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Underwater PhotographyUnderwater Photographya web magazine
Issue 39Nov/Dec 2007
Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007 © Sergery Gorshkov / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007
Join now as Charter memver and you will be part of our quest for discoveries and a partner in the conservation of our ocean planet. You will be eminently recognised for sharing our vision with your name inserted in all future editions of Ocean Geographic and in the web domain of Ocean Geographic Society.
Membership Benefits:Four issues - Ocean Geographic JournalFree pass to the World Festival of Underwater Pictures - Antibes Free Master pass to ‘Celebrate the Sea Festival’Ocean Geographic Limited edition print - (Dec 2008)Membership to OneOcean Alliance Frequent Diver program - 1000 bonus pointsAustralia and Singapore A/S$50 per yearCharter Member International: USD88 (airmail) or Classic One year subscription for Ocean Geographic - USD 68 (airmail)www.OceanGeographic.org : www.OGSociety.org
Ocean Geographic is a high quality photographic journal that features the finest arts and images of the sea. Each edition of Ocean Geographic is a visual adventure of discoveries, exploration and dives into provoking issues that guarantee to inform, inspire and invigorate. The board of editors and senior contributors are comprised of Michael AW, David DOUBILET, Dr Gerry ALLEN, Doug PERRINE, Dr Carden WALLACE, Emory KRISTOF, Stan WATERMAN, Dr Alex MUSTARD, Jennifer HAYES, Christopher LEE, WYLAND and Amos NACHOUM.
‘Ocean Geographic’ - its wonderful! Fabulous imagery, reproduction and features - pure class! I’m still enjoying it!
Gemma Webster, Competition OfficerShell Wildlife Photographer of the Year, The Natural History Museum, UK
39/3www.uwpmag.com
Underwater PhotographyA web magazine
UwP39Nov/Dec 2007
Underwater PhotographyContents4 Editorial6 News & Travel16 New Products
21 Compact cameras byPeterRowlands
27 Nissan van byAlexMustard
Underwater Photography2001 - 2007 © PR Productions
Publisher/Editor Peter Rowlandswww.pr-productions.co.uk
peter@uwpmag.com
29 Bali East byDonSilcock
36 Bay of Fundy byScottLeslie
Cover shot bySergery Gorshkov / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007
56 Sorry Willy byTroyMayne
58 Book reviewbyPeterRowlands
60 Parting Shots byRandyVelikySR ChristianSgarbi JoeDovala
43 Big Red Sea byMarkWebster
52 Shell Wildlife Competition byAlexMustard
www.urprofilters.comClick on the link below to go to the Tech-Talk Newsletter
39/�www.uwpmag.com
EditorialCover shot
IhavealwaysbeenespeciallypleasedandamazedatUwP’sabilitytocomeupwithconsistentlygoodfrontcoversandthisone,Ifeel,trumps the lot but first, let me explain something.
AsIhavesaidbefore,UwPisvirtuallyunplannedyetithasmanagedtoproduce39issueswhichI’dliketothinkhavebeenfairlyconsistentinboththenumberofpagesandvarietyofcontent.Aftereachissuethecupboardisbareandthenextissuereliesonwhatarrivesfromcontributorsintheinterveningtime.NowI’mnotonepronetopanicbuttherehavebeentimesaweekbeforepublicationwhenthecontentshavebeenlookingdecidedlythinbut,loandbehold,anemailnearlyalwaysarriveswithaperfectlyformedarticleandimages.Iliketothinkofitas‘kismet’ and so far, fingers crossed, touchwoodandbreakaleg,ourluck’sbeenin.
Thesameistruewithfrontcovers.Theyjustappear.Golookingforthemandtheywilldisappear.Trustinkismetand,sofar,she(?)hasn’tletusdownandIfeelthat,forthisparticularissue,shehasdisheditout
inbucketfulls!InmyworkIlookalotof
images.Theyaremostlygood,moreoftenthannotverygoodandsometimesabsolutelystunning.Andthen,eversoeverynowandagainwhenthemoonisblueandthepigsare flying, an image arrives which literallystopsme,stopstimeandtakesmethere.Suchisourlatestcovershot.It terrifies me but I can’t stop looking. Itissosimpleyetsofullandeveryaspectisperfect.
SergeryGorshkov,Isaluteyou.
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AdvertisingrevenueisthelifebloodofUwPbecauseithelpstokeepitfreeforyou,thereader.
IfyouoranyoneyouknowisintheadvertisingindustryorbetterstillthedivingadvertisingindustrywewouldliketohearfromyouwithaviewgeneratingrevenuetohelpkeepUwPfree.
Peter Rowlandspeter@uwpmag.com
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39/� www.uwpmag.com
News, Travel & Events
Our World Underwater 20083rd Annual Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide CompetitionOver $50,000 in Prizes!
PopularwebsitesWetpixel.comandDivePhotoGuide.comhaveteamedupagaininassociationwithOurWorldUnderwatertocelebratethebeautyanddelicacyofthemarineenvironmentwiththeannouncementofthe3rdannual,internationalunderwaterphotographyandvideocompetition.Thecompetitionhasbecomethe“Superbowl”ofinternationalunderwaterimagerycompetitions,withworld-classprizes,celebrityjudges,andtheopportunitytohaveyourimagesshowcasedtotheworldassomeoftheplanet’sbest.
Photographers&videographerswillcompeteinsevenstill-imagecategoriesandtwovideocategories,towinmorethan$�0,000inprizesincludingpremiumdivetravel,underwaterphoto/videoanddivingequipmentandmore!Divepackagesincludetripstosomeofthetop
photodestinationsintheworld,includingSocorosIslands,Wakatobi-Indonesia,PapuaNewGuinea,Ambon-Indonesia,theRedSea,GrandCayman,theSolomonIslandsandVietnam!Otherprizesincludecamerahousings,strobes,lightingsystems,andothervaluableitems.Thecompetitionincludesacategoryforimagesthatfocusonconservationandthemarineenvironment,andone specifically for entries taken by compactdigitalcameras.
Celebrityjudgesincludeleadingprofessionalunderwaterphotographers,cinematographersandeditors:EricCheng,BerkleyWhite,TonyWu,RicFrazier,ChuckNicklin.andMaryLynnPrice.
Winningimageswillbepublished worldwide, and Divefilm.comwillbepodcastingthewinningvideosasepisodesoftheiTunes-featuredDiveFilmPodcastVideoandDiveFilm High Definition Podcast Video.
AswithallWetpixel&DivePhotoGuideevents,1�%ofproceedswillbedonatedtomarineconservationefforts.
DeadlineforsubmissionsJan13,2008
www.underwatercompetition.com
DearUnderwaterFilmmakers,Weareverypleasedtoannounce
the11thInternationalUnderwaterFilmFestivalinBelgrade,Serbia.
Thiseventwillbeheld,likeeveryyear,inDecember,from14thto19thandweusetheopportunitytoask if you have any production/film to bepresentedatthe11thInternationalUnderwaterFilmFestival.Wewillbehonored to present your film or films toouraudience.
Filmsforthecontestwouldhavetobe200�.or2007.production,with
atleast30%underwatershotsandformatsareBETASP,DVCamorMiniDV(PAL)
Thesubjectisfree.Competitionadmissionisfree.
Wearehopingthatyouwillfind our festival interesting enough tosupportourdesiretomakeitanimportanteventandgatheringpointfordiversandallpeoplewhoenjoywatchingandbeingintheunderwaterworld.
Please,donothesitatetocontactusforanyadditionalinformation.
www.kpa.co.yu
39/7www.uwpmag.com
British Underwater Image Festival 2008 entry call
Filmandphotographyentriesarenowbeingacceptedforthe2008BritishUnderwaterImageFestival(BUIF).Followingonfromtwohugelysuccessfulyears,thethirdBritishUnderwaterImageFestivalreturnstotheGoDiving!showattheBirminghamNECon14to1�March2008.
Morethan£10,000worthofprizesareavailabletothewinners
ineachofthecompetition’sninecategories. The finalists of the 2008 Festivalwillbedisplayedatthethree-dayGoDiving!show,whichispartoftheOutdoorsShow(www.theoutdoorsshow.co.uk).
Thefestivalwillshowcasearangeofwinningstillimagesandfilms from a variety of abilities, from first-time photographers to professionaltelevisiondocumentarymakers.ApresentationofprizesandtrophieswillbeheldatthefestivalonSaturday1�March,followedbyachampagnereception.
Leading underwater film-makerPeterScoones,DIVEeditorSimonRogerson,BritishSocietyofUnderwaterPhotographers(BSoUP)founderColinDoegandaward-winningphotographersAlex
MustardandCharlesHoodwillbeamongjudges.
PrizesponsorsincludeSuunto,PADI,MaresandApeks.
To enter the festival and to find outmore,goto
www.divemagazine.co.uk/BUIF2008
info@eco-divers.com
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OCEANODYSSEY 2007Digital photo Shoot-out
(in association with Asian Diver Magazine)
26 Nov - 5 DecNorth Sulawesi, Indonesia
Check out www.eco-divers.com/ocean-odysseyto find out how you can be a part of this exciting event!
UWP 146x210_ocean 2 14/5/07 12:49 pm Page 1
39/8 www.uwpmag.com
U p c o m i n g I n t e r n a t i o n a l P h o t o & V i d e o C o m p e t i t i o n s
November 15th
International Underwater Film Festival - Belgrade
December 21st
Nature’s Best - Ocean Views 2008
December 31st
Beneath the Sea 2008 Photo & Video Competition
BeneaththeSea2008ispleasedtoinvitePhotographersandVideographersfromaroundtheworldtoenteritsannualWorld-wideUnderwaterPhoto/Videocompetition.
Inadditiontoasurpriseofprizes,includingatripaboardtherenownedliveaboardNai’adivingtheamazingreefsofFiji,competitionineachcategorywillbeforindividualrecognitionfromtheGrandmasterofthat field:
UnderwaterphotographerswillcompeteforthecovetedDavidDoubiletawardforexcellenceinunderwaterphotography,thedistinguishedStanWatermanawardforexcellenceinunderwatervideoandthecelebratedJimChurchawardforexcellenceincreativeunderwaterphotography.
Whereveryouliveinthiswideworld,acceptthechallenge,submit
Beneath the Sea 2008
yourunderwaterphotographicworktotheBeneaththeSea2008World-widePhoto/VideoCompetition.ThecontestdeadlineisDecember31st,2007.
ThewinnersoftheBeneaththeSea2008WorldwidePhoto/VideoCompetitionwillbeannouncedattheSaturdayNightFilmFestivaltheweekendofBeneaththeSea’sOceanAdventureExpositionandDiveTravelShow,March28th,29th,and30th,2008,attheMeadowlandsExpositionCenterinSecaucus,NewJersey.InadditiontotheawardsthattheGrandPrizewinnersofeachcategorywillreceive,therewillbeprizesforallFirst,Second,andThirdplacewinners.
www.Beneaththesea.org
39/9www.uwpmag.com
2nd Annual DEEP Indonesia International Underwater Photo CompetitionHosted by Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuideOver $30,000 in Prizes!
Wetpixel&DivePhotoGuidehaveonceagainorganizedauniquejointcollaborationwithasecondinternationalcompetitioninassociationwithDEEPIndonesia , Indonesia’s first-ever Diving, Adventure Travel and Water sports expo.
Photographerswillcompetein7themedcategoriestowinover$30,000inprizes,includingphotoequipment,divegear,andpremiumdivetravelpackagestosomeofthetopphotodestinationsinIndonesiaandbeyond.IndonesiatripsincludeAmbon,Bali,FakFak,Komodo,Lembeh,Manado,andRajaEmpat.AdditionaldivepackagesincludePapuaNewGuineaandTheBahamas.Thecontestincludesacategoryforimagesthatfocusonconservationandthemarine environment, one specifically for entries taken by compact digital cameras, and one specifically for Indonesian entrants.
EsteemedjudgesEricCheng,StephenFrink,andDavidEspinosawillselectwinnersaftertheFeb1�,2008deadline.Winnerswillbeannouncedonline,publishedbyourmediapartnersworldwideandexhibitedduringtheDEEPIndonesiaExpoinJakarta,Indonesia(March28-30,2008).
AswithallUnderwatercompetition.comevents,1�%ofentryproceedswillbedonatedtomarineconservationefforts.
www.underwatercompetition.com
Rod Klein tripAdventurer II - Raja Ampat18 - 29 February 2008
Itisarareopportunitythatdiversareabletowatchaqualityphotographeratworkunderwaterandperhapsitisevenmoreunusualthatdiverscandiscusstechniquesandskillsinrelaxedenvironmentwithanexperiencedanddedicatedprofessional.TheArchipelagoFleetisproudtoannouncethatthiswillbepossibleinearly2008.
WorldrenownedUSphotographer,RodKleinwillbejoiningtheArchipelagoAdventurerIIasaPhoto-Proinresidence,inRajaAmpatforcruisedatesFebruary18-February292008atotalof11nights
aboardthevessel.WithanitinerarySorong-Sorong,thevoyagewillencompassthemostpopulardivesitesintheRajaAmpatregionand,inaddition,alsolesswellknownsiteswithuniqueandinterestinghabitats.
TherewillbenoadditionalchargesforthephotoadvicetipsorindeedanyassistanceprovidedbyRodduringthecruise.Asaresultspacesareatapremiumandaretobeinshortsupply.
www.archipelago-fleet.com
39/10 www.uwpmag.com
Plus Underwater Photography Group Trips and Courses with leading photographers: Martin Edge, Linda Dunk, Malcolm Hey, Charles Hood, Gavin Anderson and Alex Mustard.
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39/11www.uwpmag.com
Ontheagendawasa‘StoptheSeaTurtleKilling’demonstrationleadbyProfaunaactivistsatKutaBeach,informationstandsandphotoexhibitsinthetown’slargestshoppingcentre,ameetingwiththeAuthorities,andamediaconference.Eacheventwasvitalinraisinglocalpeople’sawarenesstotheplightoftheendangeredseaturtle,keepingpressureontheAuthoritiesandmakingasplashinthemedia.
TurtleWeekwasonlyabletogoaheadthankstothegeneroussupport of the firms SEEMANN-SUB,SEACAMandSCHOENER-TAUCHEN,DE/CH.Butnobodycouldhaveguessedthattheeventsintherun-uptotheweekwerenearlyasexcitingastheweekitself!
A phone call is all it takes!
WayanWiradnayana,thedirector of the Pro-fauna office on BalireceivedacallfromanAustriantouristintheearlyhoursofthemorning.WhilstwalkingonSanurbeach,themanhadwitnessedtwolargeturtlesbeingloadedintoaboatandhiddeninanearbyhut.What
happenednextsoundsunbelievable,butistrue.Thankstowww.sos-seaturtles.chandmediapublications,themanwasfullyinformedoftheplightoftheseaturtleonBaliandthenamePROFAUNAhadstuckinhismind.TheownerofanearbyrestauranthelpedhimlookupthecorrecttelephonenumbersandWayanwastednotimeininformingtheChiefofPolice,theForestryDepartmentandtheBaliMarinePolice.
