Scubashooters net e mag issue n34 dec 2017

ISSUE

N°34

D E C 2017

Portfolio

by Tobias Friedrich

Talking About...

Shaping The Light

Travels

by H. Jager

Monthly Contest

Preview

Contest

Underwater Photography - Book Gregory Sherman wins “C.F.W.A.”

With Francesco Pacienza Inon Presents The New Z330

Coron: a Place Of History Anilao Underwater Shootout

Dear Readers, we at scubashooters.net have an eventful year behind us.

Upgrade process of our website and pursue a restless improvement of what we offer to you , has been our mission since the beginning 5 years ago.

Earlier this year we started our Blue mission, our idea was to share our knowledge and our audience with those organizations involved in sea protection and conservation; we then received the Missionblue. org, Dr Silvya Earle organization, endorsement followed by the Iseahorse.org one; two months ago, Dr Carniel from Italian CNR scientist, Oceanographer and writer joined the scubashooters.net team as scientific director pro bono.

We are now dealing with very important international organism as well as governmental ones…

The most recent one is D.O.T. Philippines .

What I’m trying to extend to you dear friend, is that joining the scubashooters network is just not only a matter of sharing photos or viewing them. By joining the scubashooters network as a photographer you will contribute to bring the Ocean protection to a more conscious level, as a reader you will find more and more beautiful images, interesting information and inspiring reports.

Notwithstanding all these results, we don’t consider them “results” meaning the final destination; they are just another step into the right direction and at the same time are a feedback for us, that this is the right direction.

Marino Palla Owner and Founder Scubashooters Network

Cover image by: Tobias Friedrich

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CONTENTS December 2017 3

EDITORIAL by Marino Palla

8 TRAVELS Coron: a place of history

by Henry Jager

26 PREVIEW Inon - Z330 Underwater Strobe

32 CONTEST Marco Polo 2017 - International UW Captured Competition

38 REVIEW Beuchat - VR200 Soft Touch HF

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MONTHLY CONTEST “C.F.W.A.”: Tthe Winners 4

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MARINE BIOLOGY: The Cuckoo Wrasse

by Michele Solca

PORTFOLIO: Tobias Friedrich Underwater Photography - Book

84 TALKING ABOUT...

“Shaping The Light” with Francesco Pacienza

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DAN EUROPE - Hydrocephalus And Diving

EQUIPMENT: Beuchat - Suit New Focea Comfort 5

CONTEST - Anilao Underwater Shootout - The Winners

V erein S cubashooters - 8952 S chlieren G raphic

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E ditor : F abio S trazzi - S witzerland 38668878

design and supervising :

S ilvia B ogni L ayout : S ilvia B ogni , E lisa F urlani C ontributors : C hiara S crigner

DISCOVER NOW THE

WINTER SPECIAL OFFER 2017/18 VALID FROM 1 DEC 2017 THROUGH 28 FEB 2018

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TRAVELS Coron Place Of History Words and Pictures HENRY JAGER

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History The end of World War II was near. The Western Allies already entered Europe on the D-Day, and fought back Germany from occupied lands like France. But another member of the Axis, Japan, did not think to retrench. In opposite, between June and October 1944, they enforced the occupation of the Philippines.

But also in the Asian region, resistance was growing strong.

On September 21st, the Allies bomb the fleet of Japan in Manila Bay. 15 ships sunk, the other managed to escape.

Warships and carrier vessels, which transported food and beverages, building machines and concrete, headed south towards Palawan. They looked for a safe anchorage in the very fissured Bay of Coron. On September 23rd, they arrived and anchored in the region of Busuanga Island and Coron Bay. Somehow, they have been discovered and in the morning of September 24th The Allies started the attack. 120 bombers took of from an aircraft carrier, located 340 miles away. In those days, this was a very long flight and the bombers had only a short time to attack. Within 15 10

minutes, they managed to sink 12 ships despite their counter attacks.

Only Okikawa Maru could stay afloat, heavily damaged. Only a second attack on October 9th brought her to sink.

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More than 70 years later, most of the wrecks of Coron are still in a fantastic shape. Sunken in the shallow waters of Coron Bay and Busuanga Island, they are perfectly placed for Divers to explore an important part of history. 70 years made the wrecks a great habitat for marine life.

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Travel The Travel has to be carefully planned to not get stranded.

I decided to fly Singapore Airlines from Zurich to Singapore and Manila. The comfort and the nice connections makes that part of travel very convenient. In Manila you need to stay one night, as the domestic flight to San Jose (Occidental Mindoro) leaves early in the morning.

Be aware that this is not a daily flight.

The next part of the travel is by ferry to Coron. But of course this ferry leaves to early to be connected.

The best thing you can do is adding a short trip to the ApoReefClub in Calintaan, only a 45 minutes bus drive away from the airport in San Jose. I propose to book there a 2 day trip to the Apo Reef.

This is a very pristine reef protected as UNESCO world heritage.

I propose the same on the way back from Coron, as again the connections don’t fit.

In Coron there are many places to stay.

