Scubashooters.net mag 1st issue

N A UTIC AM S MC

Exclusive review by Mimmo Roscigno

MONTHLY CONTEST Dennis Corpuz wins “NUDI” contest

PORTFOLIO Adriano Morettin

EASYDIVE LEO 3 The universal housing

MALDIVIAN DREAM Sachika Liveaboard

OCEAN ART

The winning pictures

ISSUE N°1 - MARCH 2015

WE LC O M E O N B O AR D Dear Scubashooters,

It’s a great pleasure for me to introduce you to our new e-magazine.

It will be a bi Monthly publication available for free on our network and we will feature always nice photos and interesting information and news from the world of UW photography, our world.

Putting the e-magazine out of his mind was a crazy idea of my fellow friend and Administrator Fabio Strazzi. It is thanks to his will and to you that this project has now become reality.

It’s not even two years that the scubashooters network took its way to the outer world and our numbers are pretty and growing bigger and bigger day after day.

We are convinced that an e-Magazine will be another great content for you dear lovers of the sea and for this first issue we will feature the portfolio of Mr Adriano Morettin from Italy. You will be amazed by the quality of his work. Beside being among the best photographers of the globe, Adriano is always trying to show us the beauty of mediterranean creatures and he likes to challenge himself shooting non easy subject such as jellyfishes; you will be amazed staring at Adriano’s Jellyfishes of Italy.

In this first issue we will discover something more about the incredible Luminance technique mr Zul Ng from Singapore tuned to its best. You will see the incredible gear set up Zul is bringing underwater to captire that particular glowing that every marine life has, luminance.

We will also read about a dream vacation Mr Mauro Mainardi wanted to share with us.

Read about one of latest heavens on Earth, the Maldives, their hidden beauties and how wonderful could be a liveaboard experience overthere.

Scubashooters.net will always bring you the best content and the most complete experience you can expect to find on the internet so stay tuned for very exciting and upcoming news like the new contest platform that we will soon move out of facebook onto our flagship website.

Thanks for choosing us, thanks for following.

Scubashooters.net - the sea of the web

Cover image “Spirographs” by: Adriano Morettin

C O N T E N T S 14

Cabilao - A small island for small creatures

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Learn underwater photographyA/Z UWP

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Maldivian Dream SACHIKA LIVEABOARD

Portfolio ADRIANO MORETTIN

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Exclusive review NAUTICAM SMC

Technique: “LUMINANCE”

Scubashooters.net Monthly contest: THE JUDGES

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11° Scubashooters.net Monthly contest: “NUDIBRANCHS”

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Behind the shot: DENNIS CORPUZ

2015 Contest List

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No panic! We’re divers !!

DAN report 2014 OCEAN ART UW PHOTO CONTEST winners announced

WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT With top one diving & DAN

LEO 3 EASYDIVE Universal DSLR housing

CRITTER CORNER

WRECKDIVING With “Team Pitch Blue”

2nd ANILAO underwater photo competition festival

Editor: FABIO STRAZZI Verein Scubashooters, 8952 Schlieren - Switzerland

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NA-D810 housing Nauticam is pleased to announce the latest release in its acclaimed line of precision crafted camera housings, the NA-D810 Housing for Nikon’s 36.3 megapixel D810.

NA-D810 is the first underwater housing for Nikon D810 to be shown publicly, and will be on the shelves of dealers, and in the hands of users, by the end of August. Nauticam once again leads the industry by delivering this superior system less than 6 weeks from the initial camera ship date.

The NA-D810 Housing The NA-D810 is an evolutionary marvel. A long list of pioneering engineering breakthroughs from previous Nauticam designs are now standard in NA-D810. The patented housing Locking Latch System has received acclaim worldwide for its ease and functionality. These recessed latches are equipped with safety locks, reduce bulk and require minimal physical effort to engage and release. Port changes have never been simpler than utilizing the Patented Nauticam Locking Port Release. No wrestling, no twisting, no misalignment - just seat and lock.

Lens changes are also easily accomplished without removing the camera from the housing using the lens release button logically accessed on the housing front. The lightweight, rugged Nauticam handles are generously contoured with a durable over-mold process of comfortable non-slip rubber. The vacuum monitoring and leak detection circuit provides peace of mind by enabling the user to ensure that their housing is water tight before entering the water.

The NA-810 is a shining example of the best that Nauticam has to offer. Every control placement is well thought out. Every button, lever and switch considered not in terms of what is easier for the designer, but what is right for the shooter. An excellent example is the patent pending Multi Controller Pad that is located within easy reach of the right thumb. The device virtually recreates the Nikon multi selector on the back of the NA-810 housing allowing full multidirectional use of this powerful tool (including diagonal movement). No other manufacturer has this. Camera loading is “drop in” simple, with no controls requiring pre-alignment, allowing the fastest and easiest setup possible.

Core camera controls such as shutter release, aperture, shutter speed, live view, info, exposure compensation, depth of field preview, Fn, flash exposure compensation,

focus mode, AF/M and zoom are located at the user’s fingertips. Dual thumb levers, located on the right and left sides of NA-D810 pull important camera functionality from the back of the housing out to the handles. This allows quick access to Video Record, AF-ON (for thumb activated focus), ISO and Image Playback. Complete control of the camera is available from the ergonomic rubberized handles.

NA-D810 Feature Checklist -Unsurpassed build quality, designed by an award winning engineering team, and produced utilizing the most modern manufacturing technology available. The NA-810 is a shining example of the best that Nauticam has to offer. Every control placement is well thought out. Every button, lever and switch considered not in terms of what is easier for the designer, but what is right for the shooter. An excellent example is the patent pending Multi Controller Pad that is located within easy reach of the right thumb. The device virtually recreates the Nikon multi selector on the back of the NA-810 housing allowing full multidirectional use of this powerful tool (including diagonal movement). The NA-810 is a shining example of the best that Nauticam has to offer. Every control placement is well thought out. Every button, lever and switch considered not in terms of what is easier for the designer, but what is right for the shooter. An excellent example is the patent pending Multi Controller Pad that is located within easy reach of the right thumb.

The device virtually recreates the Nikon multi selector on the back of the NA-810 housing allowing full multidirectional use of this powerful tool (including diagonal movement). No other manufacturer has this. Camera loading is “drop in” simple, with no controls requiring pre-alignment, allowing the fastest and easiest setup possible. Core camera controls such as shutter release, aperture, shutter speed, live view, info, exposure compensation, depth of field preview, Fn, flash exposure compensation, focus mode, AF/M and zoom are located at the user’s fingertips. Dual thumb levers, located on the right and left sides of NA-D810 pull important camera functionality from the back of the housing out to the handles. This allows quick access to Video Record, AF-ON (for thumb activated focus), ISO and Image Playback.

Complete control of the camera is available from the ergonomic rubberized handles.

NA-D810 Feature Checklist -Unsurpassed build quality, designed by an award winning engineering team, and produced utilizing the most modern manufacturing technology available.

-Ergonomically placed controls with size, shape, and color differentiation.

-Access to all camera controls. All controls clearly labeled.

-Patented two stage shutter release system, allowing precise feel over half press and

full press.

-Patented Port Locking System. NA-D810 Feature Checklist -Unsurpassed build quality, designed by an award winning engineering team, and produced utilizing the most modern manufacturing technology available.

-Ergonomically placed controls with size, shape, and color differentiation.

-Access

to all camera controls. All controls clearly labeled.

-Patented two stage shutter release system, allowing precise feel over half press and full press.

-Patented Port Locking System.

-Patent pending Multi Controller pad.

-Lens release button.

-Easy to operate locking housing latches.

-Rubberized ergonomic grips.

-Quick release camera mounting plate.

-Optical strobe connectors for fiber optic flash triggering.

-Dual M16 accessory holes for electrical bulkhead, HDMI, hydrophone, or vacuum valve installation.

-Integrated vacuum monitoring and leak detection circuit (valve optional).

-Dual 1” (25mm) strobe mounting balls included as standard equipment.

-1/4-20 tripod mounting holes.

-Dual 10mm threaded accessory mounting points.

-.66x optical glass pickup finder (magnifying 180 and 45 viewfinders available optionally).

-100m Depth Rating.

Viewfinders Precision requires vision: A high resolution camera like the Nikon D810 demands perfect focus for optimal results. Fortunately, Nauticam has developed the most user-friendly interchangeable viewfinders available.

The standard optical glass viewfinder is very good and travel friendly, but many photographers prefer the ease of a magnified viewfinder with adjustable diopter. Nauticam produces a “straight” 180º enlarging viewfinder and a 45º angled enlarging viewfinder to enhance the ease of close quarters work often associated with macro shooting.

Both viewfinders have high quality optics, and allow bright viewing of the entire image. A patented external dioptric adjustment allows per-

sonal adjustment to a sharp-as-a-tack standard underwater and viewfinder changes can be executed in less than 30 seconds without using tools. Exceptional composition and focus accuracy have never been more accessible.

Recommended Accessories 180ยบ Enhancing Viewfinder (32201).

45ยบ Enhancing Viewfinder (32203).

Patent Pending Super Macro Converter (81201), providing 2.3:1 reproduction ration with the popular AF-S 105mm /2.8G VR Macro Lens.

Vacuum Valve (25612).

Complete line of flat and dome ports for all major lenses, available in acrylic and glass.

Locking port extension rings from 10mm to 90mm.

Monitor/Recorder Housing for Atomos Ninja2 (17902).

Monitor Housing for SmallHD DP4 Monitor (17901).

Fiber optic cables for Inon (26211) and Sea&Sea (26212).

Full line of mounting accessories for lighting, including mount balls, strobe adapters, arms, clamps, and specialty items.

Multiple styles of lanyards.

Lens holders, including flip-up.

Focus and Zoom gears for many Nikon, Tokina, and Sigma lenses.

Port Adapters for Aquatica, Ikelite, Inon, Nexus M5 & M6, Sea & Sea NX, Seacam, Subal Version 3 & 4, and Zillion. Handle accessories including smaller handles, handle extensions for cold water diving.

Technical Data Depth Rating: 100m Weight: 2.9kg Dimensions (with handles mounted): 350mm (w) x 208mm (h) x 134mm (d)

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CABILAO

A SMALL ISLAND FOR SMALL CREATURES Today, we visit a really tiny island: Cabilao. Cabilao is located at the west side of Bohol (Visayas, Philippines).

3’500 Inhabitants live there in 5 villages. The entire Island measures about 7,5 km2. And a beautiful reef surrounds it: A paradise for our tiniest creatures, a marvel in the ocean The entire island is a nature reserve and around the Island, there are two fish protection areas. Diving is most beautiful at north side.

But there are other nice places, too.

A special show at the house reef

Let’s dive “Cambaquiz”! Located just in front of the Cabilao Beach Club, “Cambaquiz” is a split dive spot.

Depending on the current you can dive one or the other. “Cambaquiz 1” is in the south of the corner, “Cambaquiz 2” in the north.

There we go now.