Timewasoftheessencebecausetherewasastrongpossibilitythattheseaturtlesmightbemovedon.Indeed,whenthepolicearrivedonsitetheanimalshadalreadydisappeared,andunfortunatelysohadthedeterminedtourist.TheMarinePolice,nottobedeterredinsuchsituations,soonfoundoutwheretheseaturtleshadbeentaken.
Both‘greenturtles’wereofgoodsizeandweremeasuredandtaggedbytheForestryDepartment.
ThereleasetookplacealittletimelaterasthetidewasgoingoutonKutaBeach.Asever,theeventsattractedtheinterestofmanyresidentsandtourists,andprovidedagreatopportunityforPROFAUNAto
Turtle Week Bali Report by Kurt Amsler
distribute information leaflets on the endangeredseaturtles.
In the Lion’s Den
ThetradeinseaturtlesinTanjungBenoaliesinthehandsoftwomen,PakTamiandPakHassan.OnemanwhoknowsallthegoingsonistheSwiss-bornHeinzvonHolzen.HehaslivedonBaliforthepast12yearsandownsthefamousBumbu-BaliRestaurantandRuma-
BaliVillage.Understandablyhisworkismorebehindthescenes,howeverhehasanumberofpeopleworkingundercoverwhokeephimdirectlyinformedonwhatishappeningontheseaturtlescene.Insteadofturningupatmarkets,astheydidinthepast,seaturtleeggsnowcometoHeinz’splace,whereheincubatestheminhismanyturtlerearingplantsandthenreleasesthem.Heinzliterallybuysthefreedomofillegallycaughtturtles,sothat they are spared the horrific end of
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beingcutoutoftheirshellsalive.The news that five sea turtles were being kept
forabuyerinahidingplaceonPakKamiwasbroughttohimbyaninformerfromTanjungBenoa.ThemainprioritywastoliberatetheturtlesassoonaspossibleandalsotophotographtheproceedingsinordertoprovidematerialforthemediaandalsoprooffortheBalineseauthorities.Howthetraderwouldreacttothecamerawastheleastofmyworriesatthatmoment.
TheonlythingthatgaveawayourarrivalwastheBUMBUBALIRestauranttruckthatwasdrivenbyPakMadi,HeinzVonHolzen’sspecialistforthissortoftrickybusiness.
Althoughquitehardenedtothesesortsofthings, I still did not find it easy to remain cool whenconfrontedwiththismanwhohasinhislifetimebeenresponsibleforthedeathsofhundredsofthousandsofseaturtlesandtohagglewithhimovertheirpriceasiftheywerebananasorcoconuts!Bettertoseehiminadifferentlight,suchasthrough the viewfinder of my Nikon!
Thenoiseofthecameraproducednoreactionfromhimwhatsoever,butthesamecouldnotbesaidforhisside-kick,astocky,slylookingmanwho
wasevidentlyChinese.OnewordfromPakMadiputhiminhisplace.
Evidentlyhewaskeennottobunglethesaleoverasmalldisagreement.
Heencouragedustofollowwithexaggeratedpolitenessandafter1�minutesofinsanedrivingwearrivedattheshedwherethecreatureswerebeingkept.
Bothconcretebasinsmeasuredaround�by�metres and were filled with around 40cm of water. Here,ourfouradultgreenturtlesweretobefound,eachoneweighingmorethan100kilos,alongsideasmallandgenuinehawksbillturtle.
ThetransportingandpreparationforthereleasecarriedoutbyHeinz’smenisaprocedurethathasseenmanyyearsofpractice.
Lateafternoon,asthetidewasgoingout,theturtlesweretakentotheHolidayInnHotelbeachandreleasedbackintothesea–averymovingmoment!Backtotheirownsurroundingswhereupuntiltheircapture,theyhadbeenlivingforthepast30-40years!Itishighlypossiblethattheturtlescouldlivetodoublethisage…
Kuta Beach Demonstration
ThebackdropwaslikethesetofaTVcommercial.
Whitesand,bluesea,andintheforeground,dressedinwhite,thePROFAUNAactivistsholdingtheirbanner.Rigidexpressions,motionlessandastraightfaced–picketingfortheendangeredseaturtles.
Youngwomenwiththesamelookdistributedleaflets amongst inhabitants and tourists alike here onthemostfamousoftheBalibeaches.
PROFAUNAdemonstrationsalwayscauseabigstirinthemedia.Thisoccasionwasnodifferent.Cameras flashed, tv cameras filmed, and even an ARDcameramanusedtheopportunitytobuildthedemonstrationintoaproductionhewasalreadyfilming. Naturally the place was also teeming withuniforms:theChiefofPolice,theForestryDepartment and other officials were omnipresent.
InIndonesiademonstrationsandinformationcampaignsarecloselywatchedandtakenveryseriously.PROFAUNAbuildsonthis,foritistheonlywayinthiscountrytogetastronggripanimal
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andspeciesprotection.Thisiswhytheorganisationalsoworkscloselyalongsideschoolsanduniversities.PROFAUNAishowevernotonlyconcernedwiththeprotectionofseaturtles,butwithallendangeredspeciesthroughoutIndonesia.
Visiting the Governor
ThemeetingwiththeGovernorwasscheduledfor10am.OnourwaytotheGovernmentbuildingswenoticedagiantcloudofsmoke.Fireengineswithflashing lights and sirensblaringheaded
for the town centre. A large fire had brokenoutinDenpasarcitycentre.ThereforeitwasunderstandablethattheGovernorhadtobeexcusedfromourmeetingandthatinsteadweweretomeetwithaMinisterfor
theEnvironment,namedIr.NiWayanSudjj.Evenknowingtheextentofthe Governor’s influence, we were notdisappointedbythewaythingsturnedout.ItsoonbecameclearthattheEnvironmentMinisterwasfullyinformedoftheseaturtleplightandspokeperfectEnglish.Ourstatementwasclear:accordingtoIndonesianLaw,article7�4-98/April1997thekillingofseaturtlesisforbidden,andtradeovertheborderisseenasaviolationofCITESregulations,theinternationalCommissionfortheprotectionofendangeredspecies.
Thisiswhereimageisvital:andthereisnoclearerlanguagethanmorethan20,000lettersofprotestfromallovertheworldandevenmore
signatures.Hundredsofpublicationsandtheworld-widelinkwww.sos-seaturtles.chhasdrawnpeople’sattentiontothemurderofseaturtlesonBali,andasBaliiscurrentlyfighting to keep every tourist it can, suchthingsaretakenveryseriously.
When we began the first sea turtlecampaignshortlyafterthefalloftheSuhartoregimejustbeforetheyear2000around2�thousandcreatureswerebeingmassacredintheslaughterhousesofTanjungBenoa.Currentlyaround3thousandarebeingkilledinsecret.
Ofcourse,wereferredtothispositiveoutcome,andputacrossourferventdesirethatconsistentpoliceactionbecontinuedandeven
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increasedsothatanendisbroughttoallkillings.Oncethishappens,wecanshowthemorebeautifulsideofthedreamislandofBaliinthemedia,andnomorebloodyimagesfromTanjungBenoa.
Alibi-Island
Thisturtleisland’isnotfaroffthesouthcoastofTanjungBenoa.Touristsareherdedoutthereonlittleboatstogawpandpawatthe30seaturtlesekingouttheirmiserableexistenceinthedirtywatersofthelagoonandaconcretebasin.Alongsidethemarecagescontainingbirds,giantlezaresandalargepythonwithtapewrappedrounditsmouth,thefrontpartofwhich,incidentally,ismissing,asitwascrudelyremovedalongwithitsfangs.Theicingonthecakeisthatsouvenirsmadeoutofturtleshellsarebeingsoldthere.Anexhibitionthatwouldtakethejoyoutofthedayofanynormalperson–thefewvisitorspresentwerenearlyexclusivelytouristsfromAsiancountries.
Byresearchingandcloselywatchingtheisland,PROFAUNAmembersandthejournalistDanielPeterlungercouldgatherclearevidencethat‚turtleisland’wasbeingusedasacover-upforthetradeinseaturtles.Throughthebackdoorsofthecompoundwewereabletoget
somepicturescreaturesstoredonasmallboatweretransferredtoahutlyingdirectlyoppositewithawaterbasin.Theshellsandboneslyinginthewasteoutsidewerefurtherproofthatslaughterwastakingplacehere.ThephotostakenofthesewheelingsanddealingsarelyingonthedeskoftheEnvironmentMinisteraswespeakandarebeingchannelledthroughatallgovernmentlevelsbythePROFAUNAteam.
In Summary
EverythingthathastakenplaceonBalisincethebeginningofourcampaigninMarch200�showsveryclearlythatour‚publicrelation’strategyinthemediaandontheinternetisworking.Howeverinordertobeatthefrontlineandinordertosupporttheactionsofourcomrades-in-armsonBali,weareheavilydependentonsponsorshipanddonations.Intheend,puttinganendtothemurderandtradeofseaturtlesonBalicomesdowntowhoisthemostdeterminedtosucceed!
Kurt Amslerwww.sos-seaturtles.ch
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Madeofanodizedaluminumandmachinedtoexacting specifications, the new D40X housing was craftedwiththeuserinmind.Itfeaturesallofthecontrolsfavoredbyprofessionalsinacompact(H6” x W 6.9” x D 5” or 154mm X 176mm X 127mm) andeasy-to-usedesign.BuiltaroundAquatica’swellestablishedbayonetportsystem,thesenewAquaticahousingswillaccommodateallcurrentports,extensionsandgears.AswellAquaticaisintroducinganew�”domeportandanew,morecompactmacroportforboththisnewhousingsanditscurrentlineofwellestablishedhousings.
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Ikelite Housing for Canon A650
TheIkelitecompactdigitalhousingismoldedofcorrosionfree,virtuallyindestructibleclearpolycarbonate.Anunobstructedviewofthemaino-ringprovidesassurancethatthecaseissealedproperly.Itsheavydutywallsallowittooperatesafelyto200ft(�0m).
Allfunctionsofthecameraareaccessibleexcepttheprintbutton.A flash diffuser is included to aid inimprovinglightingqualitywhenthe camera’s built-in flash is used to illuminatesubjectsunderwater.
ForoptimumlightingunderwateranoptionalDSSubstrobeisrecommended.TheDSSubstrobesarebrighter,recyclefasterandofferwidercoverage than the camera’s flash. Beingfartherfromthecameralens,theoptionalDSSubstrobeaidsinreducingtheilluminationofparticlesinthewaterandhelpstoeliminate
backscatter.TheEVManualController
senses the camera’s flash and fires theexternalDSSubstrobewithoutrequiring any fiber optic “sync cord” .TheEVControllerprovidesprecisecontroloftheSubstrobein10powersettings.Availableincompletestrobepackageswhichprovideeverythingyouneedforbreathtakingphotos.
Theincludedtraywithreleasehandleprovidesstabilityandexceptionalhandlingunderwater.ThereleasehandleallowseasyattachmentandremovalofIkelitestrobemountingarmsatthetouchofabutton.Alsoavailableas#9�23.32TraywithDualReleaseHandlesforincreasedbalanceortheadditionofasecondSubstrobe.
TheIkeliteW-20andother�7mmthreadedwide-angleconversionlensesfromInonorEpoqueattachdirectlytothefrontofthehousing’sport.
www.ikelite.com
39/18 www.uwpmag.com
Ifyou’veeverhadanunderwaterhousing flood, you’ll certainly know whatpromptedAustralianunderwaterphotographerJeffMullinstodesignaLeakDetectorforunderwaterdigitalcamerahousings.Thatheart-in-the-mouth feeling when you first see a smallpuddleofseawaterrollingaroundinsideofyourhousing-threateningtodestroyyourprizedcamera;doestendtotaketheedgeoffaperfectlygooddive!
Jeff’ssmallelectronicsensorcircuit,givesearlywarningoftheslightestmoisture(orwater)gatheringinsideofyourhousing.ThewarningisbywayofaHi-IntensityLED(LightEmittingDiode)thatisplacednearthecamera’sLCDscreen(easilyseenwhentaking/reviewingphotosorlookingattherearofthehousing),
alertingthephotographertoanimpendingdisaster.Thephotographercanthensurfacebeforethehousingaccumulatesenoughwatertodamagethecamera.
Jeffexplains“Initiallythiswasjustahomeprojecttoactasasafetydevicetowarnmeearlyintheeventofanymoisture/watermanagingtogetintoourhousings.ButwhatthentranspiredisthatIended-upmakingthemformorefriends,whotelltheirfriends.........andwell,nowIhavestartedproducingthemforvariousDSLRandpoint&shoothousings,plusvariousvideohousings”.
TheLeakDetectorisvery-verysensitive,detectingtheslightestamountofmoistureontwocoppersensorstripsthatsitinthelowestpartofthehousing,(justbreathingonthe
sensorwillturn-ontheLED).Theunit is small and fits into many styles ofdigitalcameraandmostvideohousingsincluding;
Ikelite:AllDSLRhousings-AllVideohousings-MostPoint&Shoothousings.
10Bar/Fantasea:AllDSLRhousings-SomePoint&Shoothousings
Olympus,Canon,Nikon&Fuji:SomePoint&Shoothousings.
TheLeakDetectorisdesignedforeachindividualhousingandcomeswithsimpleinstructionsforself-installation.Eachunitis
Mullins Housing Leak Detector suppliedcompletewithabatteryandallnecessarycomponentsforyouto install in around five minutes - withouttools.
LeakDetectorsareavailabledirectfromJeffviahiswebsite.Ifhehasn’tproducedaLeakDetectorforyourparticularhousing;allthatherequiresareacoupleofe-mailedphoto’s to confirm the camera/housing dimensions. The finished unit can be postedanywherearoundtheWorldforUS$�0-$70includingpostage,dependingonyourlocation.
www.uwleakdetector.com
Theory Of Underwater Photography with Peter Scoones and Ocean Optics
PeterScoonesisunequalledinhisexperience,knowledgeandcareersuccessinunderwaterstillsandcinematography.ThemanbehindthecameraonnearlyallBBCnaturalhistoryblockbustersisrenownedforthegenerositywithwhichheimpartsinformationandknowledgehehasworkedsolongandsohardtoacquire.
Peterhasverykindlyagreedtorunaspecialcourseonthetheoryofunderwaterphotography.Thisisamasterclassfromanindividualwhoseunderwaterimagingtrackrecordisexceptionalandwhoisconsideredtheprofessionalsprofessional.
Itwilltakeplacemidweekforclientstoattendafterwork.Itisthenatureof Peter’s career that he can find himself on assignment with little warning. For this reason you will need to be flexible with attending this workshop as dates maychangeatshortnotice.ForuptodatedetailspleasecontactOceanOptics.
www.oceanoptics.co.uk
39/19www.uwpmag.com
Aquaticaisproudtointroduceitsnewunderwatercamerarelease.ThisexcitingproductispartofanewlineofAquaticaunderwatercamerahousingsaccessoriesthataredesignedtopushtheboundaryofcurrentunderwaterphotography,Thisremoteiscompact,economicalandmostimportantdoesnotrequireanymodification of the Aquatica housing. ItcanbeusedwithmostNikonandCanoncamerahavinganelectroniccablereleasesocket.
