is a welcome addition to my kit collection; it’s versatility underwater is a highly desirable feature for my kind of photography. The Onderwaterhuis.NL Flip Snoot Pro is now available at www. Onderwaterhuis.NL for €129 and is available for Sea & Sea YS-D1, INON Z-240 and the Ikelite DS-161. DS51, S-2000, and other models will also be available soon.

Front-lit octopus. Olympus E-PL5 14- Back-lit octopus. Olympus E-PL5 14- Back-lit Plumose Anemones. Olympus Dan Bolt 42mm kit lens @ 14mm, ISO800, f/3.5, 42mm kit lens @ 14mm, ISO320, f/4, E-PL5, 9-18mm @9mm, www.underwaterpics.co.uk 1/50th. Snoot in Mode 2 1/250th. Snoot in Mode 2 ISO320, f/8, 1/160th. Snoot Mode 1 www.onderwaterhuis.nl

In fact you could leave it in place all large housing (Olympus PT-EP10) the unit by 3cm) rubber body while the time (but at the cost of not being compared to your macro port (45mm using your strobe on your housing able to use the wide-angle diffusers Panasonic macro) then the shorter (rather than mounted on a tripod). supplied with the YS-D1) and have a snoot might make it more difficult In the old model, the rigid design very flexible lighting tool to hand for to get the body of the strobe into the allowed for very small adjustments all photographic occasions. required position. I certainly found the in the position of the light by gently Looking at the new and old old, longer model was easier to use tweaking the end of the snoot by a models side by side, you can see that with my setup. few millimetres. Unfortunately the the new Pro snoot is 4cm shorter with The final observation about new rubber body in the Pro snoot a less-gently tapering body. Obviously the Pro snoot regards the flexible means that you can no longer do this, this has no effect on the light emitted (also touted as ‘collapsible’ by the and instead have to move your strobe but if, like me, you have a relatively manufacturers as pushed in it shortens itself to achieve the desired position www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/43 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.

Issue 82/44 www.magic-filters.com www.uwpmag.com DeepPro GoPro H3 Housing & BigBlue VTL2500P Light by Ron Lucas

I am no videographer but would Since 2012 two new generations like to produce short clips of fish, of the GoPro with incremental wrecks and reef sites with a view to improvements have been released and adding them to the free BZS Bermuda we are now up to the GoPro 4 which Reef Life HD app for iOS and has 4K video. albeit underwater it Android at some point. I know that at would probably be better with a small very least I would need a Panasonic sensor to use one of the lower HD GH3 or 4 or equivalent plus a housing resolutions. and dome with an expensive wide I very soon found the angle lens to get professional level shortcomings of the GoPro system footage - an investment of over for underwater use. These include $3,500 without lighting. For short the very light weight of the setup clips to back up HD still images I am which greatly impacts video stability reluctant to spend this kind of money. and more important for me the close So two Christmases ago I chose up minimum distance of about 12 the budget route and persuaded my inches before focus is achieved GoPro Scuba Housing and DeepPro GoProHousing wife Lorraine to gift me a GoPro which is too far on a wide angle lens Hero 3 Black, a LCD Touch Back, a camera for smaller fish photography. and free diving. Some folks have had 6061 aluminium housing with all SOLA 2000 video light and a ULCS The lack of a zoom facility is only more success. I was able to rescue the stainless and brass hardware has handle and tray. I though I was all set partially resolved by the different camera thanks to desiccants absorbing been tested to 450 feet and so is as I could use my existing arms and wide angle settings but I could live most of the moisture. I purchased a suitable for although clamps. I anticipated this might be the with that. Then, as has happened to a replacement GoPro Scuba Housing I rarely go beyond 100 ft. Because ideal setup for days when I go diving couple of friends GoPros, the plastic but was afraid to use it in case it it features a lexan dome with shade at short notice or otherwise could not camera housing started a minor leaked and I wrote off the camera! and a built in diopter, it is optically find the time or energy to set up my leak - I could not work out where When the USA made DeepPro corrected for excellent underwater DSLR rig for still photography. After but I suspect around one of the push housing was announced I put my wide angle without degradation and all one can even get still photos with button controls. My view is that the name down with the manufacturer with the same field of view as the the GoPro as well as video. I was on $60 GoPro Scuba Housing is not for one of the first batch and also GoPro POV (point of view) settings my way! I could mount the GoPro suitable for sustained use at depth. ordered a BigBlue Video light, both above water. These are significantly to the top of my DSLR housing for Well perhaps for occasional SCUBA of which arrived late September. The reduced underwater by the flat port of overseas trips. use and probably fine for snorkelling very solid hard anodised DeepPro the GoPro housing which comes with www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/45 the camera. The DeepPro has proper levers instead of buttons, closeup ability to 6 inches, a built in shade for the LCD window plus a tray with 2 handles. Actually it is much easier to install the camera and close the housing with the two locking spring clips than using the mechanism on the GoPro plastic housing. For divers who do not want to use video lights Nauticam Housing and DeepPro a filter can be installed, preferably by GoPro housing DeepPro for blue or green/fresh water. The housing is slightly negative in possible tripod solutions include the water which is a good thing for video GorillaPod Focus or the ULCS Tripod but if using video lights I suggest Clamp which I have purchased and adding some flotation. I used medium is shown in the photo using 8 inch foam floats on my second dive and ball arms as legs. For those with this was a great improvement. I have the wherewithal it would be best to been providing feedback to DeepPro purchase a fully featured underwater on a couple of very minor aspects tripod but I only expect to use a and these will be incorporated in tripod arrangement from time to time future batches. They are related to the for close up video of nudibranches Diver in Wreck, DeepPro Housing, GoPro 3 set on Medium still image, with Big handles/tray and instructions rather and the like. The cost of a high end Blue and Sola Video lights than the housing itself which I have underwater tripod would otherwise found great in use. It really just takes buy a backup GoPro camera. Anyway in operation is a light and day Bermuda, Schoolmaster Snapper minutes to get the outfit ready for a full tripod unit would probably be improvement over the GoPro plastic and a Blue Parrotfish pooping which diving if batteries are charged and too big for this setup. A setup button housing as is closeup performance. might be used by the educators at the micro SDHC card installed and control lever has been added for the As suggested I removed and clipped Bermuda Zoological Society to formatted. When not in use I keep GoPro 4 although I personally feel the included vinyl dome cover to demonstrate that up to 40% of the the main housing O ring in a sealed that set up should be carried out prior my BCD once in the water before sand on our beaches is created in this ziplock bag rather than leave it in the to diving and placing the camera in descending and replaced on surfacing manner!!!! The kids will love it!! housing groove to deform. The GoPro the housing. to help prevent scratches to the dome. The housing built in LCD shade is 3, 3+ and latest 4 cameras all fit the So far I have taken the DeepPro I would prefer a neoprene dome cover quite effective. One problem I do have DeepPro Housing. housing on a couple of one hour with a draw string as the vinyl cover is the small size of the GoPro LCD Trays for future batches shallow shore dives and a deeper comes off a little too easily. I have screen and wonder if there is anyway will incorporate a centre hole so 55 foot wreck dive where it has got some video clips of a common this could be magnified. that a tripod can be installed and performed admirably. Stability in the Caribbean, but rarely seen in A GoPro 3+ battery lasts about

Issue 82/46 www.uwpmag.com DeepPro GoPro Housing with BigBlue and Sola video lights