The most beautiful one is Asian Grand View Hotel. You get a fantastic view over Coron Bay, which offers spectacular sunsets very often.

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Diving There are a lot of dive bases in Coron.

They open and close, some are more stable. I advise to check out the most recent reports on the well know internet platforms to get a good dive base.

Plan your Dives very well, not only in regard of the profile, but also in regard of the need of Nitrox which is not self-evident in all places.

There is a very good website

http://www.coronwrecks.com

about the wrecks and the dive sites indicating also the maximum depth and the certification level needed to dive safely.

It’s highly recommended to have a look at this page in advance for best experience.

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The Wrecks The wrecks offer a broad variety of diving. There are huge vessels, most of them are more than 100 meters long. The longest is Okikawa Maru with 168 meters followed by Irako with 146 meters. It pays out to plan several dives there to explore the ships.

Some wrecks you can penetrate. The divemasters know exactly where to go, even if it’s very dark insight. Most of the time you can enjoy the beautiful lights, coming from the outside. Or fantastic coral gardens in the passages.

Of course, there are some leftovers like building machines, bottles, bags with concrete and lot more. On Akitsushima you can even find a triple anti-aircraft gun, which didn’t helped the ship at all back in 1944. Also a canon ball is still there. Of course, as the ships lay in shallow water, most of the machines, weapons and cargo have been removed.

The visibility is most of the year lousy but this makes a great, mystic scenery on the outer and inner sides of the ships.

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Especially the skeleton wreck is such an example, or the kitchen area of Teru Kaze Maru, a small gunboat and submarine hunter. It’s also called East Tangat Gunboat which lead us to the difficulty of the ship names. During all the years, the names of the ships changed several times.

Kogyo Maru is a freighter laying on it’s side. There are six cargo holes to explore. A bulldozer can be found as well as bags of concrete. The Kogyo Maru wreck is also fantastic on the outer side which has grown to a rich habitat for marine life.

For the last dive at the end of an eventful day there is the Lusong gunboat which reaches just under the surface. The maximum Depth of this dive is 11 meters. This dive offers beautiful corals and a marvellous play with the surface.

Summarized, the wrecks of coron offers a deep dive into history.

They offer also a rich marine life in and out of the vessels. But you can also dive the Barracuda Lake or the Cathedral Cave if you need another dive between the wrecks.

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Leo3 Plus

Leo3

Leo3 Wi

MAKE IT EASY

Leo3 Smart

PREVIEW New Inon Z330 Underwater Strobe

Guide Number 33 and UNDERWATER coverage 110 degree without diffuser.

The next generation new Z-330 strobe has built-in optically designed dome lens offering both high power and wide coverage without any diffuser which can sacrifice power, is released on December 24, 2017.

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Yet lightweight and compact body, the Z-330 is designed to produce G.N. 33.

Precisely designed front dome lens (1) together with INON’s unique T shape twin flash widens powerful strobe light without sacrifice any power to accomplish UNDERWATER coverage circular 110 degree.

Not as like a conventional translucent diffuser which can widen coverage while it has to sacrifice power and store heat inside, this specially designed dome lens diffuse light thanks to reflection ratio of air, acrylic and water to attain UNDERWATER coverage 110 degree with all powerful output coming through.

Further more, the Z-330 has overcame drawback of high-power strobe which has long flash duration and reaches to FULL power after start flashing in significantly short period of time.

Together with flashing system in sync with pre-flash and main flash of camera’s built-in flash, the Z-330 can deliver full dump even at 1/1000 high shutter speed setting without cutting power The Strobe Light Shade is bundled to cut a part of strobe light to benefit not shining camera lens directly to dramatically suppress ghost or flare and backscatter when the strobe is located to close to a lens port.

The part of shade rotates 360 degree. Intuitive operation with light clicks offers comfortable adjustment even underwater.

The Z-330 strobe is equipped with circular metal heatsink carrying high thermal conductivity around light emitting area.

The heatsink is directly connected to inner circuit component to release generated heat from strobe usage effectively.

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Improved heat tolerance has resolved heat problem typically accompanied with powerful strobe.

No stress with sudden stop of flashing to cool down.

The built-in Shutter-linked Auto-Off Focus Light delivers 220lm brightness to support when focusing a subject and cease in synch with the shutter release and automatically turns ON again.

To aim optical axis of the Focus Light in line with strobe light’s optical axis, the Focus Light has a fresnel lens in front supporting more accurate strobe aiming and improved usability.

Using white base high-intensity phosphorescence material for the back panel to improve visibility both during day and night dive.

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INON’s unique accurate auto exposure system S-TTL has been further evolved. Accuracy of exposure is advanced providing more accurate exposure.

In addition, optimized high performance slave sensor never miss camera’s trigger signal even faint or partially damaged fiber optics cable can trigger the strobe to offer faultless triggering.

Précised 1/2EV. increments 13 steps Manal flash control is onboard to support professional use.

The Z-330 strobe has a bayonet system to hold a strobe dome filter to attach/remove easily.