TheTriggerassemblyismadeofanodizedaluminumandisconnectedtothehousingviaastandardstrobecablethatcanbelengthenedby
addinganextensioncord.Aquaticahousingsaresupplied
witheitherdoublestrobeconnectorsorthepossibilitytoaddasecondone,thissecondaryconnectoristhenusedfortriggeringthecamera,leavingtheuserstheoptiontousesstrobe(s)onthemainconnectoriftheysorequire.
Possibleapplicationincludes:Polecameraoperationforsharkorwhalephotography,longexposureontripodmountedhousingfordeepwreckphotographyaswellasahostof other scientific or professional photography.
www.aquatica.ca
Aquatica remote release
39/20 www.uwpmag.com
Fantasea FP-5000
FantaseaLineispleasedtoannouncetheirFP-�000housingforNikon’snewCoolpixdigitalcameras,theP�000andP�100.
TheFP-�000housingisfullyfunctional,providingphotographerswithaccesstoallcamerafunctions.Itisdepthratedto�0meters/200feet.
www.fantasea.com
Nexus Nikon D300
TheNexusNikonD300housingcontrolsareallaccessibleandhavedualfiber optic ports for TTL withInonZ240strobesplus2StandardNikonossyncportsforconventionaldirectstrobelinkage.TheNexusD300isanaluminumhousingwithafullrangeoflensports.
Nexus Canon 40D
IntheNexusCanon40Dhousingallcontrolsareaccessibleandhavedual fiber optic ports for TTL with InonZ240strobesplus2StandardNikonossyncportsforconventionaldirectstrobelinkage.Itisanaluminumhousingwithafullrangeoflensports.
www.usanexus.com
39/21www.uwpmag.com
Compact cameras updateby Peter Rowlands
Trendsindivingdon’tchangeveryfast.Despiteitsobviousadvantages,nitroxisstillusedbytheminority,evenBC’stookalongtimetocatchonandrebreatherswillonlyeverappealtothespecialists.Underwaterphotography,however,thelongtimepreoccupationofnerdyeccentrics,hasseensomethingofasecondcomingwiththeadventofthecompactdigitalcamera.Smallandlightweight,evenwhentheyareintheirhousing,thesecamerastrulyappealtothemassdivingmarketandcombinedwiththeirexcellentvalueformoneytheyhavebecomethe‘musthave’accessoryformanydivers.
ThesheernumberofcamerasandhousingsavailabletodaymakesadauntingtaskforthedecisionmakersowecontactedCamerasUnderwaterwhokindlysuppliedsomeoftheirbestsellersforustoevaluateandproduceanupdateonwhatisstilladevelopingmarketwithnewcamerasandhousingsappearingalmosteverymonth.
Despitethisseeminglyfastmovingtechnologyitisfairtosaythatmanyoftheperformancefeatures
and specifications have levelled out makingitcomparativelyeasytomakeadecisionwithoutthefearthatthereissomethingfarbetterandcheaperaroundthecorner.True,therewillalwaysbeareplacementmodelonthewaybutthebigadvancessuchasmegapixelsandLCDscreensizehavealltakenplace.Allofthecamerasreviewedherewillprovideeverythingyouwouldnormallyrequireintermsofeaseofuseandqualityofoutput.The decision is more in the fine print andthatiswhatwewillbelookingatinthisupdate.
What to look for:
Megapixels
Theamountofmegapixels(mp)thecamera’schiphasisanindicationoftheimagequalityyoucanexpecttoget.Themorethemegapixelsthe
merrier.Intheearlydaysofdigital
compactcameraswhena3mpcamerareplaceda2mponethatwasa�0%increaseinresolutionwhichwasverysignificant. Nowadays, when a 7mp camerareplacesa�mptheincreaseinqualityismuchsmallerataround1�%.
AllofthecamerasfeaturedherewillproduceexcellentA4printsandlargerorimagesthatcanbeprojectedontolargescreensforaudience
viewingsoyoucanrestassuredthat,unlessyouhavebigideas,anyofthesecameraswillbegood.Howevertheoldaddageofbuyingthemostmegapixelsyoucanaffordisstillsensible.Itisbettertohavetoomuchimagequalitythantoolittle!
LCD screen
Thisisthelargeviewingdeviceonthebackofthecamerawhichshowsyouwhatyouareabouttotake
The sheer number of cameras and housings available today makes a daunting task for the decision makerThis edited article first appeared in Dive magazine www.divemagazine.co.ukI am grateful to Cameras Underwater for supplying the camera and housingswww.camerasunderwater.co.uk
39/22 www.uwpmag.com
and then displays the finished result whenyouhave.
Heresizereallydoesmatterbutonlyuptoacertainpoint.Mostcamerasnowadayshave2.�”screenswhichprovideanicelargeimagetoview.Ithinkthatthisisthesizewhereitwill‘maxout’aslargerscreenswouldmeanalargercameraandtheremustcomeapointwhensizeincreasebecomesunattractive.Mindyou,the3” screen on the Canon IXUS 75 looksverytempting!
Zoom
UnderwaterthisisnotreallyafeaturethatshouldbeoverlyimportantandiscertainlynotoneIwouldrecommendusingattheextremetelephotoend.However
becauseyouwillnodoubtuseyourcameraonlanditisafactortotakeintoconsideration.
Most,ifnotall,camerasboastan‘optical’zoom.Thisisachievedconventionallybythelenselements.Thehigherthenumberfactorofthezoom,themoretelephotoeffectyouwillachieve.
Inadditiontothis,somecamerasboasta‘digital’zoomwhich,asthenamesuggests,isachievedelectronicallyandmyadvicewouldbetosteerwellclearastheimagequalityis significantly reduces to the point of beingunusable.
Lens angle
Thisisaperfectexampleofthespecifications jungle. Not all chip sizesarethesamesotheeasiestfactortolookforisareferencetolensangle/focallengthonconventional35mm film (remember that?). Most provideanangleofcoverageofaround��°cornertocornerwhichistheequivalentofa3�mmlenson35mm film. Some provide around 75°
(28mmon3�mm)andIwouldarguethat,underwater,thewiderangleofcoveragewouldbeusefulbuttherearefewercameraswhichofferthis.
Shutter delay
Thisreferstothetimelaginbetweenyoupressingtheshutterandtheactualpicturebeingrecorded.Thetimeisneededforthecameratoautofocusandcalculatetheexposuresettings.
Intheearlydaysthiswasmeasuredinsecondssonogoodforfast moving fish! Fortunately the time ofthisdelayhasreducedconsiderablybutnotdisappearedaltogether.
ISO rating
Thisisatermusedtodescribethesensitivityofthecamerachipandthis is an area of specification, rather likedigitalzoom,wherecameramanufacturerscanexaggerate.
ThehighertheISOrating,thelowerthelightlevelsyouwillbeabletoshootinbutthepoorertheimage
qualityislikelytobe.HavingsaidthathigherISOperformanceissomethingmanufacturersareconstantlydevelopingwhichisgoodnewsforusunderwaterphotographers.
Manual white balance
This,morethananyotherfeature,iswhatseperatesdigitalcameras from film.
In the (good?) old days most film wasdesignedtoreproducethecorrectcolourunderdaylightconditions.Ifthecolourtemperatureofthatlightvariedacolourcastwouldresultandtheonlywaytocounteractthatwaswith a colour correcting filter.
39/23www.uwpmag.com
Fuji Finepix F40 and WP-FXF40 housing
Fujihavebeenaleaderinprovidinghousingsfortheirdigitalcompactsandthiscombination,togetherwithkeenpackageprices,hasmadethemverypopular,andforgoodreason.
At8megapixelstheF40isatthetopofthetreeintermsofpicturesizeandqualityandthehighISOperformanceisimpressive.
Theprinciplesofthehousingdesignandconstructionhavechangedlittlebecausethey got it right first time. Ergonomically everythingisintherightplaceandthecontrolsaresmootheandprecise.
Theonlydownsideisthereardoorlockingcontrolwhichhasamanuallockingmechanismratherthananautoone.
VERDICTGoodqualitycombinationValue8/10Performance9/10
www.fujifilm.co.uk
Alotofmoderndigitalcompactcamerashaveseveralsettingstocorrectvariouslightingconditionsi.e.daylight, tungsten and flourescent. Inadditionsomehavetheabilityto‘manuallywhitebalance’whichisaveryusefulfeatureunderwaterwherethecolourcastproducedbyeventheclearestoftropicalwaterisquitestrongandgetsmuchstrongerwithdepth.
Manuallywhitebalancingentailstakingadummyexposurewiththelenspointingat,ideally,awhitecard(thoughinpracticethisisnotabsolutelyessential).Thecamerathenlooksatthecolourcastandadjustsitsprocessingsoftwaretoreproducewhiteaswhite.Underwaterthisisextremelyusefulandwellworththeextraeffortbeforetakingashot.
Inaddition,somecamerashave‘underwater’settings,theperformanceofwhichvariesfrommanufacturertomanufacturerbuttheyareeasytouseand,effectively,addsomecolourbackintothepicturewhichisnobad
thing.Thesesettingsarenearlyalwaysdesignedforclear,bluewaterwherethemajorityofuserswillnodoubtbeoperating.
Movie mode
Finallydon’tforgetthisfeaturebecauseitisarealplus.Allofthecamerasherecanshootmovies!True,theimagesizeandqualityissmallbuttheresultsaresurprisinglywatchable(muchbiggerandbetterthanUTube)andwithsoundthrowninyouhaveapowerfulrecordingmedium.
Finallyintermsofscoringthecamerasandhousings,youwillnotethattheyallgetfairlyhighmarks.Thisisbecause,inmyopinion,thisgenerationofcompactdigitalcamerasprovideprettymucheverythingyouneedintermsofvalueandperformancequality.
Underwaterphotographyhasbeenrevolutionisedbytheadventofthesesmallmiracles.Theirpriceandeaseofusewillappealtoalmostanydiverand,foronce,underwaterphotographyisstartingtolookattractive.
Peter Rowlandspeter@uwpmag.com
39/24 www.uwpmag.com
Canon PowerShot A570 IS and WP-DC12
Lookingslightlyoldfashionedcomparedtosomedesigns,theA�70neverthelesscomespackedwithfeaturesandcontrolsnormallyassociatedwithanupperpricebracket.AswellasProgrammeModethereisalsoApertureandShutterpriorityandevenfullManualMode.
Thiswastheonlycamerawhichhastobeswitchedto‘playback’toviewpreviousimages.
Thehousingisawellproven,ergonomicdesign.Theexternalcontrolsaretransparentincolourwhichgivesthehousingaslightlylessruggedappearancewhichisdeceptivebecausethisisafullyrated40metrehousing.
VERDICTVersatileworkhorseValue9/10Performance8/10
www.canon.co.uk
Canon IXUS 75 and WP-DC14 housing
Thiscameraisstylish,sleekandeven,dareIsayit,sexy.Turnitroundtoseethegorgeous3”LCDscreenandyouhaveavisuallystunningcamera.
ThesetupfunctionstookabitofgettingusedyoubutwereOKonceIunderstoodthelogic.WithsuchabigLCDscreenthecameracontrolsaresqueezedintotheremainingspacewhich can make operating them a bit fiddly but with practice they worked fine. The 7.1 megapixelchipgaveexcellentimagesbutthe1�00ISOperformancewasdisappointing.
ThehousingissimilartotheA�70andthecontrols,beingslightlyspacedapart,makethecameraeasiertouseunderwaterthanonland!
VERDICTGorgeouslookingperformerValue9/10Performance9/10
www.canon.co.uk
39/2�www.uwpmag.com
Panasonic DMC-FX01 and DMW-MCFX01
Thisisactuallymycameraandhousingwhichisnolongercurrentbutitdoeshaveonefeaturewhichappealedtome–1�:9formatofwhichIamagreatfan.Admittedlyit’snottrue1�:9(itchopsoffthetopandbottom)butitsavesmehavingtocropeachframe.
Inadditionitisthewidestlensofthisgroupat28mmwhichisveryusefulunderwater.ThecameraisagoodpointandshootwithanunclutteredlayoutbutIwouldsaythatbecauseI’veusedthisonemuchmorethantheothers.
Thecamerahasrecentlybeensuperceededwitha12mpversionbutIdon’tseetheneedtoupgradethecameraandthenthehousingbecausethiscombinationproducesexactlywhatIneed.IneverthoughtI’deversaythat!
VERDICTStylish1�:9performerValue8/10Performance8/10
www.panasonic.co.uk
Sony DCS-W90 and MPK-WB
At8.1megapixelstheDCS-W90leadsthe field in image size. The quality is very impressiveindeedand,likethePanasonic,itcanshoot1�:9.Unfortunately,inalotofways,itstopsthere.ThisisverymuchapointandshootcamerawithveryfewModeadjustmentsorcontroloveryourimages.Havingsaidthat,ifallyouwantiseasypicturetakingthenthiscamerawillsurpassyourrequirements.
Thehousingiswithoutdoubttheleader.ThedesignandconstructionisqualityandtheLCDshadewillmakeviewinginbrightconditionsmucheasier.Internallythereisarubberinsertwhichprovidesprecisepositioningof the camera as well as light baffling of the LCDscreenformaximumcontrast.
VERDICTTopqualitypointandshootValue7/10Performance8/10
www.sony.co.uk
39/2� www.uwpmag.com
Olympus mju760 and PT-036
Olympus housings stand out from the field with their provision of a metal filter thread ring. This allows for accessory lenses and filters to be used whichgreatlyincreasestherangeandqualityofpicturestheycantake.InadditionthereisanLCDshade.Themainpushbuttoncontrolsaretieredinlengthmakingiteasytodifferentiateeachone.
Theclosurelatchesarewellshrouded,traditionalmetalover-centrecatcheswhichrequirea healthy set of fingernails to operate but this does makethemvirtuallyfoolproof.
Themju7�0isaqualitypointandshootwhichisan‘allweather’designsoitwillsurviveandshootinsplashenvironments.Havingrecentlybeensupercededyoucanmakebigsavingswithoutanoticeablelossinperformance.
VERDICTStylish,smallandversatileValue9/10Performance9/10
www.olympus.co.ukhttp://www.digideep.com
join the contest and win a funkyt-shirt!!!
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Your online resource to more than
the online directory for digital underwater-imaging equipment. c o mD I G I D E E P
39/27www.uwpmag.com
During200�IwasapproachedbyNissanwhowereplanningtodesignandbuildaconceptcarfortheTokyoMotorshowinlateOctober2007.Thiswastobenoordinarycardesignedformassmarketappeal.Nothiswasanicheproductaimed specifically at my needs as anunderwaterphotographer.Ididpointoutthataboatwouldbemoretraditional,butNissanknewtherewould be multiple benefits for both its designersandfuturecarsbyexploringsuchanunusualdesigndirection.ThevehicleiscalledtheNissanNV200andthisisashortarticleaboutsomeofitsfeatures.
