technical Pascal matters descends

...to go where no one has gone before Deconstructing a 330m World Record Dive Text by Pascal Bernabé Translation by Aurelie Brun and Michel Ribera Photos by Francois Brun

Tuesday, July and the idea was stuck in my head. I 5, Propriano, look around. I see Porto Polo just a short Corsica 9am distance down the coast. At my feet is Pascal centers him- a big buoy under which 350 meters of self, preparing This is the rope is suspended with a 50kg mentally and moment I attached in the other end. It is waiting physically for for me. Pity that I still feel this knot in my the deep have waited stomach despite of all my relaxation, dive for for years. I calm and the good condi- sit comfortably tions. on the side of Around me the team has sprung into action: Hubert, François, Tono, Denis Bignand’s dive Christian, Sophie, Frank and Denis from boat and under my fins, U-Levante. I have already put on the which are already dan- 18-liter double set with another 7-liter gling in the water, I have for the , and very compact double wings. I have reduced the a 400 meter drop off. equipment to the absolute minimum in The Valinco waters are unex- order to lower the risks of making mis- pectedly quiet. There have takes and becoming confused at the from the , as if preparing for a 300 meters. been so many times bottom. Only the gas quantities have spacewalk. The analogy is not entirely With my movements being slightly where we had to been over-dimensioned. I have always out place as the ascent from the bot- restricted by my six large tanks, I finally postpone this dive been afraid of running out of gas. tom will take longer than a return jour- commence my dive. I leave the sur- because of I enter the water and finish gearing ney from space. face, the barrier that separates the air, wind. Making up in a somewhat meticulous man- It really is a trip into the unknown for my friends and security from the depths this dive ner. I find it necessary, as I don’t want which I am preparing. In spite of all the of loneliness. At this moment, my come to leave anything to chance. I focus meticulous preparations, uncertain- stress is supposed to disappear only it true on holding on to my ties remain, especially concerning my doesn’t. I pause at six meters, but only grew despite some small last minute prob- state of mind and body at the bottom for a moment, to regain my focus, but I into an lems. I visualize the dive one more time since there have only been three other am in a hurry to be at the bottom. The obsession, and make sure I don’t forget anything scuba divers who have gone below descent commences, slow at first, then

79 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature World Record increasingly faster because of my down to between 150 and 174 1998 where I reached a depth of my gloves. Too quickly! I need all . At 70 meters, I hang my meters about 15 times, often more than 250 meters. The sec- my concentration to equalize, to 18/50 tank, switch to the 6/72, under challenging conditions and ond time was on the open sea off pass the tanks onto the big snap and start gaining speed. with tasks to accomplish (explor- the Catalan coast (Northern part hook that secure me to the rope, I pass the 100-meter depth ing, unwinding lines, filming, assist- of the Spanish Mediterrean coast to inflate my drysuit, which is for- mark without paying much atten- ing, etc). This gave me a certain – ed.), where I had the same tunately equipped with a big flow tion and continue gaining speed. psychological ballast and confi- team as I have now. Then, I dove rate. I pass the 150-meter tag. During dence diving to these depths and from the Majunga, François Brun’s I am approaching the last my first mixed gas dives in 1993, especially ascending and per- boat, and went to a depth of 20-liter tank, which is attached to that depth seemed virtually inac- forming the stops. 231 meters. But today, this almost the 250-meter tag. It is actually at cessible. But since 1996, between I fly past the 200-meter tag. This feels like just a formality, since the a depth of 265 meters because the exploration of underwater is the third time since I started objective is to go much deeper! of the elasticity of the rope and caves and assisting Pipin and practising . The first marked with a chemical light Audrey Ferreras in their freediv- time was in the huge underwater Still no HPNS stick as is custom for all cylinders ing record attempts, I went back cave of Fontaine de Vaucluse in The rope runs quickly between at such depths. I have a difficult moment. I abandon the 6/72 20-liter travel gas that I have been breathing since 70 meters and start breathing on the bottom mix, make the knot… too many things to do at the same time. the High Nervous Syndrome is now well developed in the form of light shivers and in particular, difficulties in concen- tration. Worse still, the travel gas tank I was supposed to attach slips off the rope and gets away from me! My friends get it back a few minutes later without really understanding what is going on and not without a certain appre- hension. For me, of course, things are not getting better with the depth. But I now feel comfortable with only four big tanks filled with bot- tom mix. Strangely, passing the depth of 200 meters, I am shaking less than I was at the Fontaine du Vaucluse. I am not having any obvious visual disturbance (dis- tance problem) either, except 300-meter tag that really should sharp pain. My stress, which left for an advanced “tunnel vision” have grabbed my attention. me when I passed 70 meters, effect—my visual field seems A flasher is blinking, indicating returns with a vengeance. There restricted and being without the very deep zone. I reach the and then, I am convinced that I much peripheral vision. 320-meter depth tag (actually have a big lesion on my eardrum. My regulators and my situated at more than 335 meters) I quickly inflate my wings and Aqualung Titan are working won- when a big deflagration occurs begin the ascent. The pain in my derfully well. I hardly notice the in my right ear, along with a ear doesn’t get worse. I try not to