Besides bundled Strobe Dome Filter SOFT to protect dome lens surface and soften strobe light, optional Strobe Dome Filter ND which steps down at -4EV, Strobe Dome Filter [4600K] which changes native color temperature to 4600K and Strobe Dome Filter [4900K] which changes to 4900K will be available in 2018.

More info at: www.inon.jp

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Puerto Galera - Oriental Mindoro - Philippines

Share your passion for diving wishlist exploring the magical underwater world of Puerto Galera.

This fabulous destination offers the perfect mix of diving and culture, hiding surprises for even the most expert of divers in its unique biodiversity and colourful marine creatures.

An ideal destination for macro photographers.

www.fishermenscove.com

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+63 917 533 2985

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info@fishermenscove.com

CONTEST

Marco Polo 2017

International UW Captured Competition

Words and Pictures Davide Lombroso During a weekend of summer weather, on 14 and 15 October 2017, the 4th edition of Marco Polo - International Underwater captured competition took place in Rijeka - Croatia at the Marco Polo Diving centre.

Thanks to the organization managed in details by Nicoletta Storelli and Ferdo Hirtec, the diving centre holders, 26 underwater photographers from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro and Italy battled in the waters in front of the centre that, thanks to the richness of its seabed, made possible to realize excellent images.

On Saturday, October 14th, under the new regulation that everyone appreciated, that is, 5 hours available with the unlimited possibility of refilling the cylinders, contestant split into the two categories of DSLRs and compact cameras had to submit 1 photo for each theme: wide, macro and fish.

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An abundant buffet washed down with "prosecco" (Italian dry white sparkling wine) completed the event. The selection of photographs by competitors, and a dinner at a local restaurant closed a tiring but funny day.

Sunday morning, October 15, the expert jury composed by Danijel Ferka, Fabio Iardino and Grega Verc evaluated all the pictures by determining the winner for each single theme, the winner by category, the winner and Best of Show as per the ranking in the photos attached.

AMBIENT AND BEST OF SHOW DAVIDE LOMBROSO

1st

1st

FISH MARCO SPOLTI

1st

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MACRO DAVIDE LOMBROSO

2nd

AMBIENT DAMIR ZURUB

2nd

MACRO DALIBOR ANDRES

3rd AMBIENT MARCO BOLLETTINARI

3rd

MACRO DAMIR ZURUB 34

All participants appreciated very much the explanation of each photo by the jury.

Davide Lombroso, winner for the Reflex category and Alessio Tinti, winner for the compact cameras category, received the sponsors' prizes during the award ceremony held at the adjacent diving center’s venues, followed by a thanksgiving buffet from the organization.

A special thanks to Elisa and Andrea from the Isotecnic Company, present during the whole weekend and inevitable as the main sponsors of this event, for the prizes offered.

Also Scubashooter and the Rijeka Tourist Board sponsored some prizes.

All participants were very satisfied with the organization of the event, to which more and more underwater photographers participate every year. It is now a fixed event for the month of October in Croatia, which combines competitive spirit, sympathy and fun.

You are all invited for the 2018 edition that, we are sure, Nicoletta and Ferdo will organize at best.

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UNDERWATER HOUSING

FOR DIGITAL REFLEX CAMERAS AND MIRRORLESS CAMERA

MADE IN ITALY

www.gio-sim.com

Located in the center of the Gulf of Kvarner - Croatia, our diving center is in the ideal location for countless different dive sites.

Three wrecks, colorful walls and ideal sites for macrophotography.

We offer the opportunity to dive for every level.

From our beach, with our boat... ...come with us and enjoy your dive!

www.diving-marcopolo.com

REVIEW

BEUCHAT

VR 200 Soft Touch HF

The VR200 Soft Touch HF is a top of range regulator which combines advanced technology and cold resistance with elegance.

It is entirely made in the Beuchat factory in France. And each Beuchat regulator is checked and adjusted individually on a specialised hyperbaric test bench.

The VR200 Soft Touch HF is composed of a balanced diaphragm first stage (with 2 HP ports and 4 MP ports) and a balanced second stage with Venturi and sensitivity controls.

It has a finned metal cover to increase resistance to freezing in extreme situations.

And its Soft cover with centrally-positioned oval Soft Touch push button offers a larger dump zone.

It comes with a Super Soft braided MP hose and a carry bag.

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Cold water regulator • Balanced diaphragm first stage with 2 HP ports and 4 MP ports • Finned metal cover to procure to increase resistance to freezing in extreme situations • Balanced second stage with Venturi and sensitivity controls • Soft cover with centrally-positioned oval Soft Touch push button for a larger dump zone • Combination of chrome-plated polished brass and high performance plastic to reduce vulnerability to corrosion and impacts • Super Soft b r a i d e d MP hose • Delivered with a carry bag

Checked and adjusted individually on a specialised hyperbaric test bench.

More info at:

www.beuchat-diving.com 39

on diving activities and all courses

20% off

To redeem this special offer, please visit www.dharavandhoodivers.com and quote DHSH2217 on your booking request Offer valid throughout 2018 for bookings made by 31st January 2018 Dharavandhoo Divers, Baa Atoll, Maldives www.dharavandhoodivers.com

MONTHLY CONTEST

C.F.W.A.