ShiroNakamura,seniorvicepresident and chief creative officer at NissanMotorCo.takesupthestory,“Nissanpridesitselfondesigningits cars to fulfil the needs and requirementsofitscustomers.ForNV200wehavetakenthatguidingprinciplequiteliterallyandcreatedavehicle for one specific customer. But it is a totally adaptable and flexible conceptthatcouldhaveapplicationsinanumberofareasofthemarket”
Atypicalsmallvanislittlemorethananemptyboxonwheels:functional,certainly,butseldominnovativeorsmart.Fromtheoutside,
NV200istheepitomeofamodernvan.Butit’sthedetailsthatsetitapart.AttheheartofNV200isapatentedslidingcargopodwhichisdividedintoanumberofseparateareasintowhichdifferentpiecesofdivingandphotographicequipmentcanbestored.
StephaneSchwarz,designdirectorofNDEcontinue“Wewanted to create a flexible toolbox for professionals.NV200ispracticalandfunctionalbutaestheticallypleasingatthesametime.”Thepodislatchedinsidetheshelloftheloadareawhenthevanisbeingdriven.Butuponarrivalatitsdestination,itslidesoutrearwardstoalloweasyaccesstothestoragezones.Thepodisdeployedmanuallywiththeaidofhydraulicrams,andsitssecurelyonintegrated‘drop-down’legswhenfullyextended.
Thepodcontainswetanddrystorageareasfordivingequipment.Lockablerollerblindsprotectthecontents,whilevaluablecameraequipmentcanbeaccessedeitherfromwithinNV200orfromoutsidethepod.Asthepodiswithdrawnfromthevan,thearealeftbehindistransformed into a mobile office and ITdock.Acomputertabledropsdownfromthesideofthevantorevealtwo
A car for the underwater photographerBy Alexander Mustard
Text and photos courtesy of Nissan.
39/28 www.uwpmag.com
LCDscreensuponwhichimagescanbeedited.Thefrontpassengerseatswivelsbackwardsonasinglecurvedrailtofacethetable.Ashockproofbriefcasemadefromruggedribbedplastichousesalaptop.Whennotinuse,itdocksintoasideofthevanbeneaththeworktable.Thepodalsohousesasmallrefrigerator,dropdownsink unit and first aid kit.
NV200’stanksholdenoughwater to supply a shower, fitted ontheoutsideofthepod,toallowdiversandequipmenttobewashedafteruse.Powerforthecomputer,shower,‘fridgeandotherelectricalfixtures comes from a small generator housedwithinthevan.This,inturn,ischargedbysolarpanelssituatedontheroofofthepod.Whenthepodisdeployed,thesolarpanelsaredirectlyexposedtodaylight.Butevenwhenthepodispushedbackintothevan,thepanelslineupbeneaththeskylight.Inthisway,powercanbegeneratedindaylighthourswhetherthevehicleisstationaryornot.
Atwo-mantent-accessedfromoutsideNV200-ishousedatthebaseoftheB-pillarbehindthedriver’sdoor, while fillers for fuel and water arehousedwithintheoppositeB-pillar.Thedriverandpassengerdoorsopenconventionally,whileaccesstotheworkspaceisviaasingleslidingdooronthepassengerside.
Mostthematerials,textures
andcoloursusedthroughoutNV200reflect the materials, textures and coloursusedinthedivingworld.Theexteriorhasascratchresistantmattsatin finish in a steel grey colour to emphasisethe‘toolbox’natureoftheproject.Interiormaterialsareeitherhardenedlightweightplasticsorrubberised fabrics finished in a dark greywithacidyellowhighlights.Perhapstheonlyareanotdirectlyinfluenced by the ocean, is the wooden floor of NV200. This is finished in a hardwearingwood,bringingatouchofwarmthtoanotherwiseworkingenvironment.
Sadly,Nissanaren’tabouttomaketheNV200commerciallyavailable.ButIwasfascinatedtoseehowatalentedgroupofdesignerswereinspiredbyourworldandtheproblemsweallfacewhenwegoshore-divingbycar.Nowifonlytheywouldletmekeepit…
Alex Mustardwww.amustard.com
39/29www.uwpmag.com
ThenorthcoastofBaliiswellknownfortheexcellentdivingatTulamben’sLibertywreckandtheweird&wonderfulcritterstobefoundatthemucksitesatSeraya,PurlJati(PJ)&SecretBay.Gettingtothesesitesmeansa3to4hourdrivefromthemaintouristareaofKutaandinvolvesatripupthesceniceastcoastoftheisland.
IhavemadethatjourneymanytimesandnormallystopforatoiletbreakatCandiDasa,about�0kmnorthofKuta.OftenreferredtoastheeasternfrontieroftourisminBali,CandiDasaisapleasantsmalltownlocatedatthenorthernendofAmukBayandhostsawideselectionofhotels,restaurants&cafes.
InDecember200�IdecidedthatinsteadofpassingthroughCandiDasaIwouldstaythereanddivetheeastcoast.InallImade33divesonthattripandthepurposeofthisarticleistodocumentwhatthereistoseeinthisareaofIslandOfTheGods.
The East Coast of Baliwith Don Silcock
Dive Sites
Therearetwothingsyoureallyneedtoknowaboutdivingontheeastcoast - first the area is subject to some ofthestrongestcurrentsyouareeverlikelytoexperienceandsecondlythewatercanbereallycoolsoa�mmwetsuitishighlyrecommended.Thestrongcurrentsaretheresultof the Indonesian Throughflow (see sidebar)andthewatertemperaturesareproducedbythecold-waterupwellingsfromthedeeptrenchestothenorth&southofBali.Thisisapowerfulcombinationthatactsasthecatalystforsomereallygreatdiving,butagoodguidewithlocalknowledgeandexperienceisessentialifyouwanttoexperiencethesitessafely.
Reef scenic - Nusa PenidaD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 10.5, f9 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure Large cuttlefish on the bommie at the Blue LagoonD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 70-180, f8 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
39/30 www.uwpmag.com
Amuk Bay – The Blue Lagoon, Mimpang & Gili Tepekong
AmukBayitselfisroughly8kmwide,withCandiDasaatthenorthernendandPadangbaijustroundthesoutherntipofthebay.Padangbaiisasmallbutverypleasant&picturesquefishing village, best known as the placetocatchtheferrytoLombokandwheremostofthediveoperatorsworkingtheeastcoastdepartfrom.
Thethreemaindiveareasofferquiteconsiderablediversityandeachonehasitsownuniquefeatures:
The Blue Lagoonisthelocationthatlessexperienceddiversareusually taken to first, as the dive sitesinthisareaaregenerallymuchlessexposedtothestrongcurrentsexperiencedattheothersites.However,don’tletthisfoolyouintothinkingthatthisisasecondratearea-it’snotandofthesixdivesexperiencedhereIwasimpressedwiththehealthofthebommiesandthegeneralmarinelife.
Moreofamacrothanawideanglearea,Isawagreatselectionof frogfish, leaf scorpion fish, moray eels, scorpion & stone fish, bluespottedstingraysandlotsofnudibranchs.
ThenameBlueLagoonconjuresup images of deserted Pacific Ocean islandswithswayingpalmtrees,howeverit’sactuallyasmallbay
locatedjustaroundtheheadlandandtothenortheastofPadangbaibay.Thereisasmallresortlocatedrightonthebeach,whichispopularwithtouristsfromCandiDasawhogotheretosnorkel.
ThemorecorrectnamefortheareaisTanjungSariandthereareanumberofsitestodive,notjustthebayinfrontoftheresort.Therelativelackofcurrentsandmaximumdepthsofaround1�-18mofferapleasantcombinationofanuncomplicateddivesitebutwithplentytosee.
Gili Mimpang isoneofthreeislandslocatedjustoutsideAmukBay as the seafloor starts to drop downintothedepthsoftheLombokStrait,whichmeansthatallthreespotsaresubjecttothestrongcurrentsassociated with the Throughflow. Noneofthemaresuitablefornewlyqualified divers and again a good guideisessentialforeventhemostexperienceddiver.
Jelly fish at BiahaD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 12-24, f6.3 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
Leaf scorpion fish on the bommie at the Blue LagoonD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 70-180, f20 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
39/31www.uwpmag.com
TheothertwoislandsareGiliTepekongandGiliBiaha,withTepekongabout1kmsouth-eastofMimpangandBiahaabout4kmnorth-east.
GiliMimpangisactuallyagroupofsmallislands,threeofwhichbreakthesurfaceandareknownasBatu
Tiga.LocallegendhasitthattheywereusedfortargetpracticebytheIndonesianairforceinthe19�0’s–thuspossiblyexplainingwhytheyaresobrokenupcomparedtotheverysolidlumpsofrockthatmakeupTepekong&Biaha.Mimpang’spositionisclosertowardsAmukBay,
whichmeansthatitislessexposedtothecurrentsoftheLombokStraitandthereforeisoftenconsideredtobealessersitethantheothertwo.
MyexperiencefromtwodaysofdivingbothMimpangandthenearbyTepekongisthatithasagreatdealtooffer,particularlythesouthernedgeofthesitewheretherearesomeexcellentsmall caves teeming with fish life
andveryhealthysoftcoralwhicharesurroundedbyveryphotogenicglassfish.
Iwasamplyrewardedforvisiting Mimpang when, on the first diveofthesecondday,myveryexciteddiveguideMitrabasicallydraggedmeawayfromthecavesgivingmeaverystrangehandsignthatIsubsequentlylearnedisthelocal
Anthias on the reef at Nusa PenidaD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 12-24, f7.1 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
Moray eel on a bommie at Nusa PenidaD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 17-55, f11 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
39/32 www.uwpmag.com
codefortheMolaMola,orOceanicSunFish,thatthisareaofBaliiswellknownforatcertaintimesoftheyear.
IhavelongwantedtophotographtheMolaMola,butwasnotexpectingtobesofortunateasitwaslateDecember,andSeptemberisknownasthetimetoseethem.Notonlydidonegraceuswithitsamazingpresencethatday,butIwasactuallyabletophotographitasIhadmadethe decision to use a fish-eye lens afterbeingshownthecaveareaonthepreviousday.
Theyreallyareauniquecreature,
almost3mfromtiptotiptheyappearquite ungainly at first glance but can moveveryquickly,asIlearnedwhenItriedtoget“theshot”.Atruepelagicaboutwhichverylittleisknown,theyarebelievedtocometothisareaofBalitobecleanedofparasites– usually by the common banner fish, whichwasindeedthecasewiththeonewesawthatday.
ThesouthernedgeandthewesternsideofMimpangareoneofthebestplacesinBalitoseewhitetipreefsharksandonmyseconddayIsawagroupofabout10larges
onesswimminginthestrongcurrent.Likemostsharkstheyarewaryofdivers,particularlyonesemittinglargestreamsofbubblesastheystruggleagainstthecurrenttogetinpositiontotakephotographs–noawardwinningshotsthatday!
Gili Tepekong isonly1kmfromMimpangbuttheconditionscanvaryconsiderablybetweenthetwositesandoftenwhenonecanbedivedinsafety,theotherisoutofthequestion.
Locatedasitis,rightontheedgeoftheLombokStrait,GiliTepekongisswept by the Indonesian Throughflow
whichmeansthatwhenitissafetodivethesiteitisspectacular,butifyoutrytodivethesiteinthewrongconditionsyoumayexperiencetheso-calledtoileteffectwhereinsteadofgoinguptothesurfaceasnatureintended,yourbubblesarespiralingintheoppositedirection-caughtinoneoftheinfamousdown-currentsthatmaketheeastcoastsopotentiallychallenging.
Definitely a site only for experienceddivers,Tepekongrewardsthosewhodoventuretherewithsomespectaculardiving.Thehighlight
Reef scenic - Nusa PenidaD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 10.5, f9 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
Mola Mola at Nusa PenidaD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 17-55, f6.3 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
39/33www.uwpmag.com
ofwhichistheCanyonatthesouth-westerntipofthesitewherefallenrocksfromtheislandhavecreatedanareareminiscentofRomanruinsthatisnowpopulatedbylargeschoolsofsweetlips,jacks,groupersandwhitetipreefsharks.
TheCanyonhasapparentlyestablishedareputationasa“mustdive”locationbutmanyoperatorsareveryreluctanttotakediverstherebecauseofthedangersofthedowndraft.Patienceandtrustinyourdiveguideareamust,becauseiftheytellyouthattheconditions
arenotsuitableyouneedtoaccepttheirjudgmentastheycanreadthesituationbetterthanyoucan.
SuchwasthestoryonthedaysIwasdivingTepekongandmyguideMitraknewhowmuchIwantedtodivetheCanyon,butcautionedmeagainstit,whichisbasicallywhatyouarepayingfor–goodadvice!
AtthenortherntipofTepekongthereisasiteknownasthe“FauxCanyon”,asapparentlysomeoperatorshavebeenknowntotakediversthereandtellthemitistherealCanyon!Idivedthissiteafewtimes
andenjoyedit,particularlythesharknursery–awidebutlow&taperingcavethatishosttoasubstantialnumberofwhitetipsharks.It’scalledthenurserybecauseofthebabywhitetipsthatarealwaysfoundthereand infact the first couple of times I visited,thatwasallIfound–4to�onemetrelongjuveniles.Howeveronthelastdiveitmusthavebeenlunchtime,asmum&dadwerehomeaswellandalthoughinitiallyquitecamerashytheystartedtocomecloser&closer.Quiteanexcitingsensationwhen you find yourself jammed into thecaveduetothestrongsurge!
Nusa Penida - Sental, Ped, SD & Toyapakeh
NusaPenida,togetherwithNusaLembongan&NusaCeningan,isagroupofthreeislandsthatsitrightinthemiddleoftheLombokStraitbetweenBaliandLombok.ThispositionmeansthattheirnortherncoastsbearthefullbruntoftheIndonesian Throughflow as it hits the islands,andthewestern&easterncoastsexperienceverystrongcurrentsduetothehugevolumesofwatersweepingpast.
NusaPenidaisbyfarthelargestofthethreeislands-roughly18kmlong&14kmwide,comparedtothecombinedsizeofLembongan&Ceninganatjust3by�km.Separated
fromLembongan&CeninganbytheToyapakehStrait,Penidaisalow,drylimestoneisland,whichmeansthatitdoesnothavethewetseasonheavyriver run-offs that significantly reduce theunderwatervisibility.
Ihadreadstoriesoftheexcellentvisibilityandhealthyreefsonthenorthern&northwestcoastsofNusaPenida,buthadalsoheardothersaboutcoralbleachingasaresultofElNinoin1998andIguessmyexpectationswerefairlylow.Howeveron my first few dives there I was franklyquitestunnedbythe2�mplus visibility, excellent fish life and overallvibrancyofthereefs.
Thewatertemperatureatallthesitesonthenorthcoast–Sental,Ped&SDandToyapakehonthenorthwestcoastcanbereallyquitecoldandmycomputerregistered22DegCononedive!Butthestrongcurrentsandnutrientrich,cold-waterupwellingscombinetocreatesometremendouslyrewardingdiving.