Of course, in Cabilao you have mounted the macro gear. So it’s not a surprise that the first creature we saw was a turtle. But no worries, the small creatures are waiting. The first dive was an easy dive but nevertheless we saw a lot: porcelain crab, a tiny juvenile scorpion fish, shrimps, blennies, spider crabs and much more. It

TRAVELS was such a nice dive, that we decided to attach a night dive at the same spot.

We were diving only for a few minutes, when we spotted a pygmy squid.

We stayed, observed and took a few pics. All of a sudden it started to move in zigzag. When it came to a rest again on a piece of wood we saw the reason: the pygmy squid catch a tiny shrimp. Now it’s eating it unhurriedly, regardless the audience around. This was a great show in Cabilao!

Travelling

Cabilao is worth to stay a bit longer or combine the trip with other destinations around in the Visayas. The best you can do is flying with Singapore Airlines, my favorite airline regarding comfort, connections and fares, to Singapore and then directly to Cebu avoiding the hassle of Manilas airport. From Cebu, your trip takes you with the speed ferry to Tagbilaran. There you take the bus to Sandingan, where a little boat

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awaits you for the last part right to Cabilao.

The diving compensates for long travel. For example at “Lighthouse”, which is a spacy slope with sandy bottom and sea grass. We met the devilfish, sea snakes, catfishes, harlequin and mantis shrimps and the blue starfish with the little blue slug on the lower side. The place is also inhabited by many different nudibranches. “Lighthouse” is widely seen as one of the best dive places around the Philippines.

Diving more places

Cabilaos pristine reef are profiting from two marine protected areas around the Island and the only traditional fishing by the inhabitants. A little bit south of “Lighthouse” is the “Gorgonia Wall”. The gorgonias are beautiful and home of the pygmy seahorses Hippocampus denise and the yellow bargibanti. Leaf fishes, Orang Utan Crabs and egg cowries made the dive a fantastic experience.

Sandingan Island is the place where the bus threw us out to take the boat to Cabilao. It’s also a great dive place and sometimes the dive boats go there, too. At Sandingan we find the red bargibanti pygmy seahorse, spider crabs, porcelain crabs, alot of nudibranches and beautiful corals.

18 Though the currents are changing quite frequently, Cabilao is quite easy to dive. You always find a spot around the Island with convenient conditions.

Cabilao: A quiet place to relax and dive

Cabilao is a quiet island. There’s no disco, no shopping mall. It’s best for recreation and diving. The live is simple here. People live from agriculture and traditional fishing.

The resort of choice here is Pura Vida Cabilao, formerly known as Cabilao Beach Club where I stayed. And I can only recommend it. Since 2012 there are new very comfortable and very nice rooms available. Power is supplied 24h despite the Island still got no power during the night. Suzette and Uwe Steinle are leading the resort and dive base in a professional and super friendly manner. They make the paradise even better!

Diving around

“Pangangan Wall” is located a few minutes northeast from Cabilao and absolutely worth a dive. Despite looking a bit empty (fishwise) one can find a lot of small creatures. One of the cutest is the pegasus seamoth: It’s really a funny fish running over the sandy bottom like a flying moth.

Back to the Resort we make a final dive at “Cambaquiz 1”, the other part of the house reef. Till 10m (33ft) depth the bottom is sandy with sea grass, then coral formations starts to occur. It’s the home of many nudibranch including head shield slugs and ornate ghost pipefishes. Porcelain crabs live in the anemones together with shrimps, small cuttlefishes swim around. Cabilao is really a paradise for macro fans and photographers!

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Words and Pictures

Henry Jager

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LEARN UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY - A/Z UWP With Oktay Calisir

I would like to take this opportunity to give a warm welcome to the first issue of the online magazine for underwater photography: SCUBASHOOTERS! We are working hard so you can enjoy reading every issue and hope that it will give you all the information necessary to be a more successful underwater photographer.

In this part of the magazine: “Learn Underwater Photography | A-Z”, I will try to give every reader as much as possible information, while keeping it as easy as possible for everyone, how to learn underwater photography and take more colorful and beautiful images. Every section will cover information for the newly beginning photographer with a compact camera up to the more advanced SLR system user.

I want to use minimum technical words as this mostly does create more confusion about it then help beginning photographers to concentrate on shooting beautiful images in the easiest ways...

We will start in the beginning with the basics of general photography and advancing in each issue through subjects like: • • •

Basics of Photography.

Compact versus SLR. Choosing the right equipment. (Cameras, Housings, Lenses, Strobes, Accessories, etc.).

• Diving & Traveling as a photographer.

• Equipment maintenance, care & repair (Camera, Lens & Underwater Gear).

• Colors & Light Underwater.

• Composition.

• Use of Strobes.

• Creative Photography.

• Post processing, workflow, organizing and editing images using Lightroom.

And many more interesting articles as this is a very broad subject and I would like to encourage everyone to ask their questions and I will answer them within these articles with every issue of this magazine.

I would like to introduce myself to you as well so you can know my background.

My name is Oktay Calisir and I started with underwater photography in 2009 with a basic compact camera.

Oktay Calisir www.ocalisir.com

TECH TIPS

My love for the ocean and marine environment began many years ago and can be traced back to my childhood, where during holidays at the Aegean Sea I was walking sometimes for miles to get to the beach to go snorkeling and spend the whole day there.

Later I studied CNC Software Programming for CNC Milling and Turning Lathe machines, where in this field I worked for a short period of time but soon realized that my love for the Oceans was calling and I was mentally not satisfied with the field of work I was in.

I started working for many years in the Tourism Industry as an Instructor for Windsurfing, Kitesurfing and Catamaran Sailing, which were my hobbies before. Photography was always a hobby for me as well, but when I had an accident in the Indian Ocean, while I was the manager of a Water-Sports Base in the Maldives which ripped my sciatic nerve, I had to choose less extreme sports because I could not risk to step on windsurf and kitesurf boards anymore due to my sciatic nerve injury.

That’s when I began to combine my diving and underwater photography journey. I have learned most of my knowledge in underwater photography through online researches, hours of reading books and resources related to photography, and kept shooting, shooting and more shooting...

I have traveled to many destinations in the World to shoot the beauty of the underwater environment and gained valuable experience and knowledge in this field. Traveling to many destinations and being together with divers from around the world who just started diving or are advanced divers already, has given me also the opportunity to learn what divers who starts in underwater photography needs and wants to learn.

In an ever-advancing world of technology where every day something new is released, it can be sometimes hard to keep up with all the information that is given. That’s why I want to keep this as simple as possible, newly starting underwater photographers are already presented with an overwhelming amount of information and advanced photographers have sometimes just not the time to keep up with everything.

Today I am a FULL CAVE DIVER, PADI SCUBA INSTRUCTOR and do work in the field of underwater photography, organize small group travels to underwater photography destinations.

I hope you will enjoy in the future this part of the magazine and I am looking forward in future issues to interact and answer all the questions you might have regarding underwater photography. In the next we will start with: Basics of Photography!

Please find below my contact details:

Divingo (www.divingo.it) is the new website reference, made in Italy about the world of diving.

With Divingo all amateurs and professionals can find diving spots, diving center, specialized shops, diving schools and sports clubs and receive information, contacts, directions and special offers.

One of the strengths of the portal is the ability to print for free and without registration exclusive coupons offering deep discounts for courses, diving tours, travel, and equipment.

Divingo born because the Italian world sub has not a real point of reference with which communicate on Internet with simplicity, quality and wealth of information.

The success of Divingo starts from this simplicity and ease of use: already on the homepage you can see the map that summarizes and highlights the centers and possible activities in Italy.

In fact the project, started from just two months, already has more than 900 centers included throughout the country and now aims to conquer foreign markets thanks to the translation of the entire site in English and to agreements for the insertion of centers in Europe .

It will not be an immediate process, but the good response at the national level bodes well for rapid growth of the project.

The peculiarity of the portal is in the fact, that are not present only structures that can afford a showcase internet. For this reason it was decided to activate a basic service free thinking of the small companies and startups, consumers and people who visit the portal, offering first of all complete information.

Divingo in fact offers free use of facilities that want to join the project immediate visibility or a number of subscriptions to insert more information, content and offers.

Visiting Divingo will also find photo galleries and a blog with articles and curiosity, travel and environment. Also the staff that runs the site is always careful to interact with visitors through the many social channels and share the information and pictures of the users.

Lastly the portal offers and invites all divers, to leave a review and share real news for the benefit of future users of the same structures.

The dream of every sub is to discover a sunken treasure: Divingo is the treasure map!

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Words and pictures

Mauro Mainardi

TRAVELS

MALDIVIAN DREAM

SACHIKA LIVEABOARD

I’m on board: Sachika Safari boat. I want to see “big stuff” and this is the perfect place...

Life is like that: being in the right place at the right time. And this is the right boat...

It ‘just after dawn and we are going to have the first dive.

6:15 am. A cup of tea and I’m ready to set my photographic equipment. The dhoni crew have already set up and checked the thanks, the jacket and all the underwater equipment.

They are waiting for us.

Usually I have to assemble the equipment and check everything by myself but here I’m relieved of any task concerning diving stuff.

What are we going to discover today? Tree, four dives a day, feeling amazed and thrilled at any time.

Sharks, this morning!

So many elegant gray sharks and the harmless white tips sharks! Giacomo Ganda, the dive leader is a marine byologist, expert in maldivian dives. He tells us that there will be a lot of underwater current in this place. We will use hooks to latch on the rocks. It goes without saying: no currents, no sharks.

34 We go down quickly and suddendly we see grey sharks hunting near the passe. They are quiet, not concerned with us. We stop near a rock waiting for them to come nearer. Standing still, we admire their amazing beauty.

They don’t care about currents, they swim upstream with elegant movement... magnificent result of evolution that made them perfect predators.

Closer and closer. They are curious and not at all shy. Three meters, a meter, and then pass you over, regardless of your presence.

Three quarters of an hour are gone and we have to go up. It seemed only three minutes, for I was captured by all this beauty and busy

taking photographs of these amazing animals.

Beautiful…! Giacomo... now what do you offer? The answer leaves me with a slightly dazed smile on my lips: manta rays, whale sharks, the sharks nursery or the rare guitar shark...

So much! Can I stay here other three months?

Mantas. This is a unique dive site in the Maldives and one of the few in the world where you can dive with manta rays at night.

I’m excited and I’m waiting for this dive!. We turn on a light that enlighten the transparent water under the boat. Manta rays will come to eat the plankton that gathers under the light. The first manta arrives after half an hour. “Guys down, down!!” I can see the manta circle dancing so near to me that I could touch it! Photos, photos and more photos !!

If the Sharks have the feeding frenzy I have the photographic frenzy. Giacomo asks me to stay down on the sandy bottom. It’s hard for me, I would like to dance with the manta!.

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Ok... I try to listen to the guide and I lean quiet on the sand, the light of the boat as a background. Great photo guys !! I cant’ wait to download them to my computer! And the manta still dance, turning over our heads and my heart is full of emotions. A manta dancing 10 inches from me! Amazing!

