ISSUE
N°41
S E P 2018
Portfolio by Suzan Meldonian
All You Have To Do, Is Look
Travels by I. Kranjc & I. Orlovic B-24 Liberator The Last One
Travels by Sergio Riccardo
South Africa The “Rainbow Nation”
Contest
Abyss City of Venice 2018
Preview
Nimar NID850 Pro Housing
Biology by F. Russo & M. Di Francesco UW BioPhotoLab You’re Cool Dad
Dear friends, as you know we have always valued partnership as one of the pillars of our business... Looking at the aviation world we can learn a lot about this topic. There, major carriers joined together to form big groups which would ultimately lead to greater benefits for worldwide travelers. After these first five years of operation we are pretty much on the same path here at scubashooters.net , constantly working on teaming up and partnering with leaders in the Diving industry; Inon Japan, EZdive Magazine from Hong Kong, PADI and DAN are just some of our partners bringing not only contents and latest industry novelties to our audience but also offering enhanced visibility to our UW photographers members. Deepvisions UWP contest wouldn’t be possible without them so , thank you!
Marino Palla Owner and Founder Scubashooters Network
Cover image by: Suzan Meldonian
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CONTENTS August 2018 3
EDITORIAL by Marino Palla
8 TRAVELS B-24 Liberator - The last one by Ianez Kranjc & IvanaOrlovic Kranjc
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CONTEST - Abyss - City of Venice 2018
26 TRAVELS South Africa - The “Rainbow Nation” by Sergio Riccardo
50 PREVIEW Nimar NID850 - Pro Housing Nikon D850
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PORTFOLIO Suzan Meldonian “All you have to do is look” 4
96 MARINE BIOLOGY UW BioPhotoLab by M. Di Francesco and F. Russo
106 CONTEST 6th Isotta UWP Contest by Davide Lombroso
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DAN EUROPE - Epilepsy
CONTEST - Anilao Underwater Shootout
128 TECNIQUE The Flash OFF-Camera by Cristian Umili
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CONTEST - Guylian Seahorses of the World
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 T ranslations : P iera P irini
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B-24
TRAVELS Liberator The Last One Words and Pictures
Ianez Kranjc and Ivana Orlovic Kranjc
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The undersea world around the island of Vis is without doubt one of the areas in the Adriatic Sea that are the richest in the many shipwrecks here. Throughout history there were very rough seas in which numerous ships, even airplanes have disappeared entirely. Two airplanes performed forced landings in sea near the fisherman’s village of Rukavac.
One of them is known as B-17 Flying Fortress, and the other is a B-24 Liberator. The latter is unique in the entire world because it’s the last ones of its kind that was ever been made. It’s been named Tulsamerican and on its fuselage it carries signatures of all the workers who helped create it. The sea in this area is pretty deep and it’s quite a coincidence that the Liberator now rests at the depth of 40 meters. During the ditching on the water, the part of body with the vertical stabilizer broke off. 10
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We had the opportunity to dive in the central part of the airplane. The aircraft’s four engines can be seen clearly, the landing gear is still in the lowered position and parts of the cockpit, as well as many other smaller parts in a wider circle around the wreck. This airplane was discovered in 2009, but until summer 2014 it was prohibited to dive around it, because of the research led by the Croatian Office for Preservation of Cultural Monuments. According to the most recent information, there is a possibility that the location will be closed down for diving again this summer, because new research programmes are planned.
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CONTEST
Abyss - City Of Venice 2018 The International Underwater Photography Contest “Abyss – City of Venice 2018” will be hosted for the eighth time by the Natural History Museum of Venice. This year the organizing comittee of the cultural association Abissi Underwater Photo Venice, formed by Davide Barzazzi, Agnese Zane, Alessandro Tagliapietra, Davy Narciso Mantovan and Stefano Cerbai, created also the Italian Underwater Photographer of the Year “IUPY – The Challenge” contest dedicated to the best underwater photographers of the country. This double effort requires the work of two different panels of judges: David Salvatori, Davide Lopresti and Marcello di Francesco will provide to value the photos of the participants joining Abyss, while Amos Nachoum, Plamena Mileva, Rafael Fernandez Caballero and Mirko Zanni are in charge to judge the photos submitted to IUPY.
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During the previous edition more than 400 photographers from all over the world joined the contest submitting over 5.000 underwater pictures that became heritage of the Museum for scientific and educational purposes and this is actually the real target of the venetian contest: the creation of a synergy between marine scientists and underwater photographers. This eleventh edition is supported by Regione Veneto, DAN Europe, Ingemar, Scubashooters.net, Club Sub San Marco, Gruppo Argo, Scubaportal, CDC Cmas Diving Center Italia and by over fifty sponsors like producers of underwater gear and equipment (Mares, Flex Arm,Giosub, Isotta, Easydive), Murano Island glassmakers (Adriano e Stefano Dalla Valentina, Yalos, Ars, Componenti DonĂ , Effe, Morasco, Salvadore),
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tour operators and resorts (Celebes Divers, Agusta Resort Raja Ampat, H2O, Don Questo), some of the most prestigious diving centers of Italy (Bikini, Ischia, Isamar, Ventotene Diving World, Sardinia Blue Emotions, Bonita) and many other local ones like MarediCarta and the magazine Lagunamare. Abyss City of Venice will be opened to participants using Dslr/Mirrorless and Compact cameras. The photos of the winners will be exhibited at the Natural History Museum of Venice from the 6th of october to the 4th of november 2018, while the award ceremony will be held the 27th of october.