Forceful Tug, DeepPro housing, GoPro set on Wide. Grey Snapper in Wreck, DeepPro Housing, GoPro an hour which is not long enough for me as I Video Frame Clip with ambient light 3 set on Medium still image, with BigBlue and Sola usually do two or three dives in a day. I do have Video lights spare batteries but rarely risk opening housings between dives on smaller boats in open ocean. However, a solution to significantly extend the another camera rig. For size comparison take a look out the details and sample videos on their website GoPro battery time is in hand at DeepPro as they at the photos shown with the standard GoPro dive http://deepprosystems.com. For airline travel the are in the final stages of testing a trickle charge housing and a medium size DSLR housing whole setup including lights and chargers would supplemental battery which will fit in the housing. First impressions of the DeepPro GoPro easily fit into a carry on bag on most airlines. Vivid Housings has developing a Leak Sentinel for housing are excellent and although it costs $1230 The Bossk BigBlue VTL 2500P Li ion the accessory bulkhead port so owners will be able (twelve hundred and thirty) dollars more than a rechargeable 2500 lumen fully featured 120 degree to draw a vacuum to test the housing integrity above replacement GoPro plastic housing the phrase “You wide adjustable power video and technical light is water and review during the dive if they wish to add get what you pay for” comes to mind. Don’t forget a bargain, especially when bought from DeepPro this feature. Both these and other items should be when looking at cost it includes the built in dome, in conjunction with a housing as they offer kit available from DeepPro around when this review is diopter, tray and handles. It is so much easier to prices at discount. On its own it costs $430. The published. carry underwater than a DSLR set up. solid build and technical specification match those DeepPro install and recommend using 2 small The instructions from DeepPro are quiet of the DeepPro Housing and is rated for 100m. It desiccants in their housing and sell packs at nominal comprehensive and they offer servicing and has 4 video light intensity levels, an alternative 10 charge. I’m not sure they are necessary as I have extended warranty which is recommended every degree spot light beam and a built in red mode for seen no signs of condensation but they are a good two years. I have found responses from DeepPro to so you do not scare the fish. There is an idea in a small housing anyway. all queries and suggestions to be great. The housing accessory Goodman glove for hands free operation, The DeepPro housing does have four hardware comes with a 2 year warranty and includes a spare a yellow filter and a ball mount. The battery level mounting holes for the tray and other accessories body O ring. A complete set of O rings costs $15 indicator surrounds the single push button switch but in my opinion it is a little too large to mount on and a replacement dome and 0 ring just $50. Check which takes a little time to get used to. I suspect www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/47 We’ve got you covered!

The Author in Caraquet Boiler D7100 Nauticam Housing, Inon 240 Strobes, f9 1/125 DeepPro Systems Domed GoPro Housing BigBlue VTL 2500P Li ion rechargeable with judicial use I will get 2 dives from the light as I should be pleased to report further on this during my first dive it was only down to medium housing and lighting solution to interested persons charge after leaving on for one hour at maximum by email to [email protected] once I have intensity. The removable battery takes several hours had more dives with the setup. I anticipate using it to fully recharge in the supplied external charger many times in 2015. Maybe one day I will be able but if you purchase a spare battery as I did this to call myself a videographer! would be of little concern. In comparison to my Please note that I cannot comment on the long 2012 model Sola 2000 video light it has many more term durability of either of these products until I features, is more powerful, heavier built and more have had further experience with them. I paid for versatile. However I will have to pay particular both items at published kit prices for personal use attention to the double O ring servicing each time only and my review has not been influenced in any I install a battery whereas the Sola 2000 is charged way by DeepPro or BigBlue. externally without removing the battery which substantially reduces the likelihood of a flood. Ron Lucas Also at just over 461g with battery it is almost twice as heavy as the Sola 2000 which is very light. However, battery burn time is much longer. Author of the free Bermuda Reef Life HD App for DeepPro confirm that they will liaise with Big Blue iOS and Android smartphones and devices should the video light fail from other than misuse during its one year warranty period. www.ronlucasphoto.smugmug.com

Issue 82/48 www.uwpmag.com 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, Auto- The Auto-Magic formula is Magic for compact cameras in automatic point and now available in a Plexiglass shoot mode. GreenWater Magic for use in green water filter that can be added or with DSLR and compact cameras with Manual White removed underwater. Balance. Prices start at just £19.

www.magic-filters.com www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/49 From Stills to Video by Rob Duncan I have always had an interest when making the transition from stills in shooting video, but as a still to shooting video. shooter, the whole process has always intimidated me. The shooting and Setting Exposure post processing that go into making a You are going to want to set your great video seemed daunting. But with exposure before you start shooting. video becoming more of a relevant There is a lot of discussion on frame feature of still cameras, I thought that rate and shutter speeds. Frame rate it might be a great time to take that refers to how many actual frames are leap. being exposed per second (30p = 30 I had an opportunity to travel frames per second and so on). Shutter to South Florida along with fellow speed is how long each one of those Backscatter West teammates, Sean frames is exposed (1/60th means that Boone and Becca Boring, to shoot each frame is exposed for 1/60th of under the direction of Nauticam a second). For the best results, you USA’s Chris Parsons. We arranged a typically want to double the shutter couple days of boat diving with Pura speed over your frame rate. So if you Vida Divers, as well as three evenings have your camera set to 30p frame of diving the Blue Heron Bridge. This rate, you should have your shutter meant that I would have a chance to speed at 1/60th of a second. Just try some wide-angle video remember like still images, if you off the boat, and be able to get some drop your shutter speed too low you great macro video while diving at the will start to get motion blur in the Blue Heron Bridge. shot. But play around with this, you I opted to use the new Panasonic might find a combination that fits your GH4 Micro Four-thirds camera creative eye. along with the Nauticam NA-GH4 As with shooting stills, setting video where lights have less of an are using you may not want to run housing. Lens choice was fairly easy, aperture adjusts your depth of field impact on the scene, I was shooting at your ISO up too high, so having lights the Panasonic Lumix G Micro 4:3 (DOF). For shooting macro video you f/8 or f/11 most of the time. that have some adjustment in output FISHEYE 8mm for wide angle, and need as much DOF as you can so I Once you have set your is great. You can even adjust the the Olympus 60mm macro for the was running at f/18 and even f/22 to aperture for DOF, you have only two exposure by moving the lights closer close-up shooting. Here’s a list of a maximize my DOF. With lights, this adjustments to consider, ISO and light or further from the subject. If your few essentials you’ll need to consider is very easy to do. For shooting wide power. Depending on the camera you lights are not powerful enough to get Issue 82/50 www.uwpmag.com a good exposure, you will have to sacrifice DOF in that being familiar with the manual white balance order to get the exposure correct. process on your camera is necessary. If this is not something you are familiar with, refer to your Stability is Key cameras instructions, or give us a call and we can Shaky video is never good. With macro video walk you through the process. In a location like the even the slightest movement is very noticeable. Blue Heron Bridge where you have a light colored This is why a tripod is not only recommended, bottom, this process fairly easy by white balancing but required in order to capture steady video. I off the sand. You can, of course, also use the palm used the XIT404 Tripod Bracket along with their of your hand, and I know some people even carry a Twist Clamp Tripod Legs. The bracket is a great slate, or use white dive fins. platform for mounting pretty much any sort of housing to. The twist clamp legs are very easy to Get Creative With Your Lighting use, and can be adjusted very quickly so that you With LED technology advancing very rapidly, can make adjustments on the fly and get that perfect there is a huge selection in video lighting that has composition. To help stabilize the rig while shooting become relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Lets now 6000 lumens, and feature a dome port giving wide-angle video, I removed the tripod legs and face it, unless you see a behavior that nobody else you a much wider even beam making them the mounted a very long strobe arm on the left side ball has seen, it is very difficult to capture a compelling perfect choice when shooting with the fisheye lens. mount of the tripod bracket. I angled it back so that video. If you get a little creative, you can get some I held onto it with my left hand, and with my right amazing results and set your videos apart from Focus Is Crucial hand held onto the housings handle and operated the all the rest. Lighting is an easy way to do this. Just like stills, you cannot bring an out of focus controls. To get my rig more neutral in the water, I Experiment with different lighting positions so that video into focus in post. Make sure that your focus used the Nauticam Carbon Fiber Double Ball Float the shadows help separate your subject from the is “tack” sharp before you even start recording. Arms. background. I even mounted a new Fisheye FIX With in-camera tools like focus peeking, even if Neo 2000 DX SWR light on a separate tripod so you have bad eyesight you can tell if the subject is Nail the White Balance in Camera that I could position it into pretty much any location in focus. I personally used the manual focus feature Unlike shooting stills, you do not have RAW around the scene. I positioned the light directly a lot on the GH4 to really nail it. The great thing files with video. Therefore you have very little above the subject giving a spotlight effect. I even about the GH4 and the Nauticam housing is that it is leeway in making color correction adjustments in put the light down low and off to the side creating very easy to switch between autofocus and manual post processing. Because of this, you really have to interesting shadows. This new light features a spot focus with just the flick of your thumb. I would get your white balance as close to perfect in camera. beam as well as a wide beam. The spot beam was sometimes switch into autofocus so that I could get If you are very close to your subjects where the great, but was not narrow enough for what I wanted in the ballpark, but would then switch into manual ambient light is not going to be a factor you can to do so I improvised a snoot that I attached to the focus to fine-tune it. For macro video, you really get away with an auto white balance. But anytime light giving me a very narrow beam of light that want the focus to be on the subject’s eye, so make where the ambient light will be a part of your scene would allow me to light just the subject and keep sure the eye is as sharp as possible. you must execute a manual white balance, even the surrounding scene dark. When shooting wide if you are using lights. Doing this will insure that angle, I used the new Keldan Luna 4X video lights. Shoot More Than You Think You Need your background color will be spot on. This means These are similar to the original Luna 4s but are Shooting a still image captures a brief moment www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/51 of time. With video, you are capturing make them uncomfortable. Get your a sequence of events, and a lot of the shot, and move on. time you are capturing a behavior. So it is always a great idea to capture A Different Way of Looking as much footage as possible. Let the at Your Subjects camera run for a while. There is no I was a little nervous taking way to avoid camera shake when this leap into video. I felt that there starting and stopping the video, so was so much to learn, and so much having some lead-in time, and lead-out to remember. But once you have time on the clip is a great idea. Letting these basics down, it is actually very the camera run for a minute or two easy, and quite fun. Video gives you might be enough, but if possible let an entirely different way of looking it run longer. You can always cut the at subjects, and opens your eyes clip down, but there is nothing more to a whole new way of expressing frustrating than stopping the camera yourself. I am eagerly waiting for my just as something cool happens. next opportunity to get in the water Memory cards are relatively cheap, so and shoot some video! fill them up.