Whale shark. “Are you sure that we will meet it?” I ask Giacomo. He smiles “Well, with a little luck... in agreement with other boats, you know, we can... here everything is possible.” This is my second cruise with him and last time he succedeed in making me swim with the whale shark. Maybe this will be another success? And yes... there it is! The eight meters good giant! I jump in the water with snorkel, fins and my camera. Where it is? Giacomo shouts: “there, there, wake up!” O hell, I was about to collide with it! I would like to touch it but I can’t! We stay 10 minutes swimming with it. I can see his small

38 eyes, big as a golf ball. It’s probably wondering who is this funny little guy with strange things instead of fins and a snorkel coming out from the head. A new species of fish ??

But it understands that I’m not a danger to it and it only cares about eating plankton. Even if it’s so huge, it makes me feel a kind of tenderness… so great and so good.

Other dives. It is extremely difficult to describe all the dives and the dive sites. They are so many and so amazing! Which one? The baby shark nursery stunned me! Dozens of small sharks hidden under Acropora, breathing, moving and growing. Such a beautiful image!

A wonderful dive full of sweet feelings. I hope that all of them will become majestic adult sharks.

How not to mention the rare guitar shark with the suckerfishes above it? It was so quiet and confident that allowed me to get really close so I could open the lens at 10mm and take spectacular pictures!!

And the variety of anemones... violet, blue, pink, white with little clownfishes playing

hide and seek inside them. How many wonderful creatures…

The week is over, I have to leave the Sachika boat and sadly go back to Italy.

The Safari Boat is undoubtedly the best holiday for any diver.

Every day you can discover diving spots that are difficult to reach with boat trips from the islands. You move constantly visiting many different areas and having the opportunity to dive in diving sites that offer a great biodiversity.

Also logistics is very simplified: no thank and equipment movement, everything is on the dhoni always available.

The Safari boats are equipped exactly like hotels but they have the advantage of being quiet and cozy You meet people that becomes like “old friends” in a short time with wich you share the great love for the nature and the sea. You find yourself talking maybe in four different languages but with one common passion.

The crew is always friendly and helpful,

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there are many common areas, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, lunches and dinners become social occasions, to exchange ideas and experiences.

You can not explain the experience of freedom that you feel looking at the horizon from the deck of a boat at sunset ... you have to try it!

A big thank you to the Sachika crew to the brilliant chef and a big hug to the one and unique Giacomo Ganda, my mentor and great friend, always helpful and careful to the needs of us crazy underwater photographers

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The hard work is over! (or has it just started?)

Here it is: the 1st MicroScubaMEGAStore in the world is in MILAN, near to the famous “Madonnina”, beside of the clear waters (for now !!!!!) of the “Naviglio”.

The concept is pretty clear and the result is obtained by combining and blending a number of ingredients such as professionalism, experience, customer service, products selection, and last but not least, “PRICE”.

At Sportissimo Milano you will always find the best quality/price ratio and this is more important then the mere “price”.

Sportissimo Milano is a DIVINGSTORE in the city, with a MEGA-SELECTION of items.

You will find the best products and the best brands, you will see and touch and try (many products are available also to an underwater test) before you decide to buy anything.

A TRUE SHOP where you can chat, take counsel, take courses, plan dives, plan holidays (also by motorbike with scubabikers.com), revise your equipment... always face to face!

Recently we published our new website!

www.sportissimomilano.com

A MEGAStore on-line in which you will find a huge amount of selected and guaranteed items. You will find all the latest products and special offers such as warranty extension, all inclusive equipment inspections and many other!

Sportissimo Milano is also on facebook: click “like” here https://www.facebook.com/sportissimo.milano?fref=ts

I’m Sportissimo Milano 3.0 I’m Giorgio... see you at the shop or on-line!

Sportissimo Milano by Giorgio Sangalli Via Ripamonti 15 (corner Via Giulio Romano) 20136 Milano (IT) Ph: +39 02 58305014 - e-mail: info@sportissimomilano.com

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PORTFOLIO

ADRIANO MORETTIN

PORTFOLIO

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Born in Trieste, a city of the sea and seafaring traditions, I’ve always had a strong attraction to this element, and especially in relation to what lies beneath its surface.

The big attraction and curiosity towards the sixth continent, which still accompanies me, pushed me to get all the patents to become a diving instructor.

But the turning point that me fall in love intensely of the sea and its inhabitants took place about twenty years ago when for the first time I picked up an underwater camera.

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Since then, underwater photography has become an integral part of my life and I can not imagine one without the other.

This great passion has allowed me to win two italian titles in Underwater Photo Safari and especially to excel with my pictures in the most prestigious competitions in the world of underwater photography, to obtain the two most coveted titles for an underwater photographer: the Plongeur d’Or in Portfolio at the Festival Mondial de l’Image sous Marine in Marseille in 2009 and to be finalist in 50° Wildlife Photographer of the Year at Natural History Museum of London in 2014.

Underwater photography has led me to dive in different seas of the world and particularly in the Indonesian seas, where nature model a fantastic underwater world and outstanding in the multitude of living beings so special and colorful that composed it, so to confuse the mortal who is lucky enough to admire them.

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www.scubashooters.net/portfolio/adriano.morettin/

WWW.SCUBASHOOTERS.NET/PORTFOLIO/ADRIANO.MORETTIN/

“You come as a guest but leave as a friend”

With our friendly, personal and professional approach come and enjoy warm Bedouin hospitality in a relaxed setting with stunning views of Tiran island.

Sharks Bay Umbi is a picturesque bay with everything on site – its own private jetty, dive centre, boats, restaurant, Bedouin cafe and 3 types of accommodation -

making it the perfect resort for your next holiday.

Unique in the area, Sharks Bay Umbi manages to retain a friendly village feel whilst still being only ten minutes from the bright lights of Sharm El Sheikh. Sharm residents describe the bay as having the feel of how Sharm used to be before the arrival of large scale tourism.

Accommodation Sharks Bay Umbi offers traditional Bedouin style and hospitality alongside modern facilities.

We have three types of accommodation to fit every budget: Bedouin Village Rooms, Beach Cabins and View Huts.

Contacts info@sharksbay.com www.sharksbay.com

25% off Accommodation

10% off Liveaboards

20% off Daily diving

10% off PADI and SSI courses

(bed and breakfast)

10% off UW Photography Workshop hosted by RICO BESSERDICH from 23rd – 30th May 2015

Free Nitrox to qualified divers Free airport transfers for hotel guests

Discounts apply for all bookings made before the end of 2015 - T&Cs apply To redeem these very special offers please quote ‘CLICK2015’ at the time of booking

SHARKS BAY UMBI DIVING VILLAGE presents: Price € 649 per person (incl. accommodation, half board, diving and workshop)

UW PHOTOHRAPHY WORKSHOP

With

RICO BESSERDICH

From 23rd May to 30th May 2015

Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village are very happy to offer our first UW Photography Workshop hosted by RICO BESSERDICH. Rico is a photographer, journalist and artist renowned in the underwater photographic world having won awards and acclaim worldwide.

Born in Germany in 1968, he became interested in photography at a very young age but his real passion for the subject came to the fore after he discovered scuba diving in 1998. On becoming an instructor in 2000 he was able to combine his love for diving and photography by focusing on his ‘Aquatic Photography’ which has earnt him his just reputation as being one of the best in this field. His work has been published in magazines worldwide and has won him many awards and accolades.

“Successful photography does not depend on the technology used but on the eyes and the mind of the photographer.”

The goal of this workshop with Rico will not only be to master different techniques of underwater photography but also to develop the photographer’s own unique style and personal vision. This will then help each participant to step out of the masses with their photographic work and images.

What’s included in the price?

Return airport transfers 5 day UW Photography Workshop with evening sessions and presentations 13 dives - 3 days shore diving with 3 dives a day and 2 days from the boat with 2 dives a day 7 nights of accommodation in a double Beach Cabin incl. tax & service charges Half board catering & 1 special barbecue night Free Nitrox (12 ltr cylinders) What’s NOT included in the price?

National park fees Fuel surcharge on daily boats Night dive/s and third boat dives Lunch & drinks Camera, equipment & torch rental Optional extras including - 6th day diving and upgrade of accommodation Single supplement

Optional Extras Upgrade to Bedouin Village room of €30 per person, per week sharing a double/twin room Single supplement for the week of €30 (Beach Cabin) €60 (Bedouin Village) Extra (6th) days diving €34 excluding equipment rental Shore night dives excl. torch (€35 per person), third dive from the boat (€20 per person) Additional Information: Instead of long classroom sessions each participant will get individual coaching to achieve the objectives they are striving for. To offer a more personalised experience the number of participants is kept to a small number; a minimum of 5 guests up to a maximum of 12 guests. For those who are very new to underwater photography then we would recommend, to get the most from this workshop, that you make the PADI UW Photography Specialty prior to beginning the workshop.

Rico will be diving with you throughout and will plan the best sites for you to develop your photographic skills.

The evenings will be spent together over leisurely, relaxed dinners and with ample time to focus on the day’s events with discussions and presentations throughout.

The five days diving will be a combination of shore dives and boat dives which will not only give you the chance to improve your photographic skills, but also to dive on some of the best sites in the Red Sea with an expert on hand at all times!

All the beach cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite shower, toilet and mini fridge. All cabins are twin-bedded. Price includes breakfast and dinner in our Seafood Restaurant (drinks excluded) and a BBQ on one night.

The basic requirements to participate in the course are that you; Are qualified to Advanced Open Water level (or equivalent) Have a minimum of 25 logged dives Have good buoyancy skills and dive responsibly in a buddy team Have your own underwater camera (compact, mirrorless, d-slr) and it is recommended, but not mandatory, that you have an external strobe Have used your UW camera before and have at least a basic knowledge of UW photography Speak English or German Conditions Participants must have dived within 6 months prior to the workshop Package price is based on two people sharing a double room (single supplements will apply) Equipment rental is not included; full equipment costs €25 per person per day Ras Mohamed National Park fee is €5 Fuel supplement on daily boat diving days is €2 per person, per day The workshop requires a minimum of 5 participants and a non-refundable deposit of € 200 is required to guarantee your place Participants must have personal insurance cover and ensure the good working condition of their equipment Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village and Rico Besserdich do not assume any liability or responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen equipment If you would like more detailed information on the workshop content then you can contact Rico directly at: ricobesserdich@gmail.com For detailed enquiries and bookings you can contact us at: info@sharksbay.com or one of our agents

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EXCLUSIVE REVIEW

NAUTICAM SMC Words and Pictures by

Mimmo Roscigno

REVIEW

Recently I decided to change my wet-lens for macro photography. The Nauticam SMC-1 was already a strong candidate in my mind. I have been a long time user and owner of both the Subsee and the pricier Macromate wet-lenses which are both are great quality and powerful +10 dioptre afocal lenses. I had read several reliable and trusted reviews about the Nauticam SMC-1. The sample photos there showed clearly the high quality results you can get by using the Nauticam SMC-1. For example the very sharp inside on-focus areas and amazing bokeh, for me, demonstrated clearly the capability of this lens. I still had one question in my mind. How well would this lens perform together with my 105vr Nikon? I would have had the same question if I possessed a Canon 100 as the Nauticam SMC-1 has been especially developed to best serve these two powerful macro lenses. I was especially interested in use of maximum aperture (minimum depth of field), trying to frame correctly a tiny subject, scares ambient lighting and moving subject? In other words, would such powerful amount of magnification be convenient and handy or would it have turned out to be a drawback during the pre-shooting phase when speed and readiness are essential to prevent losing the correct framing and focus of a microscopic subject?