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The deadline will be the 16th of September. Download info and rules to join the contest from www.underwaterphoto-venice.it
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TRAVELS South Africa The “Rainbow” Nation Words and Pictures
Sergio Riccardo
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South Africa, the “rainbow” nation, is a magical place, by the intense colors, boundless territories (as big as Italy, France, Belgium and Germany combined) and changing. The rivers, lakes, waterfalls, the burning deserts, the mountains sometimes covered with snow, the savannahs, the subtropical forests and the oceanic coasts make it a beautiful land, which deserves to be visited at least once in a life. South Africa is also the very image of the miracle of nature’s explosion, with its many facets and, in the collective imagination, brings to mind great adventures and ancestral legends. However, it is not easy
to reach: it’s a long journey and only few Italian airlines and airports offer direct connections to the city of Cape Town. Therefore, anyone wishing to visit Cape Town must include at least one stop at an intermediate airport. We have chosen the following solution: Rome - Istanbul flight, airport stop for a few hours and then a second flight from Istanbul to Cape Town. The total trip time was about 15 hours: 3 hours for the first leg, 2 hours of stopover and 10 hours for the flight Istanbul - Cape Town. It was a long and boring journey spent dozing, eating and watching 28
movies. The approach to the Cape Town airport is very spectacular and through the airplane window, when the weather conditions are good, you have the chance to admire it from above. Cape Town is delightfully set between the flat and polished top of Table Mountain, which overtops it with its 1,085 meters high, and the Atlantic Ocean waters. 29
We land exhausted from the long journey and attend to the usual bureaucratic formalities of passport and customs control. At the arrivals gate, Warren Hardenberg, a jovial seventy-year-old man with kind manners and a contagious smile, is waiting for us and greets us with a warm welcome. With him, we head towards the exit. Warren is the owner, along with his son Morne, of the diving center “Shark Explorers” and the task of managing the logistics for the entire duration of our stay in South Africa will be entrusted to them and the professionalism of their team. At the exit of the terminal, a clear sky and a light autumn breeze awaken us from the long journey. After a short walk, we reach the parking area where our van is waiting for us. We quickly load our equipment and baggage, and are ready to move toward Simon’s Town. Driving south on the M5, we leave Cape Town and, along the way, we cross a series of neighborhoods characterized by luxurious residences. About thirty minutes, and we get onto the M4, a marvelous coastal road that runs south along the west coast of the Cape Peninsula. With our noses pressed against the window, we admire the intensity of the colors characterizing the landscape: the reds and yellows of the lands, the intense greens of the vegetation are the dominant colors of this landscape. We follow the signs to the Cape of Good Hope. 30
Along the way, beautiful villas blend harmoniously with the coastal vegetation, offering a unique view over the False Bay waters. Warren’s relaxed driving and a gentle background music lull us along the way. We cross successively the towns of Muizemberg, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoak, until we reach our destination: Simon’s Town. Simon’s Town is a small town and a South African naval base located on the east coast of the Cape Peninsula, in the Western Cape Province, overlooking False Bay. This will be our home for the next 10 days. Once at the hotel, we take quickly possession of our rooms, simple but functional, and then we go visiting the guys at Shark Explorers for a first briefing on weather conditions. Morne confirms that the weather will be good for the next 5 days: good news! The program for the next day will be as follows: meeting at the diving center at 9:30 am to set up the equipment; departure at 10:30 am from the pier in front of the hotel; diving with blue sharks and Mako sharks, 30 miles south of Cape Point; finally, return to the harbor in the early afternoon. Set the agenda for the following day, we say goodbye to the diving guys for going back to the hotel. 31
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There, a brief stop to retrieve the photographic equipment, and then a walk to the beach of Boulder, famous for its colony of Cape penguins (Spheniscus demersus), to admire the sunset. In about ten minutes, we arrive at the beach and, from the top of the road, we see a small group of penguins wandering awkwardly on
the shoreline. We shoot, shoot and shoot again! The marvelous sunset lights spread in the landscape a poignant combination of shades ranging from yellow to blue. The day ends with a relaxing fish dinner in one of the many restaurants at Simon’s Town harbor. Then, all in bed. The second day opens as scheduled. We go to the diving center, set up our gear and finally we wear our wetsuits. Once at the dock, we find the boat moored with our diving equipment already on board: we just have to load the cameras and sail away. The Shark Explorers team is swift and efficient, a watch by the cogwheels oiled to perfection. We break the moorings in a southerly direction, along the beautiful Cape Peninsula up to its extreme end: Cape Point. A light and playful atmosphere accompanies us during navigation and, given the perfect sea conditions, we have the opportunity to admire the coast. Arriving at Cape Point, we stop the engines for a brief stopover, just enough to take some souvenir pictures of the cliff and the lighthouse. 34
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We continue heading further south, searching for the Angulas current together with a point where the water temperature is about 18° C. There, there is a greater chance of meeting the Mako and the blue sharks. After a few hundred meters the first surprise: the ocean magically comes to life giving us a show nothing short of sensational. As if by wizardry, hundreds and hundreds of dolphins materialize all around us, seeming to greeting us with jumps, somersaults and pirouettes. A magic. We stock up on photos and video ... we are totally captivated by their beauty. We follow their movemets for about ten minutes, and then we 36
must give up: we are headed in a completely different direction. Along the route we cross several fishing vessels and go beyond. Morne confirms that the water is changing color: we are near the dive site and after a few more hundred meters the water becomes an intense cobalt blue. Here we are, we can stop the engines and start attracting sharks with the chum. Just a few minutes, and from the surface we see a bluish shape that sinuously rises from the abyss: it is the first shark. To that one, another joins, then another, up to become a swirling group of about fifteen sharks. We lowered the chum basket into the water. Our adrenaline is rising and we cannot wait to get down into the water.As per routine, our diving guide gives us the latest recommendations on safety and emergency procedures. A quick, dry briefing ending with the phrase “Safety first! Small problem ... Big problem! “. Perfect! The boat activities become more hectic, we make the final check and wear our equipment: we are ready! 37