Final check. TOP RIGHT: Meditation 80 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED THIS PAGE: Scenes from the dive. feature Team members assist Pascal World Record think about what may happen next and ness. concentrate only on the ascent. When I get up to 70 meters, there Reaching 265 meters, I am glad to are nine 20-liter deco/travel tanks that I get to the decompression tank for my have to manage. Reaching 65 meters, first deep stop. Then the ascent starts I get onto the second rope. There, I am again, this time at a slower ten meters happy to see François Brun, with whom per minute rate. This is another big differ- I usually explore deep shipwrecks, in ence between this dive and diving the particular, one located off the Catalan Fontaine du Vaucluse dive. Back then, I coast at 110 meters. Our last journey was was hit much sooner by HPNS, and it left as exploration training dive three weeks me later, too, around -70 meters. ago. He’s using a Inspiration . by contrast, today, I feel few symptoms He comes for an update and to provide above 220 meters. At 215 meters, I make me with food and drink. I let him know the second deep stop while I hang the about my pain in the ear and a light second deco tank on. From here on, nausea. He rids me of four tanks, and the ascent gets even slower with a snail after spending a little while with me, he pace five meters per minute until I reach has to perform his own decompression the 165-meter deco stop and the next profile. tank. My ear doesn’t hurt as much as hubert Foucart relieves him at 50 I thought it would, and I feel as if I am meters. He is a follower of what he calls back in familiar territory. “baroque” diving—deep dives either in From 150 meters, the ascent slows fur- caves or on the open sea, down to an ther to an excruciating slow three meters impressive 211 meters, and he assisted per minute ascent speed, and I have all Pipin, too. He gives me a mix of water these tanks accumulating around me and Vogalene in order to prevent nau- dangling on the rope and on my har- sea. Then, it is Denis’ turn to come to

The team • Christian Deit, specialized in raiding, • Francis Machecourt from the CREPS of Sixteen people in total, divers or mariners , canyon exploration, scuba • Ajaccio and his wife Sylvaine from Toulouse and from Catalonia, diving • Théo Laumonier have followed this project (and other • Hubert Foucart, cave diver and ship- • Laurent Grillot (Lolo) projects: shipwrecks, cave diving, etc) wreck explorer, with his passion for the • Pierre Schiffer and Christian Gay- and have carried it on their shoulders deep dive Capdeville from Aquasport Contois since the beginning; everyone has his • Sophie Kerboeuf, highly skilled diver • Pascal Vieux and Jean-Louis Léandri, a own specialty but continues to multitask. who cooked good little dishes for me mariner from U-Levante Preparations, cancellations, and doubts • Patrick Tonolini, cave diver and • Louis Lari from the Pilotine Santa Maria have all been commonplace since my rebreather diver, who mixes everything and his son, Jean-Marie, pilote of the port 231m dive in 2003. Without these people with his Bauer-Purus or the patience of their families, none of • And all the ones who were not able to Thanks to Henri Benedittini who brought this could have been done. I will never come, amongst whom were Laurent and us all of his help one more time; Bernard thank them enough for their kindness, effi- Paco. Gardette, the Comex scientific director, ciency and devotion: for all his valuable advice; and Professor In Propriano: Bourbon of the Nervous System Functional • François Brun, a well known shipwreck • Denis Bignand and his instructors from laboratory (CHU Toulouse-Rangueil) for his explorer U-Levante formation on mental preparation. ■