IhadalsoreadthatmanyoftheNusaPenidasiteswerenotparticularlygoodforunderwaterphotographyasthestrongcurrentsbasicallyturneverydiveintoahigh-speeddrift.However,IactuallygotsomeofmybestimagesofthetriponthesesitesbykeepingclosetothereefandlookingforspotswhereIcouldshelterfromthecurrent.
Thenorth&northeastcoasts
Reef scenic - Nusa PenidaD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 10.5, f13 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
39/34 www.uwpmag.com
ofNusaPenidaarealsoknownaslocationstoseetheMolaMolaandtomysurprise&delightonthe4thdayofdivingintheareaIsawanotherone.ThistimeIspotteditmyselfwhensomethingcaughtmyeyedownintheblue–Iwasatabout1�matthetimeandwhatIsawwasacloudofbanner fish surrounding a large but non-descriptlumpofsomething.ThelumpwastheMolaMolalookingupthereefslope,asitwascleanedofthemanyparasitesthatliveonitsbody,andwhenitturnedslightlymy nitrogen saturated brain finally
registeredwhatitwas.ThistimeIdidnothavethe
fisheye lens, but it did not really matterastheMolaMolaonlyallowedmetogetcloseenoughforoneshotbeforedemonstratingit’sstrangebutveryeffectiveswimmingtechniqueanddisappearedrapidlyintothedepths.
Conclusion
Asageneralruleofthumb,Imuchpreferliveaboarddivingtolandbased–mydayjobpaysformy
divetravel&camerasand,likemostpeople,Igetalimitednumberofdaysvacationeveryyear.Liveaboardsallowmetogetthemaximumdivingintheshortesttime,whereaslandbaseddivingusuallyrestrictsyouto3divesadayandtoomuchtimegettingtothesites.
Havingsaidthat,whatIreallylikedaboutdivingtheEastCoastonthistripwerethelogistics.IbasedmyselfinCandiDasaandwaspickedupeverymorningabout08.30forthe1�-minutedrivetoPadangbai,whereIwasabletoenjoyaBalicoffeeattheTopiInn(www.topiinn.com)whilstthediveboatwasloadedwiththegearfortheday’sdiving.
Wewereusuallyonourwaybyabout09.1�andthemaximumtimetoanyofthesiteswas40minutes,butusuallymuchless.Themorning’stwodivesweredonebeforenoonandthenitwastimeforanicelunchorderedthedaybeforefromtheTopiInn,followedbyaquicksnooze.
TheafternoondivewasusuallycompletedbythreeandthenitwasbacktoPadingbaiforaquickfreshwatershowerandanothercoffeebeforeheadingbacktothehotelintimeforasundowneroficecoldBintangwhilstreviewingthedaysimages–verycivilized!
Don Silcockdon.silcock@ge.com
www.indopacificimages.com
Footnote
MyvisittotheEastCoastofBaliwasorganizedthroughAquaMarineDivingandIwouldliketothankAnnabelThomasandherstaffforafirst class trip, which was superbly organizedandveryprofessionallyconducted.
www.aquamarinediving.com
White tip reef shark at TepekongD200 & Subal housing, Dual SS200 strobes, Nikon 12-24, f7.1 @ 1/60, Manual Exposure
Often fished but rarely dived, Connemara loughsarebogdivingterritoryatitsbest.
Slidingintobrackishwaterriddledbyaseasonaldownpourmightnotbeeverybody’sideaofaweek-endintheWildWest...butforthefrustratedwinterdiverthatIam,thereissometimesnothinglikethepeatywatersofConnemara.
Lough diving in Connemaraby Jerome Hingrat
Ocean Optics 7 Bush House Arcade, Bush HouseStrand, London, WC2B 4PA
Tel 020 7240 8193 Fax 020 7240 7938
www.oceanoptics.co.ukoptics@oceanoptics.co.uk
Nexus. The Best Value Aluminium Housing For Your D200
* Professional level specification
*Alloy for durability
* Lightweight for travelling
* Includes genuine viewfinder magnifier
* Two strobe outlets
* Specialist split level and super macro ports available
Introductory price £2200 inc 45 degree viewfinder
39/3� www.uwpmag.com
Bestiary in the BayObserving life in the Bay of FundyBy Scott Leslie
Theebbtidegetspinchedintoapowerfuleight-knotcurrentasitpassesthroughthenarrowsofGrandPassagebetweenLongandBrierIslandsatthewesterntipofNovaScotia.Thecurrentmeetsheadonwiththebriskwind,whippingthewaterintoafrothofstandingwaves.Our lobster fishing boat pitches and rollsthroughthepassageaswemakeourwaytoourdivesiteintheBayofFundy,homeoftheworld’shighesttides. Samuel de Champlain first sailedtheseturbulentwaterssome400yearsago,whenhediscoveredwhatwastobecomeCanada.
ThetorrentofGrandPassagebehindus,ourdestinationloomsintoview:GullRock.ThreekilometresoffNovaScotia’sBrierIsland,thisobduratebasaltisletlooksprettyunremarkable;thatisuntilyoulookbelowthesurface.
Sweptbypowerfulcurrents,thewatersaroundthiscolumnofrockthatrises40metresfromtheseafloor is replenished twice daily byasmorgasbordofplankton.Thisconstantlyrenewedsupplyoffooduponwhichthemarineecosystem
restsiswhytheBayofFundyisoneoftherichestcold-waterecosystemsonEarth.
Withthetidelowandslackrightnow,there’sabriefwindowofopportunitytodiveinstillwater.Withmycamerainhand,Irolloverthesideoftheboatintothenumbing4Cwater,protectedinmydrysuitandplentyofwoollies.ThroughthecrystalclearwaterIcanseemydestinationbelow,akelp-coveredrockjuttingfromthesideofthereef.Descending past 10 metres I find myselfinaconstellationofhundredsof luminous little jellyfish, each carryingacargoofminuteamphipods.Idon’tknowiftheyarefeedingonthejellies,orsimplyhitchingaride,buttheycertainlymakeaninterestingsubject!
High tide at the head of the Bay of Fundy where the tides can be up to 15 metres.A lion’s mane jellyfish cruises just beneath the surface of the Bay of Fundy. Common in the bay, the lion’s mane is the world’s largest jelly, with a diameter of 2.5 metres and tentacles up to 15m long.
39/37www.uwpmag.com
Likeinner-spacevoyageurs,theanimalswecommonlyknowas“jellies”driftthroughtheBayofFundyintheirbillions.TheBayishometomanyspecies,includingthelargestofall,theLion’sManeJellyfish, which can reach a diameter of 2.5 metres andhavetentaclesover1�metreslong.Thisanimalhasonlyonepredatorweknowof,thatantediluviangiantwandereroftheseas,theLeatherbackturtle.
Jellyfish are referred to as macro-plankton (fromtheGreekfor“largewanderers”),andlikeother plankton they generally float passively in the
boundlesssea.Transparent,andoftenasbeautifulascrystal,theirlife’sjourneythroughtheoceaniscontrolledmorebytidesandcurrentsthanbyanyprimitiveinstinctorlocomotiveabilitytheymightpossess.Theyareatrulyancientfamily,havingpliedtheoceansoftheworldforhundredsofmillionsofyears.
Photographinganyanimalthatdriftsinmid-water is particularly difficult and the small size ofthesejelliesmakesitmoreso.Lackingasolidsurfaceasareferencepointwhilelookingthrough
a small viewfinder calls for some careful buoyancy controltohoversteadilyinmid-water.
Becauseanabundanceofjelliesatanygivenplaceisunpredictableandtheirpositionintheseaiscompletelyatthemercyofoceancurrents,I am fortunate to find as many as I have. Working quickly,Isetexposureandadjustmystrobestocapture these little jewels on film. Time is of the essence; I have only about fifteen minutes of still water before the tide begins to flood and soon I mustascendtothewaitingboat.
(Left) A ctenophore named Mertensia ovum can be common in the bay at times.
(Centre) A jellyfish with a cargo of little hitch-hikers of unknown species.
(Above) A lion’s mane jelly drifts through sunbeams, it’s bell raised like the wings of a bird
All the images were shot with a Nikon F90x in Aquatica housing using nikkor 20mm lens, sigma 24mm macro or a 60mm micro nikkor. The topside shots are taken with a Canon 20D with a 15-30mm zoom.
39/38 www.uwpmag.com
SlackwaterissobriefherethatifIwanttodomorethanonetank,Ihavetofaceaninescapablefact:atleastonedivewillhavetobedonewhilethetideisrunning!Luckily,theboatcaptaintucksintothesmalleddybehindGullRock,whereit’ssafefrom the raging current flowing past on either side. Backinthewaterwithafreshtank,
Idescendto1�metreswhereseagooseberriesdriftthroughthelongstalksofbroadleafkelp,vacuumingupplanktonthatisinvisibletome.Theireight rows of tiny cilia, or “combs” flash neon green
andredastheyrefractthelightfrommystrobes. On the bottom I find a myriad of oddly
shapedanimals-fanworms,anemones,nudibranchs,lampshells,seastars,spongesandseapeaches-clingingtotherockandcreatingarococotapestryofred,pink,orange,white,yellow,blackandblue.Suchasrainbowoflifeconjuresupimagesofatropicalreef,notthecoldwatersoftheBayofFundy.
Themultitudeofbodydesignshereillustratesthebasicdifferencebetweenbiodiversity
A sea raven peers menacingly through some sea lettuce as it waits in ambush
(Top left) The long-horned scuplin sometimes becomes prey for the larger sea raven
Top right) A winter storm rages along the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy
(Bottom left) A lumpfish in it’s bright red breeding colour rests among the broadleaf kelp
(Bottom right) A northern lobster emerges from a hiding place under a rock
39/39www.uwpmag.com
onlandandinthesea.Virtuallyalltheterrestrialanimalsbelongtojusttwophyla-chordataandarthropoda-majortaxonomicgroupingsoforganismsbasedonthefundamentalformoftheirbodies.Theformerincludesallmammals,birds,reptiles,andamphibians(nottomention22,000species of fish in fresh and saltwater) andthelatter,insects,spiders,andmostothercrawlythingsthatcanbeseenwiththenakedeyeonland.It’sadifferentstoryunderwater,however,
andonthisonelittlereefbeneaththeBayofFundy,Ihavefoundatleastsevendifferentphylaofanimals.Eachoneisasdistinctfromtheothersasanantisfromananteater.
Usingamacrolens-it’sthesmallendofthespectrumthat’sinhabitedbythereallyfascinatingorganisms-Ibeginphotographinginthestillwateroftheeddy.Beneaththesea,appearancescanbedeceivingandthingsaren’talwayswhattheyseem.Caseinpoint:despitebeing
distinctlyclam-like,thenorthernlampshellstuckedintotheverticalcreviceinfrontofmearen’trelatedtoclamsoranyothermollusk.Membersofanentirelydifferentphylum,brachiopoda,lampshellsandtheirilksweepalace-like“hand”backandforthsnatchingtinypreyfromthewater.Havingchangedlittlein�00millionyears,manymembersofthisancientphylumareconsideredlivingfossils.
Nearby I find a red-gilled
nudibranch,oneofthemorecommonspeciesof“seaslug”foundinthenorthwestAtlantic.Shapedlikethefuselageofanairplane,these30mmlonganimalspossesaprominentmaneofgillsandtwoprotrudingnosestalks.Theirappearanceisbizarreandevidentlytheyavoidbecomingamealbytastingverybad(itwouldhavesuckedtohavebeenthebiologistwhohadtocheckthatoutinthenameofscience!).Fartherdownthereef,Ispotasearaven.
A slender sea star at rest on some kelp Though it doesn’t look like one, this is actually a member of the jellyfish family, a trumpet-stalked jelly to be precise
Frilled anemones are a common species throughout the Bay of Fundy
This tiny pink sculpin blends perfectly with its surroundings
39/40 www.uwpmag.com
Thislugubriousbottom-dwellerconcealsitselfinambushamongsomesealettuce.Ofcourse,he’snothreat to me, but small flounder, sculpins and rock gunnelshadbetterkeepaneyepeeledsincesearavens can swallow a fish two-thirds their size in asinglegulp.Despitetheirmenacingcountenanceand resemblance to the deadly stonefish of southern seas,searavensaresomewhatcurious,tamecreatures.
Nearthesearaven’shideoutIspotalumpfish amidst the kelp looking up at me with its
bigsaucereyes.Theslowmoving,blunt-headedfish rises from the bottom and swims in a circle overitspreciouspatchofeggs,settlingagainonceI’vepassed.Inlatespring,malesintheirbrilliantredbreedingcolour,useaspeciallyevolvedsuctiondisktoattachthemselvestotherockybottomwheretheyguardtheireggs.Theyoungwillhatchoutandeventuallymakeuseoftheirowndisktoanchorthemselvestothesafetyofakelpfrondtohidefrompredatorsandtorest.Theseendearingdenizensoftheseapropelthemselvesthroughthewater
by fluttering their pectoral fins and rather small tails,movinginaslow,deliberatemanneroverthebottom,TaiChimastersofthesea.
At43metresdeepIcometoGullRock’sbase. The flat muddy bottom dissolves into the murk ineverydirection.Butevenherelifeabounds,andI find a metre-long ocean pout rolled up on the mud like a firehose. Aptly named, the eel-like fish waits for dinner to happen by before engulfing it with an enormousmouthrimmedbyfat,poutylips.Justa few metres away several large winter flounders
(Far left) This red-gilled nudibranch finds itself on the tentacles of a frilled anemone
(Top centre) A school of sand lance swim through a sandy cove
(Above) This sea raven has swallowed a long-horned sculpin, a fish nearly two-thirds its size.
(Left) Close-up of a winter flounder, showing its Picasso-esque face
39/41www.uwpmag.com
snuffle through a sandy patch. Every timeonemoves,legionsofAcadianhermitcrabsscatterinastarburstoflegs,clawsandshells.Comicallyasymmetricallikesomethingrightout of a Picasso, these flounders have botheyesontherightsideofthehead.Whenthey’reveryyoungtheylooklike an average fish, but as they get olderoneeye“migrates”totheothersideofthehead.
After30minutesofexploring,Isenseachangeinthesea.Theeddybeginstodissipateasthetideturns. I don’t want to be fighting the
currentatthisdepth,soit’sabouttime to finish my dive. As I near thesurface,acuriousharboursealcomesoutofnowhereanddoesbarrelrollsasitcirclesme,asiftocelebrateitsdiscoveryofabubbleblowingunderseamonster.Iamamazedatthedisplayofeffortlessagilityasitswoops,pivotsandpirouetteswithpowerfulgracelikeaPittsSpecialstuntplaneatanairshow.Ituckintotheshelterofanoverhangforamomenttowatch,butthesealdisappearsintothedancingballofsunlightabove.Withmyair
almostgoneandadecolimitfastapproaching,ItakeonelastlookatthisremarkableplacebeforetheacceleratingtidesnatchesmefromthereefandpullsmeintotheopenseaasIascend.