Well, I have been really surprised and pleased to see how much easier it is to correctly frame

tiny subjects without a high colour contrast using the Nauticam SMC-1 compared to the lenses.

I have been using before, and how friendly it is to frame composition with this lens. se results have been made possible thanks to the great build quality of the optical elements along with the amazing design of the whole group of lenses.

These results have been made possible thanks to the great build quality of the optical elements along with the amazing design of the whole group of lenses. Optical aberrations that you would normally find in this kind of product are really reduced to a minimum for such a powerful magnifying device. Finally the big diameter of the lens (big lens means big light but also big weight) is directly linked to the incredible brightness of this piece of glass.

After about 20 dives in the Mediterranean I had the chance to test it in one of the supermacro paradises of the world, The Philippines. It was here that the biggest problem of this lens surfaced! I wanted to illuminate the subject with my strobe in order to obtain a more oblique lighting; well, I ended up with some very annoying “flares” showing up in the picture. I soon found the culprit to be the big diameter of the lens allowing in so much light, that it was even catching unwanted light and allowing it into the camera. To solve this annoyance I used a little Italian ingenuity, a lot of experience from my “dry” photography.

The solution was to buy a 67mm lens hood that would perfectly fit the 67mm thread of the Nauticam SMC-1 to be able to say goodbye to the flares.

In the Philippines I was also given the opportunity to try other lenses, competitors of Nauticam, and I was really curious and hopeful to find some good rivals for the SMC-1. I must say that I really wanted to find something wrong with the Nauticam. So far the price sets the SMC-1 among the priciest wetlenses available on the market at the moment. I have seen photos shot with competitor lenses, both macro and supermacro, and looking at those photos I was convinced that the overall quality was more than acceptable.

That was until live trials in the field showed them to be really the worst results you can expect from a wetlens! They were all almost unusable during the pre-shooting phase without even pushing the magnification too much and a lot of optical aberrations that would make the subject acquisition in the DSLR viewfinder almost impossible.

CENTRO SUB CAMPI FLEGREI was established in 1992 and is orientated towards recreational diving activities.

The diving centre has two bases within the area of the Phlegraean Fields. One is located in Pozzuoli and is home to the secretariat, the classrooms, the Incoming Service and the workshop for equipment inspection and maintenance. The second is in Lucrino direct on the shore of the underwater Archaeology Park of Baiae where all the facilities associated with beach front diving activities, e.g. showers, changing rooms, equipment rinsing facilities, tank filling station, jetty for the boats, bars, sun decks, etc., are to be found.

We offer the following services: COURSES: We offer PADI, CMAS and PTA courses ranging from introduction dives through to instructor level training, including numerous specialites. The diving centre’s classroom is equipped with didactic materials and multimedia facilities to meet all training requirements.

Training is also carried out in the field of underwater archaeology via courses from NAS and PADI (Distinctive Specialty).

EQUIPMENT: The diving centre has three Coltri Sub compressors, a Coltri Sub membrane compressor (nitrox for free!), trimix blending facilities, 50 complete sets of diving equipment, a workshop for any necessary repairs and ample wet and dry storage areas.

sites is provided by our own rhibs (8m and 7m).

GUIDED TOURS: We offer diving at sites within the sunken city of Baiae, in the Gulf of Naples and around the Phlegraean islands of Ischia and Procida. Transfer to these

INCOMING SERVICE: In collaboration with other entities within the tourism sector, we various different itineraries combining activities both underwater and on land which enable visitors to discover the wonders within our locality.

TOURISM: We organise weekend diving packages. Longer holidays and cruises are also regularly arranged both locally and overseas (in partnership with other tourist agencies).

EVENTS: In association with local agencies, training organisations and clubs the diving centre organises events and informative demonstrations to encourage a more environmentally conscious culture, particularly with respect to gaining a deeper respect for the marine environment and promoting its protection.

Experienced instructors and a welcoming atmosphere ensure your diving experience will be both safe and fun.

THE UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF BAIAE - FROM A COMMERCIAL PORT TO A PROTECTED MARINE AREA On 30th January 2007 an agreement was signed between the Archaeological Authority of Naples and Caserta and the association Assodiving Flegreum, represented by Centro Sub Campi Flegrei, for the concession and regulation of diving activities within the underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae.

In order to follow the chain of events which led to the park창 constitution it must first be explained why this area presently lies below sea level.

We find ourselves in the Phlegraean Fields (taken from the Greek, burning earth). In this zone of volcanic origin, the phenomenon of bradyseism exists; the uplift (positive bradyseism) or subsidence (negative bradyseism) of the ground is relatively slow in respect to human life times but is very fast when considered over geological time scales. At times, as is the case with the Phlegraean Fields, these movements can occur and reoccur in cycle over a period of centuries. Generally, such a phenomenon is associated with varying volumes of a magma chamber located relatively close to the earth surface which empties and fills and/or heat variations which influence the volume of water contained within the excessively porous subsoil. Due to the bradyseismic movements the ancient coastal belt experienced collapse the result being the total submersion of all the buildings which were constructed upon it. The once most reclaimed commercial city of Pozzuoli, the famous residential area of Baiae and Miseno, the seat of the western imperial fleet, were all of great significance during the Roman era; today, they are all below sea level. The first recovery of archaeological finds took place in the 1920s when, during the construction works pertaining to the widening of the docks at Port Venero, sculptures, architectonic elements and water systems with imperial insignias came to light.

In the 1940s, aerial photographs taken by pilot Raimondo Baucher, provided evidence of the submerged archaeological area of Portus Julius in the shallow waters directly in front of Lake Lucrine.

In spite of the interest raised by these discoveries the first underwater survey of Baiae did not take place until the 1960s; surveys carried out in 1959 and 1960 led to the first map of the city being drawn. There were finds in the vicinity of Punta Epitaffio at a depth of approximately 6 metres; a paved road flanked with buildings which opened onto it (two decades later, Emperor Claudius nymphaeum was found in one of these buildings) and, continuing towards the sea, remains of other structures reaching out into the sea by means of cemented jetties (these are now known to have belonged to the marine quarter of the Pisonian villa). Additionally, approximately 400 metres from the present coast, numerous concrete pillars were discovered; pillars which confirmed the location of the ancient coastline. The programme of surveying the area was unfortunately soon interrupted due to a lack of funds.

1969 marked two important occurrences for the underwater archaeology and the protection of the area of Baiae: The first was that, with the collapse of the front face of Punta Epitaffio as a result of a sea storm, two statues of significant quality were revealed. These were recognised as being Odysseus, holding a wineskin, and a companion; they were still in place in the apse of a rectangular building, now known to have been the nymphaeum.

The second was the agreement between Naples Head Councillor, Alfonso De Francis, and the Director of the military orphanage as located in Baia Castle to assign part of this area to the Phlegraean Fields Archaeological Museum.

Despite a great deal of resonance these two occurrences did not succeed in attaining an immediate following.

The first underwater dig carried out by archaeologists was only undertaken in 1980. This led to the identification of Emperor Claudius nymphaeum and its extraordinary sculptures complex.

Finally, in 1984, the Supervisor of Baia Castle produced and initiated a restoration project for functional intervention within the area: a local archaeological office was established along with a laboratory for the restoration of archaeological finds. Thus, it was possible to commence with initial restoration works and experiments on the sculptures recovered from the site at the foot of Punta Epitaffio. In 1997 a hall within the museum was prepared to exhibit the nymphaeum of Emperor Claudius; whilst the display comes close to the original it is not a true reconstruction.

In the same period, the survey work in the submerged city of Baiae which had been suspended by Nino Lamboglia was recommenced by G. Di Fraia, E. Scognamiglio and N. Lombardi.

According to their version of the archaeological map of Baiae with the positioning of the buildings, those situated on the northern shore are better conserved as they were further away from the trade routes. This pertains to the access channel to Baianus Lacus (an area of water similar to a lake), to a thermal bath complex 40 metres to the east of Punta Epitaffio and to the Pisonian villa (a villa with a colonnaded entrance and splendid floor decorations with a view of the street flanked with taverns and the remains of fish breeding pools and the wharfs).

On the southern side, in the area near the shipyards and the port, marine traffic has had a devastating effect to the extent that preservation of the ruins has been limited; whilst imposing harbour construction has been carried out perpendicular to the great Roman wharf, some ancient pillars have been protected by shuttering.

To the south of Baia Castle, where the outer harbour area can be found, the remains of fish

and mussel breeding pools can be found. These have been well preserved partially due to their greater depth.

In 1987, the archaeological relevance of the area was acknowledged and all activities within the 500m zone off the Phlegraean coast which impacted upon the area were prohibited.

Between 1994 and 1998 specific decrees as prescribed by the Harbour Master Office were issued to regulate the transit of commercial vessels.

In 1998 the Authority took the waters at the northern side into its custody.

Realisation of the first underwater tour took place in 1999.

In 2000, due to serious damage caused by a ferry running aground, all commercial vessels were prohibited from the site.

On 7th August 2002 the underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae was ratified as an agency to protect the marine area; management thereof is presently the responsibility of the Archaeological Authority of Naples and Caserta.

Since then, significant steps have been taken regarding the protection and valorisation of the area. There are still many problems to be resolved but the way forward is becoming ever clearer.

On 30th January 2007 an agreement was signed between the Archaeological Authority of Naples and Caserta and the association Assodiving Flegreum, represented by Centro Sub Campi Flegrei, for the concession and regulation of diving activities within the underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae.

www.centrosubcampiflegrei.it

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TECHNIQUE: “LUMINANCE�

Profile It is his passion to capture the kaleidoscopic world of the above and the oceans and bring it to life on visual and print - from the majestic beauty of the wide world above the sea into the vibrant coral reefs & intricate details of marine life. Not only has photography & scuba diving kept Zul in touch with nature, it has also built invaluable friendships among photographers and scuba divers who share the same passion.

Zul devotes his time by conducting scuba diving, underwater photography courses and giving talk during scuba exhibition held in this few countries like DRT Okinawa (Japan), TDEX (Thailand), DEEP Indonesia (Indonesia), DRT Shanghai & DRT Hong Kong (China) that brings the mesmerizing world of the deep sea to scrutiny under his camera lens.

TECHNIQUE

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Finding In recent years Zul experiment a technique using Luminance, he said with luminance species become more vibrant if apply correctly unlike strobe photography they are limited only by single white light source with Luminance there is more than 25 shade of colours to choose from and is all up to the photographer to imagine and create.

Luminance started Luminance technique was discovered in 2004 by experiment with torch light and it was shown on his front cover publication title “Deep Secret�. Back in 2004 technology for LED was way to complicated to produce for underwater luminance however more than 10 years has past since he last did luminance photography but with current technology by INON producing LE700 & LF1000 series of lights it is just creating a bridge for future creative photography in luminance.