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Technical decompression compared to the 12 hours decompres- the idea because of the dangers of sion that figures on my longest div- handling this gas as well as a remaining Some important points and notes: ing tables and is also Nuno Gomes’ uncertainty concerning decompression decompression time when he dove to and the effects of a fast compression. Some initial one to two-minute very a depth of 318 meters three weeks ear- but of course, the more nitrogen we deep deco stops were performed from lier in , in the . add, the greater the risk of nitrogen 265 meters. And from that depth, the therefore, I opted to use those tables narcosis or even the combined effects ascent speed decreased in order to because of the water conditions, the of narcosis and HPNS! Everything is avoid serious accidents of Type 2—that pains and the seasickness. I thought therefore about getting the dosages is, vestibular/neurological accidents that staying longer would overexpose right. It is a balancing act. Too much whose symptoms may start deep in me to exhaustion. helium means increased risk of HPNS. that type of dive. Moreover, I felt reassured knowing Too much nitrogen means too much the late suffered from that in the 1960s, Keller had only a narcosis and increased risk of being these kinds of symptoms after his three-hour decompression (in a cham- bent. record breaking dive to 308 meters. He ber) after a 300-meter dive! Plus, in In the practice, while attempting suffered from dizziness and vomiting 2004, Mark Elyatt performed a dive relatively fast descents in the cham- from 66 meters upward and during the to 313 meters in only six hours 36 min- ber (10 to 30 meters/min), it appears whole decompression, which lasted utes. So, I felt that there was plenty of that levels of 13 percent to 18 percent nine hours and 37 minutes. decompression time. nitrogen noticeably decrease the HPNS In this light, it is mindboggling that it effects, without causing too much nar- was not too long ago that the accept- Helium—a sword that cuts both cosis. On extremely deep TEC dives, ed standard rate of ascent was 30 ways the for the divers meters per minute (30 meters/min). In order to limit narcosis below 40 to at the bottom was 70 to 100 meters. these slow ascent speeds and the 50 meters, we used increasing propor- An equivalent air depth of maximum deep deco stops require large quanti- tions of helium in the gas mixes. The 60 meters seemed reasonable to me. ties of gas. That is why we used 20-liter downside is that helium also subjects This is associated with a partial tanks at 265 meters, 215 meters, 165 you to additional loss of body heat and pressure of 1.4 to 1.5 bars. That didn’t meters (8/62), -145 meters, 115 meters, facilitates the onset of High Pressure prevent me from being significantly (13/57), 95 meters and 80 meters Nervous Syndrome (HPNS). affected by HPNS from 260 meters. (18/50) as well as on the second line this syndrome gets aggravated by However, the mix I used probably mini- that was about 60 meters long—at 60 helium below 150 and by the high mised its impact, and kept me from meters (20/50), 51 meters (25/50), 39 speeds of descent characteristic for developing a dangerous case of nar- meters (25/50), 30 meters (38/33), 21 those dives. It has also been demon- cosis. meters (50 percent O2), 15 meters (60 strated during many experiments in concerning the descent speeds, it percent O2). We also used two O2 sets chamber, and a few ultra deep TEC seems, according to the experiments of surface supply at dives showed that the presence of in chambers, that descending one minus 6 meters. another narcotic gas, usually nitro- meter/min or even slower, will notably We used a large fraction of helium gen, masked the effects of the HPNS, improve performance. But it doesn’t in the decompression mixes, which we which is characterized by shaking of seem useful to reduce the speed from considered easier to eliminate in the the extremities and then of the whole 30-40 meters/min to 10 meters/min. On last deco stops. We avoided exceed- body, visual problems, difficulties in the contrary, it is even likely that it only ing 30 percent of nitrogen during the concentration and impaired perform- gives HPNS more time to manifest itself. ascent up to 21 meters. ance. It will also considerably increase the All those elements allowed me to A few years ago, I was thinking already very long deco stops. ■ have a relatively short decompression, about adding hydrogen, but I gave up