Scott Lesliewww.scottleslie.com
A short-honed scuplin in its kelpy habitat Low tide at the same spot as earlier, showing how transformed the seascapes is when the tide is low. Note the people standing on the bottom of the sea on the right side of the photo.
39/42 www.uwpmag.com
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Go Big in the Red Seaby Mark Webster
TheRedSeaisaverypopulardestinationforunderwaterphotographersparticularlyfromEuropeduetoitsproximityandoftenbargainpricescomparedtootherlongerhauldestinations.Thereisawellestablisheddivinginfrastructure and large fleets of day boatsandliveaboardswhichwillcaterfortheneedsoftheoccasionalsnap-shootertothefullydedicatedphotographersandprofessionals.Thenumberofboatsoperatingdoesofcourseleadtosomeovercrowdingatpopularor‘classic’divesitesbutitis still possible to find some levels of solitudeifyouarepreparedtoforgothebignames.
Althoughsomeofthestrangeandexoticcreaturesfoundelsewherearound the globe are harder to find intheRedSea,thereisstillamindbogglingvarietyofspecieshereandnumerousspectacularcoralreefs.Ifyouhavedivedheremanytimesitistemptingtobecomeblaséaboutthequalityofthedivingandasphotographersitisoftennecessarytoconsciouslyfocusourmindsonparticulartechniquesorimagestogetthebestfromyourvisit.Althoughthereareanabundanceofexcellent
macrosubjectshere,manyofthesitesfeaturesomuchcolour,spectaculartopography,activityandexcellentbluewatervisibilitythattheyarecryingoutforyourwideanglelens.Hopefullythisshortarticlewillprovide a few pointers and fire your enthusiasmforthenextvisit.
Lens choice
Theoldadageinunderwaterphotographyisofcoursegetcloseandthengetcloserstill–reducingthewatercolumnisimportantnomatterhowclearitappearstobe.Wideangleandsuperwidelensesallowustodothisandwithsofewstraightlinesonacoralreefyoumightbetemptedtothinkthatthewidestpossiblelens (i.e. a fish eye) will be the best
Oceanic white tip shark. Nikon D200, Tokina 12-24mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Magic Filter, f8 @ 1/60, ISO 200
Coral bommie and diver. Nikon D200, Tokina 10-17mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Magic Filter, f11 @ 1/30, ISO 200
39/44 www.uwpmag.com
choice.Thiswillbetrueinmanycircumstances but a fish eye (defined as1��ºto180ºdiagonalviewregardless of sensor/film size) can bejustalittletoowideonoccasionsandevenonanirregularshapedreefcanproduceobviousdistortions.Ifitistheonlywideanglelensyouhavethenofcourseinthisdigitalagewecancropapictureeasily,butyoumustremembertocomposeforthis.
I personally love using the fish eyeonmyD200andarecentlenstohitthemarketseemstohaveresolved
thedilemmaofwhethertochoosea full frame fish eye or super wide anglelensforaparticulardive.ThenewTokina10-17mmzoom(forDX format sensors) seems to have beenespeciallydesignedforUWphotographersandgivesusafullframe fish eye at one end and super wideofapproximately100ºattheother,whichisroughlytheequivalentof an 18mm lens on a 35mm film format.Thislensalsofocusesextremelycloselywhichmakesitidealforclassic‘closefocuswide
angle’and‘widemacro’compositions.Themaximumapertureisvariablebetweenf3.�-4.�comparedtotheNikon10.�mmoff2.8,butfranklyyouwon’tnoticethedifferencethrough the viewfinder and we rarelyneedfullapertureunderwater.LaboratorytestcomparisonsmightpickafewholesintheTokina’sperformancebutyouwouldbehardpushed to find them – if you are in
The Tokina 10-17mm zoom requires a small extension ring. Shown here is the Subal 15mm ring. The lens will work behind a standard FE dome without an extension, but the ring will give optimal positioning.
There are a host of wide angle lenses to choose from – clockwise from left Sigma 15mm FE (an aged manual lens that the editor may have fond memories of); Tokina 12-24mm zoom; Nikkor 18-35mm zoom; Tokina 10-17mm zoom; Nikkor 10.5mm.
Soft corals and diver. Nikon D200, Tokina 10-17mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Subtronic Minis, f11 @ 1/30, ISO 100
Masked butterfly and banner angel fish. Nikon D200, Tokina 12-24mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Subtronic Minis, f11 @ 1/60, ISO 100
39/4�www.uwpmag.com
the market for a DX fish eye lens thisistheonetogofor.ItisbarelylongerthantheNikkor10.�mmandcan be used behind the standard fish eyeports,althoughopticallythebestsetupwillbeachievedwithashortextensionringofbetween1�-20mm.TheexactlengthwillbedependantonyourhousingandtheFEportdesign.Subalrecommenda20mmextensionring,butIusethe1�mmwithmyhomeengineeredportsasthebaseplatedesignisdifferent.Asthislenshassuchagoodminimumfocussetting,youcanuseitwithsmalldiameterdomeswithoutcompromisingquality.Nexusinfact
offera4”diameterdomeforthislensandtheNikkor10.�mmFE.
ForthesuperwideendyoucanlookattheshortrangezoomsfromNikon(12-24mm),Tokina(12-24mm)andSigma(10-20mm)orchooseafixed focal length. The zoom lenses needacombinationofextensionringanddomedependantonyourhousingandchoiceoflensandwillmostlikelyneedacloseupdiopterforoptimumperformance,unlessyouareusingalargediameterdome.IfyouhaveaDX sized sensor then you can try a ‘film’ full frame fish eye (15/16mm) whichwillbecroppeddowntoaround100º.Forafullframesensororifare
using film then there are a host of lensesbetween14mm(rectilinear)and20mm plus fish eyes to choose from –mostofthesewillworkwellbehinda standard fish eye dome port.
Lighting
IntheRedSeawenormallyhaveplentyofnaturallight,sowearerarelytryingtolightthewholeofawideangleimageentirelyandareusuallyaimingforagoodbalancebetweentheavailablelightandthelight from the flash guns. So high powered flash guns are not essential butabeamangleof100ºormore
Some photographers favour long arms for wide angle photography. In most circumstances I find these unwieldy and prefer a pair of 8” arms with my Subtronic Minis.
Diver photographing reef. Nikon D200, Nikkor 10.5mm FE, Subal ND20 housing, Subtronic Minis, f11 @ 1/100, ISO 100
Green turtle. Nikon D200, Tokina 12-24mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Subtronic Minis, f14 @ 1/30, ISO 100
Schooling banner fish. Nikon D100, Tokina 12-24mm zoom, Light and Motion Titan housing, Subtronic Minis, f11 @ 1/80, ISO 200
39/4� www.uwpmag.com
isdesirable,althoughyoucanworksuccessfullywithnarrowerbeamstrobes.
Strobepositioningandarmlengtharemostlydictatedbythesizeofthemainsubject,distanceandcomposition.Fortwinstrobesapopulartechniqueistopositionthestrobes for ‘flat lighting’ and use the pointatwhichthebeamsconvergetolightthesubject,therebyavoidingpotentialbackscatterfromilluminatedparticlesbetweenthedomeandthesubject.Thistechniqueworkswell,butneedssomethoughtandpracticeparticularlywhenworkingveryclosetothesubject.Somephotographerspreferverylongarmsfor this technique, which is fine when workingatgreaterdistancesfromthesubject, but I find unwieldy in most circumstances.Mypreferenceisformediumlengtharmswhichareeasiertopositionwhenworkingclose–butyouhavetoexperimentwithavarietyofcombinationstodeterminewhichsuitsyourownstylebest.
Strobe positioning with fish eye lensesisparticularlyimportantasitisveryeasyforthemtocreepintothepicture.Theyneedtobewellbehindthe dome and ‘film or sensor plane’ toavoidthisandonlypracticeand
experimentationwillhelpyougetthisright.Trytoavoidpositioningthematthecornersoftheframewheretheangleofviewiswidest.Thezoomlenses, particularly the 10-17mm fish eye, present another problem. I find IamrepositioningmystrobesmoreoftenasIusethezoomanditisalltooeasytoforgettopullthestrobesbackagainafteracloseshotatthelongendofthelens.Itcansometimesbe difficult to see the resulting ‘flare’ fromthestrobesattheedgeofthepictureinthecameraLCDandyouonlydiscoverthisafterthedive.Sotryanddevelopamentalprocedureforeachtimeyouchangefocal
lengthorsubjectdistancetochecktopositionofthestrobes.
Filters
Using filters was a rare event when shooting with film, but now in thedigitalagewehavethe‘MagicFilter’whichhaschangedourapproachtonaturallightphotography.Thesecrettosuccessistheabilitytoadjustthewhitebalanceduringthedivetooptimizethecolourcorrection provided by the filter and
we can make further fine adjustment afterthediveifyoushootinRAWformat.Infact,ifyoudon’thavea filter or perhaps your strobe fails thenitisworthpre-settingthewhitebalanceandshootingwithavailablelightasyoumightbesurprisedatthe results. Filters don’t replace flash photography,buttheyarecertainlycomplimentary,andinanenvironmentliketheRedSeatheyaresuperbforthewidereefvistasandperfectforwrecks.Usingthemwillteachyoumoreaboutmanagingavailablelight,
Soft corals. Nikon D200, Tokina 10-17mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Subtronic Minis, f16 @ 1/100, ISO 100
Diver over reef. Nikon D200, Tokina 10-17mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Magic Filter, f8 @ 1/60, ISO 200
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thebesttimeofdaytoshootandreadingthewaylightandshadowswillimpacttheimage.
Timing
Youcanshootwideangleatalmostanytimeoftheday,althoughclassicallythe‘besttime’isbetweensay10amand2pmwhenthesunisatitshighest.IntheRedSeathevisibilityoftenseemstodeteriorateintheafternoonasthesungetslower,somorningdivesareoftenthebest.Youmustalsoconsiderthetopographyof
thedivesite.Itisnogoodplanningtoshootonawestfacingwallearlyinthemorningwhenthesunrisesintheeast!Fortunatelymanyoftheoffshorereefsoffermorethanoneface,althoughonesideissometimes‘best’forlifeduetocurrentdirection,soyourtimingmaybedictatedbyavarietyoffactors.
Divingearlyandlateinthedaycan also bring the benefits of striking lightingconditionsandeffects.Whenthesunislowyoucanoftencatchthedanceofshaftsofsunlightfromthesurfacebyusingafastershutterspeed,
whilstshootingstraighttowardsthe surface with a fish eye lens can capturetheattractiveeffectofSnell’sWindowonthesurface.
Reef Subjects
ThereefsherearetrulyspectacularinsomelocationsandtheRedSeaisrenownedforitssoftcoralswhichadddazzlingcolourtoanimageinmultiplehuesrangingthroughdeepred,purples,delicatepinksandyellowsandpurewhites.Thesesoftcoralsaremostabundantonreef
wallsexposedtothecurrentwhichcanbequitestronginsomelocationsdependantontidalconditions.
Hardcoralsareabundantindifferingcolours.InthesouthernRedSeathereefsaredominatedbymassiveandamazingcoralformationsparticularlyintheFuryShoalandSt.John’s reef areas, and even a fish eye lenscanbechallengedwhentryingtocapturethescene.Thesetopographiespresentanidealopportunitytousefilters and natural light exposures.
The reef fish are equally striking and your first impression is one of
Divers return to boat. Nikon D200, Tokina 10-17mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, f11 @ 1/80, ISO 100
Soft corals. Nikon D100, Nikkor 10.5mm FE, Light and Motion Titan housing, Subtronic Minis, f11 @ 1/60, ISO 200
39/48 www.uwpmag.com
constantmovementandactivity,particularlyfromtheRedSeatrademarkorangeanthiaswhichswatheoverthereefsandreacttoeverymovementandsound.Framingthesefish against the deep blue water backgroundwiththereefbelowcreatesaclassicimagewhichyouwillbetemptedtoshoottimeandagaininsearchoftheperfectcomposition.Therearenumerousothercolourfulfish in small and large schools which makeperfectforegroundsubjectsonthereef,butdon’tforgettokeepaneyeonthebluewateraswellas
almostanythingcanturnupwhichmaypassbyonlyforamoment.
Wrecks
TheRedSeahasbeenabusyseawaysincethetimeofthePharaohsandconsequentlytherearenumerouswreckshere.Themostpopularandbestknownarethosesunkwithinthelast1�0yearsorsowithsteelhullswhichhavesurvivedmoreintactandcanbecarpetedincoraltoalmostmergewiththereef.BignamewrecksliketheThistlegormhavesuffered
fromtheirpopularityandmuchofthecoralgrowthhasbeenknockedoffbythelargenumbersofdiversvisitingandindiscriminatemooringpractices.Howevertheyareallworthavisitasseeingsemiintactwrecksingoodvisibilityisnottobemissedandtherearemanyimagingopportunities.
Tocapturelargesectionsofawreck,orperhapseventhewholeofasmall one, a fish eye lens is essential butyouneedtobecautiouswithyourcompositiontoavoiddistortionofstraightlinesattheedgeoftheimage.Sometimesthisdistortionis
unavoidableandwewilljustacceptitiftheimageisstrongenough.Illustratingexplorationbyincludingadiverintheshotaddsextraimpacttoawreckshot(somemaysaythisisaclichéofcourse)butitisalsoagoodideatolookformarinelifeonthewreck to fill the foreground and show howtheseaistakingover.
Big Subjects
Bigsubjectslikewhalesharks,mantas,turtlesandevendugongsareoftenfoundintheRedSea,but
Diver on Atlas half wreck. Nikon D100, Nikkor 10.5mm FE, Light and Motion Titan housing, manual white balance, f8 @ 1/60, ISO 200
Tien Sien tug boat wreck. Nikon D100, Nikkor 10.5mm FE, Light and Motion Titan housing, manual white balance with Magic Filter, f8 @ 1/60, ISO 200
39/49www.uwpmag.com
areperhapsalittlelesspredictablethaninotherdestinations.Djiboutiinthefarsouthisgainingareputationforreliableencounterswithwhalesharksandmantasattherighttimeofyear,butelsewheremeetingthesecreaturesismoreofagameofchance.IntheEgyptianRedSea,wheremoreofthedivingactivityiscentred,youcanincreaseyourchancesbyplanningyoutripforspringtimewhentheplanktonbloomsoccur,butthisisnoguarantee.However,theunpredictabilitydoesnotdetractfromtheadrenalinrushofanunexpectedmeetingwhichcanoccuralmost
anywhere.Sometimesthesemeetingsare fleeting and grabbing the moment canbeachallenge,althoughifyouareshootingRAWthenthereismorechanceofrecoveringausableshot.Don’tforgetthatyoucanshoottheselargersubjectsinsilhouetteandthiscanoftenbethequickestsettingtomakeasyoutargetpassesbyoverhead.