1st

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GREGORY SHERMAN

2nd

MARCO WU

3rd

GREGORY SHERMAN

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The travel does not consist of searching new lands but having new eyes, it must broaden our horizons without prejudices stimulating our curiosity to meet new people and visit new places

Unique travel experiences which are able to make you happy

www.vahineviaggi.it

MARINE BIOLOGY The Cuckoo Wrasse

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Words and Pictures

Michele Solca

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The Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus, whose Latin name refers to two essential characteristics: pronounced lips and stunning mixture of colors) is a marine fish belonging to the order of Perciformes, the family of Labridae and the subfamily of wrasses.

The Labridae family is extremely common in the Mediterranean: all the representatives show full and protruding lips, a long dorsal fin with littlestiff spines and swim moving the pectoral fins. Wrasses, curious and colorful inhabitants of our sea, represent a sparkling example of biodiversity.

The curiosity of this male gives us the opportunity to closely observe, among other things, a blue circle around the eye of the same shade of the colors present on the caudal margin and the non-spiny rays of the dorsal and anal fins - which begins to form when the female starts the sexual inversion. The yellow ocher color of the upper part of the head is easily recognizable.

The Cuckoo Wrasse distribution area goes from Norway to Senegal and includes the Mediterranean Sea, especially the western one, where how-ever it is not common.

It is not a migratory fish: according to the IUCN lists, demographic trends of the populations are stable.

It frequents rocky bottoms deeper than its congeners: it rarely rises above 15/20 meters and goes down up to 200 meters.

Their usual depth changes according to sex and season: if juveniles live in shallow water, adults prefer colder and poorly lit waters.

In spring / summer, they can be met also at 15/20 meters, while in autumn / winter they tend to live deeper.

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The presence of Anthias anthias around the male gives us an indication of the depth where it is possible to find it: the photo was taken at about 36 meters deep.

They usually live among the Posidonia oceanica leaves and close to rocky bottoms among which, females in particular, love to camouflage; often they are also found in the dimly lit coralligenous, where they dart between cracks and crevices in which they can quickly hide.

While males meet alone or in pairs with a female, it is not so rare, during summer months, to come across pairs of young females in rather small areas. Similar to other labroids per the body shape, the Cuckoo wrasse has a rather long snout and well-pronounced lips.

The teeth, conical and sharp, are highly developed.

The dorsal fin is very long, with numerous spiny rays in the front; the anal fin, shorter, has two thorns, while the ventral ones have only one.

The pectoral fins are paddle-shaped and the caudal distinguishes by being broad and round.

Colors and physiognomy of the dominant male: note in particular the full and protruded lips, as well as the colorful patterns on the lateral line.

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The coloring changes according to age, sex (transition) and reproductive period, when the male shows spectacular nuptial coating.

This shy female makes us appreciate the streamlined figure, the white and black spots in the final part of the back and the use of pectoral fins to move.

A clear sexual dimorphism is in fact evident by examining the differences between primary and secondary coloring.

The primary coating, the female one, distinguishes easily by the less bright colors (salmon pink, sometimes reddish orange), and for the presence of three - rarely four dark spots in the rear of the back near the tail, interspersed by four smaller white spots. Irregular blue lines sur-round the eye and are present also in the secondary coating - the male one - in a much more evident way.

Notice pectoral, dorsal and caudal fins with distinctive shape and color, in addition to the white and black spots at the dorsal end that characterize the primary coloring.

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Growing, in fact, the female develops a blue area around the eye of the same shade as those present on the caudal margin and on the non-spinous rays of the dorsal and anal fins.

In the male, predominate continuous and variegated electric blue lines that adorn the body and the fins’ edges, with the exception of the belly that remains bright salmon.

The salmon-pink coloring of the primary coating stands out along with the presence of the blue borders on the fins, which will then become much more evident and vibrant when the sexual inversion is completed.

The head (sometimes also a large part of the body) is yellow while the rest of the body maintains an orange base. In the reproductive period, a large white area appears on the neck and forehead.

They are quite large fish (35-40 cm in length), females slightly smaller (up to 30 cm), slow growing; the maximum reported age is around 20 years.

A distrustful female in its typical habitat: crevices where to hide and higher depths than its congeners, as suggested by the presence of red coral (Corallium rubrum) and red sea fans (Paramuricea clavata).

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They feed on invertebrates, especially hard-shelled shellfish, but their diet also consists of small fish, mollusks and worms, crushed by their pharyngeal teeth.

The species is protogynous hermaphrodite, whereby the females, because of hormonal changes, turn into males as they age.

Sexual inversion usually become complete over a period of about seven months when the wrasse is about four or five years old.

Sometimes it can happen earlier, in case of sudden death of the dominant male who usually has a harem of a dozen females.

At that moment, one of the biggest females becomes the dominant male in turn: the perpetuation of the species is thus seamless guaranteed. Juveniles are divided into primary males and primary females (usually in fairly balanced proportions). Once grown, the primary males maintain the orange color, but can-not reproduce unless in the area there are no dominant males. Primary females remain the same color until they mature, turning into dominant males.