Pascal recuperates after achieving a world record 330m deep dive

82 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED feature World Record see me, also with his rebreather and brings dive of 8 hours and 47 minutes. me Sophie’s good little purees and soups, in the return to the surface that I dreamed giant syringes. This salty food is a good alterna- about during the whole long time of the tive to condensed milk, sweet chestnut puree, decompression is brutal—I am shaken by the marmalade, jelly and water already absorbed. , which only makes my seasickness get Then, he brings me a rebreather that, how- worse. My friends help me get rid of my equip- ever, won’t work. Consequently, the rest of the ment, while I raise myself with difficulty on the ascent will be done with open circuit, but at Zodiac. There, I am taken care of and quickly least without any particular technical problem rushed to the shore by my old buddies, Tono despite of the high percentages of helium. and Deit. Still exhausted, I keep breathing the From 30 meters, I start feeling the effects of oxygen for another half hour on the ground the strong swell on the surface. The pain in my while rehydrating myself abundantly (water ear increases and soon enough each move- and water plus Adiaril). ment of the rope is becoming a nightmare. The I should be happy. But I just feel a little bit decompression turns into torture. And that is more serene, and a little bit frustrated by the not all. At about 12 meters, I get seasick. vertiginous, but too short descent that already Dealing with the pain and the nausea begins just feels like a memory. to exhaust me. The end of the decompression the game has worked today; my blood is done with Christian, Pierre, Lolo, Théo, Francis analysis wasn’t too bad. However, I am already and his wife Sylviane, who stay with me up to -3 thinking about what could be improved. ■ meters. I finally break the surface again after a

Equipment: Norwegian at 225 meters, and even by John It is simply of vital importance that, on such Bennett at 308 meters. It is also the most com- a demanding dive, the equipment is simple, monly used regulator amongst English Tec rugged and extremely high performing! We and cave divers in the worst conditions. entrust it with our lives, here more than any- www.apeks.co.uk or Aqualung France where else, and under the most extreme con- ditions! AGA: AGA supplied ten Helium tanks and six oxygen tanks. Aqualung: One of the regulators that I used Pascal arrives on the barge, with the horizon stretching beyond at the bottom was a Titan, which worked Petzl: Fifty snap hooks specifically for each admirably. We often use it in cave diving, situation were used—locking snap hooks to Partners in Corsica: ● Vigna Maggiore Camping ● La Compagnie Méridionale de because the second stage is easy to disen- secure the deco tanks as well as quick open- in Olmeto Beach Navigation (the meridional naviga- gage. Le Gend regulators (the top of the ing ones for delicate or fast operations. Petzl ● Diving Center U Levante Location with a beautiful view. tion company) line) were settled on all decompression tanks, also supplied all the spelunking handles, which in Propriano Jacques Bidani the friendly owner, ● Prima Gaz Company even the deep ones. Hubert and I had used helped with manipulating ropes and bringing Without the help of Denis Bignand welcomed us with opened arms ● Barcarès Yatching Aqualung regulators during assisting dives with the tanks back up. www.petzl.com who knows the bay like the back and put us in two comfortable bun- ● Banque Populaire Toulouse Midi- Pipin, between 140 and 170 meters. Hubert of his hand and all the best places, galows. He also entertained us with Pyrénées (and the association of had also used them during a -211 meter dive. Tortec: Tortec supplied the seven to 18-liter and who organized everything hearty local stories. customers of this bank) [email protected] tanks used at the bottom and during the there, without his competence and +33-4-95-76-02-07 ● Mr. Bordes and Mr. Mézergues and +33 4 92 08 28 88 decompression. his efficiency, we might still be look- +33-6-20-55-51-78 the Echelles Centaures ing for a site. He and his friendly ● Mr. Vinsonneau and Mrs. Demoor, Apeks: All bottom regulators were Apeks ATX Béal: Béal supplied all the ropes—descent, instructors were a precious help to ● The Maritime Agency Sorba for their precious financial help. 100, whose breathing capabilities are really decompression, shot line, etc—more than us, and I thank them. in Propriano impressive at 330 meters. With an Apeks, one kilometer in total, as well as the cord and www.plonger-en-corse.com which really facilitated the Marseille- ● The Socex it feels like breathing at only 20 meters! I lines. www.beal-planet.com [email protected] Corsica crossing. in Castanet (31): Eric and Frank— used those regulators with total confidence, +33-4-95-76-23-83 +33-4-95-76-00-98 oxygen and inspection. ■ since they had successfully been used by a www.segytek.com ■ +33-6-22-44-75-99 [email protected]