We will enter into the water all together at Morne’s signal. Below us, the blue sharks are gathering around the bait container, placed six meters deep. We deflate our BCDs and descend a few meters, keeping the established depth where we placed the chum container. This is the depth we need to maintain for the entire duration of the dive. The blue sharks are all around us and do not hesitate to approach, driven by curiosity. We play with them for about fifty minutes, but unfortunately, no Mako shark. When the time available to us is almost over, a pair of Cape fur seals, attracted by the smell of the bait, comes to visit us. A new gift, the second of the day: everything here happens very quickly. We go back with a new photos and videos booty and with the morale to the stars. It was a unique and extraordinary experience. We return to the harbor shortly after lunchtime, and the rest of the day slips away smoothly. The program for the next day and for the next 4 days includes a visit to Seal Island, where if we are lucky, we could attend one of the most spectacular predatory behaviors of the animal world: the great white sharks’ breaching. In principle, the boat trips for the observation of the white shark are divided into three phases that are the “natural predation”, the “tow” and the “cage”. In the first phase, we observe the natural predation with the hunting of white 38
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sharks to sea lions. In the second, a fake seal (decoy) is lowered into the water and towed, in order to stimulate the shark to attack it. Finally, in the third part, the boat is anchored and a steel cage (able to contain up to a maximum of five people) is lowered into the water and the chumming begins. Typically, the tour lasts about five hours. The 5:30 wakeup call announces the beginning of a new day, the third. We leave at 7:00, when it is still dark. About thirty minutes of navigation are enough to reach Seal Island. Slowly, the colors of the night give way to those of a spectacular sunrise. In the distance, a growing cacophonic noise signals irrefutably that we are approaching the island: there’s little missing. The air becomes heavy and we are hit by an acrid and pungent smell caused by the droppings of several thousands of Cape fur seals, chaotically crammed onto the island. At the first lights of day, individually or in small groups, the seals leave Seal Island to get food. The white sharks’ ambushes concentrate in the area in front of the island, when the sea lions, at the end of the hunt, return to Seal Island. That said, we start looking constantly for sea lions returning to the island. Once identified, we begin to track their movements in the hope that something happens. It is a game of patience and requires continuous movements from one side of the boat to the other. We wait, following the seals’ movement with the eye stuck against the camera viewfinder. We wait. We wait and hope. Then, suddenly, a scream rises: “Three o’clock! Full breach! “. Our excitement is skyrocketing: far from us, a wonderful white shark of about four and a half meters breached, coming completely out of the water for a fraction of a second and showing itself in its whole figure. The following moments are chaotic and the action ends in a jiffy. It is a game of tight maneuvers by both sides: the predator attacks, the prey defends itself with elusive movements, then, the end. The water turns red. The powerful bite of the shark went to target relegating the poor fur seal to its sad destiny. Seagulls joined the feast calling for their part, summoned by the movement in the water. A few moments more and everything returns to normal. The waiting starts again, hoping once again to witness an attack. Unfortunately, nothing new happens over the next hour. Therefore, the captain of the boat chooses to move on to towing. 40
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We lowered into the water a reproduction of a seal, a dummy, and towed it about twenty meters from the boat in order to stimulate the shark to attack. Then, the boat began to sail in broad and circular trajectories within the most likely area. Our cameras are ready to shoot and our lenses focuses on the dummy: we hope that the magic accomplishes and that the shark jumps out of the water to attack. However, the wait is nothing short of unnerving and the pain in the arms, with the passing of time, becomes more and more unbearable. From time to time, we allow ourselves some short rest: keeping the lenses fixed on the seal is a task anything but simple, having also to fight with the boat instability. Suddenly, with a lightning movement, the shark bites the seal, breaching completely out of the water. 42
Shouts of joy accompany the thunderous noise of dozens of cameras shooting simultaneously. Everything happens in a few moments and we are shocked by the feat of strength and the acrobatic gesture. Looking at each other, we have the expression of who is wondering if what we saw really happened. We double-check the photos. The most talented between us managed to capture the entire sequence, and each frame gives us details impossible to see in real time. The morale is sky high. Again, the great white shark will grant no encore. At nine o’clock, Morne decides it’s time to drop the anchor: the “shark cage” session begins. With a few skilled maneuvers, the crew drops the cage into the water, placing it along the starboard side. With it we throw into the sea: a foam shape simulating the profile of a seal (called decoy), and two tuna heads, the baits. Three different crewmembers operate the decoy and the bait through ropes. A fourth member is in charge of the chum, constantly pouring fish pieces into the water. We’re waiting, again. The imperative is “Wait!” On board everyone tackles it their own way: some eat, some smoke a cigarette and others doze. The cameras are close at hand and we are always ready to shoot. Some are wearing diving suits, ready to throw themselves into the cage at the first sign of the crew. Hours go by and nothing happens. No trace of the whites. After endless hours of waiting, we see a fantastic specimen of over four meters coming by. The shark moves forward swimming a few meters deep. 43