Learn Behavior Rob Duncan Watch how the critters move www.backscatter.com around, and react to your presence. Anticipate what they are going to do next. If you are trying to shoot a shy subject, act accordingly. Approach with care, and don’t blast them with light right away. It’s a good practice to set the shot up, nail your focus before you turn the lights on. This is a good way for the critter to get a little more comfortable to you being there, and might not get as spooked when you do power up the lights. Also be respectful to the critters. They are much more A D sensitive to light than we are, and A sitting there with all those lumens of M H THE SOURCE A light blasting them in the eyes could N L O www.wetpiwww.uwpmag.comxel.com Issue 82/52 N Storytelling by Eric Hanauer

The mechanics of shooting video YouTube fit this description. underwater is fun and relatively easy. If you are in the right place at the Consider the Audience right time with the right equipment, You aren’t making a video you should get some usable footage. for yourself; you are making it for What’s hard is assembling that the viewers. Check your ego at footage to tell a story. Yet this is the door to the editing room and what separates watchable video become the audience. In order from failure. Telling a compelling to do that, you need to visualize story is the most essential element in the audience, put yourself in their successful films. shoes, and talk directly to them. I’ve judged a few video Who are they? What is their age competitions. Invariably, the winners and gender? What do they already are the people who tell the best know about your subject, and how stories, not necessarily those with the much needs to be explained? What most sensational footage. The entries is the purpose of your video? Is it that rank in the lower half are what we education, entertainment, promoting call “moving stills.” These are simply conservation, humor, or a combination clips of marine creatures organized of those? in no obvious manner, accompanied Chances are your audience by music that may or may not fit the will be a mixture of experienced imagery. Although the artistry may be divers, non divers, adults, and kids. there, the story isn’t. You’ll have to decide whom you wish At the bottom is the cringe to speak to, how much to explain factor. These videos lack focus, and how much to take for granted. color correction, are shot from above Don’t be afraid to aim high. Some looking down on critters, and suffer from shaky camera syndrome. They are poorly shot, poorly organized, and so poorly presented that it’s a pain to Karen Straus shoots a Nauticam watch them all the way through. A lot RX100 system on the Kittiwake in of the underwater videos you’ll see on Grand Cayman. www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/53 things may go over some heads, but be caught by others. Excellent examples of speaking to different audiences are the animated Pixar movies. Take “Wall-E” for example. For kids it’s fun and adventure and entertainment. For adults it’s a warning about a dystopian future when the world is abandoned to trash, and obese humanity becomes helplessly dependent upon machines. The people who produced that movie visualized their audiences and spoke directly to all of them. One method I use is role playing. As I view edited versions of my video I’ll simulate being a diver, a non diver, a marine biologist, and an Karen works for a low angle on a stingray in Grand experienced filmmaker, one role at each viewing. Cayman I’ll imagine what’s going through their mind as they watch the film, and what their reaction might be. discard the junk, file most of the rest, and pass along Has the biologist detected a mistake in explaining the best of it to your students, your readers, or your animal behavior? Does the filmmaker think my viewers. If you are passing along 10 to 20% of transitions are amateurish? Does the non diver what you know, or what you’ve shot, the result will understand what I’m talking about? Is probably be successful. If you are passing along bored with all the explanation? 50% or more, you are likely to fail. Another method is to show the video to You are the filter for the audience, and the eyes one or two trusted friends who aren’t afraid to tell of the viewer. If you are telling, or showing them you exactly what’s on their mind. I’m not looking nearly everything you have, you need to learn or for praise here, but honest critique of what works shoot more. So research your subject. If you’ve and what doesn’t. Watch their reaction to your filmed humpback whales, learn about their life film. Are they laughing at the parts you think cycle, their migrations, their mating and parenting are funny? Are their eyes wandering when you behaviors, and threats to their existence. Instead Two videographers hover over the engine of a P-38 think they should be involved? The bottom line: of just describing what the audience is seeing, tell fighter plane from WWII off the coast of San Diego. remove yourself from the picture and think like the them the backstory that’s not on the screen. audience. might be left to see it. Put your best shot right out Grab Their Attention front. Define your story in the first 30 seconds. Filter effect Start out with a bang. If you don’t get Tell them what they are about to see and sell it. During my careers I’ve been a teacher, a their attention in the first 15 seconds, chances are Save something good for a memorable finish, and writer, a photographer, and a videographer. These the viewers will be tuning on to something else. fill in the rest with strong but not necessarily great pursuits have a lot in common. You gather all This is especially true online. So don’t save that footage. Above all, don’t overextend your quality the knowledge or images you can, sort them out, sensational clip for the grand finale, because nobody clips and sequences to fill a time slot. If you’ve Issue 82/54 www.uwpmag.com only got two or three minutes of whites. That’s not unusual; thousands strong material, stop right there. Your of divers had been there and done that. audience will thank you. I wanted to show something different. It was called, “In search of a Man Story Elements Eating Shark.” I integrated statistics The most common video on shark attack fatalities (about 5 per produced by divers is the music video, year worldwide), comparing them with clips, sometimes unrelated, of with other causes of death, which marine animals. Music videos can ranged from texting while driving to work if the images are coherent and smoking and mosquito bites. While speak for themselves. Movies did this showing and discussing the sharks, the for the first 40 years of their existence. statistics appeared as lower thirds. The The second most common is final stat was 100 million sharks killed the trip video. This usually starts every year by people. And the closing out at the airport, or divers on a boat, statement was, “Most people who are gearing up, jumping in, , afraid of sharks have never met one.” some animals, ascending, back on (ehanauer.com/Videos.html) the boat, and a sunset. If you’ve ever On another occasion I surfed YouTube, you know what I’m accidentally left my camcorder Get close and let the creature come to you. talking about. In most cases, you’ll running in the rinse bucket and tune out before the first minute is inadvertently caught another camera up. To see some examples of videos banging against it. That was the action, unique moments, characters, newsworthiness. Sense of place could with strong story elements, open genesis for “View from the Rinse newsworthiness, sense of place, and show fire walkers of Fiji or the stone iTunes, click on podcasts, and look up Bucket.” The story was told from humor. Let’s look at some examples. money on Yap. “DiveFilm HD Video.” Mary Lynn the point of view of the camera. It Wounded warriors on a dive Humor is one of the hardest Price has curated nearly 150 short complains that it does all the work trip or a sea lion tangled in fishing elements to pull off. Don’t force it, videos, most of them 5 minutes and and is exposed to all sorts of , line are emotional subjects. Visual and don’t embarrass anybody. Some less, from around the world. Nearly while Eric takes all the credit. appeal could be a swim through a kelp are funny all by themselves, all of them tell a story, and best of Clips from various locations were forest or a colorful . Sharks like frogfish and stargazers. I once all, they are free. It’s a treasure chest integrated, all of it narrated by the feeding, or marlins attacking a bait flooded a camera (pilot error) and of ideas for underwater filmmakers. camera. It finally concludes that ball are action at its most intense. decided to make something out Putting aside false modesty, some of camera life isn’t all bad, that it’s seen Unique moments might include a of a bad situation. So I had my my films are included. Following are lots of interesting things, but ending humpback whale mother and calf, or a wife, Karen, take it down without a a couple of examples. up in the rinse bucket is the scariest manta cleaning station. An interview housing. She tried to make it work, Two years years ago I went place of all. with a dive