83 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photo & The Triton nudibranch only comes out to feed at night, but be videography careful, as they are light sensitive

Edited by Kurt Amsler, Peter Symes & Scott Bennett

Text and photos by Kurt Amsler Translation by Arnold Weisz

Night diving is the ultimate for many divers. without light is challenging, but with a few additional pieces of camera equipment and special techniques you can master this as well.

Night underwater photography is usually restricted to plants or animals. Often it is either animals that are hunting for food under the cover of darkness, or daylight active animals that are sleeping. Worthwhile objects are, for example, sleeping fish, nudibranchs, sea stars and worms. All living creatures, and especially crustaceans, which leave their dwellings in the dark, are best captured with close-up or macro photography. Sleeping fishes can often be approached by inching closer and closer until you are just a few centimetres away. This gives you the opportunity to get close-up images of their eyes and fins, which, during daylight, are virtually impossible. Many

A slave strobe gives you additional effects to improve your images 84 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photo & Night Photography video the object. The best way to Techniques silver do this is to attach a small The most important prerequi- pilotlight onto the strobe site for making good under- and use this to aim. Some water night photography strobes even have a built-in is to be 100 percent ready. a pilot light. This shouldn’t The camera settings should be stronger than 10W and always be preset for the last a minimum of one hour. expected subject matter. Additionally, the strobe Photographers who have to should be able to release at fumble with their settings or least 50 flashes at full power. make tedious adjustments If the strobe fails to deliver to the strobe arms will defi- at this level, you are in dan- nitely loose their chance to ger of maybe loosing out on capture the subject. Always your shots. have a small flashlight on

cinema of dreams

Tungsten lighting effect on stingray

UW-photographers ask me ing them with your light example, of octopuses and Equipment if flashing strobes will disturb could scare them off. I’ll eels when they catch their Skip your wide angel lenses a sleeping fish. Good news! give you a small tip though; prey. for —except if It is scientifically proven the lights from a diving As photo subjects dur- you are going to capture that sleeping fish are not boat often attract preda- ing a night dive are often very close up images within disturbed by strobes. They tors such as barracudas very small, most of your the 25 to 40 cm range. You don’t seem to notice and and garfish. To get a good photography will be close- don’t have any daylight continue to sleep peace- shot of these fishes, simply up or macro. On cameras to take into consideration. fully. sneak up on them from the with viewfinders (analog or Instead, you need to make shadow side. digital), you can use close- your strobes fill the whole Close-up or macro In general, photographers up lenses. When using SLR frame and point exactly at Fishes that are active during should always be alert at cameras, it is best to use www.seacam.com the night are, on the other any time. Combined with lenses with 50 to 30-degree Animals that are fixed like hand, much more difficult luck, this will get you the angels. the soft coral shown here, to photograph. Even catch- best night time images, for or slow moving animals, are particulary good subjects for night photography

