very new to diving and wondering how to arrange a trip.

[boulderjohn]

I think I'll go with a smaller operation, I don't want to be the new guy out of 40 if I can be the new guy out of 4.

Actually, you do want to be the new guy out of 40 and not the new guy out of 4.

In general, the bigger operators in resort areas tend to attract the newer divers, and they will be well able to handle them. They do it every day. In a group of 40 in Aruba, believe me, you will not be the only diver with only a little experience.

In contrast, the small operators frequently tend to attract the better divers. If you are the only new diver out of 4 with a one boat operator, and everyone else is highly experienced and looking for a challenging dive, neither you nor they will be happy.

Of all the places I have dived, Aruba is where that is most true. When I was there, I went with the smallest operator possible, Dive Aruba with Clive Paula. It is a one man, one boat show entirely. (I hope it is still open.) I really enjoyed myself with him, but I would not recommend him for a beginner. You are much better off with him if you have some pretty decent skills to begin with.

The bigger operators will have multiple boats, multiple dive masters, etc. They will be best able to give you a dive at your comfort level.

 

[scuga]

Thanks boulderjohn, I appreciate the heads up.

I am usually pretty good at figuring things out, and it's this kind of counter intuitive advise I really treasure and need.

dhuskins I definitely don't want to miss the eels and turtles. Thanks for the heads up

I couldn't afford a u/w case for my Nikon I mean it was significantly more expenseve than my already expensive camera. But I did get a case for my moms canon point and shoot. I would really love to get some great pictures. Eels and turtles fit the bill.

In general thanks to everybody helping me out I was a little worried people would dismiss me as a newb and with the accelerated schedule I am having to take getting certified in time for the trip; well I thought people would give me grief. I was totally wrong you guys are awesome. I hope in time I can help people out with advice on here.

 

[vladimir]

But I did get a case for my moms canon point and shoot. I would really love to get some great pictures. Eels and turtles fit the bill.

You will probably not get any great pictures. Your best chance at getting a good one is to stick to the well-lit shallows, above 10 meters, say, but the shallower the better. You will be tempted to point your camera down at your subjects--those pictures will suck. Shoot horizontally or up at your subjects. Get close to them--as close as you can, pretty much. Shoot in aperture priority and bracket your shots; f8 is usually a good starting point.

On your first dives after certification it is unlikely that your buoyancy will be sufficiently stable to get you relatively motionless, as you need to be to get an in-focus shot. I recommend that you just leave the camera at home this time and enjoy your first look at a coral reef--you'll see a lot more and be able to concentrate on perfecting your skills. You can copy some pictures from my gallery.

 

[Herk_Man]

Thanks boulderjohn, I appreciate the heads up.

I am usually pretty good at figuring things out, and it's this kind of counter intuitive advise I really treasure and need.

dhuskins I definitely don't want to miss the eels and turtles. Thanks for the heads up

I couldn't afford a u/w case for my Nikon I mean it was significantly more expenseve than my already expensive camera. But I did get a case for my moms canon point and shoot. I would really love to get some great pictures. Eels and turtles fit the bill.

In general thanks to everybody helping me out I was a little worried people would dismiss me as a newb and with the accelerated schedule I am having to take getting certified in time for the trip; well I thought people would give me grief. I was totally wrong you guys are awesome. I hope in time I can help people out with advice on here.

Hey Scuga, go to Bonaire Talk - The place to discuss everything and anything about Bonaire! and look at the photography section of their forum. Find a thread called What You Can Do For Not Very Much Dough. I posted a bunch of pictures I took in Bonaire using an Olympus Stylus (2005 year model) point and shoot with no strobe. After taking a very basic seminar at my LDS, doing some online research and practicing with the camera's advanced features, I was able to take some awesome memories home with me. I think it will really help you with your basic equipment.

(By the second day I was having to fight my son for time with the camera and his shots were every bit as good as mine.)

 

[Herk_Man]

Here are some examples. No strobes. Just use the built in underwater settings with some simple adjustments to white balance, exposure level, and ISO. With practice it is pretty easy. (My writeup on bonairetalk has some great tips on avoiding fogging, keeping water out, etc.)

And all of the advice above is very very good. Some shots just can't be taken from a low angle (flounder or ray in the sand for instance) but if at all possible get below or at least level with your subject. And you just can't get close enough. Just be sure that you don't damage the reef at the expense of a good shot.

Have fun!

 

[scuga]

Herk the canon doesn't have an underwater setting but it does have aquarium. Should I use that. Are you using photshop to touch up those pics?