Hardly approachable unless using extreme patience, females never leave the elements of the coralligenous where they can easily camouflage to escape predators.

Reproduction takes place in spring or summer, depending on the locations, and the adult males’ behavior become decidedly territorial and aggressive towards rivals who dare to approach the nest, previously prepared by interweaving meticulously seaweed gathered here and there and placed on gravel or rocky bottoms.

The female lays there up to 1000 eggs of a size ranging between 0.5 and 1.1 mm.

The male who succeeds in the furious fighting will fertilize them and will remain attentively on guard for the next 24 hours.

At that point, the larvae, transparent and wrapped by a bubble that protects them as long as the mouth and eyes have not formed, begin 52

their pelagic phase that will last several days (sometimes even a month, depending on temperature and currents) until they reach again the bottom. From the beginning of the pigmentation to the adult size, it can take around 24 months. The species is extremely suspicious and difficult to approach underwater as well as quite rare to meet.

We can seize sexual dimorphism - besides observing the coating’s coloring - also evaluating the differences in shape between females and males: the former have a more streamlined body and elongated but less fleshy lips of the latter, which have instead a more rounded body.

However, a calm and detached behavior sometimes allows a fairly close approach. If the females remain shy and watchful, the territorial males sometimes prove to be very confident and incredibly curious.

Very active during daytime, at night they sleep propped on one side.

The photos in this article were shot in the Ligurian Sea, mainly in the Marine Protected Area of Portofino (province of Genoa), although in a deep dive point at the Santo Stefano shoal (province of Imperia) sometimes happens to meet this colorful inhabitant of our Sea. In relation to the habits of the species, en-counters become more frequent during the summer and almost impossible in winter. The flamboyant shades of the cuckoo wrasse could ideally reflect its name, acting as a decoy towards those who consider the Mediterranean Sea devoid of encounters and colors, which are more frequently associated to tropical seas. Although clearly less simple to enjoy, ours is a Sea plenty of surprises with a strongly reflective character. Knowing it more deeply may help us appreciating it more, liv-ing it, respecting it and, ultimately, perhaps to appreciate even more ourselves and our relation-ship with that Blue that calls us, attracts us and welcomes us, but towards which we are not al-ways capable of love gestures.

Love, Learn, Respect, Protect.

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PORTFOLIO Tobias Friedrich 57

“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders.

He is bolted to earth.

But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.”

Jacques-Yves Cousteau

In his childhood Tobias Friedrich loved to watch the adventures of the Calypso with Jacques-Yves Cousteau as its captain and the beauty of the world that is below the ocean’s surface.

It’s still an overwhelming feeling for him when he has the chance to dive.

He loves the elegancy and calmness of the world under water standing in contrast to the hectic atmosphere above.

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Tobias Friedrich lives in Germany and started taking pictures with a DSLR underwater in the year 2007.

Since then his images have been published in prestigious magazines and newspapers.

Countless underwater photographic competitions have honoured his work as well.

He was invited to judge major photo shootouts at ADEX China, Anilao Philippines as well as many online competitions.

He is SEACAM equipment for his Canon EOS 1DX Mark II and 5D Mark II DSLR. He is leading expeditions and workshops around the world.

More of his work can be found under: www.BELOW-SURFACE.com

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His book “Underwater Photography” about how to photograph under water can be found on Amazon and is available in English and German: http://www.amazon.com/Underwater-Photography-Tobias-Friedrich/ dp/1937538524

SBN-13: 978-1937538521 ISBN-10: 1937538524 Tobias is leading workshops in Egypt every year.

The next trip is from 25th of October to 1st of November 2018: https://www.facebook.com/events/162582834335121/

More info: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1760671307299162& id=144474418918867

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F E E L THE DIFFERENCE

IN SHARM EL SHEIKH www.sheikhcoast.com

Recommended by

Words and Pictures:

Francesco Pacienza

TALKING ABOUT...

Shaping The Light

Francesco Pacienza is surely one of the most eclectic underwater photographers in the Italian and international landscape, strengthened by his long experience in the field of advertising photography combined with a first-rate professional training. All this means that his conception of photography does not stop to simple composition and shooting, but goes further, always looking for new visual languages. In this interview, the second on Scubashooter, we try to understand who Francesco Pacienza is, but above all what led him to conceive the superNOVA filter that is fascinating the world of underwater macro photography, and not only in Italy but especially abroad.

Q: Francesco, tell us about your filter A: The idea of the superNOVA filter arose by looking at the macro photographs made by two underwater photographers I admire and follow: the Brazilian Fabio Freitas and the Portuguese Filomena Så Pinto. From a series of conversations with them about how to obtain these extraordinary effects of color brushstrokes around the subject photographed, I began to think of a system that was compact, that could be used like any other filter and allow obtaining an effect that would not be always the same, but could be modulated according to the user’s needs.

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At first, experimentation has led me to use the most disparate materials and the results, not always satisfactory, have given me the input to proceed on the right track.