85 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Hermit crabs are maybe not the slow- est, but often make photo & very nice subjects Keep your hands free video by attaching small torches to a helmet

hand for easier operation of your camera settings. It might be a bit uncustomary for many, but a using a helmet with mounted lamps keeps your hands free, Choice of subject Although all this technology to concentrate on the and equipment with special camera equipment. features solves a lot of prob-

lems, it all comes down to the Take a really close look in all the choice of subject matter. I recom- nooks and crannies, and even on mend that you don’t venture on flat sandy bottoms. long swims during night dives, but Just keep in mind that most noc- concentrate your search for photo turnal animals will stay out of the subjects on a rock wall light. If you are shining your lamps or a coral head. everywhere, you will certainly scare away a lot of animals. In addition, in order to plan your night dive carefully, you must also take care of the environment. In the dark, it is even more difficult to see where you put your hands or fins. Position yourself in a way that you don’t bump into the corals every time you move, and ABOVE: Mounting a pilot lamp move slowly and onto your strobe makes aiming deliberately. much easier. LEFT: Muray eels are nocturnal animals that start to hunt a few hours after sunset

86 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED photo & video

Feeding Triton snail

BELOW: Sleeping Parrotfish

Seacam—Amsler Edition with built in target lamp

doesn’t bands. This allows you to more need to have easily adjust sharpness and aim Practical more than 5-10W. your strobe. tips for night If you need to use • At night, it’s even more time underwater your flashlight during the dive, important than during day time photography: cover it with some of your fin- dives to have good gers to dim the light. and know where you put your • Eighty percent of all images • Night dives are often done fins. taken during night dives are too early. Many nocturnal ani- • Flashes from strobes don’t either macro or close-ups. Keep mals are most often active and disturb fishes. But long expo- your search for subjects within come out of their dwellings 2-4 sures with dive lamps do. While a small area, such as a coral hours after sun down. searching for your subjects, head. • Operating camera equip- don’t point your lamps too long • Always prepare the correct ment in the dark is much more at fish. camera settings before you difficult than during a day time • Night time underwater pho- enter the water. This helps you dive. Keep your equipment tography requires careful plan- avoid unnecessary movements down to a minimum to avoid ning. Often photographers for- with lamps under water. fumbling, to get better images. get to pay attention to their air • Most nocturnal animals get • Mount your external lamp supply, depth, or surroundings scared by light. Try to dim your directly on the strobe with, for when concentrating intensely lamps. A pilot light on the strobe example, duck tape or rubber on the photography. ■

87 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED “Canikon—watch your rear mirror” photo & With its 24.6 MP 35mm format full-frame video CMOS sensor, the Sony a900 has the highest resolution in its class. The Alpha 900 body will be available in November for about US$3,000 along with related acces- sories

The clash of

the Titans begins Canon’s update to the hugely popular full-frame EOS 5D is here, the EOS 5D Mark II has a stunning 21.1-megapixel full- The megapixel race has gone to the next level frame CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 image processor and a vast ISO range of 100-6400. It can shoot up to 3.9 fps

Leica has once again revolutionized the world of pho- tography with a digital S-System that’s perfect for pro- fessional use. The Leica S2, with its premium AF objec- tives including everything from ultra-wide to super-tele- photo, is an absolute photographic highlight. The digital SLR camera has a special new sensor with 30 x 45 mm Aquatica is now shipping its housing and 37.5 megapixels. The S2’s metal body is appreci- for the Canon 1Ds Mk III, featuring the ably smaller and easier to carry than similar models from best that technologies and ergonomics can offer and in other camera brands, and yet it’s also nearly twice as addition to the classic type and Ikelite type manual fast thanks to ultra-modern processor technology connectors, the S6 type connector is being offered as well

