Photo Workshop Recommendations?

[ACHiPo]

Hi,
I want to learn underwater photography. I’d like recommendations on workshops.

I took the plunge from GoPro to M43 (Olympus E-M10 IV, AOI housing, HF-1 strobes, macro, etc.) a few weeks ago. I’m reading and watching voraciously—“Underwater Photographer” by Martin Edge, ,”Underwater Photography Master Class” by Alex Mustard, YouTube videos from Simon Lorenz (Insider Divers—seems like a great teacher), David Heideman—also good teacher, Brent Durand—a bit gimmicky, etc. .

I’m practicing with just the camera in manual mode. I’ve done a couple sessions with the housing and strobes in air (heavy, awkward!), and plan to get it wet in a tub, pond, or pool soon.

I have limited free time currently, but plan to retire in 2026 so will have more time to dive locally (Monterey) as well as travel.

I’ve heard good things about Bluewater’s and Backscatter’s workshops. I haven’t seen anything here about Insider Divers’ courses—any experience? I’ve seen that Alex Mustard’s trips are focused on very high level competition photography which is definitely not where I’m at, although they sound excellent.

Oh, and I know nothing about Photoshop/Lightroom.

Another question is location: Anilao, Lembeh, Bali/Tuamben, other? I’m more interested in fish portraits and macro at the moment than pelagic or wide angle.

Thanks,
Evan

 

[js1221]

Check out Caribbean Reef Photography, with Mickey Charteris. He is the photo pro at Cocoview Resort on Roatan. He is a great instructor and you can do 1:1 training classes with him. He does half day, full day and multi day courses.

 

[tursiops]

Reef Photo and Video's photo workshops in Anilao, Blue Heron Bridge, and Lembeh are time well spent.

Workshops

The Underwater Imaging Professionals. Your resource for underwater photo & video needs from underwater housings & cameras to lighting & used gear.

reefphoto.com

 

[ACHiPo]

@js1221 @tursiops Thanks. I will check out both. Being on the west coast I tend not to think about Caribbean or Florida locations. Hanging out for a few days at BHB could be time well spent.

 

[Mike_4635]

Done a number of Aggressor live aboards with Mike and Mike. Excellent instructors. Cathy Church in Grand Cayman, if she is still teaching, is also excellent. Backscatter is another choice I recommend. While I have not used them for instruction been great to work with on photography purchases.

Just checked, Cathy Church has retired.

 

[ACHiPo]

Done a number of Aggressor live aboards with Mike and Mike. Excellent instructors. Cathy Church in Grand Cayman, if she is still teaching, is also excellent. Backscatter is another choice I recommend. While I have not used them for instruction been great to work with on photography purchases.

Just checked, Cathy Church has retired.

I bought all my gear at Backscatter’s Monterey store. They’ve been great.

 

[rmorgan]

You’re in luck re. post-processing—Erin Quigley, bona fide Lightroom expert, has excellent resources, including advice on how to start your catalog. Goaskerin.com. As a 25-year Photoshop user, I wish I understood Lightrooom—it has all you need. She also developed and sells a backscatter cleaner which defies description.

For macro, I question using full manual. In my view, you might do well to try using shutter-preferred at max synch speed, f/11 (with the 60 macro), and flashes on TTL; or, if necessary, vary flash intensity to find lighting that you like. I know others may disagree. A garden gives plenty of macro lighting and composition practice, not to mention fantastic macro off Monterey.

Location—I think that Lembeh is easier than Tulamben for a great macro experience (the Lembeh guides know pretty well where the blue ring is, and we didn’t encounter much current), although I think Tulamben is more fun—even more so if you’ve not been to Bali. The diving at Lembeh is fairly easy—don’t underestimate the task loading involved in keeping yourself and the reef safe while watching out for your buddy and trying to take photographs of some little moving thing. It’s a lot.

 

[ACHiPo]

Morgan,
Thanks.

Is garden macro sufficient or do I need to have the lens and strobes under water? It seems the optics under water will be a lot different than dry?

 

[tursiops]

Morgan,
Thanks.

Is garden macro sufficient or do I need to have the lens and strobes under water? It seems the optics under water will be a lot different than dry?

Only significant if you are using wet lenses. What lens(es) are you using on your E-M10 IV?
The lighting will be a bit different, because water absorbs/scatters more than air, but close enough for practice.

 

[ACHiPo]

Only significant if you are using wet lenses. What lens(es) are you using on your E-M10 IV?
The lighting will be a bit different, because water absorbs/scatters more than air, but close enough for practice.

I have the kit 14-40 mm and the 60mm macro that will fit in the housing/port. I have a 45 mm 1.8 as well, but I don’t think that will fit in the housing?

I’m liking what I see about Roatan and Coco View. Checking into availability.