How to shoot With luminance photographer shoot the same way as using strobe just that luminance provide constant lighting and no recycling time.

What will be an ideal lumens You need minimum of 500 lumens but 700-1000 lumens work best.

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How to apply - Minimum of 3 lights – Red, Green & Blue - How to add colour on LE700 – By using colour filter, photographic gel or liquid glass paint - Where to place colour gel – in between the torch and Inon filter W50º black tape electrical tape needed to prevent lights from escaping from the side of the filter.

Where to get the colour Photographic gel come in 25 over different shades to choose from and let your imagination run wild.

Words and Pictures

Zul Ng

DFA is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing on-line dive communities. DFA has been available for almost 2 years and during this time has grown to over 180,000 members worldwide. DFA is proud to have held the top downloaded ‘spor ting application’ position in both the Google Play and iTunes App stores simultaneously in a number of countries for several consecutive weeks. Dive Flag App have recently launched their web-inter face allowing divers without smar t phones to also access the application.

It is refreshing to see dive agencies like PADI and SSI introducing electronic learning plat forms as we have long awaited for the industr y to catch up to others and become digital. Dive Flag App was originally developed as a plat form for divers to contact dive shops and also for divers to leave ratings and reviews. Due to the large following and requests to build in more functionalit y it has grown to include many more features, including but not limited to: 1) A Dive Shop Locator Divers can search a database of over 10,000 dive shops based on a number of criteria. The criteria includes business name, location, lessons on of fer, desired dive activities, or simply in a list of the top rated schools in the surrounding 50 miles. This enables divers to select a diver operator that meets their needs as a diver.

2) View dive shop ratings and reviews Divers can rate and read the ratings of other divers against logbook entries and dive shop listings. This is a rating system based on six criteria including; friendliness, professionalism, price, equipment, safet y and . This rating system completed by divers provides a non-biased way for divers to full appreciate the streng ths and weakness of each dive operator.

This again bet ter helps divers to select the dive operator that meets their needs as a diver.

3) View dive related specials Dive operators are able to of fer divers Dive Flag App specific specials. The diver and operator are able to view and list specials under gear, trips or courses as the main categories.

4) Search for new dive buddies: One of the most fundamental features to any social net work is the abilit y for par ties to connect. Dive Flag App is about facilitating the f low of communication bet ween divers as well as divers and dive shops. Divers can search for new buddies based on; demographics, dive preference, or geographic criteria. Divers are able to view each other ’s dive profiles and logbooks so as to confidently the other ’s experience and compatibilit y as a buddy.

5) Logbook Divers are able to easily record their logbook information on the go. By logging dives electronically they are able to ‘check ’ into dive stores, capture dive site satellite criteria and GPS coordinates, sketch approximate dive routes, tag buddies in dive logs saving them time, and view dive histor y on maps. If divers are unable to do so remotely they can do so in the comfor t of their homes through Dive Flag App’s web inter face too.

6) Dive Flag App Manuals Dive Flag App keep a limited number of easy to browse diver refresher manuals including hand signals, cpr and sting relief procedures. This content is easily available and allows diver to refresh their knowledge remotely and at their convenience.

7) Connect with Facebook and Twit ter (sharing of Dive Flag App based activities) Dive Flag App allow divers to share their updates within the Dive Flag App communit y as well as the dive communit y on other plat forms including Facebook and Twit ter. This f lexibilit y makes

updating simple and ef fective for any diver through a single plat form.

8) Create and check into dive sites Divers are able to create and check into dive sites. This allows divers to take responsibilit y for listing the local dive spots and allows divers independent of dive shops to dive recreationally. Soon this will include suggested dive plans and other helpful information.

9) Blog Entries and Online Store Through the application members can link through to Dive Flag App’s blog entries and online store. This gives members access to product, course and operator reviews. Fur thermore we have industr y professionals providing event updates, industr y news and stories.

This is becoming increasingly popular and a site you may wish to provide updates to also.

10) Download Facebook albums to build diver profile, and so much more.

In order to conveniently transition divers to a dedicated diving net work we have allowed for the seamless transfer of profile specific information from other plat forms. This takes the hassle out of joining our communit y and makes easy work for get ting star ted.

12) Other Features Over the last few months we have introduced an under water photography tutor (ScubaShooters.Net), YouTube channel, podcast channel (Scuba Path) and dive news daily (DND) features.

The application is geared at being a one stop shop for ever y thing diving (including rebreathers and freediving).

For fur ther information please visit the following links: 
Website: w w w.divef lagapp.com (currently going through a host migration) iPhone download: ht tp://tinyurl.com/d7zqbr7 Android download: ht tp://tinyurl.com/ahjoo5g Web-plat form: w w w.divef lagapp.com/divef lagapp Join Dive Flag App and find out why almost 280,000 members interact with it weekly!

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MO

THE JU Henry Jager

is a passionate underwater and wildlife photographer with an incredible sense for an unexpected view on the subjects. He describes his passion as follows: “Our earth’s biodiversity is amazing. Especially underwater, you find the craziest creatures as well as the cutest, most colorful and most impressive ones. My passion is to picture this fantastic underwaterworld as well as the topside life and make the beauty of nature available to everybody”.

Henry publishes in travel magazines as well as on scuba diving related webpages and blogs. He writes about travel destinations, photo courses and special photo techniques.

Due to his outstanding portfolio, Henry Jager has been awarded “Grand Master” title by the world’s largest contest at “www.underwaterphotography.com” in 2012. Besides that, he won a gold medal at the world biggest photo salon for general photography, the “Trierenberger Super Circuit” in 2011 category “Nature” with “Sardines Tornado”. He was finalist at “The Open” 2012 and achieved several recognitions by “National Geographic” Germany and International.

UDGES Roland Bach is a CMAS*** Instruc-

tor who owns and runs the diveshop “Marina Divers” on the spanish Island Menorca (Baleares). A diver since 1988, he startet to shot underwater in 1996 and changed to the digital system in 2008.

Since that time he has won several national and international photo competitions and achieved top rankings. Roland is interested in everything that lives underwater but his special interest goes to the Biology of Scyphozoa and Ctenophora. No surprise that especially his “Medusa Art Gallery” is widely published in many trade magazines around the world.

MONTHLY CONTEST

ONTHLY CONTEST:

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MO

THE JU Davide Lopresti

My name is , I currently live in Portovenere, a small town in Linguria (Italy) overlooking the sea. I am a ship designer for a major Italian company. In 2007 I obtained my first PADI brevet, and in 2009 I started underwater photography using a compact camera. In March 2010 I bought my first DSLR camera, a Canon 1000D using a Nimar housing and Inon flashes. Most of my diving is done in the Mediterranean Sea considering my close proximity, though I try to take at least one trip a year. Since the purchase of my DSLR I have only been able to visit the Philippines, Tulamben and Komodo with Arenui, but I am planning two trips which I intend to go on later in the year which will be devoted to underwater photography. I had travelled to the Maldives and the Red Sea prior to my interest in underwater photography and long to go back to these places with my camera, which has become my inseparable travel companion.

At today i use a Nikon D600 camera with the Nikon 105 mm micro VR - which is my favourite lens - and for wide angle photos a Sigma 15 mm fisheye.

I see the underwater photograpy as a powerful medium of communication through which I can share with the rest of the world what my eyes have seen for a while, a way to let others know a little part of me ...

ONTHLY CONTEST:

UDGES Jeffrey de Guzman was

certified as a NAUI open water diver in 1986. In May 2006, Jeffrey made his first venture into u/w photography with a Canon S80 compact camera. He is currently using a Nikon D300. Examples of his work have appeared in major publications, such as Australasia Scuba Diver Magazine, the Padi Project Aware Website, Padi Newsletters, Neville Coleman’s Nudibranch Encyclopedia, Terry Gosliner - Indo Pacific Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs, Paul Humann - Reef Creature Identification Tropical Pacific Newsweek, the National Geographic Daily Dozen, National Geographic Magazine, National Geographic Website and three Canon Photo of the Month. Jeffrey was chosen as the Featured Photographer at Scubadivng.com for the month of February 2008, and as the Inon Featured Photographer for July 2008.

In 2009, Jeff place won 2nd place (Super Macro Traditional) in Our World Underwater. 1st place in Macro Category Scuba Diver Australasia TTL. 1st Place Popular Photography Magazine.

In 2010, Jeff place 2nd in Our World Underwater (Macro Unrestricted), 3rd place Macro in British Underwater Image Festival, 2nd Place in Underwater Festival, Highly Honored Photographer in Nature’s Best Ocean Views, 2nd Place in Macro Scuba Diving Magazine, 2nd Place Macro in Ocean Art. In 2011, Jeff place 1st in the Hong Kong Dive Resort Travel Show and achieved his life long dream of being published in National Geographic Magazine (December 2011 issue).

In 2012, Jeff received word that National Geographic will use one of his images in a new book called Life in Colors.

Award with a Silver Medal in Our World Underwater2012 in Macro Unrestricted.

After a brief hiatus due to the passing of his parents Jeff is back with a vengeance in 2014.

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11° “NUDIBRANCHS”

FIRST PLACE

DENNIS CORPUZ “Costasiella kuroshimae”

MONTHLY CONTEST

MONTHLY CONTEST:

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2° place : AJIEX DHARMA “Sunbathing doto”

3° place : FRANCESCO PACIENZA “Bursatella leachii”

4° place : MATT KRUMINS “Portrait of a nudibranch”

5° place : YURI IVANOV “Phyllodesmium iriomotense”

6° place : DOMENICO MAIORANO ” Melibe Fimbriata”

Behind the shot:

DENNIS CORPUZ Scientific name: Costasiella kuroshimae Description: Occasionally this nudibranch are super small approximately 2-4mm in size. To be able to photograph this tiny nudibranch a super macro lens is needed plus a little patience and hardwork.

Equipment used: Powershot Canon G15, Meikon case Aquako super macro lens Single Inon S-2000 ISO 80, F/7.1, 1/250s

www.anilaocritter.com

MONTHLY CONTEST Google fairy crab

Warty frog fish

Juvenile orange frog fish

2015 CONTEST LIST March - Shrimps April - Couples & Mating May - Color Red June - Marine Ambient July - Schools and Shoals August - Seahorses September - Night Dive October - Wrecks November - Fish or Marine animal portrait December - Sharks, Rays , Big fishes and Mammals

We at Scubashooters are pleased to present the

Nudibranch of the week contest.

Each week the judges will select the best Nudibranch photo submitted to Scubashooters.net. The image will be featured on the front page of the site with a little background about the shot and the profile of the photographer. And will be included in the Nudi Hall of Fame page.

----At the end of the year---- 52 weeks in a year 52 Nudibranch of the week will BATTLE to win...

NUDIBRANCH OF THE YEAR AWARD. A secondary award will also be given to the Nudibranch photo which attains the greatest number of votes. To win the title Nudibranch People’s Choice Award.