EvenifyouridealsubjectdoesnotturnupalmosteverydivesiteintheRedSeawilloffersomeopportunityforwideangleimages.Ifitisnotoneofthebigsitesthentherearemanyshallowcoralgardensand
pinnaclesor‘ergs’whichcanproducepunchycompositionsparticularlyifyouconcentrateongettingclosetoacolourfulforegroundsubject.IrecentlyvisitedSharmElSheikhforthe first time in six years to give my youngestdaughtertheopportunitytotryscubadiving.Myinitialimpressionofthe(oncelush)beachdiveswasnotinspiring,butIfoundthatbycarefulisolationofthemainsubjectonsmallcoralheadsitwasstillpossibletoproducesomepleasingwideangleimages.
Avoiding the crowds
IfyouareseriousaboutyourphotographythenthebestoptionforatriptotheRedSeawillbealiveaboardboat.Joiningagroupofphotographerswhoallhavethesamegoalwillalsogiveyousomecontroloverthedivesiteschosen.Unlessyouyearnforthebignamesites,andsomelikeRasMohammedarestillstunning,youcanavoidthelargecrowdsofboatsanddiversbyheadingforreefsofftheusualrouteorreversingtherouteoftheboat–ifmostboatshead
Dugong with photographer. Nikon D200, Tokina 12-24mm zoom, Subal ND20 housing, Subtronic Minis, f11 @ 1/60, ISO 100
Hawksbill turtle. Nikon D200, Nikkor 10.5mm FE, Subal ND20 housing, Magic Filter, f11 @ 1/80, ISO 200
39/�0 www.uwpmag.com
Ten Wide Angle Hotspots in the Egyptian Red Sea
Thisisnotintendedtobeanexhaustivelist,justafewofmyfavourites:
RasMohammed–thewallisstillaclassicdive,buttheshallowsareashadowofwhatwasoncethere.
AbhuNuhasReef–Classicwrecksallinarow–GiannisD,Carnatic,KrisoulaK(tilewreck),KimonM(lentilwreck)andSeastar(rarelydivedduetodepth).Therearealsosomeexcellentpinnaclesinthelagoontothesouthofthereef.
BigBrotherandLittleBrotherislands–Fantasticwalls,thechancetoseesomebigpelagicsandsharksandthewrecksofAidaandNumidiaonBigBrother.Conditionscanbechallenginghere–largeswellsandstrongcurrents.
DaedalusReef–anotheroffshoreclassicwithspectacularwallsandsoftcorals.
MarsaAbbuDabab–seagrassbedswhicharehometodugongsandgreenturtles.Recentlyclosedtodiversbuthopefullyonlytemporarily.
TugBoatTienSien,FuryShoal–Abeautifullittlewreckcoveredincoralandmuchlovedbyphotographers.Normallyquietasmostdivegroupsjustpassbyafteraquicklookonaguideddive.
UmHalhalla(WitchesHat),SatayaReef,FuryShoal–thisisaverylargereefareawhichhassomespectacularhardcoralformations.However,myfavouritepartofthediveisaseriesofpinnaclestothenorthofthemainreefwhicharesmotheredwithalltheusualRedSeasuspects.
ErgSataya–alsoknowastheElphinstoneofthesouth–aspectacularwalldivewithplateausandshallowcoralgardens.
Atlas‘halfwreck’,RasBanas-althoughonlythesternsectionofthiswreckremains(sunkundertowforsalvage)itisstillveryintactandfulloflife.Thevisibilitycanbedisappointinghereafterroughweatherasthewreckliesonthefringingreefprotectingthelagoonclosetoshore.
StJohn’sWood,StJohn’sReef–aforestofcoralpillarsrisingfromabrightsandybottom–eachoneofferingsomethingalittledifferent.Agreatplace for filter photography.
TheNursery(akaDangerousReef),St.John’sReef–ananemonecity,someimpressivecoralcoveredpinnacles,passingmantasandoceanicwhitetipsharks and the chance to see bumphead parrot fish.
northatthebeginningoftheweekthenpersuadeyourskippertogosouth.
Thesouthernreefsarestillfarlesscrowdedthanthenorthgenerally,butsouthofFuryShoalisreallyonlyaccessiblebyliveaboard.
However,whicheveryouchoose,beitliveaboardordayboatyouwillalwaysbespoiltforchoiceonmostreefs.Gettoknowyourequipment,thinkaboutyourcompositionandlightingandenjoycapturingthemagicoftheRedSea.
Mark Websterwww.photec.co.uk
We’ve got you covered!
39/�1www.uwpmag.com
We’ve got you covered!
www.magic-filters.com
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-Magic for compact cameras in automatic
point and shoot mode.GreenWater Magic for use in green water with
DSLR and compact cameras with Manual White Balance.
Prices start at just £19.
YoumaynotknowthisbutnoneoftheUwPcontributorsgetpaid.TheyprovidetheirarticlesandphototalentinsupportofthecauseofUwPwhichaimstokeepthemagazinefreeforanyonetodownload.
DonationsareallhandledintotalsecuritythroughPayPalandyoucanalsopaysecurelybycreditcardusingthePayPallinks.
Yourdonationswillbedistributedtothecontributorsofeachissueonaproratabasisi.e.themorepagestheycontribute,the
moretheirpercentage.Whendecidinghowmuchyou
wanttodonatepleasebearinmindthatPayPal’schargeforamountssmallerthan£3or$�canbeashighas24%!!WhilstIacceptthatPayPalisabsolutelybrilliantandsafe,Idon’twantthistobecomea‘DonatealottoPayPal”!!
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Have you learnt something invaluable by reading this issue of UwP? Have you saved a lot of time benefitting for the experience of UwP contributors or do you simply just enjoy UwP and want to help it continue?If so, please donate to the UwP contributors
Donate here
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Animal Portraits - WinnerSergey Gorshkov (Russia)Bear glare
‘I’dbeensobusytakingpicturesofthesalmonintheOzernayaRiverinsouthernKamchatka,eastRussia,Ididn’tnoticethebearuntilitwasametreaway.Itwasaterribleshock.IkeptcalmenoughtotakethepicturebutonlylaterdidIrealisehowseriousthesituationwas.’BrownbearsroammainlyinfarnorthernpartsofAmericaandRussia.ButtheyusedtoliveasfarsouthasnorthAfricaandMexico.Excessivekillingandhabitatlosshasmadetheirexistencemorefragile.Theytendtoavoidhumans,butcanbecomeaggressiveifdefendingacuborcarcass.
Nikon D2X + Nikkor 12–24mm f4 G AF-S DX lens at 12mm; 1/250 sec at f10; ISO 200; Subal housing; two strobes INON D2000.© Sergery Gorshkov / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007
TheShellWildlifePhotographeroftheYearisprobablythemostprestigiousphotographiccompetitionfortheunderwaterphotographer.Thisyearthecompetitionattractedarecord32,000entriesfromprofessionalandamateurphotographersfrom78countries.TheShellWildlifePhotographeroftheYearisownedbytheNaturalHistoryMuseumandBBCWildlifeMagazine.
Likelastyear,underwaterphotographersdidparticularlywell.TheUnderwaterWorldcategorywaswonbyFelipeBarrioforhisphotographoffeastingwhalesharksandThomasPeschakwontheNatureInBlackandWhitecategorywithasplitlevelofablacktipsharkatdawn.OtherawardwinningunderwaterimagesweretakenbyPaulNicklen,GrahamEaton,JurgenFreund,AngelFitor,DouglasDavidSeifert,LenDeeley,PatrickWeir,BelaNasfay,JeffYonover,WadeHughesandAlexMustard.Alsothreeotherunderwaterphotographers,AmosNachoum,PaulNicklenandSergeyGorshkov,werecategorywinnersalthoughwithphotosthattheyhadtakenabovethe
Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007Report by Alex Mustard
surface!TheWildlifePhotographerof
theYearhaslongbeenconsideredasabarometerfortrendsinnatureandunderwaterphotography-bothaestheticandtechnical.Perhapstheclearestmessagefromtheentrieswasthatthetransitiontodigitaliscomplete,withalltheawardwinningunderwaterimagescomingfromNikonorCanondigitalSLRs.Thecompetitionalsoleadsthewayinpreservingandrewardingtheskillof the photographer in the field, as opposedtoonthecomputer,astherulesprohibitmanipulationofthecontentofthephotographs.
Personally,Ithinkthatthisyear’sselectionisoneofthestrongestIcanrememberandthismakesmeparticularlypleasedtoseethatunderwaterphotographersarecompetingsosuccessfulagainstterrestrialwildlifephotographers.Itisanexcitingtimetobeinthisgame.
Alex Mustardwww.amustard.com
39/�3www.uwpmag.com
The Underwater World - WinnerFelipe Barrio (Spain)Giant feast
‘IwaswokenbyahugecrashagainsttheboatintheRedSea.Itwasa10-metre-longyoungwhaleshark.Fourothersharksthenjoinedit,gatheredbelowaschoolofsardines.Weslippedintothewaterusingsnorkellinggear,andwatchedthemfeed,non-stopforthreehours.Theynotonlysuckeduptheplankton,butalsothesardines’excrement.Itwasafantasticexperience.’Whale sharks are the largest fish on Earth. The Gulf of Tadjourah off Djibouti, intheRedSea,isahotspotforthesegiants,whichcongregatefromOctobertoJanuary to feed. Despite their huge size, they are filter feeders, sucking in water and filtering out the plankton, algae, krill and small squid or fish.
Nikon D200 + Nikon 10.5mm lens; 1/50 sec at f4; ISO 160; Seacam housing.© Felipe Barrio / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007
The Underwater World - Runner-upPaul Nicklen (Canada)Teeth exposure
‘Iwantedtoseeifleopardsealsweresavagebeastsorsimplycuriousandmisunderstood.Idivedwiththemmorethan�0timesatAnversIslandofftheAntarcticPeninsula,andtheyalmostalwaysapproachedinthesameway,openingtheirmouthsinchesfrommyface.Aftertheyestablishedtheirdominance,theyseemedtorelax.’LeopardsealsareoneofthelargestsealsinAntarctica,withareputationforbeingaggressive.Theyaretheonlysealsthatregularlyeatwarm-bloodedpreysuchasbirdsandotherseals.Theyhavepunctured inflatable boats and even followed people onto the ice. But like allpredators,theyareusuallyjudgedbytheworststories.Leopardsealsareinquisitiveandsolitary.
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II + 17-40mm f4 lens; 1/30 sec at f11; Ikelite 125 digital strobes.© Paul Nicklen / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007
39/�4 www.uwpmag.com
The Underwater World - Highly CommendedAlec Connah (United Kingdom)Fish roundup
‘IvisitedLankayanIsland,offSabah,Borneo,tophotographnestingturtles.OnemorningfromthejettyIsawtheseyoungblacktipreefsharks,seemingly herding small fish into the shallows. I liked the patterns that formed as the fish leisurely
Nikon F5 + 70-200 f4 lens; 1/1000 sec; Fujichrome Provia 100.© Amos Nachoum / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007
evadedthem.Sometimes,asharkwouldlashoutandtrytofeed.Ineverdidgettheturtleshots,butthismorethancompensated.’Theblacktipreefsharkisrelativelysmall,lessthantwometreslong.All its fins have black or dark brown tips, and it lives around shallow waters in the Indo-Pacific. It is a fast predator, feeding mainly on reef fishes, but alsostingraysandcrustaceanssuchascrabs.Itsfins are valued for shark-fin soup, a market that is decimatingsharkpopulationsworldwide.
Nikon F5 + Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens; 1/250 sec at f5.6, Fuji Velvia 50 rated at 100 asa© Alec Connah / Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007
Animal Behaviour: All Other Animals - WinnerAmos Nachoum (USA)Great white torpedo
‘Ispenttwoyearsplanningthisproject,inanareaknownastheRingofDeath,SealIsland,inSouthAfrica,wheregreatwhitesharksambushseals.Sometimestheybreachforseals,sometimesonewoulddoitforarubberdummytowedbehindtheboat,ashere.Itwasalwaysunexpectedandoverinlessthanasecond.’Sharksarethemostnotoriouspredators in the sea. They are fish, but unlike other fish, sharks do not have bones. Their skeletons aremadefromcartilage,makingthemmorelightweight and flexible. They survive on blubber from whales, seals and dolphins and large fish. More peoplediefromencounterswithbees,elephantsandcrocodilesthansharks.
39/��www.uwpmag.com
The Ghost Fleeet Of Bikini Atoll and Pacific Realm – A Kelp Forest, two newly released eBooklets by Joseph C. Dovala, are now available. These are PDF files easily read by a number of free existing software programs such as Acrobat Reader. Electronic photo books, or eBooks, are able to showcase images and text in a new, exciting, and very inexpensive way. They have relatively small file sizes, usually of 10mb or less. Both above titles are only $4.00 each emailed. Please visit www.jcdovala.com for details.
YoumaynotknowthisbutnoneoftheUwPcontributorsgetpaid.TheyprovidetheirarticlesandphototalentinsupportofthecauseofUwPwhichaimstokeepthemagazinefreeforanyonetodownload.
DonationsareallhandledintotalsecuritythroughPayPalandyoucanalsopaysecurelybycreditcardusingthePayPallinks.
Yourdonationswillbedistributedtothecontributorsofeachissueonaproratabasisi.e.themorepagestheycontribute,the
moretheirpercentage.Whendecidinghowmuchyou
wanttodonatepleasebearinmindthatPayPal’schargeforamountssmallerthan£3or$�canbeashighas24%!!WhilstIacceptthatPayPalisabsolutelybrilliantandsafe,Idon’twantthistobecomea‘DonatealottoPayPal”!!
YoucanmakeadonationineitherUS$dollars,UK£sterlingor € Euros by following this link
www.uwpmag.com/donate.html
Have you learnt something invaluable by reading this issue of UwP? Have you saved a lot of time benefitting for the experience of UwP contributors or do you simply just enjoy UwP and want to help it continue?If so, please donate to the UwP contributors
Donate here
39/�� www.uwpmag.com
IworkontheGreatBarrierReefasanunderwaterphotographer.IswimaroundphotographingpassengersastheyengageinunderwateractivitiessuchasSCUBADiving,PlatformHelmetDiving,andsnorkeling.
Intow,Ihaveafewworkmates,aNaploeanMaoriWrassenamedWally,andafewTurtles,twoinParticular,ShelleyandCasey.Ispendover3hoursunderwatereachdaywiththeseanimals.WallyisveryintelligentandtheTurtlesarewelltrainedsoIamabletogettheseanimalstoprettymuchdoanythingIwant.
AfterafewmonthsofworkingwiththeseanimalsIwasperusingmycollectionofphotographsIhadtakenoftheseanimalstogether.Iwassurprisedtoseeacollectionofphoto’sinvolvingtheseanimalsininterestingpositions.
Itdidn’ttakelongtorealisethatthephotoshadaccidentallyformedabasicplot.Theplotwasthatofaconflict with Wally at the centre. I cameupwithanideaforathemeandextendedtheplot.
AfterIhadcameupwiththe
storylineIhadtobuysomeprops,andthenplansomephotos.
Fortunatelytheseanimalsarethereeveryday,unfortunatelytheyarenotalwaysthereatthesametime.