88 X-RAY MAG : 26 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Ikelite Housing

Relaunch of for Sony UnderwaterCompetion.com HDR- The renovated website, UnderwaterCompetition. CX11& com, is home to the organi- zation’s series of interna- CX12 tional photo competitions, hosted collaboratively This “Clearly Superior” between their two popu- lar underwater photo and design provides full video websites. view of the cam- corder, control func- In just four years, these tions, and back “O” ring seal for assurance the system is safe. competitions have become is 60m (200ft). Weight above water is Photoshop CS4 some of the most prestig- less than 8lbs (3.6kg) for easy packing, and very slightly negative ious and widely supported Aquatica Nikon D700 Housing in saltwater for stability and comfortable handling. Controls for The 64-bit edition of the new international underwater The new 90m (300ft) depth rated Aquatica Digital Pro housing for Nikon D700 the LCD Screen Touch Pad provide full access to setting white Photoshop will allow PCs with photography and video features a bold new design machined from solid aluminum, it is treated and balance and white balance shift. An included removable UR/ lots of RAM to work on very large competitions in the world. anodized to military specification, then painted with a robust weather and Pro filter enhances red tones in tropical blue water settings with images with less hard disk swap- As their readers already wear resistant finish. Positive bayonet mounting offers the fastest access to available sunlight at depths up to 80 feet (24m) ping, thus speeding up opera- know, the primary com- lenses for rapid changing without having to remove the SLR from the hous- tions. With the diminishing amount ing. Allows the use of lenses from 180 degrees fisheye to the longest of macro petitions are unique in the of RAM available to modern fact that they are held in lenses. Tele-converter port extensions are also available. The line of standard accessories such as the Aqua View finder, remote control cord, and TLC line PCs (due to a 4GB limit on 32-bit association with two dive Windows versions such as the expos on opposite sides of of strobe arms are also fully compatible with it. The suggested retail price is still popular XP that’s an update the world simultaneously. 2,949.00 USD www.aquatica.ca Our World Underwater in of extreme significance. While Chicago, USA, and DEEP Photoshop users may take a while Indonesia in Jakarta, Sealux Nikon D3 Housing to move to the new 64-bit version, Indonesia. The sturdy aluminium construction is hard anodized and additionally CS4 offers plenty of other features passivated in a special process to make it seawater-resistant. A com- and upgrades to keep 32-bit users Not only did the staff give bination of large O-rings, double seal shafts and fourfold-sealed keys happy. UnderwaterCompetition. ensures maximum safety. The GD-Viewfinder is a high-quality optical com a facelift, including system features several layers of coating and provides a brilliant image, The new Canvas Rotation tool highlighting and ranking which is 150%, enlarged compared to that of the camera makes it effortless to rotate and winning photographers, viewfinder. www.sealux.de work on an image from any but they also automated angle. New path-bar navigation the entire competition. As a participant, you can Ikelite Nikon D90 Housing and workspace selection buttons now sign up for your own across the top of the Bridge win- UnderwaterCompetition With the exception of the focus selector lock and diopter dow let you instantly go to just the account, upload your adjustment, controls for all camera functions are provided right display for every task. Also submissions, and including D-Movie and Live View. As an added bonus, both the included are new Camera Import pay for your entries media card and battery can be replaced without the removal controls, visual folder navigation, through this web- of the camera from the housing tray. Also included is TTL con- and a Carousel View for larger site. ■ version circuitry that functions perfectly with model image-group selections. The soft- Ikelite DS digital SubStrobes. Complete creative control is ena- ware also provides a smooth pan bled with seven manual power settings in half-stop increments, and zoom experience, allowing with all choices obtainable with a simple twist of a knob on the users to edit images effortlessly at housing’s back. Although Non-Ikelite strobes can be utilized the highest magnification. ■ with the system, TTL capability is not available. www.ikelite.com

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90 X-RAY MAG : 23 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED Stéphane Braud

PORTFOLIO

91 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED PREVIOUS PAGE: Grotte aux naïades, Mauritius Oil on canvas, 100 x 73 cm, sold LEFT: Epave d’avion japonnais (New Guinea) Stéphane Braud portfolio Oil on canvas, 130 x 89 cm, 8,000€ BELOW: Faille de la tour de boucan canot (Reunion Island), Oil on canvas, 65 x 50 cm, Sold

Text edited by Gunild Symes All images courtesy of Stéphane Braud Underwater artist and diver, Stéphane Braud, was born in the southwest of France, in Libourne, in 1955. Braud began painting when he was 20 years old. Later, he discovered the wonder- ful world of at Reunion Island. Eventually, it seemed a logical step for him to join his two passions, diving and painting. So, he decided to paint under the sea. Braud is now called “the blue fisherman” and con- sidered to be one of the most celebrat- ed sub-aquatic painters in the world.