The swiftest, among those wearing the suit, quickly enter the cage; the others are flocked on the balustrade, shooting pictures wildly. The shark accelerates and pounces on one of the two baits. The crew guy reacts with an extraordinary reflex by withdrawing the bait toward himself, which brings the white closer to the cage. Meanwhile, in the cage, some of us await instructions from the crew. Shouting “Down cage! Down, Down, DOWN!” the boys dive, holding their breath for as long as possible. Only the cage’s steel bars separate them from the huge shark. The shark plays with our baits for another few minutes, then disappears dissolving in the waters of the bay. The tour does not give more surprises, at least for the rest of the day and therefore, at lunchtime, we leave the island to return to the harbor. We disembark only for a few hours: we must make the most of the sea conditions that are excellent, and so will remain for the next four days. We eat something and meet the Shark Explorers team at two p.m. to sail again, this time toward Miller’s Point. We will dive in the kelp forest and in a cove not far from Miller’s Point, populated by a small colony of sea lions. Kelp is a type of brown seaweed that grows in shallow marine waters and near coastal areas. The luxuriant growth of these algae creates a nutrient-rich environment, a lush habitat with excellent biodiversity. Here we find animals such as seven-gill sharks, pajama sharks, Cape fur seals, different types of nudibranchs and many other varieties of fish. Diving into this spectacular forest gives us a profusion of emotions: it is nice to get lost among the gigantic algae leaving us lulled by the surf. Fifty minutes and we go back on board to move to the second dive site. It is close at sunset and the available light time is now little. We go back in the water. To welcome us at the bottom, we find a fantastic carpet of benthic animals in the shades of blue, purple, pink and orange swinging to the rhythm of the waves. Not far from us the seals seem to dance: we are totally enraptured by the skill with which these creatures move in the water. Reluctantly, we leave the seals to go back into the boat: sunset is approaching. It was a day full of activity and of high emotional impact. Over the next four days, we go back again to visit the great white sharks of Seal Island. Every time the boat schedule is the same. 44
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We witness several sharks’ attacks on seals, sometimes successful, sometimes not We get the best results from the Shark Cage phase: some “white” come very close to the cage, and so we can take great pictures. Moreover, this allows all of us to observe them in the water for long periods and from just a few meters away. Four spectacular days. In the afternoon of the seventh day, we get on the bus heading towards the southern end of the Cape Peninsula. The region around the Cape is a nature reserve called the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve consists of about 7700 hectares along 40 km of coastline. Established in 1938, is home to many species of animals, particularly ostriches, antelopes, wildebeests, warthogs and baboons. At the gateway, we pay the entrance ticket of about 135 rand (8 euros) then continue to the reserve’s main parking lot. +Leaving the bus, we walk along a steep path that leads to the main lighthouse (there are two, the oldest located at the highest point of Cape Point). From there, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the ocean, the bay and the Cape Peninsula. We take advantage of the panoramic view to recover our breath, exhausted after the uphill walk. 46
Finally, we go back toward the parking lot until we come across a second path, leading us to the reserve’s main beach. We end our excursion by stopping at the beach: the time to take some pictures, and then back to the hotel. On the eighth day, given the impossibility of going out by boat (waves nine meters high and winds blowing at 46 knots), we go visiting Cape Town. The visit is very short and the continuous thunderstorms make everything more complicated. We try to reach the Table Mountain, but the strong wind and a cloudy sky covering the mountaintop make the ascent useless. We have to give up. The coming storm allows us only a brief stop at the Arab quarter. A few pictures of the pastel-colored houses and we have to fall back towards the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the historic heart of Cape Town harbor, located between Robben Island and Table Mountain. There we give ourselves a few hours of distraction between the storefronts of the shopping center, have lunch and finally return to the hotel in Simon’s Town. The strong winds and rains do not allow us extending our visit. On the last day in Simon’s Town, the sea conditions are still terrible and we have to remain on dry land. Therefore, we take advantage of the rough seas to visit three excellent places where the locals practice surfing. 47
The first is in the Cape nature reserve, then in the Kalk Bay beach and lastly in the Muizemberg beach. The magnificent waves of over 3 meters, allow us to admire the local boys performing acrobatic maneuvers aboard their surfboards. For the latest travel days, we move to the north reaching the Aquila Private Game Reserve: a beautiful nature reserve, which is worth visiting even if you cannot certainly talk of a real safari. It is still a nice experience to do, not far from Cape Town. We take advantage of the daily excursions, one at dawn and the other at sunset, to observe the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and the other savannah animals. Again, we hoard up on photos and videos. We go back home, satisfied, with a baggage full of beautiful memories and conscious of having visited only a small part of a huge country. Our hope is to return, as soon as possible, to this amazing nation called South Africa. https://bit.ly/2LPmm2Y
Puerto Galera - Oriental Mindoro - Philippines
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PREVIEW
Nimar NID850
PRO Housing Nikon D850
Reference: NID850 • Depth Rating: 328’ (100m) • Construction Material: Acetal Resin and Aluminum Alloy • Mechanical Controls w/Complete Access to All Key Camera Controls • Interchangeable Lens Port System w/removable mount ring (NIM120 mount) compatible also with N120 Nauticam mount • Luminescent Buttons • Lens Release Button: Easy changeout of lenses without removing camera from housing • Limited 2-Year Warranty 50
SPECS • Product Hand Made in Italy • Depth Rating: 328’(100m) • Construction Material: Acetal Resin and Aluminum Alloy • Mechanical Controls • Complete Access to All Key Camera Controls • Luminescent Buttons • Lens release button: Easy changeout of lenses without removing camera from housing • Interchangeable Lens Port System w/removable Mount ring compatible with N120 Nauticam Mount (upon request: Aquatica, Ikelite, Sea&Sea, Seacam, Subal, NiMAR ring mount) • Port Lock System prevents an attached port from loosening while in use • Snap Locking Latches • The camera mounting plate does not need to be removed from the camera for surface use or when changing the battery or memory cards • 1xSync Cable Bulkhead • M14 Port for TTL Trigger or 2nd Sync Cable Bulkhead • M14 Vacuum Port • M16 HDMI Bulkhead Port • Viewfinder: Enhanced 180° and 45° viewfinders Optional • Moisture Alarm • Tripod Mounting Points • Actual Buoyancy varies depending on choice of lens and port • Ergonomic Design with Alum. Handles Brackets and 1”(25mm) ball mounts for connecting optional lighting arms • Adjustable Side Handles • Limited 2-Year Warranty 51
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DIMENSIONS Overall dimensions: 372 mm(14.6”) x 205 mm(8.0”) x 127mm(5”) (WxHxD) Weight: 3.15kg (6.9lb) IN THE BOX WITH THE HOUSING • Alum. handles bracket with inox screws • Spare main seal • Bayonet protective cap • Soft Bag Backpack • Silicon grease • Silica gel bag • Test certificate and warranty • Usb card (Tutorial Videos) 53
The front bayonet mount grants the installation of portholes and domes so as to use the most suitable lenses for underwater photography/video shooting. See the Lens Port Chart (https://bit.ly/2P8WQry ) for more details on choosing the correct extension and port.