TheplotcentersonabrotherandsisterGreenturtlenamedCaseyandShelley,thatliveandgotoschoolontheGreatBarrierReef.Shelleymustescortheryoungerbrothertoschooleachday.Onedaysheencouragesherbrothertoswimbyhimselfagainstherparentswishes,carryinghisnewlunchbox.
EnterWally,theschoolbully.Hefollows,andchasesCaseydownthenstealshislunchbox,andhidesitintheschoolground.
Shelley finds her younger brothercryingintheschoolyard.Aftercomfortingherlittlebrother,shelearnsofthetheft.Thentheybothgoinsearchforthestolenlunchbox.
Thesearchyieldsnoluck,sotheyseparateandroamthereefquestioningvariousreefcharactersintheirtravels.ThesearchendsinaphysicalencounterwithWally.ThestoryendsamiciablywithWallyapologisingandthelunchboxreturnedtoit’sowner.
SoIhadtogetphotoswiththeseanimalsandwithalunchbox.Ihadtobalanceacameraaluchbox,andfoodforbothWallyandtheTurtleswhilstsettingandcomposingthephoto’s.
LookingbackIamnotevensurehowIdidit,IrememberwishingIwasanoctopus.
Allofthephotographsarereal, with no modification or superimpositionofanyofthesubjectswithinthephoto’s.Theprojecthastaken18monthstogatherthephotosandwritethestory.
Thecharactersarereal,itisthesameturtlesineveryphoto.Theplot
Sorry Wallyby Troy Mayne
Author “at work” with Wally and Casey
39/�7www.uwpmag.com
ofthestoryisactuallybasedonatruestory.Wallyreallyisabigbully.WallygetsveryjealousoftheturtlesifIpaytoomuchattentiontothem.Heresortstobullyingtacticsinordertopreventmefromattendingtothem.
AfteralotofresearchonbullyingIdecidedtofocustheplotofthestorylinearoundtheissue.Bullyingisthenumberoneissuefacingchildrenaroundtheworld.
IbelievedIhadanopportunitytohelpaddressanissuetohelpchildrenusingnonbiasedcharactersthatwouldalsoinspireandexcitechildrenaboutouroceanswhilsthelpgetthemessageacrossaboutbullying.
Thestarsofthebook,ANapoleonMaoriWrasseandtheGreenTurtlesarelistedontheIUCN(InternationalUnionforConservationofNatureandNaturalResources)RedListOFThreatenedSpecies.Thereisinformationatthebackofthebookonbothspecies,andthemanyotherreefanimalsthatarefeaturedwithinthestory.
SorryWallyisnotonlyentertainingforchildrenandadultsalike,butalsoeducatesaboutthebiggestissuefacingchildreninschoolstoday,bullying.Ialsohopethatthephotographywillinspirechildren’simaginationtowardsouroceansaswell.
AlthoughIhavewrittenthisbookasachildren’sbook,fromthereactionsIhavereceivedfromalltheadultsthathavereadthebook,IthinkImaybemarketingthebookatthewrongagegroup.
IamalsocurrentlyworkingontwootherbookscenteredaroundthesamecharactersasSorryWally,eachwithit’sownmoralmessage
SorryWallyisbeingtranslatedinTetun(EastTimoreseLanguage)andproceedsfromthesaleofSorryWallygoestowardsaspecialprintofthebook.ThateditionofSorryWallywillbeintroducedintoeveryschoolinEastTimortotryandcombattheirextremelylowliteracyrate,whichisthelowestintheworld.
PurchasingSorryWallywillnotonlyhelpto
educatechildrenaboutbullyingandtheoceanbuthelpthechildrenofEastTimortoabetterlife.
Troy Maynewww.sorrywally.com
Wally grabs Shelley by the flipper after she confronts him about stealing her little brother’s lunchbox.
Casey swimming to school with his lunchbox, his sister Shelley behind him.
Wally, the Reef School Bully, steals Casey’s lunchbox after sneaking up on him.
Casey asking Adam and Annabelle the Anemonefish, if they had seen Wally and his lunchbox.
39/�8 www.uwpmag.com
Book ReviewReefs RevealedBy Alex Mustard
TheArtofDivingwasAlex’sfirst book in collaboration with wordsmithNickHanna.TheircombinationproducedwhatDavidDoubiletdescribedas“ThebestbookaboutdivingsinceJacquesCousteau’sTheSilentWorld”andofAlex’simageshestated“Alexhasauniqueeye.Thisisunderwaterimageryatitsbest”.
Reefs Revealed sees Alex flying solo,tacklingahugesubjectwithhisowncombinationofimagesandtext.Hisbackgroundasamarinebiologistprovideshimwithanunderstandingofhissubjectbut,ascansooftenhappenwithacademics,theknowledgesometimesfailstotransfertothewrittenword.Notsointhiscase.Alex’swordsarelikehisimages-cleanandconcise,informativeandreadable.Hisintroductorychapterisagoodexampleofhowtoexplainsuchalargesubjectgloballyyetpreciselykeepingthereadersattentionwithagiftedblendofinformationandenlightenment.
Theproductionofthisbookisopportune,comingatatimewhenthebalanceofthenatural
worldisindisarraywithcoralreefsrepresentingthemostdelicateandtotallydependentecosystemofthemall.Alex’simagesconveyallthatismagicalaboutthesewonderfulandvariedenvironmentsinhabitedbyweirdandwonderfulcreatures.Thereis,quiteliterally,notabadimageinthisbookand,intruecoffeetablestyle,eachimageisaccompaniedbypreciseyetinformativecaptions.
Ifpushed,Iwouldmaketwonegativecomments.FirstlyAlexhaschosennottoincludeanyimagesofdamagedordeadreefsandIfeelthatthisisanomission.Pictoriallyyoucomeawayfromthisbookwithanover-confident view of the situation thatisfarfromthetruth.Alex’stextdoescovertheproblembutIfeltthatevenjustacoupleof‘reality’imageswouldjoltthereaderoutofafalsesenseofwellbeing.
Thesecondnegativecommentis,however,morepersonal.I’mcreditedintheAcknowledgementssectionandthisisonlyrightandproperasItravelledwithAlexonseveraloftheshootsforthisbook.IndeedIoftengaveupmydivingtimeduringthesetripstoactashismodelunderwater.Sotoreadthat,referringtomymodelling,“alargeobjectisusefultogivesomescale”isratherlikeoneofGaryLarson’sFarSidecartoonswhichshowstheelderlyLoneRangerinaretirementhomelookinginan
Indiandictionaryanddiscoveringthatkemosabeis“anApacheexpressionforahorse’srearend.”
Thekidsoftodayhavegotnorespectbut,annoyingly,thisparticularonetakesameanimageandwritesacrispword.
Reefs Revealedcosts£30andispublishedbyConstable&Robinson
www.constablerobinson.com
Peter Rowlandspeter@uwpmag.com
39/�9www.uwpmag.com
Guidelines for contributorsTheresponsetoUwPhasbeennothingshortoffantastic.Wearelookingforinteresting,wellillustratedarticlesaboutunderwater
photography.Wearelookingforworkfromexistingnamesbutwouldalsoliketodiscoversomeofthenewtalentoutthereandthatcouldbe 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 - Balancedlight,composition,etcLocations - Photofriendlydivesites,countriesorliveaboardsSubjects - AnythingfromwhalesharkstonudibranchsinfulldetailEquipment reviews - DetailedappraisalsofthelatestequipmentPersonalities - Interviews/featuresaboutleadingunderwaterphotographers
If you have an idea for an article, contact me first before putting pen to paper.
Emailpeter@uwpmag.com
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 mail2.Imagesmustbeattachedtotheemailandtheyneedtobe144dpiSize-Maximumlength1�cmi.e.horizontalpictureswouldbe1�cmwideandverticalswouldbe1�cm.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 120kwhichcanbetransmittedquickly.Ifwewantlargersizeswewillcontactyou.3.Captions-Each and every image MUST have full photographic details including camera, housing, lens, lighting, film, aperture, shutterspeedandexposuremode.Thesemustalsobecopiedandpastedintothebodyoftheemail.
39/�0 www.uwpmag.com
Parting Shot 1“Don’tHarasstheFish.“Ican
stillhearmyfather’swordsechoingthroughmyheadsome30yearslater.
IgrewupinFortLauderdale,Floridaandmyfatherwouldtakemeandmybrotherssnorkelinginthevariousreefsoffthecoast.Myfathertaughtusthatthereefwasafragileecosystemandweneedtorespecttheinhabitants.
FortLauderdaleisoneofthefewplacesintheworldwhereyoucanwalkoffabeachinthemiddleofabustlingcityandswim�0meterstoabeautifulunderwater“GardenofEden”.
TodayitismyturntoteachmysonswhatIlearnedandtopassdowntherespectthatthisenvironmentdeserves.
ItisabrightcleardayinOctober.Theoceanisstillawarm82°Fandthevisibilityisnearly100feet.IamdivingwithmyfavoritedivebuddiesRandy,age14andBrandonage12–mysons.ThemainpurposeofourdiveistotryoutournewCannon20DandseeifIcansnapafewpicturestodecoratethewallintheirbedrooms.
Halfwaythroughthedive,Iamfocusingonamorayeelatacleaningstation,tryingtoconvincetheeel
andthebandedcoralshrimpto“pose”forme.Mysonshoverabove,gettingprettybored.Allofasudden,Randytapsmeontheshoulderandpointstowardshislittlebrother.Brandonhasfound a porcupine fish and hasstartedtotauntthefish, causing it to swell withwater,adefensemechanismtodiscourageanywouldbeattackers.Itsdefenseisuselessagainstthe80poundBrandonMonster.
“Don’tharassthefish” I say through my mouthpiece–repeatingthewordsofmyfathersome30yearsago.ButofcourseBrandondoesnotspeakbubble-languageandImustresorttoamoresophisticatedformofcommunication.IhandthecamerarigtoRandyandstartmydisciplinaryactionagainstTheBrandonMonster.Iswimover,pullhimawayfromthebesieged porcupine fish and shake my finger at him. He gives me his best “It wasn’tmeDad”.Weareonlydivingin20feetofwatersoIbringhimto
Canon 20D in an Ikelite housing w/ single DS125 strobe. ISO 200 Shutter speed
thesurfacetorepeatthe30yearoldsloganinstilledinmyheadfrommyfather “Don’t harass the fish”. I get theusual“SorryDad”andhisfacedisappearsbackunderthewaves.
Uponourreturntothebottom,IseethatRandyhasfocusedthecameraon the over-stuffed porcupine fish and issnappingawaywiththeCannon.
Well,thephotonowhangsonthewallinBrandon’sroomwiththecaption:
‘Don’tHarasstheFish”
Randy Veliky SR RVeliky@aol.com
39/�1www.uwpmag.com
Parting Shot 2About three years ago, I was testing my film camera and housing for the
first time. I had started my dive and began to look for a colourful subject to photograph.
Icouldseesomediversobservingsomethingamongthetubularsponges.WhentheyrealizedthatIwasholdingacameratheybackedawayandoneofthempointedoutthesubjectforme.Itwasalittleseahorse,agreyone.Itriedtophotographit,butitwashidingfrommycamera.Ionlymanagedoneshotandcontinuedmydive.
Aweeklater,Iviewedmyrollofslidesandcutofftheuncolourfulonesandputtheminthewastebasket.Mywifesawtheseahorsepictureandkeptit.
ImaginemysurprisewhenIfoundoutIhadwonaprizeinacontestwiththislittlegrey-uncolourful-seahorse!
Nowadays,Itakethepictures,butmywifechosesthemforme…
Nikon F100 film camera+ Hugyfot Arius Housing.LensSigma28-80mm@80mmmacromode.F22@1/2�0th-0.7
compensationSea&SeaFlashYS120TTLPorcosIsland–ArraialdoCabo/RiodeJaneiro–Brazil
Christian Sgarbichristiansgarbi@gmail.com
Do you have a nice shot with a short story behind it?
If so e mail me and yours could be the next “Parting shot”.
peter@uwpmag.com
39/�2 www.uwpmag.com
Parting Shot 3
Do you have a nice shot with a short story behind it?
If so e mail me and yours could be the next “Parting shot”.
peter@uwpmag.com
IcancountononehandthenumberoftimesI’vefeltlikesomethingwas“stalking”meunderwater.WhendivingofftheChannelIslandsofSouthernCaliforniayoualwayskeepthoughtsofthe“Landlord”(GreatWhitey)inthebackofyourmind,especiallyhangingoutdoinggreenwaterdeco.OnetimeIactuallymighthaveseenone,justatthelimitofvisibilityandforonlyasplitsecond.Morethanlikelyitwasmyownbrainmakingupstuff.Inanycase,therehasneverbeensolidevidence for a peeping “fish” following me until aparticularlydarkandcolddiveataplacecalledShipRockamile-and-a-halfoffCatalinaIslandinCalifornia.
TheRockisanexceptionaldivesiteandyoucandoeverythingfromashallowkelpsojourntoafullonsub200foottechnicaldiveonaverticalface in open water. It’s definitely one of my favoriteplaces.Therealsohavebeenmorethanafewcrediblesightingsofbigcritterswithlotsofteeth;includingakillerwhalestandingonhisheadwatchingadivertakelobsteroutofahole.Dolphin,barracuda,andgiganticschoolsofmackerelarenostrangershereeither.
Itwaswithmuchexcitementthatweloadedupthegearandbeganourchannelcrossing.Theovercastskydidnotdotheusualthinning,andinfact,itgotdarkerasthemorningworeon.Thetemperaturedroppedaswellandwehardlysawanymarinelife,notevenbirds,onthetripover.TherewerenootherboatsatTheRockandthedarkwaterwasaboutasinvitingasataxaudit.
Eveninmydrysuitthewaterfeltc-c-coldand
thevisibilitywasadark1�feet.DespitetheconditionsandmysubduedmoodIhadelectedtobringmycamera.Oncewehitourtargetdepthof80feetwestartedaclockwiseswimalongthekelpperimeter.Totheleftwasnearblackopen-oceanandtotherightwasadarkforebodinglookingfairytaleforest.WithinacoupleofminutesaverystrongemotioncameovermeandIbegantomakerapidspinslookingbehindmeaswemovedalong.AfterafewmoreminutesIwassureIcaughtaglimpseofsomethingfairlylargedartinginandoutofthelimitsofvisibilityconstantlyfollowingus.Myimaginationtookholdfullforceandconsideringmyframeofmindwedecidedtoheadupintoshallowerwaterandheadback.
OncewegotintolighterwatersIstartedfeelingkindofsillyandactuallybegantoenjoythedivewhenInoticedamovementjustaheadandbelowme.IstartedlaughingbecauseimmediatelyIknewwhomypredatorystalkerwas.Shootingdownwardisrarelyproductiveinu/wphotographybutasIdriftedovermynemesishepeeredupatme
throughthekelpandsuddenlythewholedaywasworthit.
Joe Dovalawww.jcdovala.com
Nikon D100, LMI Titan Housing, Nikkor 16mm, ISO 200, 1/100 @ f8, Raw
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