Meanwhile, I learned about the use, by some underwater photographers, of a metal tube (someone made by steel, someone else by brass) which, after some tests, I discarded because cumbersome and because the final effect was always the same.

Q: Was the “practical” actualization of the filter difficult?

A: As I said at the beginning, lacking specific equipment, I struggled not a little trying to “bend at my will” the various materials I tried to pair to get what I had in mind.

I used everything: from the adhesive mirror to PVC tubes, to caps for metal tubes, and so on.

This experimentation led me to define what would later become the final measurements of the superNOVA filter, which the collaboration of Eng. Umberto Raganato made possible to convert into a 3D design.

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Thanks to the availability of Umberto and his design expertise, it was possible to turn my idea into a true CAD project from which to draw out the prototype printed in 3D. Finally, we could optimize and transform everything into a final project for 3D printing.

Q: Why you chose the name superNOVA? A: After making the first prototypes and getting to the final version, I was looking for a name to give to this filter.

I sent a series of photos taken precisely with this filter to a dear old friend with whom I shared many years of professional photography, Frederic Renaud, asking for his opinion.

Starting from one of his comments about the colors’ swirling effect generated by the filter and some web search, we came across a series of images depicting a star of the Supernova type, which is characterized, in fact, by a whirling stroke of colors. From there, it was an easy step choosing the name and creating the superNOVA logo, printed on each filter.

The filter is entirely “Made in Italy�, from conception to design and actualization through 3D CAD. 88

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Q: Which lens highlights the features of this filter?

A: The filter is designed and engineered to work with any type of macro lens, even with compact cameras as long as they’re provided of the appropriate filter holder with M67 connector.

Personally, I use it with the classic Nikon 60mm macro lens, but also with the Nikkor 85 and 105. However, using the filter with these lenses requires the use of an accessory device, designed and engineered specifically.

It is also possible to use the filter in combination with a magnifier additional lens, but with some limitations.

With a 60mm Macro lens, the use of additional lenses such as Moby 3.8 or Nauticam SMC is not recommended because it would lead the filter to be “clingy� to the subject to photograph, while the Subsee +10 or similar lenses supply good results.

Some of the photos published on these pages depict subjects of 4/6mm photographed without using any additional lens, but only the 60mm Macro, set at the minimum focusing distance.

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Q: The light gives the color brushstrokes.

How to position our flashes to create this magical effect?

A: Flash positioning may be the one most preferred by the user.

Clearly the final effect of the filter, which I want to remember is extremely adaptable, also varies depending on how the subject photographed reflects light.

Additionally, if we have a flip filter holder, we can further modify the final effect generated through the superNOVA filter by slightly shifting the perpendicular axis of the filter with respect to the lens.

Photos are a clear example of the modularity of the effect, unlike what happens with other similar filters that always produce the same effect even with different subjects.

Q: What feelings are you trying to convey, or would you like to convey, through the photos taken applying your filter?

A: My concept of photography is that of a form of art, irrespective of the photographic genre.

As photography is a form of art, I try to convey emotions and feelings typical of forms and artistic languages as in other Art fields.

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I believe a good photographer should not let stereotypes and/or fences restrain his artistic vision of the surrounding world.

It is the only way, I think, to create new points of view and transmit new sensations to the pictures’ viewers.

Returning to the superNOVA filter, the limit is only in creativity and artistic vision and not in the choice of subjects to photograph.

On Francesco Pacienza’s website, you can see other examples and ask for information about the superNOVA filter.

http://www.francescopacienza.it/sito/supernova-creative-underwater-photo-filter/

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DAN EUROPE

Hydrocephalus And Diving

Can someone with a shunt go scuba diving?

The answer to this question is not an easy one and a bit complex.

In general, a shunt is a system that shifts fluids. In this specific case a shunt is an artificial pathway made of fine tubes, a catheter, and a valve. The fluid to be shifted is from the brain to the body’s periphery because the person has been diagnosed with a hydrocephalus (from Greek “hydro” for “water” and “cephalus” for “head”).

Our brain and spinal cord swim in a so-called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that buffers it against concussions and also protects it otherwise.

Scientifically it’s called Liquor cerebrospinalis.

The CSF fills cavities, so-called ventricles in the brain. Usually the CSF is produced and then absorbed by the brain and its adjacent layers in a balanced way.

A hydrocephalus is caused by a deficiency regarding the absorption of the brain’s fluid which can evolve from a bleeding in the brain caused by a previous stroke or ruptured aneurysm, or can just be a birth defect. It is a very serious, life- threatening neurological condition and jeopardizes all vital functions since it puts the brain under increasing pressure.

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The pressure cannot go anywhere because the skull is a bony and solid structure which cannot expand.

The symptoms of a hydrocephalus may be low blood pressure, bradycardia, slurred speech, inability to walk, speak, think, eat, drink or act in any way, extremely slow movements, comatose tiredness and, finally unconsciousness.

A person with these symptoms needs immediate help and medical attention. In an emergency situation like this, a neurosurgeon will drill a hole in the skull and release the fluid and the pressure. If the hydrocephalus is a permanent condition, the insertion of a shunt system is indicated as a permanent solution to continuously release the superfluous fluid from the brain.

