Red Sea Photos

[SubMariner]

Hey all!

We have posted a few u/w pics from our trip last month to the Red Sea. When on the website, just go to the Red Sea 2002 Digital photos.

http://y42.briefcase.yahoo.com/pgdaley2001

We have an Olympus 4040 in a PT010 housing with the new Ikelite DS 125 Sunstrobe.

The other great part is that many of the higher res versions will be added to our ever-growing u/w photo wall; thanks to our new Epson Photo1280. No more having to have slides scanned then printed through an outside source!

Meanwhile, Pearce has already purchased the wide angle adaptor for the housing. He is also looking into setting up for DUAL strobes. {sighs heavily} MORE gear?!?!?!?!

~SubMariner~

 

[buff]

I was way too jealous of your trip to even enjoy your great photography.

I am in the grips of diving envy......life cannot be enjoyed in such a state let alone someone flaunting their exceptional U/W photos to an exotic dive destination.

You should be ashamed!!!!!

 

[brendanrtw]

Beautiful pics !!!

 

[Bradhoran]

Great pics!

I have recently got involved in the underwater world but I have been a keen photographer for many years, I doing my Advanced Open water course at the red sea next week but I am also interested in getting into UW photography (I will also do a separate course on this whilst away.

I imagine the rules are all totally different UW to on land.

Any advise?

What sort of equip do you need to get such clear closeup shots?

Does the strobe upset the fish etc?

Cheers
LYLT
BBB

 

[SubMariner]

The most recent pictures from the Red Sea were taken with a housed Olympus C4040Z digital camera with an Ikelite DS125 digital strobe. The earlier Red Sea & Bonaire pics were done with a Sea & Sea Motormarine II camera with twin strobes and various lenses (wide angle, 2:1 or 3:1 macro).

However, there are as many equipment selections for below H20 shots as there are above it. You can have simple, disposable cameras that work up to about 30' underwater, to housed SLRs with multiple lens capability.

Regardless of which type of system you use, light is the biggest issue. To be done properly, U/W photography requires powerful strobes; since colours are absorbed by the water, strobe power and distance to subject controls everything.

Generally, fish aren't intimidated by the strobes. But since most u/w photos are done in close to minimize colour absorption, a smooth, gentle approach to the environment with excellent bouyancy control is a must. A very important issue for u/w photos is understanding marine life, its underwater habitat and habits.

If you are doing your Advanced in the Red Sea it is the PERFECT place to try a photo dive as one of your elective dives. Look into it!

~SubMariner~

 

[clive francis]

The Deep Blue

check my site for Red Sea photo's, going back next month so should have some more, but this time with my new 3040

 

[Bradhoran]

Thanks Submariner

I did not do the underwater photo as a dive on my advanced as when I spoke to a few people over there they felt that it would be far more advantageous to do it as a specialty and there was a lot to cram into one dive.

I was also not particulary confident with my bouyancy control on every dive and I would hate to damage any of the wildlife, however, I am still as keen as ever and will look into it after a few more dives when I will have my bouyancy and a bit more confidence.

Thanks for all the info and keep the photos coming.

Cheers
LYLT
BBB

 

[SubMariner]

Sorry for the tardy reply, Brad!

I did not do the underwater photo as a dive on my advanced as when I spoke to a few people over there they felt that it would be far more advantageous to do it as a specialty and there was a lot to cram into one dive.

Unfortunately many people misunderstand the purpose of the Adventures in Diving (aka "Advanced") course. It was desigend to give a diver a "taste" of different types of dives under the direction of an Instructor, not a full blown course in any one Specialty. IOW, doing an Adventure dive in U/W Photo would have given you an introduction to that Specialty.

For example while we were in the Red Sea last year one of the fellows onboard wanted to do U/W Video as one of his elective dives. As it happens, we had our housed video as well as multiple still cameras on this trip. Yes, the results from his first dive were not the best and his buoyancy skills needed some fine-tuning; IOW quite normal. However, by the end of the trip you could visibly see improvement in BOTH areas. In fact, he got some wonderful shots!

I was also not particulary confident with my bouyancy control on every dive and I would hate to damage any of the wildlife, however, I am still as keen as ever and will look into it after a few more dives when I will have my bouyancy and a bit more confidence.

Entirely understandable. Have you ever thought of doing the Peak Performance Bouyancy (PPB) Specialty? Some people think this is a joke, but I have to tell you that when people do the course they learn TONS of things! Like options in weighting, streamlining, practicing using tidal volume in their lungs for fine control, etc., etc., etc.

I am always amazed by the progress in divers' skills and confidence after they do PPB.

Of course these improvements carry over to the areas you talked about: keeping off the bottom and being able to handle equipment underwater.

TTFN,

~SubMariner~

 

[Bradhoran]

I will look into the PPB I was hoping to do it at some stage.

Oh well loads of things for me to look forward to!!!

Thanks alot for all your feedback!

Cheers
Brad.