MONTHLY CONTEST

NUDIBRANCH OF THE YEAR

DIVING CENTER Rovinj old city on Istra coast line, Croatia, they like to say it’s one of the most romantic cities on Mediterranean, all I can say on that, they didn’t exaggerate. Town is beautiful, situated on small rocky peninsula, where houses are crowded and streets are narrow but view on sea is great, especially in the evening when sun falls in the sea. Rovinj as town standing there for centuries and all those time his island and sea around were collecting many secrets. Today those secrets are under the sea and you can see them, if you dare enough to go under, to go deep, to explore and to feel, to feel the difference. In this new, undiscovered experience we offer you extra elegance choice of providing to your individual escort, best equipment, our diving boat Puffer or speed boat, maximum safety through scuba diving with instructor guiding. Individual escort on the most famous Croatian Wreck Baron Gautsch, or through the system of the caves on Island Bagnole, or to go down on reef Porer 6 nautical miles on the open sea. From Rovinj you come to us by regular boat line which drives each hour, we are happy to see you.

ROVINJ DIVING - ISTRA, CROATIA Our diving center is situated in the hotel Istra on Read island, near city of Rovinj. Every day we offer scuba diving trips with one or two dives. Beside the captain on the boat is always one of our dive-guides, who will explain detailed briefing of the dive site and the boat. For a comfortable, quick and safe journey to the dive sites we have the dive boat “Puffer�. and additional in our offer is fast boat from hotel istra. In our diving center are tree memebers of the stuff, girl on the welcome desk, instructor and dive guide.

Diving boat Puffer is 11 m long and 3.5 m wide and it has 110 hp engine, average speed 7nm/ph. It is specially prepared for dive trips and offer space for up to 12 divers. On the boat is cabin for 6 people, toilet, sun deck in front and a big diving platform at the back, provide the divers with comfort and a relaxed preparation for the dive. Puffer is equipped with depth-finder, GPS satellite navigation, UHF-radio, 1 oxygen supply emergency first aid kit.

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NO PANIC! WE’RE DIVERS Experimenting anxiety, even only for a short period, is never pleasant. Even more when it is accompanied by its bad brother, panic, and even more when it is not experienced on land, but underwater. The reason why healthy subjects without a history or family history of anxiety or panic suddenly suffer from panic attacks underwater remains, to date, unknown. However, it is important to try to understand its mechanisms. Panic, in fact, although harmless on its nature, may be the most common cause of accidents among divers; as James Jones wrote in his novel Go to the Widowmaker: “The panic was the greatest danger, the enemy, the only danger that there was in diving”.

Although outside the scope of fiction, the experts in panic in diving Arthur Bachrach and Glen Egstrom, authors of the essay Stress and Performance in Diving, agree: “Most of us in diving research believe that panic is the overwhelming cause of the majority of injuries and fatalities in diving”. Any experienced divemaster or instructor can confirm these statements. That should not make us think that panic is an always lurking enemy, ready to strike anyone regardless of age, experience, sex or breed: thought dangerous, panic is usually preventable.

A recent study (Colvard et al., 2000) examined more than 12,000 divers who had experienced panic while diving with the aim to find out the generating reasons.

The results were surprising. Respondents were offered a list of 43 possible causes of panic, such as “sharks”, “darkness”, “air hunger” and so on. The options were

divided into three categories, relating to diving conditions, equipment problems, physical and/ or psychological problems.

The divers were asked to assess which of these threats has been present during the panic attacks. Well, among all 43 possible threats, the three most selected boxes in each category were the last ones: “Other.” In short, the events triggering the panic reactions are not among objective causes of a problem of a justified situational anxiety. In most cases, the triggering reason was something trivial or routine, something that no one would see as a reason to panic in another moment.

Reading DAN’s annual reports on accidents and fatalities in diving, it evident that an astonishing number of dives could have been concluded easily if the diver had followed the bases of basic training. Just think of the rule “Do not hold your breath and not go up too fast”, of how many times have we read, studied, taught, practiced it, thinking that never and ever we would do such an error. Yet, anyone can be in panic, a panic attack is as voluntary as a heart attack. The panic is not cowardice, it is not lack of courage, but an involuntary reaction to a massive secretion of adrenaline into the bloodstream by order of the sympathetic nervous system, which, facing a huge threat, causes the heart rate, body temperature and blood sugar quickly and dramatically rise. “Butterflies” start flying in your stomach or a sense of nausea appears.

You start sweating. Skin becomes red or pale. Your breath becomes faster, less deep and dyspnoeic (or irregular). You experience the phenomenon known as

problem out of his head. Or the instructor, who then should change method, is getting him nervous, taunting him, insulting him. Or the students are particularly unruly and refuse to follow directives.

At the time when he enters the water, the diver is troubled, angry, less able to react in a consistent and ready way: so he can easily be the object of fear. Breathing is more difficult than normal, he uses the BC more than usual, and when something unexpected happens, even harmless (like the mask that comes off or the fin that remains entangled) he begins to hyperventilate, but the air seems never enough. The feeling of “air hunger” and the risk of suffocation increase. Panic is at hand. Of course one should not assume that all divers who remain stuck in morning traffic will have a panic attack: people, as human beings different from one another and unique, deal with stress and everyday worries in different ways. Some are more vulnerable than others to stress and are therefore more vulnerable to panic. Yet no one, as mentioned, is immune to panic, because our

DAN EUROPE

“perceptual narrowing”, during which the field of vision lost can restrict peripheral vision, achieving an effect similar to looking at the world through a tube.

The worst thing is that you feel more and more agitated and you cannot think clearly. It follows that your attention becomes focused on the problem, so that the right solution for that situation seems to fade away and no longer exist. With a real panic attack in progress, there is very little that the rational part of the brain can do to stop it quickly, be cause the body takes several minutes to absorb the adrenalin, and the risk to take the wrong actions increases. The good news is that despite the mystery that surrounds it, panic can almost always be prevented. It is showed by a clue, at first sight insignificant, reported in the above-mentioned study. Although the results provided by divers on the plausible causes of their panic attacks seemed unrelated and apparently so scattered that it was impossible to draw a logical, statistical or epidemiological conclusion, all tended to agree that they had started to hyperventilate just before the panic attack began. It is worth mentioning that hyperventilation (rapid breathing, shallow, irregular) is a classic sign of anxiety.

Anxiety is an accumulation of daily stress that goes as far as the generation point of an unconscious fear of not being able to solve problems; from this arises a feeling of powerlessness which amplifies the uncertainty, worry, fatigue, frustration and fear that are still part of everyday life. It is therefore likely that this is what happens to the diver who, like most of us, is stressed even before entering the water. There may be memories of a difficult or frightening dive - the diver is concerned about this. Perhaps the diving conditions are unusually difficult.

Or maybe he went to bed late the night before, found traffic in the morning and had to run to catch up with the diving boat. Or he cannot get that damn office

individual threshold of panic may also change from day to day.

Although it may seem scary, this should reassure the reader that a panic attack is rarely sudden during a dive - in most cases, stress has been working for hours and sometimes even days. At the end the straw breaks the camel and the diver feels overwhelmed: the fear of failure triggers panic. Think of a juggler with three plates in the air, then four, then five.

Finally, one more element is too many, and the exhibition ends with a shower of shards of pottery and an explosion.

The cause of loss of control is not the sixth plate in itself, but simply having too many plates in the air. Similarly, anything can trigger panic and make it explode, but it can easily be prevented “by removing some plates,” or reducing stress and psychological pressure when we are under water and refusing to take care of all unnecessary burdens and responsibilities that not compete.

One of the best ways to reduce and avoid stress is to establish a series of breaks in the day of the dive: rest, focus on the situation and think about what you are going to do next. If you are stressed when you get at the meeting point, once parked, possibly before moving the equipment, take a break for a minute or two and relax. When the equipment is on board, but before you get dressed, take a break. When you are in the water, but before you dive, break. And so on throughout the dive. There are at least three good reasons why frequent breaks reduce stress and help to prevent panic. First, regular breaks reduce fatigue; rest promotes the lowering of the level of adrenaline, the slowing of the heartbeat, a slower and deeper breathing, and the level of carbon dioxide in solution in blood turns to normal.

Secondly, the breaks are a chance to enjoy a moment of mental rest and without stress to slow the rush of the events with which we are obliged to keep up, paying then more attention to new needs

that arise. Finally, frequent breaks are an opportunity to think about the next task and how to do it. The next step is to dress up? Before you jump in the suit, take a break and mentally organize the steps to follow, one after the other, mentally scroll the list of requirements. Try to visualise the problems that can occur and their solutions: the psychology of sport, has proved that visualisation is a powerful weapon against anxiety, stress and panic.

Breaks may also be an opportunity to keep your breathing under control. Breathing with the chest wall, and not with diaphragm, is an intensive energy action because we use the wrong muscles. Breathing with the diaphragm is rather the natural way of breathing, induces a state of relaxation and is fundamental to keep breathing under control: hyperventilation is in fact a well known cause of anxiety and panic. In conclusion, when you do not feel good it’s better not to dive.

When you have a feeling of nausea and just do not want to dive for some reason you cannot identify, it is better not to. Do not let peer pressure push you beyond your limits because you would begin your dive already stressed and more susceptible to panic. If anyone does not understand and insists in making you feel embarrassed, accusing a sudden otalgy or pretending to fail in compensating is always a great escape! www.daneurope.org

Words

Andreas Aceranti dr.

Simonetta Vernocchi dr.

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2014 OCEAN ART UW PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The prestigious Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition, organized by the Underwater Photography Guide, has announced the 2014 winners. This year’s Ocean Art Competition attracted a very high caliber of photos, representing entrants from over 50 countries.

Over $70,000 of prizes will be awarded to 60 underwater photographers, highlighted by an 11-day Indonesia liveaboard trip on the SMY Ondina, a 7-night dive package at Paradise Taveuni Resort in Fiji, a 7-night Maldives liveaboard trip on the Manthiri, a 7-night Solomon Islands liveaboard trip on the Bilikiki, a 10-night dive package at Lissenung Dive Resort in Papua New Guinea and a variety of gift certificates from Bluewater Photo. Premium prizes are provided by Villa Markisa (Bali), the Discovery Fleet (Tubbataha), Emperor Divers (Maldives), VoliVoli (Fiji), Atmosphere (Philippines), Kosrae Nautilus Resort (Micronesia), Atlantis Philippines, Wananavu (Fiji), Palau Dive Adventures, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions (Australia), Alor Divers (Indonesia), Manta Ray Bay (Yap), El Galleon (Philippines), Maluku Divers (Indonesia), Juliana’s Hotel & Sea Saba Dive Center (Caribbean), Eco Divers Resort Lembeh, Blackbeard’s Cruises (Bahamas), Scuba Seraya (Bali) and Bluewater Travel.

Ocean Art 2014 judges included prestigious underwater photographers Tony Wu, Martin Edge, Marty Snyderman and Scott Gietler.

There are at least 4 winners in each of the 12 categories, including Wide-Angle, Macro, Portrait, Behavior, Novice, Nudibranchs, Super Macro, Divers & Fashion, Cold Water and 3

FESTIVAL & CONTEST

compact camera categories.

