New UW Photo Book

[Tony]

Fortunately, fewer and fewer people in Asia are spearfishing...at least a lot fewer than when I started diving. The biggest problems are nastier though...shark finning, dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, urban development.

Part of the reason for putting the book together was to try to get people to understand that there's a lot more under the waves than most people realize. It's an uphill battle to say the least.

Glad you enjoyed the images, more to follow as soon as I can organise additional webpages

Cheers

Tony

 

[sillago]

Great pictures!!
Yeah you are right about the spearfishing...things have definitely changed for the better. Do you do much diving in Singapore? I haven't dived there in a long while but remembered that althought the vis wasn't much to brag about, there was a diversity of marine animals that was pretty impressive.

 

[Tony]

Not really. It's possible to dive around Singapore, but visibility is poor, so not great for pictures. Since we're just on the equator, there is plenty of life in the water when you can see it. I'm a bit spoiled though...diving mostly in clear blue tropical waters! Did a bit of cold water diving in South Australia, but that's about it.

 

[sillago]

Hi Tony
I might be coming back to S'pore some time in March, do you reckon you have time to meet up?
I would be interested in meeting up with someone else from S'pore who has a common fanatical devotion to the blue ocean yonder.

 

[voln]

Welcome Tony from a fellow S'porean! I am forwarding this to all my dive-mad buddies to spread the word! Since I am firmly of the view that the biggest threat on earth is mankind I totally second your sentiments...

V.

 

[Liang]

Hi Tony,

Congratulation on the successful release of your book. I must say it is excellent. I have decided to get a copy for myself even though I have way too many books on the same subject. Anyway, we have to give more support to locally produced stuff.

Can you offer some tips on UW photography? I have read through most of the available books but still need some advise.

I am using a F90X sea&sea housing, 16, 60, 105mm lens, 2 x YS-60 for macro, 1 x YS-120 for 16mm. Just bought a Nikonos with 15mm lens as well.

1) How many strobe do you use for your macro setup. Sometimes for extreme closeup using 105mm lens, I cannot get a TTL using f32 or smaller aperture, any advise? I wonder how you do it using teleconverter!!!! For fish portrait, I can never get f22, they are usually f16 or more? (I am using 2 x YS-60)

2) I have a few OK shots with one strobe for wide angle, do you think it is neccessary to have 2 strobes?

Thank You.

Liang

 

[Tony]

Sillago - Definitely give me a shout before you come over. I travel a lot, so I can't commit to be here, but if I am, it would be wonderful to meet up. I love talking about u/w stuff! Email me at tony@silent-symphony.com before you head over.

Voln - Terrific! I'm firmly of the view that we need to educate people in Asia, so that everyone will care more about not just the ocean, but everything around us. Things have come a long way economically, but we've a bit of catching up to do in terms of knowledge and concern for the environment around us.

Liang - Tips on u/w photography? Aiyah, how much time do you have?! You have all the right equipment, probably no need to invest in anything else for awhile. The set up for your macro sounds ok, and the strobes have enough power for you to close down to f22 or smaller if you are close enough and the strobes are aimed correctly. A slight shift in the aiming of the strobe(s) will mean a dramatic dropoff in the light reaching your subject.

For wide angle, it all depends on the effect you want to achieve. Either one strobe or two can be very effective. You are effectively "painting" light onto subjects underwater and making use of any available light, so each situation calls for different lighting needs. If I were you, I would try to master using one strobe first and getting nice pictures with that, and then deciding whether to invest in a second large strobe. Of course, there's nothing to stop you from using the YS60s also with wide angle shots. Big strobes can be useful, but small ones too. Some of the wide pix in the book I used YS60 and YS30s to light - no one can tell the difference.

If you have time, I have a slide show at Kinokuniya Ngee Ann City on March 2 at 2:00 pm, free of charge. Stop by, and I'll be happy to try to help with any detailed questions you have.

Cheers

Tony

 

[Liang]

Thanks Tony. I just need to have some assurance from a pro. Maybe it is because of the position of the strobe when I get too excited for my macro. As for Wide Angle, I will take your advice, master with one strobe first. Finally had a few OK shots on my last trip. I have still lots to learn! Going for more this year.

Will definitely go and see your slide show even if I have to pay. I am a Singaporean but not that "kiasu" . This hobby is too niche, hard to find someone to talk about it in Singapore.

I am coming to your show hoping also to see if I can find any new buddies who are also into UW photography, most of my buddies either got married and have ditched me or are really tired of diving with a diver with a camera (i think you know what i mean). I hope I could dive alone but I guess no operator will let me do that even in shallow waters!


I am making my girlfriend learn Scuba soon, for selfish reason. I hope she could be my model and carried my nikonos when I am taking macro shots. Maybe she might get hook as well.


liang

 

[Tony]

Great, look forward to meeting you at the slide show.

BTW, my wife started off as my diving buddy/ camera holder...

Cheers

Tony

 

[Liang]

we have one thing in common, my girlfriend is japanese as well. let's see if she is going to be my wife. see you in march.