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www.revistaaQua.com • aQua #18
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aQua magazine
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PORTFOLIO
Suzan Meldonian 58
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Suzan Meldonian has been enchanted with ocean creatures since her first introduction in the book, The Sea Around us by Rachel Carlson. A deep desire kindled for years, yearning to become an explorer and discover new creatures someday. While studying Marine Biology on the Sea of Cortez, she was immersed into a world of finback whales and explosive pods of dolphins numbering in the thousands, although studying stinging nematocysts. Awestruck, she soon bought her first underwater camera. People have to see this! She began publishing articles in 1979. She has published two books, “Under the Bridge,” and the “BHB Companion,” photo ID books of the strange and unusual marine life found at the Blue Heron Bridge, in Florida. “All you have to do, is look,” she says. However, still obsessed with the bizarre and unusual, three years ago, she submerged into the mys-
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terious world of Black Water Diving, fulfilling that explorer’s need to discover new creatures. It is very addictive. Black Water Diving has now sprung into action around the globe which is very exciting. It used to be an arena reserved for scientists with special equipment and costly funded expeditions. Suzan is very fortunate to live close to the Gulf Stream Current, and more importantly has access to two dive operators who are willing to conduct dives! She dives regularly with Pura Vida Divers and /or Walker’s Charters out of Riviera Beach, FL. It is uncharted territory! To capture alien creatures in the vertical migration, in siteu, is incredible. It is yet, another layer of underwater photography. It’s especially exciting when a photo is sent back with I.D’s from top scientists from around the world; from MBARI, Harvard, Cornell, Smithsonian, and the NOAA. She has no doubt that this type of photography will bring these two worlds closer in understanding The Sea Around Us. Susan is a member of the Ocean Artist’s Society, and recently received the Photojournalist of the Year by Ocean Geographic, awarding some of her fascinating finds in the Black Water. 61
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Suzan continues to be published worldwide, has contributed work to tourism organizations as well as been a public speaker and conducts photo workshops around the world. She is currently the President of the South Florida Underwater Photographer’s Society. (http://www.SFUPS.org ). She offers stock and artistic images at NiteFlight Photo Graphics:
http://www.niteflightphoto.com and soon will be launching her new project,
http://www.DiscovertheOceans.com
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UNDERWATER HOUSING
FOR DIGITAL REFLEX CAMERAS AND MIRRORLESS CAMERA
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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.
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MARINE BIOLOGY UW BioPhotoLab
You’re Cool Dad!
Words and Pitures
Marcello Di Francesco Fabio Russo
PREFACE Today we present the shot “You’re cool dad!” depicting a male specimen of Apogon imberbis, during the seasonal hatching of the eggs. The picture was taken in July, in plain summer, when these colorful fishes culminate their breeding season with the male specimens that brood & protect the eggs directly inside their mouth.
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Location: Byron Cave, Portovenere, Ligurian Sea Shooting data: F20 1/200 iso 200, Canon 5dmk3 + Canon 100mm, Nauticam Housing + two Inon Z240 THE BIOLOGIST’S POINT OF VIEW Nature always reserves many surprises and wonders: parental cares are certainly one of these. In ethology, parental cares are represented by the whole series of behaviors that parents put in place to protect their offspring. Parental cares are scarce among fishes and, when present, they are generally performed by males and usually directed only to protecting the eggs. Among the many males that protect the eggs, those of the Apogonidae family (cardinal fish) have developed a very peculiar behavior: they brood the eggs in their mouth protecting them from predators until hatching, thus optimizing the success rate. Today’s picture shows a male specimen of Apogon imberbis (Mediterranean species) holding in its mouth its future offspring at a good state of development. The very narrow shot with focus on the eggs allows you to see well the developing little ones inside the transparent eggs, the small eyes and the yolk-sacks that will feed the embryos until hatching. In general, we see few pictures of this quality about this species, because it is a very mobile species and quite shy. Moreover, the reduced possibilities of the macro shooting prevent in most cases to having such details. For Apogon imberbis, reproduction occurs during the summer, between the months of June and October. The female lays the mass of eggs that the male fertilizes in the water column, after which it brood them inside the oral cavity where they will be kept until complete hatching, 7-8 days after fertilization. During the whole period of embryonic 97
development, the male never abandons the eggs, about twenty thousand in total, so it does not feed through the whole time of incubation. Hatching usually occurs at night, when most of the predators are resting, optimizing even more the possibilities for the newborns. From the time of hatching, the little ones will have to provide for themselves in all respects, and will therefore be completely independent. THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S POINT OF VIEW This kind of shots do not present great difficulties from the technical point of view. The success or failure of a behavioral photography of this type is especially due by being able to be in the right place at the right time. The thing may seem trivial, but certainly relying solely on luck cannot help that much: need programming, need to know the habits of these fish, need to know where they live and know their reproductive period. Therefore, first of all, studying the biological aspects of every subject that we want to portray is the first advice I can give you! In this respect, a good biologist may definitely help you find all the relevant information. 98
As per the set-up, we surely will need a long lens, 100mm/105mm, in order to have a distance from the subject sufficient to keeping it relaxed and behaving naturally. Shorter lenses would force us to get closer to the comfort threshold of our subject, hindering us from shooting behavioral scenes. Once you find the location and the subjects, you will need more than one ambush to make sure you arrive at the right time. Here, tenacity 99
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and perseverance play a fundamental role. And once in the water? When we finally find ourselves face to face with our Apogon focused on hatching his offspring, how do we approach it? The key words are steady hand and KEEP CALM! Typically, Apogons stay in dark cavities and for the 99% of the time, once you get close, they will turn immediately on the opposite side to yours, thus showing off their caudal fin. The first thing to do is finding the right setting with your camera by doing some test shots, even if the subject is turned or not posing. The important thing is to find the right shooting distance, set a fast shutter time (1/250 or more, if your camera allows it), a diaphragm quite closed, around f14 or even up to f20 for full frame sensors. Then find the right flash power and get ready for a long wait. Other factors to consider are the balance and buoyancy of your pho-
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tographic gear: in such situations where you have to remain several minutes in position waiting to shoot, having the set perfectly neutral and not weighing on your wrists is definitely something not to be underestimated. Otherwise, in the end, after several minutes of still waiting, you will hardly be able to shooting promptly. I use FlexArm carbon arms and Stix arms, and found the right setup to make everything perfectly neutral with macro set. My second advice then is to waste some time and some diving doing tests and trying to make your camera perfectly neutral. Your wrists will thank you, but the most important thing is that you’ll definitely be more ready during shooting. Here we are at last to the moment when you’ll have to press the button and shoot: fishes are very sensitive to vibrations, so you have to stay perfectly still and try not to hit the bottom, first not to frighten them further and second to avoid rising unnecessary suspension. Breath control is fundamental: try not to emit too many bubbles and make maybe some apnea at the culminating moment of the action. You can make the difference once you become familiar with the fish: try to make them accepting you, to transmitting them that you are not a menace. It takes time. Needless to try shooting quickly. Initially, keep a distance and take some shots, then slowly try to get closer a little more, just a few centimeters at a time. Never jerky or sudden movements: try to build trust and let the fish understand that you are not an immediate threat. Typically, after a few moments when the Apogon remains turned by giving you the back, as if by magic it will suddenly turn and be right in front of the lens to see what you are doing. Just a few seconds and it will return to its position. Thus, stay still, focused only on the subject’s movements, following it through the lens and thinking purely and only about framing and shooting. Remember: patience and perseverance are the key to this kind of shots.