The Best of Show was a stunning wide-angle photo shot from behind a breaking wave by Ray Collins at Kirra Beach, Australia. Other outstanding images include some out-of-thisworld fish and marine life shots, rarely seen underwater behavior, iridescent shrimp, models in pools, smiling turtles, vibrantly colored squid and some dramatic black and white moments. Thousands of entries were viewed by the judges before the final set of amazing images were selected and deemed some of the best underwater photos in the world.

The quality of image submissions was incredible, making judging very difficult but ensuring the prestige of the Ocean Art Competition. Bluewater Photo and Travel owner and Underwater Photography Guide publisher, Scott Gietler said, “The caliber of photos in Ocean Art this year was amazing, and the judges had to make some very difficult decisions when evaluating photos in the contest. The winning photos were submitted from oceans and freshwater around the world by many talented underwater photographers. Congratulations to all the winners.�

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Best of Show Ray Collins Wide-Angle 1st Place: Ray Collins

2nd Place: Gang Song 3rd Place: Shane Gross 4th Place: Montse Grillo 5th Place: Davide Lopresti HM: Alejandro Prieto HM: Eiko Jones HM: David Salvatori

Macro 1st Place: Ron Watkins

2nd Place: Uwe Schmolke 3rd Place: Marchione Giacomo 4th Place: Anthony Berberian 5th Place: Digant Desai HM: Annika Persson HM: Filip Staes

Coldwater 1st Place: Lill Haugen

2nd Place: David Salvatori 3rd Place: Nirupam Nigam 4th Place: Kaido Haagen

HM: Michael Weberberger HM: Gang Song

HM: Renee Capozzola

Portrait 1st Place: Nonna Pokras

Compact Macro 1st Place: Giacomo Giovannini

Marine Life Behavior 1st Place: Borut Furlan

Compact Marine Life Behavior 1st Place: Jack Berthomier

2nd Place: Mario Odorisio 3rd Place: Steven Kovacs 4th Place: Christine Shepard 5th Place: Lill Haugen HM: Uwe Schmolke HM: David Salvatori HM: Luc Rooman 2nd Place: Ilian Ben Tov 3rd Place: Steven Kovacs 4th Place: Jerry Tang HM: Roland Bach HM: Steven Kovacs

Novice dSLR 1st Place: Yatwai So

2nd Place: Carolyn Wang 3rd Place: Collin Wu 4th Place: Renee Capozzola HM: Yatwai So

2nd Place: Kiyoung Jang 3rd Place: Fabio Galbiati 4th Place: Elisabeth Lauwerys HM: Dusan Zencak HM: Chandy de Wit

2nd Place: Jack Berthomier 3rd Place: Alexander Bublitz 4th Place: Igor Pereverzev HM: Michal Ross

Compact Wide-Angle 1st Place: Arek Mszyca

2nd Place: Marc Casanovas 3rd Place: Stephen Holinski 4th Place: Stephen Holinski HM: Marc Casanovas

Nudibranchs 1st Place: Eduardo Acevedo

Fernandez 2nd Place: Jackie Hildering 3rd Place: Diana Paboojian 4th Place: Luc Rooman HM: Yatwai So HM: Yury Ivanov

Super Macro 1st Place: Filippo Borghi

2nd Place: Raffaele Livornese 3rd Place: Qing Lin 4th Place: Robert Roy HM: Jeffrey de Guzman

Divers/ Fashion 1st Place: Lucie Drlikova 2nd Place: Steffen Binke 3rd Place: Nina Baxa 4th Place: Jim Catlin HM: Massimo Giorgetta HM: Rui Guerra

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www.uwphotographyguide.com

winning photos

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UWPC is the largest underwater photo challenge in Asia Pacific, hosted by the Diving and Resort Travel Expo (DRT Show) and EZDIVE magazine. UWPC is open to entrants of all skill levels.

Asia Pacific UW Photo Challenge (UWPC) aims at finding excellent underwater photographers, and understanding their works thoroughly. We hope to promote the art of underwater photography and scuba diving in the Asia Pacific Region, and to promote the protection of the marine environment and guide a green and healthy lifestyle through the challenge.

Welcome to participate the Asia Pacific UW Photo Challenge! Upload and submit your photos online at: http://www.uwphotochallenge.com How To Submit Your Photo: Step 1: Registration The contestants must register to become a member on the official website: www.uwphotochallenge.com (You may use the same Email Address and Password to login to www.ezdivemag.com and www.drtexpo.com).

If you are already the member of www.ezdivemag.com or www.drtexpo.com, please skip this step and go to Step2.

Step 2: Upload the photos Log in and upload your photos directly on the official website. Please limit your images to a maximum file size of no more than 3MB (You may submit more than one photo).

Step 3: Payment The entry fee is USD25 for up to 5 photos. USD5 for each extra photo.

The easiest way would be to pay via PayPal online after you submit your photo.

You can also pay via International Bank TT: International Bank TT: Bank Account Name: LX Development Group Limited Bank Account No: 015-300775-838 Bank Address: 1 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong Swift Code: HSBCHKHHHKH IMPORTANT: The payment must be done by 03 April 2015. Once the photo has been paid, you will not be

Step 4: Send raw files Please send the raw files to uwphotochallenge@gmail.com after you have successfully submitted and paid for your photos. Please also e-mail your payment receipt along.

You may also post your competition image raw file (A3 size, 300 dpi) in a CD to our office if you cannot send them by email.

Company Mailing Address: Qian Xin Exhibition Shanghai Limited (LX Development Group Limited Shanghai Office) No.136, Lane 1188, Zhuguang Rd, Qingpu District, Shanghai, China Tel: 86-21-54241218 Guidelines: 1.

The Asia Pacific Underwater Photo Challenge, hosted by DRT Show, is open to entrants of all skill levels.

2.

All submitted images must have been taken by the entrant and taken underwater.

3.

Each individual can only win one prize or prize package. Entrants with multiple winning entries will be given priority in prizes by value.

4.

Any images that have won or placed in photo contests with winning entries may not be submitted.

5.

Photographers retain all copyrights to their images. DRT Show and EZDIVE Magazine retains the right to publish the contest entries in print or online to congratulate or feature the winners and their respective images, and to promote future events. Winning images will be included in a press release for third party websites and publications in the context of congratulating and/or featuring the winners and winning images, and to promote future competitions. Strict guidelines requiring photo credit and specific one-time press release usage are issued along with the press release.

6.

Entries may have been taken from any camera, film (as scanned slides) or digital.

7.

Photo contest staff and judges should not enter the contest.

8.

Winners will be announced on 17 April 2015 and during DRT Show Beijing 2015.

FESTIVAL & CONTEST

able to delete it anymore.

Sistiana Diving is a DIVING CENTER PADI. We have true passion for the sea and respect for the underwater world and its biodiversity. We are located at the Northern tip of the Adriatic Sea, on the coast of the charming Sistiana Bay, in the wonderful Parco Caravella. Nearby are the Duino Cliffs Regional Natural Reserve, the picturesque village of Portopiccolo and the city of Trieste. You can reach us by the A4 freeway: the second exit after the Lisert gate is the one that will lead you to the bay.

Our Center offers: - PADI courses for all levels and

info: sistianadiving@gmail.com web:

ages.

- Digital Underwater Photography classes - First and Second Aid Courses - Reserved Area for divers and easy access to the water - Tanks rental and filling station - Full equipment rental - Daily guided diving (Daytime and night) - Scuba diving excursions and trips - Reserved parking spaces The Sistiana Bay offers a wide range of services and attractions for visitors to enjoy such as restaurants, bars, night life and easy parking. Our diving center is conveniently located near camping ground as well as hotels that overlook the bay Our second location is at 54/b Del Bosco street (Trieste). We offer scuba diving classes all year long as well as evening meetings where we show videos and photos and just enjoy sharing our passion for diving.

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WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT WITH TOP ONE DIVING & DAN

Top One Diving Association has been founded in 2010. In 2011 it received the certification as CONI ASD. It is an active PADI diving school located in Rome, in headquarting Ferratella Swimming Pool in the city center, one of the most well-heeled neighbour of Rome.

Already a PADI Resort, in 2015 it became a PADI TEC REC Center, and now it can access and teach the whole PADI training offer such as recreational,

specialty, professional and technical courses.

From 2014 Top One Diving is also a DAN DSL Base, the only existing PADI Center in Rome that it is allowed to organize and follow Advanced Research Laboratory on behalf of DAN Europe. All Top One Diving Staff members are DAN Research Operator and Technician.

Two Top One Diving Staff members, Andrea and Davide, are DAN Researcher Specialist and they developed the new DAN Europe software to collect dive profiles.

This element will allows DAN Researchers and Doctors from all over the world to study the dive profiles in order to increase divers safety. Top One Diving will be proud to present the new platform, as world premiere, during the next EUDI Show in Bologna-Italy from 7th to 9th of March.

Top One Diving Staff is composed by eleven members: 3 IDC Staff, 2 MSDT, 2 OWSI (1 psychologist), 1 Assistant Instructor and 3 Divemasters. In the school it is also possible to attend First Response Courses both with DAN and EFR educationals.

DAN EUROPE Moreover one great value is also added by the Staff linguistic skills. Top One Diving can offer courses in several languages such as Italian, English, French and Spanish.

Thanks to this expertise, Top One Diving can operate in an International environment, reason why most of its associated are lawyers, doctors, managers, decision makers and members from International Organization coming from all around World.

At the beginning of the current year, thanks to DAN Europe and to Dr. Adel Taher, the DAN Egyptian delegate, Andrea and Davide met Captain Walaa Hafez. They became the technical event coordinators and now they are focused on the commercial, training and logistic aspects for the next World Record Attempt as longest scuba diving in salt water (for almost 52 hours) that will take place in Sharm El Sheikh on August 2015.

Top One Diving team will be proud to assist Cpt. Hafez’s training in both underwater and surface preparation. Key will be also the assistance of one of the Top One Diving instructor that is a psychologist. He will follow the record man in his mental preparation for the record.

Stay tuned! In the short terms Top One Diving will update you with the the World Record Attempt details that will be available on www.toponediving.it and www.scubashooters.net

Top One Diving PADI Resort & DAN DSL Base

124

LEO 3 EASYDIVE

UNIVERSAL DSLR HOUSING

REVIEW After 8 years of projecting and developing Leo1 & Leo2, continuous researches and electronics implementation, we believed it was time to approach the international market through a brand new, unique and proprietary housing.

Here’s a list of the small but very important devices improved with our revolutionary LEO 3: • Remote software upgrades: whenever the customer wishes to change his camera, or add a new one, he shouldn’t send us the housing or the electronic control unit like before. He’ll simply have to buy on-line, or through e-mail, the appropriate software upgrade and, after copying the file to the usb pendrive included into the optional programming kit, connect to leo3, switch it on and the upgrade will perform automatically. Easydive will deliver by special courier the appropriate tray for the new camera. In this way, both cameras can be used by simply changing tray; • Ergonomic handles completely re-designed: several prototypes have been realized and tried so that the new handles could better mirror the camera’s handling. Through the new design any button is at your fingertip with 4 front trigger commands and 16 rear button commands; • Body of cast aluminum completely restyled, Leo3 shows several enhancements: e.g., being slightly higher, allows the camera built-in flash to pop up so to better take advantage of the standard double optical fiber connection;

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• Double standard Nikons 5pins flash connectors: inside, a switch allows selection between different modes: 5 or 3 pins, syncro, 1 or both active connections; • The electronic control unit may be switched on/off underwater, which results in the possibility to take advantage of cameras auto-off. When the electronic control unit is switched off, the camera goes stand-by. To switch it on again, simply light the unit and push the shutter button. That way the camera may be switched on/off as you like; • Porthole ring at your choice, which makes leo3 compatible with most ports available on the market, even other brands’. In a nutshell, at the front of the housing the standard leo3 port ring (equipped with a blocking system) may be replaced by the leo2 adapter ring or by other brand’s rings upon request. Thanks to this device, nothing changes on the port focal point and therefore no changes to the camera support tray are required; • Visible and audible leak alarm performed by 4 flashing led; • Predisposed for vacuum system (optional).