guide or a pioneer diver accompanied by rattling and crashing to the Bahamas to shoot tiger sharks, Common story elements is character development. Diving sound effects. Finally she took off the then to Guadalupe Island for great may include emotion, visual appeal, after a typhoon or an oil spill is lens, looked inside, and finally tossed www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/55 it over her shoulder. It was called, don’t have to start at the beginning, “Don’t Try This With Your Camera.” because there is really no beginning or (ehanauer.com/Videos.html) end until you see how the sequences In the movie “Bull Durham,” flow into one another. baseball veteran Crash Davis teaches Some stories write rookie Nuke LaLoosh about using themselves. You start with a bang clichés in interviews. I can’t help and power through. Others have to laughing about that every time I be constructed bit by bit, sometimes hear an athlete on TV talking about starting in the middle and slogging to teamwork and taking it one day at a the end. Either way, once you’ve got time. some momentum going, it can carry Underwater videos have their you to the finish. The same process share of clichés. They include divers applies to video. opening tank valves, jumping into the Don’t be a slave to water, clownfishes, and most common chronology. Starting at the beginning of all, closing with a sunset over the isn’t always the best way. If the most water. Crash Davis would love it. interesting sequence occurred in the middle of your trip, use it as a lead or Building blocks a teaser to grab the viewers’ attention. Editing a video is a lot like News reporters always try to cover writing. When I first sat down to the most important parts (who, will judge you on your worst clips, Exhibition. (sdufex.com) Now in its write this article, I had a bunch of what, when, where, how) in the first so show only your best. Just as the 15th year, it has become one of the jumbled ideas. I wrote them down as paragraph, then taper off as they reach secret to good photography is a big most prestigious shows of its kind. they came into my mind, then started the end. Most readers never make it waste basket, the secret to good video I wanted to enter, but they had a out by expanding the ideas that came that far. In the news business, failure is a big digital trash bin. maximum time limit of 5 minutes for easily into one or two paragraphs. to do that is called burying the lead. each entry. I asked for an exemption, Eventually I moved on to the ones Master the technology of Length explaining that I’d already cut it down that needed more thought and more shooting and editing. In last month’s from three hours. They refused, so research. Finally I shuffled all the article we covered the mechanics of How long should your video it was back to the edit room. When sections around to make a coherent white balance, focus, frame rate, and be? It depends on your audience finally finished, I had to admit the 5 story. steady shooting. When editing, look and your material. When I started minute version was tighter, better, and In video, clips correspond critically at your footage. It it’s not shooting video, I went on a trip to more interesting than the 20 minute to sentences. Put together a few sharp, trash it. If it’s shaky and can’t New Zealand and shot about three version. related clips into a sequence, and that be corrected, use it sparingly and only hours of tape, on land and underwater. Shorter is better. The sweet corresponds to a paragraph. Continue if it’s essential to the story. Work on I edited it down to 20 minutes. spot for YouTube videos is about 2 to build sequences, then rearrange color correction and exposure in post. About that time I became involved ½ minutes. Anything longer than them to make a coherent video. You If you can’t correct it, trash it. People with the San Diego UnderSea Film Issue 82/56 www.uwpmag.com that has to be really good to hold an hour for 5 minutes of action, that a viewer’s interest. Respect the males joust for mating opportunities, audience’s time, and move the story at that cardinalfishes lurk in the coral, a lively pace. waiting to eat the eggs. If you watch old movies on This can’t be done off the cuff. Netflix or TCM, you’ll be struck by Write the script as you watch your the languid pace of most of them. footage. Practice reading it while People now expect to see the plot watching it again, making corrections develop early on, and to keep moving. and deletions when you see how it More action is crammed into shorter fits. When you are ready to record, time. use a high quality microphone, not the one built into the camera. You’ll Voice-over need a mike or a voice recorder that When I started out, I didn’t has balanced sound and doesn’t sound like the sound of my own voice, tinny. Good ones start around $100. and did everything possible to avoid Do the recording in a room narrating my videos. But after a while with favorable acoustics. Wood or tile Get close and let the creature come to you. (This also goes with 9 and 10) I realized how essential it was for floors are echo chambers. A clothes 3. Final Cut Pro X is an example of video editing programs that bring professional moving the story. closet with a carpeted floor absorbs capability to anybody with a fast computer and the will to learn. You don’t have to sound like echoes and can serve as a makeshift Ron Burgundy to do a successful recording studio. Record each sound start out using one of their favorite automatically disqualify entries that voice-over. Just be yourself and clip two or three times, using different songs as background music. Here are use copyrighted music without signed carry on a conversation with the emphasis and inflections. Counting some reasons that’s a bad idea. permission from the artist’s agency. audience. Avoid talking too much; down 3-2-1 before each take will help First and foremost, music is For big time artists, that will cost big let the images speak for themselves. when editing. Speak in your own copyrighted. That 99 cents you paid bucks if they even bother to respond Research your subject, and become conversational tone; don’t try to be a on iTunes only buys you the right to your inquiry. an expert on the fishes and marine news anchor. If you really hate the to play the song on your electronic Another reason is that a animals in your video. Add something sound of your voice, recruit a friend. toys. Using it on a film that will be popular song may overpower your to the images instead of just telling the One local filmmaker had a woman shown online, or in an exhibition, images on the screen in the audience’s audience what they are seeing. Fill with a British accent do his narration. isn’t covered, even if you showing it mind. So what’s a filmmaker to do? them in on the background that isn’t It sounded very classy, like something for free. As a fellow creative artist, If you have musical ability, there’s apparent. Talk about the life cycle of from PBS or BBC. how would you feel if somebody used software that allows you to write and the animals, or about the location, or your video in their work without your orchestrate your own. Garage Band about what it took to make the images. Music permission? YouTube rejects these, and Soundtrack in the Mac world, and When the sequence is mandarin fish I always thought Enya’s music although a few fall through the cracks. Sony ACID Pro on PCs are examples. mating, talk about how this happens was made for underwater, and used it The vast majority of competitions Or perhaps you know a musician only at sunset, that you had to wait in my early efforts. Most filmmakers www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/57 Chuck Nicklin checks out a point and DPG Ultimate Expedition: Antarctica shoot MArch 2015 YouTube, a longer one for entry in a Join DivePhotoGuide for an competition, and perhaps a longer one underwater photography trip unlike any other yet for presentations to groups. If you’ve shot wide, medium, More info: uwpho.to/1cBxUiJ and tight you have the building blocks for your story. Get the attention of the Email: [email protected] audience at the beginning and leave them with something memorable at the end. For example, a film about manatees can finish with a full face closeup and you could say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” In a film about diving in Alaska, finish with a clip of divers in a hot tub saying, who is willing to write and perform “Glacier diving was fun, but sitting something that fits your video. in the hot tub is even better.” If your What most of us do is purchase subject is macro, you can close with a royalty free music. Just Google it and famous quote from Robert Capa: “If you’ll find dozens of sources. Some your pictures aren’t good enough, you of them are even free. One that’s weren’t close enough.” unique is Sonicfire Pro (smartsound. com). These tunes can be stretched or contracted to fit your clips and Eric Hanauer sequences, as well as changing tempos and even instruments. It comes at a somewhat higher price, but lends a more professional, polished sound to your efforts.

Leave them thinking You might make different versions of your film for different purposes. One could be for