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CONTEST
6th Isotta UWP Contest
Words and Pictures
Davide Lombroso
WORDS BY IANEZ KRANJC PICTURES BY IVANA ORLOVIC KRANJC
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From the 21st to the 24th June 2018, Santa Maria di Leuca hosted the sixth edition of the 6th Isotta Underwater Photo Contest conceived and sponsored by Isotecnic, the Italian company that since 1980 has been crafting underwater camera housings 100%
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Made in Italy. The program that foresees the arrival of the competitors, began on the evening of Thursday June 21st with the briefing held by the competition director Filippo Massari,
where were illustrated the rules about the images to be captured, 1 wide - 1 fish - 1 macro. As usual, there were very rich gadgets: a yellow t-shirt, a red sealed bag, a hat, and other fun ones offered by DNA Divertiamoci negli Abissi such as yellow fluo sun glasses and a bandana. The dives were managed with professionalism, seriousness and punctuality by the GNU Diving of Leuca, and started on Friday June 22nd with the “wide” theme: it was chosen the wreck of the Tevfik Kaptan I °, a beautiful merchant with a maximum depth of 22 metres where the competitors could find numerous views photo. Calm sea and splendid sun ensured the perfect performance of the competition. Once back, it was time to select the images to be presented, which have been judged by the 109
jury composed by:Giuseppe Pignataro, Franco Banfi and Enrico Amati on the same Friday evening. Saturday, June 23rd we went diving into the bay dominated by the lighthouse of Leuca for “fish” and “macro” themes; being supported by a beautiful day of sun and calm sea, the competitors were divided on the competition field looking for the best shots. Like the previous day, once back and refreshed, the competitors chose the images to be presented to the demanding jury. After the photographic efforts, we met all together at the Terminal Hotel, home of the 6th Isotta Trophy, for an excellent dinner based on local products, much appreciated by all the participants. As scheduled, at 22.00 on Saturday June 23rd, the award ceremony began, and after the tra110
ditional space given to local authorities and thanks, all the images of the participants were projected. Despite the clarity of the water was not at its best, the level of the images was high, with great satisfaction of everyone even if there were no comments of the images from the jury, a fact which I consider instead very useful for personal photographic growth of everyone.
The final ranking for DSLR rewarded PH Fabrizio Frixa of GRO Sub Catania that preceded runner-ups Davide Lombroso and Mimmo Tritto, while in the compact category triumphed the newcomer Michele Sbrilli that preceded the outgoing champion Raffaella Spagnolello and Rita Rinaldi. The thanks go mainly to the Isotta family for their hard work in wanting the Competition very strongly despite the low number of participants, a fact that surprised everyone. I believe that the Isotta Competition, even if not yet present in the official Fipsas calendar, deserves the greatest attention and participation from underwater photographers, and not only Italian ones, for the enormous organizational and economic commitment, with prizes that are difficult to find in other competitions. 111
This y e a r the challenge of involving new underwater photographers as a beginner category has been underestimated, and Michele Sbrilli, winner of the compact category, should be considered an example for many, showing that with commitment, will and enthusiasm no result is impossible. The photographic growth goes imperatively through a healthy confrontation on the competition field in a climate of healthy and serene competition.
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DAN EUROPE Epilepsy Divers who have epilepsy should consider all the factors of their condition before going underwater, as a seizure while diving can have serious implications for the diver. The terms “epilepsy” and “seizures” (or convulsions) are generally used interchangeably. Seizures are paroxysmal (unpredictable and uncontrollable) manifestations of the electrical properties of the cerebral cortex. To put it differently, it is the uncontrolled, involuntary electrical discharge of neuronal activity of a part or whole of the brain. To bring this into perspective, epilepsy is a medical condition with recurrent, unprovoked seizures. The classification and manifestations will depend on the area of the brain that is involved.
WHAT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO EPILEPSY?
