Key Largo Advanced Photo Course - August 2011

I just wrapped a great week of diving in Key Largo, teaching my advanced session of my school of underwater photography. Wonderful photo-ops all week with a passionate and engaged group of students. Thanks again to Ocean Divers for such professional and friendly service.

Alaska Aboard Nautilus Swell

I've just come home from a really wonderful trip aboard Nautilus Swell, doing a little diving along the Southeast Alaska coast, but really doing more topside photography. The whales and sea otters and steller sea lions all delivered, but the overall scenery and sheer magnificence of the setting greatly defined the experience.

The Nautilus Swell, a 90-foot tugboat has been tastefully refitted to become the perfect expedition boat for marine photography in the region. I'll write about it all in greater detail in the next issue of Alert Diver, but for now here is a preview of the photo-opportunities.

As final endorsement of the quality of the adventure, before I left the boat I booked another charter for August 2013. It is really that inspiring and productive.

Key Largo Digital Master Class - June 2011

Each year I teach a couple of very advanced underwater digital imaging courses in my home town, Key Largo, Florida. I choose Key Largo for the wealth of photo opportunities, particularly in terms of abundant and approachable marine life.

For the past few years I have been fortunate enough to be joined by Eddie Tapp teaching the Photoshop tutorials. Like me, a Canon Explorer of Light, Eddie is additionally a member of the Photoshop Hall of Fame, and an all around nice guy. We enjoy not only the instruction, but the time together on the boat.

Recognizing that video techniques are now an ever larger part of our D-SLR workflow, I also booked Frazier Nivens, an Emmy-Award winning local pro videographer to teach a short module on UW video techniques.

All is all, it was a terrific week with good friends and wonderful dive services from our friends at Ocean Divers.

We are looking forward to next year's classes:

Key Largo - June 9-16, 2012
Bonaire - Divi Flamingo Beach - July 7-14, 2012 and
Captain Don's Habitat July 14-21, 2012

Here are some images of our week in Key Largo.

Oceanic White Tips - Cat Island, Bahamas

Last week I enjoyed a wonderful opportunity to photograph oceanic white tip sharks in the stunningly clear waters off Cat Island in the southern Bahamas.

I've known for years the sharks are there, because the fishermen have long complained how difficult it is to get a fish to the boat without the sharks eating it first. In fact, one angler I talked to said that anywhere else he fishes for sailfish with a heavy line, but at Cat he chooses a much lighter fishing line and lets the sharks force the billfish to the surface, where he can quickly reel it in. It gives him a better chance to avoid the shark taking his fish, and also makes certain the sailfish is less fatigued when released, and therefore has a chance to avoid the shark at that point in the process of catch-and-release.

So, the stars aligned on collective schedules with long-time buddy Stuart Cove already on-island helping a non-profit do some shark tagging, while another friend, Marko Dimitrijevic, and I rendezvoused with Stuart for a quick 3 day shoot.

Here are some shots Marko got during the week, the photographer being pictured being me.






And, here are some of my shots from the week.











Great fun!