Issue 82/58 www.uwpmag.com Lembeh Workshop by Paul Macdonald

It was with great excitement that on the menu that catered for all tastes. we boarded the boat to head off on Breakfast and dinner was served in the the first dive of our Lembeh Strait open air restaurant where we would adventure. Before we knew it we had gather with others to discuss all things rolled into the warm 27 degree water diving and underwater photography. and critter hunting amongst the black Our hosts at Eco Divers were volcanic sand. The macro life here Tarkan Sever and Kathrin Heussner. is simply amazing with some of the Both were very amiable and made our strangest creatures. stay extremely comfortable. They did We had arrived at Eco Divers everything with a smile and nothing the day before coming from Adelaide, was too much trouble. Elizabeth and I leading a group of 4 Dives were organised in a very other underwater photographers. Eco unique way. In the morning around Divers Lembeh offers a very unique 8 am we left the resort and travelled resort and dive experience. Nights are by air conditioned vehicle to a wharf spent in the comfort of a resort and about 15 minutes away. Here we the day is spent diving from a day boarded a speed boat which took us liveaboard. out to the Eco Divers day liveaboard. They provided us a personalized For the length of our trip our dive gear service that was without equal. The remained on the liveaboard and was resort caters for a maximum of just set up for us by the friendly staff prior 16 divers. The rooms, all with air to each dive. All diving in the Lembeh conditioning and ensuite bathrooms were immaculately presented and very comfortable. And close to every room was an indoor camera room with charging points, desktop computer and ample workspace. We also had free WiFi connection throughout the resort. All images shot with a Nikon D700 in The meals at Eco Divers Lembeh a Sea & Sea houisng with Sea & Sea were devine with numerous choices strobes and a 105mm macro lens. www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/59 Strait emanated from the liveaboard which would sloping black volcanic sand or on reef walls. The moor only a few minutes by speed boat away from black sand makes an excellent backdrop to allow the days dive sites. The purpose built liveaboard underwater photographers to isolate their subjects. had WiFi, battery charging points, large freshwater When I first descended to the bottom and saw tubs for soaking cameras after dives, toilets and nothing but black sand I thought myself “what showers, a sunbathing deck, a spacious dive deck am I doing here”. Then with the help of the guide and a comfortable saloon where one could sit and a whole new world opened up. The sand isn’t as relax between dives. We had 3 dives per day with barren as it first appeared and there were all sorts of the option of a night dive also. fantastic things to see. Soon you are overwhelmed Prior to each dive a briefing was provided by by the macro life that presents in front of your the very knowledgeable . Then it was . off in the boats to the various dive sites to enjoy the Our divemasters Horine, Man and Lorens were Lembeh underwater world. Diving is over gently amazing, they could spot the tiniest and most well Issue 82/60 www.uwpmag.com camouflaged creatures easily. And with a maximum themselves whilst they were there. Paul Macdonald of only 4 divers per guide, there was plenty of So if you are into weird and strange marine [email protected] time for all of us photographers to work with creatures and / or nudibranchs then Lembeh Strait www.downunderpix.com our subjects. It really is a macro photographer’s is for you. In fact it was so good that we are going paradise and over the course of the trip I didn’t once back there again in June / July 2015. Again the consider using a wide angle lens. trip will be limited to 6 divers including Elizabeth Whilst we were there, I conducted a number and myself. If you would like to join us for more of underwater photography workshop sessions information email me. for our participants to help them get the most out of the photographic opportunities that presented www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/61 Gulf Gobies by Alex Tyrell

The small island of Koh Tao crustacean that your divers are really situated in the Gulf of Thailand is not that interested in, will probably not really renowned for it’s macro mean they do not ask for you to be life. The general consensus amongst their guide the following day! visiting divers is that they want to see But for those that know where the big stuff and swim along blissfully to look, the Gulf of Thailand has unaware of the smaller inhabitants of more critters than you would first the reef. think, though not in the abundance Turtles, Groupers, huge schools of countries found a little further of Barracuda or Trevally are high up east that fall inside the boundaries on the wish-list of the majority and it of the coral triangle. It doesn’t take doesn’t take long for the word to get too much searching to find Urchin around the island when the coveted Clingfish, & Threadfin Whaleshark has been spotted on a Dartfish, Hingebeak Prawns, Highfin Metallic Shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris latifasciata) & Tiger Snapping Shrimp dive site. These larger ocean denizens & Shorthead Fangblenny, Bicolor (Alpheus bellulus). Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 105mm VR + Kenko steal the limelight from the smaller Blennies, Xeno Crabs and Whip Coral 1.4x TC, Inon Z240 x 2. f/16 – 1/320th – ISO200 creatures of the reef, which are simply Shrimps, to name a few. not that appealing to a new diver that On occasions I have also seen has been wowed with stories from mouth-brooding Cardinalfish of rubble substrate. We may not have live on the open sand and due to the their Instructor or of various species, Sawblade Shrimps, the more sort-after species that I have ever-present danger of predators encounters with a huge spotty fish. Cleaner Pipefish, Seahorses, Slender seen in the Philippines and Indonesia, some of these species will excavate I’m sure though, that some of the Seamoths, Spiney Devilfish, and a like the Magnificent Shrimp Goby or an underground dwelling. However more experienced dive professionals variety of elaborate Nudibranchs, Yellownose Shrimp Goby, but we do a large number of the species, would be interested in the macro though I have to admit there are have quite a variety and a few of them known as Shrimp Gobies, live in life found here, but when you are probably about 10 species making up in significant numbers. a symbiotic relationship, sharing a swimming backwards and counting the common slug-sightings and the Gobies are the largest family of burrow with Snapping Shrimp from heads, the safety of your students remainder are slightly more rare. marine fishes with over 1700 species the genus Alpheus. The nearly blind being paramount, hunting out tiny One fish that we do have in in 251 genera currently classified. shrimp needs the sharp-eyed gobies creatures takes a back seat. And for droves though, which are continually Approximately 500 species in 212 to spot, and then warn, of danger the dive guides with divers fresh from ignored are Gobies, especially Shrimp genera inhabit the Indo-Pacific region, whilst the goby utilizes the shrimp’s their Open Water course, conducting Gobies that can be found on every however many species still remain ability to tirelessly construction a a prolonged search a particular fish or dive site that has course sand or unclassified. A large group of gobies network of burrows under the sand

Issue 82/62 www.uwpmag.com Banded Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 60mm, Sea & Sea YS-250 Pro & Saga Optical Snoot, f/10 – 1/320th – ISO200