One may find it quite surprising that seizures are a very common, non-specific manifestation of neurological injury and disease. As we understand it, the main function of the brain is to transmit electrical impulses. It is said in recent literature that one’s lifetime likelihood of experiencing at least one epileptic seizure is around 9% and that the likelihood to receive the diagnoses of epilepsy in one’s lifetime is about 3%. 118
The prevalence of active epilepsy, though, is only about 0.8%. Epileptic seizures may have many causes, including a genetic predisposition, head trauma, a stroke, brain tumours and withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs. It would appear that certain conditions may lower the threshold for epileptic seizures and in-water exposure certainly counts as the single most important one when we bring diving into the equation. Sensory deprivation, hyperventilation, nitrogen narcosis, acidosis (from carbon dioxide retention), anxiety and hypoxia (for whatever reason) may all contribute to lowering the threshold of convulsions under normal circumstances. These can all occur more easily at depth. Other factors include fatigue, psychological stress, substance abuse, flickering lights, illness and certain nutrient deficiencies. 119
Combining even a single one of the aforementioned factors and in-water exposure puts an epileptic person at greater risk when diving; firstly, it increases the risk of having a seizure underwater and secondly, it increases the near-inevitability of a fatal outcome, i.e. drowning.
HOW DOES EPILEPSY WORK?
Let’s take a closer look at the anatomy (structure) and physiology (functioning) of epilepsy. It can broadly be classified as focal seizures, where the electrical discharge of neurons (brain cells) involves only a specific part or area of the brain, or as generalised seizures, where the whole brain is involved. The structural area of the brain that is involved, in part or as a whole, is called the cerebral cortex and anatomically constitutes the surface area of the cerebrum (the “large” brain). The focal interictal epileptiform spike or sharp wave is the clinical neurophysiological hallmark of focal-onset seizures and the cellular neurophysiological correlate to this is called the paroxysmal depolarization shift (PDS). In short, this process involves depolarisation (a change of the resting potential or “current”) of the neurons through calcium-dependent potassium channels followed by a prominent after hyperpolarisation. If the number of discharging neurons are more than a several million, scalpelectrographic electrodes are able to record the electrical activity with an electroencephalogram (EEG). The mechanisms that may co-exist in different combinations to cause focal-onset seizures are decreased inhibition or increased excitation of the neurons. These will be summarised, because an in-depth discussion falls outside the scope of this article. Mechanisms leading to decreased inhibition of neurons are defective gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A and B (which is a neurotransmitter) inhibition, defective activation of GABA neurons and the defective intracellular buffering of calcium. Mechanisms leading to increased excitation of neurons are increased activation of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors, increased synchrony between neurons due to ephaptic (passage of an electrical impulse from one neuron to the next) interactions and increased synchrony and/or activation due to recurrent excitatory collaterals. Focal-onset seizures may advance to generalised seizures. The influence of the diving environment on epilepsy has already been discussed. When considering these variables individually, each and every one already constitutes a contraindication to diving. 120
One should appreciate the gravity of the situation when these are combined.
WHAT CAN THE DIVER DO ABOUT EPILEPSY?
While it is true that the risk cannot be quantified, most medical professionals will remain reluctant to declare recreational divers with undiagnosed seizures or the diagnoses of epilepsy fit to dive in view of the possibility of a fatal outcome should the risk occur. It is the opinion of this author that an individual with epilepsy should channel his/her adventurous energy into land-based activities that can offer just as much exhilaration and fulfilment. Seizures that were caused by vagus stimulation (fainting due to a nerve outflow pathway), positional hypotension (low blood pressure), low blood sugar, recreational drugs and fever convulsions before the age of five (without any subsequent seizures), may be the exceptions. The data available to us tell us the following: 30% of individuals suffering from epilepsy will have seizures or convulsions despite their medication, about 50% of children suffering from juvenile epilepsy will have no recurrence in adulthood with no increased risk when compared to the general population (some authorities maintain there is an increased risk of less than 1%), chances of experiencing another seizure decreases exponentially with time and reaches an almost normal risk after five years (which does not take the added stresses of diving into
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consideration), and 30% of children and 65% of adults will experience epileptic seizures or convulsions in the first two years that they discontinue their anti-epileptic medication. Some diving authorities now allow individuals with epilepsy to dive after five years with no seizures after discontinuing their medication. Other medical professionals are of the opinion that two years without seizures after discontinuing medication may be an acceptable risk for these individuals to dive, with the provisos of a depth restriction to 15 metres of seawater (MSW), clear warm water and no nitrox breathing mixtures. Although the incidence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is low (about 2.3 times higher than in the general population), most of these deaths are due to impaired consciousness. A diver with epilepsy should ultimately decide. Should they wish to continue with diving after considering all the information provided, they should accept the increased risk, as should their dive buddies.
WANT A SECOND OPINION?
Safety when diving should always remain your first and foremost priority. This also applies when considering a condition like epilepsy and its medication. Remember, you are also responsible for the safety of the divers diving with you. The DAN Europe hotline is always available with specialised help.
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CONTEST
Anilao Underwater Shootout
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The stage is set for the 6th edition of the Anilao Underwater Shootout happening on November 27 - December 1, 2018. Registration is now open! Stay tuned for exciting updates http://anilaoshootout.ph/ https://www.facebook.com/anilaounderwatershootout/ https://www.facebook.com/DOTdivephilippines/ https://www.instagram.com/anilaoshootout/
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TECNIQUE The Flash Off-Camera
Words and pictures:
Cristian Umili
In underwater photography, for simplicity, we usually connect two flashes to the housing through adjustable arms. This makes everything compact and quickly manageable, and allows the photographer to vary the lighting. Wishing to obtain special effects, or illuminate large inner halls of wrecks or caves, we can use one or more flashes detached from the camera and place them in strategic points, or deliver them into the hands of other divers who will assist us to obtaining a better lighting. Underwater, in order to control a flash away from the camera, we have two possibilities: the first, for practical and logistical reasons, is practically unfeasible, that is using a long cable, either traditional or optic fiber. Moreover, by unrolling a long cable, we would raise the suspension, and the cable itself could enter into the framing. The second method is to use a photocell or slave. There are flashes with a built-in photocell and others without, but there are also, for sale, photocells that you can connect to the flash cables with a Nikonos5 type plug. The photocell is nothing more than a sensor that, when sensing the light emitted by another flash, triggers the one to which it is connected or incorporated. The flash triggered through the photocell is also called slave because it shoots only when another one does. The problem may arise when there are more photographers shooting close to us, and then our slave flash could even shoot in vain. In many flashes, the built-in photocell is located frontally in the flash parabola. Therefore, you should orientate the flash at least partially towards the camera to make it operate. Instead, using a photocell applied at the end of the Nikonos5 5-pole cable, you may turn the slave flash parabola either on the opposite side or even at the shoulder of a diver. 128
5-pole cable Nikonos5 type
Triggerfish photocell to connect to the Nikonos 5 type plug
Flash with built-in photocell. To make it work as a slave, just select “Slave” and set the power.