128 Naturally, the new housing has inherited the enormous benefits of all the Leo series housings: • Robust: thanks to the double sealing o-rings and to the wet contact magnetic buttons which aren’t subject to hydrostatic pressure, Leo 3 is the only housing operational at -150m; • Universal: thanks to the electronic recognition Leo3 is the only housing able to handle over 50 Nikon and Canon camera models; • Easy to handle: thanks to its volume Leo3

www.easydive.com

is almost neutral underwater and therefore one of the easiest housing to handle; • Direct dealing: the only housing on sale from manufacturers to consumers for the best after-sales service; • Simplicity: the only housing allowing changes on shutter speed and apertures without looking away from the eyepiece; • the only one Lifetime warranty!!!

Material: anticorodal aluminum Deep dive test: -100 m (150 upon request) Port Hole: locked bayonet-mounted (adapting ring for Leo II or other brands upon request) Commands: electronics, manual focus ring gear Strobes: 2 standard nikonos flash connectors plus 2 optic fiber connectors Rear: hinge closure through 2 safety closing hooks

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t t i r

r e

C

r o C

r e n

Welcome to the Scubashooters Critter Corner presented by ReefID! One of our ocean’s treasures that inspires us to dive most is the incredible marine life we see.

The colors, behavior and shear grandeur of what we encounter as divers is something to behold. Each issue of Scubashooters magazine will feature an article filled with fun and interesting facts about the marine life we love to shoot.

These articles will feature images selected by the editor from the Scubashooters community to highlight these amazing creatures. They will also conclude with a topic for the next article to give each Scubashooter time to submit images to be considered for the upcoming article.

The more you know about the behavior, habitat and characteristics of the critters you love to shoot, the better shooter you can become. You can also become better ocean stewards by sharing this knowledge for generations to come in your efforts to protect what we have. Grab your cameras and start shooting one of the most interesting inhabitants of our oceans, the octopus.

With its curious behavior and abilities to change shape and color in the blink of an eye, the octopus is sure to be a fantastic Critter Corner kick off.

John Fifer - ReefID

www.reefid.org

CRITTER CORNER

132

WRECKDIVING

WITH “TEAM PITCH BLUE”

TECH DIVE

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It’s early in the morning when we arrive at the dive shop. Maurizio from Krnica dive has all our tanks set up and ready for us to analyze the breathing gases. Gas analysis stickers are approved and signed and tank pressure are double-checked. As always everything is spot on and we prepare the dive sets for the first dive while we are still on the shore.

For this trip we received several Suunto full-trimix computers to test : two DX and two HelO2 wrist size computers. The HelO2 works with Technical RGBM and the DX runs on the new ‘fused’ RGBM. We are asked by Suunto Netherlands to compare the two algorithms with our ‘normal’ ratio decompression as well as to write an article about the overall ‘workability’ of these watches.

For the comparison we need data and for data we need to log dives, so first things first.

The main goal of today’s dive is to create as many photo opportunities as possible. Our

photographer Case gives an extensive briefing on how and where he wants us to hover near the wreck. It’s all clear and we are eager to do the dive.

It’s pretty warm on the boat in our dry suits under the Croatian sun, so once we hit the water it feels great. We do the bubble check, gather at the shot line, switch to the bottom stage and start the descent. According to the dive plan we will be at the superstructure at 150 ft within three minutes. At 90 ft we can already see the outline of the ship. We leave the line and fin our way to the superstructure. No matter how many times you’ve been diving this ship, it remains one of the most beautiful wrecks in the Adriatic. Unlike many of the other wrecks that have sunk during WWII the Vis is in upright position on the seabed and looks like it literally just steamed around the corner. Normally the Vis is surrounded by a milky fluid caused by the limestone in the surrounding mountains, but today we are spoiled with sublime visibility. I mumble ‘wow’ into my second stage. The helium in my breathing gas deforms my voice and Jeroen looks at me quizzically to find out if something is wrong. Good: the team-awareness is fine.

I signal that I am more than okay . We proceed with our descent.

At the superstructure we check our gauges and start the actual dive. We made our gas calculations quite conservative. At this depth, we have about 15 minutes on our bottom stage, so plenty of time before we have to switch to backgas. We descend into the hatch of the first cargo hole and at make our way through a beautiful overhead corridor in between the first and second deck. It is low and narrow but not too complicated. Just before it gets really dark you can see the light coming through the hatch of the second part of the ship.

Jeroen fins into the corridor first, followed

by Case. One after another we calmly fin our way to the second cargo hole at 185 ft.

It is one of those dives where I feel I have full control. This is what we do it for. This is what we train for. In the darkest part of the corridor I check the screens of the DX and the HelO2. It is dark so I need the backlight to read the info on the screens. I find the button intuitively and the info can be read perfectly. The gentle movements of Case in front of me and the steady beam of Richard behind me, are making me feel really comfortable. Gosh, this is a great team to dive with.

136

Although I know that I have not hit anything with my manifold, when we come out of the corridor I do a quick flow check. This is the type of dive where it is nice to be sure that your valves are fully opened. Meanwhile my attention is drawn by Jeroen who’s beam is focused on the beautiful auxiliary propeller. Again, I cannot suppress a ‘wow’. Of course Richard can’t hear what I say but fully understands and winks at me...

We ascend from the second cargo hole and continue our way to the back deck. The wreck is overgrown with coral and although there are a few decaying fishing nets hanging around, the shapes are unmistakable and beautiful. The boys and girls of Ghost Fishing will have a different opinion but for me the nets are part of the mystique of this lovely lady.

Case planned to shoot a few pictures in this area and Jeroen has chosen a beautiful spot for the gas switch from bottom stage to back gas: in the lee area of the deck. I have a look around and enjoy the scenery. Could have been in a worse place team captain...

Our way back leads us along the statue like chimney and an open corridor on the upper deck. Jeroen and Richard enter the corridor, Case and I follow outside for a photo. Last year he took a pretty bizarre picture of Richard in the wheelhouse. We ascend a bit to see if this photo could possibly be surpassed. Richard hangs in his tightest trim and shortly thereafter Case makes his characteristic “Case-is-finished-with-his-picture” gesture high above his head: we can continue. We swim an extra circuit around the wheelhouse and slowly all the way back to the bow.

Case has not yet been able to shoot a good picture of the bow of the Vis and has meticulously briefed us about the shot that he has in mind. Richard and I are the background extras in the shot of Jeroen with the Suunto DX hanging around his wrist. We hover dutifully and hope the pictures are just as Case has in mind.

We gather at the shot line and start the long ascent.

Richard is the deco-captain and he will be in control of the deco from 90 ft. Next to his bottom timer Richard has one of the Suunto HelO2’s on his wrist to test. According to his own words, his eyes are not getting worse but his arms are getting shorter every year so the ‘big screen display’ is a godsend for him.

I’m having an easy one this dive. It is my task to shoot the buoy if necessary but as expected : no need for that. I therefore have little to do during deco and can have a good look at the Suunto DX (fused RGBM) and a HelO2 (tech RGBM) on my wrist so that we can compare the different algorithms.

At 70 ft. we all do our gas switch to 50%. After we are all comfortable and stable, Richard and I make the gas switch on both the DX and the HelO2 to the new gas mix. Both work very intuitively. We are all familiar with the menus and the operation of Suunto, so with a few touches of the buttons all our computers are ‘switched’.

During the ascent from 70 to 20 ft each of us does his bottle rotation so the empty and positively buoyant bottom stage is out of harm’s way on the leash on our butt-D ring and the 40 cuft stage bottle with 100% oxygen is ready to use. The last minute of our 30 ft stop we do a gas break and switch to back gas in preparation for the long stop at 20 feet at 100%.

www.facebook.com/Teampitchblue

Team captain Jeroen sometimes has some headaches with the switch to pure oxygen but luckily this time it’s no problem at all.

Smoothly we all switch to the gas-of-thegods and at least as smooth all the computers are in mix: 3.

Than: it’s hangtime. Each teammember has his own way to pass the time at 20 ft. Jeroen to our knowledge, the only man able to go into some sort of cryo sleep at this depth.

Case takes advantage of the natural light and mostly manages to shoot some brilliant pictures. Richard is routinely evaluating the dive in his wet notes, and me? In my head I was busy writing this article.

Hope to see you at the waterfront and don’t forget to like and follow Team Pitch Blue on Facebook!

Team Pitch Blue

Words

Job Kuperus Pictures

Case Kassenberg

140

2ND ANILAO UNDERWATER PHOTO COMPETITION FESTIVAL M.Zanini

Underwater photography enthusiasts from around the world recently converged in Anilao, Batangas Philippines for the 2nd Anilao Underwater Photo Competition Festival.

The 3 days shoot-out took place in Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort with over 100 participants from 16 countries.

The Anilao Underwater Photo Competition Festival is a project of the Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT), Dive Market department. The main goal is to showcase the Philippines as premiere destination for macro photography.

The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Participants compete in 4 categories: Macro/Supermacro, Marine Behaviour, Nudibranch Portrait, and Crustacean Portrait. DOT Photographer of the Year title is awarded to the participant with best portfolio, which comprised of his entries in each category. Over USD30,000 worth of underwater photography gear, dive trip prizes were awarded to 30 brilliant winners. To see the complete list of winners, follow this link > http://ow.ly/JclFh

FESTIVAL & CONTEST

C. Gazivekili

142 D. Corpuz

The event also provided venue for underwater photographers around the world to meet and socialize. Beside the resplendent opening and closing ceremonies, there were organized talks by selected award-winning underwater photographers.

The following resource persons who were also tasked to be the competition judges were Philippine’s brilliant photo-journalist Scott Gutsy Tuason; Anilao based photo-pro Mike Bartick from the US; multi-awarded photographer Mimmo Roscigno from Italy; Yorko Summer, Chinese celebrity travel journalist; and Ken Thongpila, founder of Underwater Macro Photographer Facebook group.

K. Yen Ngee

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B. Fajardo

The biggest draw of the whole event is definitely the world-renowned dive site of Anilao. A protected marine haven, Anilao has one of the highest concentrations of marine biodiversity in the planet.

Healthy reef, colorful variety of fishes, abundant critters, Anilao will keep you enchanted for many, many dives.

A. Uichico

Words

Lilliane Cobiao (www.wanderlass.com)