The burrow opening will then collapse on the pair, trapping them both safely beneath the sand. After a period of time, and this can vary greatly from species to species, and even within individuals of the same species, the goby will reemerge from the burrow to check if the coast is clear. If it is, the goby will once again signal to the Red-Margin Shrimpgoby & Tiger Snapping Shrimp (Amblyeleotris Rubrimarginata & Alpheus bellulus) myopic shrimp, albeit under the sand and out of Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 105mm VR, Inon Z240 x 2, f/16 – 1/320th – ISO100 sight, who will then reemerge to commence clearing the burrows opening, moving sand and rubble out for somewhere for them both to live, as well as are about to disappear down the burrow, so we of the way, leaving the opening clear and ready for providing a safe refuge when danger threatens. know when to stop our movements and allow them the next dash to safety. As both Shrimp and Goby to settle back down before we carry on shooting. benefit from this relationship, it is known as mutual Shrimpgoby Shooting Techniques When the goby perceives a threat of danger, symbiosis. The key to getting close to Shrimpgobies for it will back up so that the shrimp’s antenna rests It therefore goes without saying that a calm good shots, apart from having plenty of patience, is against its tail and will alert the shrimp by moving approach is required. Any sudden movement of the to understand how they interact with their symbiotic it in a rapid twitching motion. The shrimp will then camera, an overly swift repositioning of the strobe, partners, the shortsighted Alpheid Shrimp. This quickly back off into the burrow, and if the treat a too quick hand movement to adjust strobe power enables us to read the warning signs of when they continues, will be swiftly followed by the goby. or even just turning on a bright focus light can send www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/63 Banded Shrimpgoby Yawn (Cryptocentrus cinctus) Steinitz’s Shrimpgoby (Amblyeyleotris steinitzi) Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 105mm VR + Kenko 1.4x TC, Sea & Sea Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 105mm VR, Inon Z240 x 2. f/16 – 1/320th – YS-250 Pro x 2. f/14 – 1/320th – ISO100 ISO100 them scurrying down their burrow burrow, the Shrimpgobies will shot, simply to see if it immediately blue spots over the facial region, in a cloud of sand. I have found that venture a little further afield than darts into the burrow. If passes the dorsal and ventral fins, as well as the selecting the ‘right’ individual vastly normal, enticed by an easy meal and test, showing potential for a close same coloured bands along the anal improves the chances of a good shot. seem to become a little preoccupied, approach, I will settle down to shoot. and second dorsal fins, which make Some are very shy and will retreat ignoring the camera being inched The most common of our for great images if you time your well before you are within shooting towards them. This is when I have Shrimpgoby species is either the shots for when they splay their fins, range. Whereas others are a little captured some of my favourite shots, Banded Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus which normally occurs when feeding. more bold, allowing a much closer as the whole fish is in view with cinctus) or the Steinitz’ Shrimp Goby Juveniles of the species are a much approach. I have also noticed that mouth agape. So I normally start by (Amblyeleotris steinitzi). The Banded brighter colour, but lack the blue lines when there is a mild current (we do observing the different individual Shrimpgoby is the more photogenic, and spots of the second dorsal and not get much in the way of currents on gobies and then select one based on coming in two colour variations, anal fins. the majority of Koh Tao dive sites) it the behavior. I sometimes even test an either bright yellow or dark brown. Another very common species can promote feeding behavior. individual’s tolerance to me by getting The yellow is the more striking colour that, at first glance, seems very As drifts past the the camera close without taking a morph, but both have vibrant electric similar in appearance to the Steinitz’ Issue 82/64 www.uwpmag.com is the Red-Margined Shrimp Goby (Amblyeleotris Rubrimarginata). Both are coloured light creamy- white with slightly darker orangey-brown bands, but when lit up with strobes the bright red margins on the dorsal fins become visible and they also have much more ornate marking on the caudal fin, however lack the yellowy-orange stripes in between the bands of the Steinitz’. A favourite of mine is the Wide-Barred Shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris latifasciata) also known as Metallic Shrimpgoby. These do not look that pretty when first observed, seeming to be a fairly dull, dark-brown hue, plus they are quite timid, usually backing into their burrow as soon as you approach leaving only their head protruding. But when lit up with a or your strobes, the bright red, orange and blue markings become visible and if you get to see the whole fish, they have an extremely ornate pattern on the ventral, anal and caudal fins, accompanied by a shimmering metallic look, hence the alternate name. These stunning little fish do however require a more patient approach than the aforementioned species, being infinitely shyer and are quick to vanish into their burrow, sometimes taking an extended period of time to re-emerge. These are not as common as other species, though I have found them on a number of dive sites around the Metallic Shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris latifasciata) Banded Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) island that have the preferred fine-rubble substrate. Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 105mm VR + Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 105mm VR Strangely, there is one small area on a particular site Kenko 1.4x TC, Inon Z240 x 2. f/16, 1/320th. ISO200 + Kenko 1.4x TC & SubSee +5, Inon Z240 x 2. f/25 that has quite a few individuals living in very close ,1/320th ISO200 proximity to each other, that I have not encountered elsewhere. Saddled Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus leucostictus), Phangan has 40+ different species in his catalogue, Other species of goby that can be found Whitecap Shrimpgoby (Lotilia graciliosa), Signalfin so I have plenty more to find. include, but are certainly not limited to, Nakedhead Goby (Coryphopterus signipinnus) as well as A recent obsession of mine is the Five-Lined Shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris Gymnocephala), Whip Goby (Bryaninops sp.) and Banded Goby Coralgoby (Gobiodon quinquestrigatus) that lives Barred Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus), (Amblygobius phalaena). My friend Alan from Koh within branching Acropora coral. These are tricky www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/65 Five-Line Coral-Goby (Gobiodon quinquestrigatus) Barred Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus fasciatus). Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 105mm VR, Inon Z240 x 2. f/22 – 1/320th – Nikkor 105mm VR, Inon Z240 x 2. f/16 1/320th, ISO100 ISO100 little fellas to shoot, apart from being as you need to find one that contains caused me to search in excess of Teleconverter to exceed 1:1, they are quite small at a maximum size of gobies and ideally has good access, so 30mins before settling down to shoot, quite hard to find in the viewfinder. 3.5cm, they are constantly on the you can settle down without being in even though we have these Acropora You really have to predict where move. But the more troublesome a too confined area that could result corals all over our reefs, the majority they will pause for that moment factor is the environment that they in inadvertent damage to other corals. containing the fish in question. I now and wait there with you eye glue are found. The coral branches cause Then you need to study the pattern of have a few favourite corals that I will to the viewfinder, ready to grab a shadows in your lighting, create movement of the gobies, as they tend return to for productive photography single shot, when (and if) they come distracting out of focus elements to have a route within the coral that of Five-Lined Coral Gobies, rather into frame. After lots of frustration, in the foreground, sometimes over- they will continually follow. searching randomly. Expect to put I now set my lens to maximum expose being a lighter colour than the This route needs to take in the quite a bit of time into capturing a magnification and then rock in and gobies, or simply obscure your view! edge of the coral, plus the fish needs good shot, as with the narrow field out for focus, having missed too Once again subject selection is to pause here, for the opportune of view and magnification of near many shots with AF hunting. I have key, but you don’t start with the fish. shooting moment. So quite a few 1:1 of my preferred set-up of the also found that searching around the Choosing the ‘right’ coral comes first, factors have to coincide, which has 105mm, sometimes with a Kenko 1.4 coral or trying to follow the fish is

Issue 82/66 www.uwpmag.com References: Alex Tyrell

Encyclopedia of Life (www.eol.org) Alex operates Dive4Photos, Thailand’s Fish Base (http://www.fishbase.org) only dedicated underwater photography Reef Fish & Reef Creature training facility, located on Koh Tao Identification - Indo-Pacific (New in the Gulf of Thailand. He also runs World Publications) regular Photo Workshops & Photo Alan Duncan – The Dive Inn, Koh Tours at various destinations around Phangan (http://www.the-diveinn.com) Asia.

Thanks to Dive Point Koh Tao for www.dive4photos.com supplying a great to work from and allowing extended dive times www.atyrrell.com to search out the different species found in our waters.

Shrimpgoby Sunset – Banded Shrimpgoby (Cryptocentrus cinctus) Nikon D7000, Subal ND7000, Nikkor 60mm, Sea & Sea YS-250 Pro f/20 – 1/25th – ISO100 – Backlit Red-Gelled Strobe unproductive, as well as shooting Yellow Coralgoby, but think we have when there is any surge, which just the Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora becomes annoying with the shallow damicornis) that is the host for both DOF you get from shooting this close the Blackfin Coralgoby (Paragobiodon to a subject, making sharp focus truly lacunicolus) and Warthead Goby a matter of luck. (Paragobiodon modestus). I also plan My next quest is to look for to check out some of the deeper dives other species of Coral Gobies that I sites for different Shrimpgoby species, think can be found in our waters. I as in the past I have always set up for have seen these in Indonesia and the wide-angle, shooting reefscapes in the Philippines, which are commonly clearer water or pelagic encounters grouped together as Hairy or Bearded that are more likely offshore, Gobies. I am yet to find the correct ignoring the smaller stuff. The search host coral (Seriatopora hystrix) for the continues! www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/67 Underwater Photography Your FREE web magazine

99p per issue or buy the complete set of 81 issues for just £19.95 (That’s about 25p per issue!) Yours to keep forever.

As you know, the current issue of Underwater Photography is free to download but all of the previous issues, going right back to Issue 1, are still available to download for just 99p per issue. It’s a fantastic reference Buy back issues library chronicling all that has happened in underwater photography over here the past 13 years.