Ancre à la havanne (Caribbean), Oil on canvas, 146 x 97 cm, 9,500€ 92 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED La tour de boucan canot (Reunion Island) portfolio Oil on canvas, 146 x 97 cm, 9500€ Stéphane Braud

In his working process, Braud combines the agil- ity of a certified diver with the speed of an experi- enced artist. To paint under the sea, Braud adapted his materials and developed his own technique, which enabled him to paint onto canvas scenes of the ocean. In his artwork, Braud captures, for the pleasure of his audience, the bluish luminosity of the underwater world, ghostly images of wrecks, and the plethora of colours inherent in the surrounding nature. When Braud settled down to paint on Reunion Island, where he was mesmerized by the underwa- ter world around the island, it was, at first, difficult to paint under the sea, he said. He made his first paint- ings under the sea in 1996 and continued to work underwater in search of his own unique, personal style. since then, Braud has painted under the sea regularly at Mauritius, Bahamas Virgin Island, Belize, Martinique, Corsica and Sardaigne. He also paints

ABOVE: Ancre à la havanne (Caribbean) Oil on canvas 146 x 97 cm 9500€

LEFT: Self-portrait Oil on canvas

93 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED portfolio Stéphane Braud IN OUR NEXT ISSUE SOLO & GROUP exhibitions Bali 1997 Réunion Island Liberty Wreck 1998 Réunion Island, Mauritius 1999 France (Couchevel, Mégève, Annecy), Beluga Whales Martinique, Guadeloupe, Ivory Coast (Abidjan) 2000 Bahamas (Nassau), Miami (Miami Art Expo), Saint Augustin (Florida), France (Couchevel, Saint Paul de Vence), Réunion Island 2001 Martinique, Hawaii, New York (New York Art Expo), France (Paris, Ajaccio, Couchevel, Saint Paul de Vence), Réunion Island 2002 Hawaii, Orlando, Martinique, France (Couchevel, Saint Paul de Vence) 2004 Bruxelles, Strasbourg 2005 Belgium (Knokkes le Zout, Coutrai ), Monaco, Genève andy ferrari 2006 Belgium (Gand Line Art), Ansver, Luxembourg, Genève, Saint Tropez, Monaco, Honfleur, Biarritz 2007 Honfleur, Biarritz, Saint Tropez, Toulouse

UPCOMING SOLO Exibitions 30 October - 9 November 2008 Marbella-Puerto Banus, Casa del Mar (Spain) 1 -15 September 2009 Saint Tropez, Ambassy of Tourism (France)

donald silcox

Grotte à Bequia, Grenadines (Caribbean) Oil on canvas, 65 x 45 cm, Sold

in his studio, particularly the large “My favorites places are the ies in Europe and several private paintings. Braud said that it was coral reefs, especially for their collections. difficult to paint the larger works architecture,” said Braud. In the A primarily self-taught artist, under the sea simply due to the future, he would like to paint Braud said, “I want to represent inconvenience in transporting the images of the coral reefs of the underwater world with an eye larger formatted paintings on the Australia, the Pacific islands and of a diver and painter.” . the islands of Asia, he said. For more information, please braud uses oil paints—the water After living on Reunion Island contact Galerie Bartoux at galer- Andrey bizyukin can’t mix with the oil, he said— and Mauritius for 22 years, Braud iebartoux.com or email stephane. and also uses a pallette knife for moved to the south of Spain. [email protected]. You can painting. He said that he was not He said that he does not dive in catch Braud’s blog at: stephane- an underwater photographer, but Spain, because the dive sites do braud.over-blog.com or visit his COMING IN NOVEMBER often filmed his sites in research not correspond to his work. But his website at: stephane-braud.com. Subscribe now FREE! for the paintings. work is displayed at several galler- ■ www.xray-mag.com

Foret de corail noir (Mauritius) Oil on canvas, 60 x 60 cm, sold 94 X-RAY MAG : 25 : 2008 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY EDUCATION PROFILES PORTFOLIO CLASSIFIED