People can live a normal – terrestrial – life with a shunt.

The shunt’s catheter is positioned centrally in the brain’s ventricular system and connects to the tube via an adjustable unidirectional overpressure valve. The tube runs subcutaneously, i.e. under the skin, along one side of the body and leads either into the abdominal cavity or to the atrium of the heart. Fluid will be shifted from the brain to the periphery of the body when the pressure in the head overcomes the pressure setting of the valve.

Those shunts are called either VP shunt or VA shunt.

VP stands for ventricular-peritoneal and VA for ventricular-atrial. “Peritoneal” means the abdominal cavity (peritoneal cavity), “home” to our inner organs and intestines, while “atrial” refers to the atrium of the heart. Both peritoneal cavity and atrium have the capacity of taking up the additional fluid which can be absorbed and finally be excreted via the kidneys. Which shunt system is inserted lies mainly upon the discretion of the operating neurosurgeon.

Shunts shift fluids and under normal circumstances there would be no air involved. Therefore, pressure differentials are not necessarily expected from the changes in pressures of diving.

Ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunts are considered less likely to cause problems when diving whereas ventriculo-atrial shunts (VA) bear an increased risk of bubble formation at the point of shunt insertion, shunt malfunction due to high pressure or extreme pressure changes, and an increased risk of epilepsy following the insertion.

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In case of such epileptic seizures a seizure-free and anticonvulsant-free period of at least 5 years would be required before considering diving or going back to diving again.

Studies have shown that a person with a VP shunt is assumed to be able to dive safely up to four atmospheres of pressure. This means that it is most likely safe to dive down to 100 feet (33m), as was demonstrated in hyperbaric chambers where normal functioning of the shunts up to this pressure was shown. Specialists believe a VP shunt will drain normally because the ventricles in the brain as well as the abdomen will be equally affected by the increased ambient pressure of the deeper water. VA shunts, however, are affected by the blood stream in which nitrogen bubbles may form while surfacing from a dive. These bubbles have the potential to interfere with the well- functioning of the shunt. VA shunts are therefore not allowed by most diving certification agencies.

Clearly, diving should be suspended if there are any problems with breathing, headaches or neurological disorders (like spasticity).

People with shunts should be warned about the risk that there is poor functional reserve in case of either any problem with the shunt or any problem with DCI. Regarding DCI, as long as the hydrocephalus is managed well and the ventricles are not enlarged, it is not assumed that there is an increased risk of DCI in VP shunt carriers.

Another real threat can be infections.

Surgery sutures after shunt insertion should be healed completely before any water – fresh- or sea water – comes in contact with them.

The catheter reaches into the brain’s ventricular system but its other end is just below the skin of the skull. If there is a wound on the scalp close to the top ending of the catheter and the area gets infected, it could quickly reach the brain – and a brain infection is a life-threatening scenario.

Generally, a person with a shunt should think twice whether traveling abroad and diving in remote locations are both activities worth considering. In order to make an informed decision about it, it is advisable to consult a neurosurgeon specialized in shunt systems and a dive physician knowledgeable in the same field.

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Both neurosurgeon and diving physician need to know the entire medical history, the pre-existing condition that led to the insertion of the shunt, and the person’s current health status before they can give a complete answer.

In most cases, a person with a hydrocephalus has experienced serious, life-threatening temporary brain deficiency. Only quick diagnosing and immediate insertion of a shunt system have probably saved the normal brain function. A shunt system is an artificial and technically complicated system. Material damages or defects can occur - as in any artificial system. Such dysfunctions or malfunctions require immediate intervention. Only a clinic with a neurosurgical department can help in this situation. Determining a shunt dysfunction or malfunction usually requires brain imaging with a CT (computer tomography).

After locating the defect and determining its severity, it will require immediate brain surgery and probably a replacement or partly revision of the shunt system. In some cases, only the valve may need adjustment. Not every clinic has this special technical equipment. Some valves can be adjusted by magnets from the outside and surgery will not be necessary but you need to find a hospital with this specific magnetic system. Since there are several valve and shunt systems on the market, you are lucky to find one that has exactly yours, and really unlucky if you don’t. In many dive spots such state-of-the-art medicine and higher standard health care might not be easily available.

Take home message: Divers with a shunt should watch out for neurological disabilities, numbness of extremities and “autonomic” instabilities (e.g., postural hypotension, blood pressure changes and disability to react to cold water immersion). Neurological deficits should be documented for any diving physician in case of an accident. A copy (or the original) of the valve pass should be carried. The shunt should be fully functional and have no dysfunction.

You should get information what kind of restrictions you have to follow while diving with a shunt. Neurosurgeons and dive physicians should well explain the involved risks. It is advised to arrange dives with specially trained dive instructors and to inform dive buddies about the implanted shunt system.

Be a responsible diver! Good luck and good health to you!

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EQUIPMENT

Beuchat’s new Focea Comfort 5 The Focea Comfort range has been acclaimed as the finest diving apparel in the world.