Issue 82/68 www.uwpmag.com South West Ramblings 11 by Mark Webster

It is always a little sad to me to really rely on the trust and cooperation observe the days gradually getting of the animal. The first challenge of shorter and the temperature slowly course is to find the desired subject getting cooler as the season changes and then be armed with the correct from summer to autumn. The dog lens to capture it and hopefully days of summer may be here as I have the right conditions to produce write this instalment, but we are a successful image. The gods of in fact enjoying a splendid Indian underwater photography do not often summer with plenty of calm sunny align in this way but when they are days. Unfortunately working away close we can significantly improve our from my home in the south west chances with the correct approach. means that I have missed many of One of our favourite dive sites these perfect days, but those days that is close to the mouth of the river I have been able to dive have been Fal. The estuary is quite wide where very productive. Early autumn is often it meets the sea and there are wide We can become so focussed on the hunt for a particular subject that we run the very active with many species putting relatively shallow areas on both sides risk of missing a more obvious and perhaps co-operative one. I was following in some enticing cameo performances bordering the deep central channel a cuttlefish and suddenly realised that this deep orange gurnard was just a few before disappearing for the winter that is a product of a drowned river inches away from me and obviously not spooked by my presence or the camera. months. valley, which provides Falmouth with Nikon D7100, Subal ND7100, 10-17mm FE zoom, Inon Z240 flash guns, ISO 200 As underwater photographers we one of the deepest natural harbours in f11 1/100. are essentially hunters seeking a target the world. The low headlands on each to capture with the camera. But unlike side of the estuary funnel the strong We often dive this area after a resting and feeding and it was these hunters or wildlife photographers on tidal flow with each change of the deeper reef or wreck dive in the bay, critters that I was seeking on three land we do not have the luxury of and create all sorts of eddies and back so the camera is normally equipped different dives that produced three being able to capture an image from flows which results in high levels of with a fish eye unless I different interactions and some very a distance, or conceal ourselves, and nutrients over these shallow areas. make a change to a macro lens on pleasing images. most of the time remote systems are This of course attracts marine life, the boat. So I am usually looking for In the last episode of ramblings impractical. We need to get close to both sessile and predatory, amongst opportunities to create some CWFA I briefly described an encounter with our subject for a number of reasons the patch reefs and sandy areas here images with my fish eye zoom with a very patient red gurnard which and that means that your subject is which offer great habitat diversity and hopefully cooperative subjects. In only occurred as a result of following very much aware of your presence the chance to get close to some good early autumn there are normally several cuttlefish who were not and approach, so for good images we subjects. lots of medium sized cuttlefish here cooperating on that day. You can www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/69 As this cuttlefish got even bolder and came close enough to feed on fish directly The colour of the cuttlefish when striking at prey varied just as dramatically, in front of the housing it adopted this very striking dark brown/ but the one common theme seems to be the warty appendages that appear on its pattern which provides terrific contrast with the negative space. But what is it all back. When he relaxes again after catching the fish then these smooth out and about? Nikon D7100, Subal ND7100, 10-17mm FE zoom, Inon Z240 flash guns, disappear. The strike starts slowly but ends very quickly and it often difficult to ISO 200 f11 1/125. capture. Nikon D7100, Subal ND7100, 10-17mm FE zoom, Inon Z240 flash guns, ISO 200 f11 1/125. become very focussed on the search set of images which showed this fish for a single subject and consequently from a variety of angles and poses miss an opportunity with another and in extreme close up to the dome get spooked soon. But that didn’t for disappointment as many will take that maybe more cooperative. In of the housing. This interaction lasted happen and I finished the dive very flight as you approach. Quite often this case I had settled down to make more than 30 minutes and would happy thinking this will not happen you might be surprised by a cuttlefish a slow approach towards a slightly have continued if I had not been low again, but I would be proved wrong partly buried right in front of you nervous cuttlefish when I noticed on air. The gurnard kept approaching by another fish species in a couple of watching warily. When this occurs a red gurnard on the edge of my me, climbing over bits of weed, weeks. try a different approach - don’t stop, view through the viewfinder that occasionally stopping for a quick In between I continued to swim on as if you have not seen the seemed totally unconcerned about my scratch in the sand, but most definitely pursue cuttlefish who are masters of critter without making eye contact and proximity, which is unusual for this intent on getting closer. This is very camouflage and often like to rest on then slowly come to a stop a couple species. I turned my attention to this unusual behaviour for most fish and the seabed partially buried, so you of metres away. If the cuttlefish new subject and as a result captured a I kept shooting thinking that it must have to look hard and be prepared holds position then be patient and just Issue 82/70 www.uwpmag.com observe for ten minutes or more and then maybe try a couple of flashes to see if the subject reacts. I am not wholly convinced that flash upsets fish, seahorses or cuttlefish as they seem not to react at all when the flash is fired (do their iris react quickly enough to see the flash?) and often the only reaction is to the sound of the shutter. If the subject begins to If you have a cuttlefish encounter with move then follow slowly in parallel, a macro lens don’t ignore your subject. don’t rush to get in front of the subject Once your cuttlefish is settled you can which may make you appear more of make a close approach for a single eye a threat. To get close enough you need shot like this one. Cuttlefish and most to wait until the critter accepts your other fish do not react to flash even in presence and is confident that you are close up and I have photographed the not a predator and this may take some same cuttlefish in the same location for time. several days in a row with no reaction. I followed this procedure Nikon D7100, Subal ND7100, 60mm with this particular cuttlefish and micro, Inon Z240 flash guns, ISO 200 Just a few days after my cuttlefish encounter I was back in the same area looking after some time it began to look f22 1/60 for another when this plaice caught my attention. Whilst a plaice does not perform less nervous and I could see it was like a cuttlefish, this one plainly wanted to make friends with me once it had beginning to look for prey, so I accepted I was not a predator. Nikon D7100, Subal ND7100, 10-17mm FE zoom, gradually moved closer. If your Inon Z240 flash guns, ISO 200 f13 1/100. subject begins to feed when you are close then it is obviously relaxed in of my housing as it was contacting As I watched the cuttlefish pre-strike colour was not consistent your presence and you may be in for the seabed and the cuttlefish quickly hunt I thought at first that I could but that the warty appearance seemed a memorable experience. I watched realised that this might present an tell when he was about to strike due to feature most of the time. In fact the cuttlefish strike several times as easy meal with me actually helping to the change in colour and texture the colour changed significantly with I gradually moved in closer resting rather than hindering the hunt. Once of the skin. To begin with he would each location although the seabed my housing on the seabed each time he had made the first strike close turn very pale and warty appendages texture and topography did not, so I stopped. The cuttlefish was feeding to the housing I knew that this was would appear on the back just before these changes did not appear to be on small sand gobies that are normally going to be a special moment and in the strike which can start slowly with for camouflage purposes. In fact at very inquisitive and will be attracted fact this feeding arrangement went on a gradual extension of the central the end of the dive the cuttlefish was by any disturbance in the sand that for nearly an hour and it was me that arms, but the actual strike is very adopting a very bold dark brown/ might reveal a meal for them. These terminated it as I had to return to the quick and I often missed it. As the black and white colour as it fed on gobies were gathering at the base surface! hunt progressed I realised that the fish directly in front of the dome of www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/71 a couple of shots. The plaice rose can reduce your own contribution by up and swum away with graceful consciously positioning yourself down undulations of its flattened body and tide of the subject. So at least the sand I thought the game was up already. you disturb will move away behind As I watched the plaice it swam just you and anything coming towards a few metres away and settled on the you from the subject should pass by heavy sand seabed and seemed to fairly quickly. The seabed will be settle again so I moved in slowly for very reflective and can cause flare and take two. hot spots if you keep your flash guns I got a little closer this time low to the side of the housing. You and perhaps shot four frames before can reduce this by positioning your the plaice moved off once more but flash guns more above and behind the did not go too far. We played this housing and then adjust the angle to game for several more moves and it avoid backscatter. However, the exact then appeared that the plaice finally position will change as you get closer decided that I was a friend and not to your subject and then you must a foe after all. He began to move watch for shadows cast by the housing towards me and actually fed a couple or the shade on your dome port. Keep of times on the same small gobies checking as you change position to The plaice eventually left the kelp and weedy areas and followed it onto much finer that the cuttlefish favour. Thereafter fine tune the best set up. sand. The plaice then seemed to give up on the hunt and just progressively moved I spent a delightful forty minutes or Striking up a relationship closer and closer to the dome of my housing producing a fantastic interaction and more shadowing the plaice and each with wildlife is always a pleasing some good images to remember it by. Nikon D7100, Subal ND7100, 10-17mm FE time he stopped he got bolder until we experience and as photographers we zoom, Inon Z240 flash guns, ISO 200 f13 1/60 reach the point of posing almost on also have the means of capturing the dome of my housing. So another that moment. The old saying goes my housing. Interactions with marine but no one was interested and I was happy dive, fantastic experience and “patience is a virtue….” and this is life large or small are a real buzz and beginning to think that this dive might interaction with wildlife and some certainly true with marine life. For I finished this dive thinking that for not be so productive after all. It was good images to remember the event. every dive that produces a connection a photographer it does not get much then that I spotted a plaice peering A few comments on lighting and some good images there may be better. out from under a piece of kelp which in these situations. When you are dozens that are dull and frustrating, Just a few days later we were I almost ignored as they are often working on a sandy seabed often with but it is certainly worth the wait for back on the same location at the same very skittish. But having found no some current running you can often those moments when it all comes state of the flood tide so I was hoping willing cuttlefish I thought it was run into some backscatter and flare together in front of the lens. that all the marine life would be just worth investing some watching time issues particularly with a fish eye as active and that I might be able to and an attempt to get closer. After ten lens. Suspended sand particles can be Mark Webster caused by the current, your subject make friends with another cuttlefish. minutes or more I began to move in www.photec.co.uk I tried hard to make friends again and got to a metre or less and took and your own movements, so you

Issue 82/72 www.uwpmag.com Underwater Photography Your FREE web magazine

Sell your stuff You’ll be amazed at just how quickly your unwanted underwater photography kit could be converted into hard cash with a UwP small ad. You can have your own UwP small ad for just £5.00 and it can have one photo as well as up to 100 words.