A flash with traditional cable and photocell at the end of it.
The flash used as slave operates only in manual mode. We will therefore be able to decide the power through the specific selector. There are flashes with only two power choices (full and ½) and others, instead, allowing choices up to 1/64 of power. The more steps we have, the more we could control the power of the emitted light. HOW TO EXPOSE THE FLASH Flash exposure is controlled through diaphragm apertures. In case of manual flash use, we can employ the flash’s guide number to know which aperture to use with the subject at a certain distance. The guide number is given by the flash’s technical data sheet. If you retrieve the guide number for air, you should divide it by three to know the guide number underwater (which is what we are interested in). The calculation, referring to a single flash, is as follows: 129
Aperture (f) = Guide Number / Real Distance in Meters Some flashes already come with their conversion tables or, for ease of life, we can create one for each of our flashes.
Table of an old flash to know which aperture to use according to the subject’s distance.
The slave flash usually enlighten a portion not illuminated by the flash connected to the camera. This leads to having to do the calculations seen above, since the amount of light emitted does not add up to others flash’s light.
The more flashes off-cam era we use, the more the light cones overlap and the more we need to make complex calculations. I therefore suggest you not to overdo it: first, you start with one, then increase, even because underwater is not that easy to handling many flashes. This takes time and can only be acceptable if you think of taking at most a couple of shots per dive. If you also want to visit a bit of the seabed, a flash in slave to place and manage will already give you enough headaches. PRACTICALLY We may use a flash off-camera both in macro photography and in landscape photography. In macrophotography, the flash off-camera can be useful when we photograph subjects almost stationary and assemble a snoot on it. In fact, once we found a right position and centered the beam of light, everything remains focused even if we move around. We can do that only if we use a photocell mounted on the flash plug. Otherwise, our snoot will shade the built-in photocell and the flash would not shoot. In landscape photography (wide angle), it rather is useful as a distant spot to give the size, or to illuminate the vault of a cave or the interior of a wreck. Some flashes can be light in the water and therefore will hardly keep their position: that’s why we need to 130
check out their buoyancy. Usually, assembling the flash to a small tripod makes it all negative and stable. We often use gorillapods or similar that, because of their articulated shape, also allow us to decide the height from the bottom, or to tie them around the rocks, and even hang the flash upside down or stuck it on a tank. Regarding power, if we use the flash in slave to illuminate the vault of a In order to position the flash as we like, we can cave or the interior of a mount it on a gorillapod. wreck, we must calculate the guide number. If, however, we decide to direct the flash even partially towards the camera, we should underexpose very much for not having an annoying effect.
The slave flash unit positioned at a certain height from the bottom enters into the camera, creating a disturbing element and not an enhancement.
By lowering the shooting point, the sea grass covers our slave flash unit’s light creating a nice halo on top.
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Photograph with two flash attached to the housing
Third flash in slave, with built-in photocell. In this case, the flash is pointing too much towards the camera creating an annoying white spot.
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A New Partnership PADI and
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CONTEST
Guylian Seahorses of the World
Have you seen a seahorse in the wild? Were you lucky enough to capture an amazing photograph or video? Join us in celebrating the 7th edition of the Guylian Seahorses of the World Photography and Video Competition by submitting your amazing seahorse snapshot or video. Every two years, our loyal partner and main sponsor Guylian Belgium Chocolates, together with NELOS, hosts the Guylian Seahorses of the World photo competition to raise awareness about seahorses, their habitats and the threats they face. We are excited to announce this year’s new addition to the competition - a video component. So, get those cameras rolling underwater and submit your best seahorse photos/videos by October 28th for your chance to win some great prizes! The Grand Prize is awarded to the three best seahorse photos and best video and the Public Prize to the top five most liked photos in Guylian’s online seahorse gallery. The Grand Prize is a Vision Hero Arius 1500 lightening kit, Guylian Belgium Chocolates, and much more. The Public Prize is a selection of Guylian Belgium Chocolates to share with your diving buddies and of course plenty of bragging rights. The competition runs from July 2nd until October 28th, 2018 and prizes will be awarded on November 17th in Beringen, Belgium. If you don’t have any photos to send in, but you still want take part, go look at the fantastic seahorse videos/photos in the online gallery and 134
vote for your favorite. For us at Project Seahorse, this competition not only raises awareness of the plight of the seahorses we love, it provides us with valuable material for scientific and education projects. All entries are added to the database of our citizen science initiative - iSeahorse. They are much more than pretty pictures – they provide critical data on the distribution of seahorse species around the world helping us improve seahorse science and conservation. Together, let’s save seahorses - and the seas. For all the competitions details go to http://seahorses.guylian.com
Finalists from the 2016 Guylian Seahorses of the World Photography Competition The 2016 public prize was awarded to the Long-snouted seahorse (H. guttulatus). Photo by Rui Palma/Guylian Seahorses of the World.
Third place Grand Prize in 2016 went to the Hedgehog Seahorse (H. spinosissimus). Photo by Gino Symus/Guylian Seahorses of the World.
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Second place Grand Prize in 2016 was the Spotted seahorse (H. kuda). Photo by Bruno van Saen/Guylian Seahorses of the World.
The 2016 grand prize winner, Hedgehog seahorse (H. spinosissimus). Photo by Luc Eeckhaut/ Guylian Seahorses of the World.
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