Now Beuchat’s new Focea Comfort 5 offers even more improvements in terms of comfort, warmth and resistance!

Maximum comfort thanks to its anatomical cut, high quality pre-forming, ultra-soft Elaskin neoprene, Flex System and Free Flex Zone.

Maximum warmth with its Fireskin lining and the Water Dam System (Beuchat patent) to prevent the inflow of water.

Maximum resistance with Supratex 2 kneepads plus further reinforcements at the shoulders, legs and seat.

Beuchat, inventor of the isothermal wetsuit Georges Beuchat creator of the company was an emblematic pioneer of underwater activities. He naturally tried to protect himself from the cold during diving.

This is the way that after several experimentations, led in the creeks of Marseille, he invents in 1953 the isothermal wetsuit.

This fundamental invention has played a key role in the development of underwater activities. And more than sixty years later, its bases remain valid although materials and methods evolved.

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Style Black, trimmed with red imprints and red zips plus Black Shield protection for the shoulders, legs and seat.

Anatomical cut Exclusive new high quality pre-forming for an anatomical cut ensuring maximum comfort, protection and ease of movement.

44 panels and 20 different neoprene grades.

Flex System 2 Flex System 2: pre-forming, with special wide embossing at articulations for greater freedom of movement (inside the elbows and behind the knees).

Relative to the Focea Comfort 4: the Flex System 2 more than doubles the area covered by the Focea Comfort 4 Flex System to provide more comfort.

Seamless stretch panels at articulations to reduce abrasion (armpits, inside elbows and behind knees).

High quality pre-forming for the curvature of the lower back and crotch to give a snugger-fitting anatomical suit.

Lower back stretch panel.

Elaskin 8.8 stretch panel in the lumbar region offers 107

improved flexibility around the rear zip fastener for improved comfort especially when bending down to prepare and/or fit equipment, especially out of the water.

Free Flex Zone The Free Flex Zone located around the shoulders and the back ensures flexibility at the junction of the torso and the arms to offer greater freedom of movement.

Fireskin Fireskin is a warm, water repellent fabric with a specially structured weave that offers a high degree of thermal protection.

Reinforcements Reinforced seat. PU Black Shield protective panels on the shoulders, legs and seat Seals Smooth inside collar giving a better seal with micro-adjustable closure by a non-aggressive elastic Velcro fastener that does not stick to the jersey or stitching.

Zippered double wrist and ankle seals incorporating a reversible inner seal with a jersey lining and smooth neoprene exterior.

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45° notches on the inner seal edge-bonding seam to provide more elasticity and strength during dressing Fastening Large zipped neck opening (longer zip than on the Focea Comfort 4) fitted with an Elaskin gusset incorporating an anatomical cut on the hoodless one-piece for better comfort Large G-Lock plus back zip with metal slider and embossed Water Dam System cover for a better seal (Beuchat patent) Zipped wrists and ankles Neoprene reinforcements at the ends of all the zips to avoid any risk of tearing should the sliders be subject to undue force.

Finishing at extremities of zips Neoprene panels bonded edge-to-edge with outer and inner overlock.

Outer seal edges bordered for greater strength.

Inner seal edges notched for improved flexibility.

Universal computer holder Original Beuchat system designed to hold the dive computer in place on the suit, particularly during deep dives (system compatible with all dive computer models).

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Original Focea Comfort hologram positioned on the right forearm.

Discover more here: http://bit.ly/2mAMgPC

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CONTEST

Anilao Underwater Shootout The 5th Anilao Underwater Shootout has been a success that elevate Philippines as the new capital of underwater diving and photography.

The event has been organized by the Department of Tourism with the huge partnership of Philippines Airlines.

“I hope the Anilao Underwater Shootout will be another strong avenue to showcase the country’s dive market development to the rest of the world,” said Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo. “This event will also help generate employment in the coastal communities, while also promoting the conservation of marine ecosystem.”

A total of 173 underwater photographers from Asia, Europe, and North America joined the photography competition.

All of the entries were taken in the waters of Anilao, Batangas from November 28th to December 2nd.

The five categories in the competition were • Macro/Supermacro • Marine Behavior • Nudibranch • Fish Portrait • Cephalopod The contestants based their shots according to these themes.

These categories were each divided into two classes, the compact class and open class.

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The panel of judges was outstanding:

• National Geographic wildlife photojournalist duo David Doubilet (Lennart Nilsson Award winner) and Jennifer Hayes (aquatic biologist) • Palme D’or winner and photographer Scott “Gutsy” Tuason • Singapore-based veteran diver and underwater photographer William Tan • Tobias Friedrich, diver and award-winning photographer from Germany • Yoshi Hirata, Philippines-based Japanese marine biologist and talented underwater photographer

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After 3 days of shooting, photographers had to choose the best shot for each category from the thousands of shots taken during their dives and then the jury has begun its work. Two preselection for each category to arrive at the final round (10 finalist photos in each category) and to the final rankings.

Congratulations to Lilian Koh and PJ Aristorenas for their grand prize winning images and to all the participants that produced the amazing imagery that is among the placings.

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And here all the others winning pictures and categories rankings.

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