Check out small ads here

Buy your small ad here www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/73 Book Review Underwater Photography by Tobias Friedrich by Dan Bolt

From the outset this lavishly illustrated book hits you with some stunning underwater imagery. The cover shot, aptly titled ‘The Dark Knight’ is just the beginning, with a beautiful two-page split-shot of a humpback whale coming just a few pages later and the quality of photography continuing at that level throughout all 200+ pages. In Tobias’ enthusiastic introduction he says that the best way to read this book is from front to back – and he’s also correct to point out that you will read about terms and concepts in the early chapters that are not fully explained until later in the book. If you didn’t know this and just chose, for example, to judge the book by simply reading the opening chapter on Equipment, then you would indeed think it was missing a lot of explanatory text to describe some of the fundamentals of photography page 21 that you discover who the book is aimed beneath the waves. It is only when taking the book at. To be honest though the opening line in chapter as a whole that all the pieces fall very neatly and 1 (Equipment) gives a large hint at to the target concisely into place. In fact this book is definitely audience: ‘A compact camera produces passable one of those publications that is greater than the images above the water, but below the surface of Unexpected moments sometimes force you to sum of its constituent parts. water its pictures are dull and boring’. So, plainly compose an image on the fly; the risk of failure Following the well proven formula for such this book is aimed at DSLR users. In-fact you sometimes gives way to particularly attractive pictures books, the chapter list starts out with a look at could go one step further and say it was aimed at Seacam Canon EOS 5D Mark II • Canon 8–15mm Equipment and progresses through the Basics of relatively inexperienced underwater photographers fisheye lens • 1/200 s • f/18 • ISO 800 underwater photography and on to Composition. who have just purchased a full-frame DSLR. The Additionally there are specific chapters on Wide- few times compact cameras are mentioned it is only mentioned in a comparison of sensor sizes. angle and Macro photography and the usual mostly in negative terms, with no mention of large- One nice touch in the Equipment chapter is finishing pages about Image Editing. sensor compacts like the Sony RX100 series at all. the emphasis on choosing wisely and prepare for a It is worth noting at this point that its not until Micro Four Thirds gets even worse treatment and is long relationship with your camera. Tobias is proof Issue 82/74 www.uwpmag.com Even when you use the best possible technique with Nudibranchs are favorite subjects for macro images, artificial light, floating particles inevitably show and they are easy to because they move up. Fortunately, image editing can take care of this slowly problem. Seacam Canon EOS 5D Mark II • Canon 100mm Seacam Canon EOS 5D Mark II • Canon 8–15mm macro lens • 1/125 s • f/20 • ISO 200 fisheye lens • 1/50 s • f/10 • ISO 400 that selecting the right camera and housing will lead So called cleaning stations present great opportunities to a very fruitful photographic partnership. Take, to capture well-composed photos while cleaner fish for example, the beautiful and varied images used perform their service (although patience is required) to illustrate this book. From wide-angle to super- Seacam Canon EOS 5D Mark II • Canon 100mm macro, and with just one single exception, every macro lens • 1/125 s • f/18 • ISO 400 single image used was taken on a Canon 5DmkII. This is surely the best way to prove the point about kit selection. on experimentation to see what works best I guess You might remember the last book I reviewed was Authors of books such as this face a choice the point is that there is no single set of rules on dedicated to the subject, and I was a little concerned about how to cover the potentially complicated lighting. In fact this is how Tobias puts it: ‘There is that actually too much detail was included for issue of lighting our images. Tobias chooses to no right or wrong way to use flash, just optimal and the average reader to turn it into useful, practical, forego a dedicated chapter and instead uses a less optimal strategies...’. This is probably true if advise. Tobias’ attempt to explain what makes a section within the Wide Angle and Macro chapters you choose to shoot only in clear waters, but take it pleasing image however, I feel, is spot on. Using to explain how to light those specific types of from me there are some very wrong ways of using yet more aesthetically pleasing photographs he image. I was a little disappointed with the lack of flash in low-visibility scenarios! describes the concepts we all use (consciously or detail on lighting, but with a strong emphasis placed I particularly liked the Composition chapter. not) to make the decision about when to take a www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/75 photograph. Further endearing me to the book were the two sections about Exceptions and Creativity also included in the Composition chapter. You can read all he rule-books you like, but without experimentation and creativity all our images will look the same. Half-way through the chapters there are five Guest Photographer Galleries where some of today’s most respected and creative photographers have contributed images and text, each demonstrating differing styles and subject selection. I won’t spoil the nice surprise that these galleries are, but I will say that it was pleasing to see some images from the UK and I was even more surprised to realise that I am actually in one of the guest’s just how to finish off your photos Manta rays (Manta alfredi). Hanifaru Bay, Baa Atoll, Maldives, October 2011 photo’s too... I will leave it up to you using post-processing techniques. Seacam Canon EOS 5D Mark II • Canon 8–15mm fisheye lens • two Ikelite to guess which one is me. There is also an informative section DS125 strobes • 1/320 s • f/9 • ISO 50 • flash at full power The two chapters on Wide-Angle about getting your workflow honed and Macro discuss all the relevant into a smooth operation so as to points about kit, subject selection, save you time and effort, but I very of, and judged solely on its merits as that role to many aspiring underwater lighting, camera settings and different much liked the section where Tobias an underwater photograph. photographers in the future. To be techniques that you would expect explores Selecting And Evaluating This review will finish, oddly, honest, I would have to agree with from a detailed book such as this. I Pictures. He specifically emphasises at the beginning. In Ernie Brooks’ Ernie on this point, and would further did smile while reading about which the point about choosing images; it is foreword he mentions his own argue that actually that future is not colour to ask your model to all about the image itself and NOT the mentors who shaped not only his too far away for Tobias. wear, but the point being made is emotion you personally might attach enthusiasm and photographic skills, perfectly relevant – too much black kit to the photo. Other people (including but passion, love and care for the Dan Bolt competition judges) will not know marine eco-system. In Ernie’s case he on your model can kill an otherwise www.underwaterpics.co.uk perfectly good photograph. just how hard you had to work to get sites in that role, but aptly Chapter number 6, the last one, an image, or that it might have been Ernie predicts that Tobias will assume is titled Image Editing but it actually taken on the best dive of your life. covers quite a few more subjects that The image should be selected because www.rockynook.com/shop/photography/underwater-photography

Issue 82/76 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 liveaboards, 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]

How to submit articles

To keep UwP simple and financially viable, we can only accept submissions by e mail and they need to be done in the following way: 1. The text should be saved as a TEXT file and attached to the e mail 2. Images must be attached to the e mail and they need to be 144dpi Size - Maximum length 20cm i.e. horizontal pictures would be 20 cm wide and verticals would be 20cm. File type - Save your image as a JPG file and set the compression to “Medium” quality. This should result in images no larger than about 120k which can be transmitted quickly. If we want larger sizes we will contact you. 3. Captions - Each and every image MUST have full photographic details including camera, housing, lens, lighting, film, aperture, shutter speed and exposure mode. These must also be copied and pasted into the body of the e mail.

www.uwpmag.com Issue 82/77 Parting Shots

Death of a Princess

In British waters we are blessed with an abundance of to dive but the condition of all of them is deteriorating as the years roll by. It is doubly sad when we lose a almost overnight but that is what happened to the Viking Princess near Plymouth in the southwest of the UK during the winter storms of 2014. The Viking Princess was a decommissioned trawler which sank under tow and had been partly salvaged over the years but large sections of her still remained intact and provided a really useful backdrop for photography in about 17 metres (55 feet) where currents were rarely a problem. There were a couple of large congers which inhabited the engine room and a large shoal of fish usually decorated the stern. She was mostly open and very All shots are video frame grabs from a Panasonic GX7 in a Nauticam housing with 14-42 EZ lens with an easy and safe to enter. Her exposed framework external INON UWL100 with dome port. The bottom two were taken with a GreenWater Magic filter :-) made for great shapes for fisheye lenses to bend and exaggerate. In short she was a really great dive and I should have put two and two together for, as photographic asset because it’s gone forever. I guess was usually blessed with above average visibility. I’ve already said, the Viking Princess lay in just 17 the only consolation is that the images of her will I should have cottoned on to what I was metres of water. still remain. about to see when the telltale jump on the echo The scene which greeted me as I descended RIP Viking Princess. sounder never happened. I put it down to my being the anchor chain was totally alien. There was very Peter Rowlands slightly off position and kitted up with my usual little to recognise except large areas of flattened [email protected] photographic enthusiasm. The viz was very good metal and a seabed strewn with new rocks and small that day but 6 weeks earlier we had had one of boulders. Nothing of the wreck stood higher than the most severe and prolonged winter storms in 1 metre (3 feet) and the shoal of fish were nowhere Do you have a shot which has a recent history. Waves of over 15 metres (50 feet) to be seen. I doubt very much if the congers has story within a story? were recorded and several navigation buoys were survived as it must have been like being in a giant If so e mail it with up to 500 words of text ‘repositioned’ with one actually being totally pebble (rock) dashing machine for several days. and yours could be the next Parting Shot. wrecked. It’s very sad when you lose such a useful [email protected]

Issue 82/78 www.uwpmag.com