Scubashooters net e mag issue n49 jun 2020

issue n°49

- jun 2020

Travels: Protected Marine Areas Review: Sea Save Foundation Interview: David Pilosof

Portfolio

Biology: The Camogli’s Tonnarella

Fabio Iardino

Tecnique: Super Macro Illumination Review: Graduated Mask 1

Dear friends,

we’re going through tough times... when we started the Magazine nearly five years ago I would have never ever thought of writing such an editorial piece.

Honestly I was about to write as COVID 19 didn’t exist or didn’t change our lives but it did. So far the COVID 19 pandemic affected the world we care about in two ways one bad and one good and this is the reason why I could not avoid to mention it.

The very bad news is that the whole diving industry of which UW photography represents just a small niche has been disrupted; trips cancellations, hotels and resorts shut down across the globe as well as boats crews facing struggles and risking definitive closure.

The good news is that Nature and the Ocean got a great relief from the COVID halt. We’ve all seen videos of dolphins playing in harbors and fishes and octopusses in Venice normally boat crowded channels.

We all know Nature is so powerful, so powerful that while hitting us on one side can quickly regain lost territories on the other; the truth is that Nature never lost any territory but just let us play in that territory or sea retreating wild animals and creatures when we have become too much invasive... and we did.

This number of Scubashooters magazine is focused on the COVID 19 pandemic versus UW photography and diving industry. I wish you good read and luminous times ahead.

Stay tuned.

Marino Palla Owner and Founder Scubashooters Network

Cover image by: Fabio Iardino

Contents

Issue

n°49 -

june

2020

pag. 62

P ortfolio Fabio Iardino Editorial:

by Marino Palla

Biology: The Camogli’s Tonnarella by: Isabella Maffei Photo

pag. 3

Biology: Nature Reborn By: Emilio Mancuso

Interview: David Pilosof by: Isabella Maffei Photo

pag. 8 Review: Sea Save Foundation

pag. 22

Travels: Protected Marine Areas by: Marcello Di Francesco

pag. 46 pag. 96

Tecnique: Super Macro Illumination by: Simon Stopar

pag. 100

Review: The Graduated Mask By: Perpaolo Peluso

pag. 112

Dan: Overcoming Challenges By: DAN Europe

pag. 118

Editor: Fabio Strazzi Assistant Editor: Isabella Maffei

pag. 28

Scubashooters - Via Barucchi 37, 37139 Verona Graphic Design and Supervising: Elisa Furlani Layout: Elisa Furlani Alessandra Suppo Translations: Piera Pirini

4

䴀䔀䔀吀䤀一䜀 倀䔀刀䤀伀䐀㨀 一漀瘀攀洀戀攀爀 ㈀㄀ⴀ㈀㠀Ⰰ ㈀ ㈀ 倀刀䤀䌀䔀㨀 ㄀㌀ ␀ 琀眀椀渀 猀栀愀爀椀渀最 猀琀愀渀搀愀爀搀 爀漀漀洀 䐀䔀匀䌀刀䤀倀吀䤀伀一㨀 㜀 搀愀礀猀Ⰰ 㘀 搀椀瘀椀渀最 搀愀礀猀 Ⰰ ㄀㠀 搀椀瘀攀猀 愀琀 䄀琀氀愀渀琀椀猀 刀攀猀漀爀琀 搀椀 䐀甀洀愀最甀攀琀攀Ⰰ 䐀愀甀椀渀Ⰰ 倀栀椀氀椀瀀瀀椀渀攀猀

5

8

Biology

Nature Reborn

The World Has Stopped

Words and pictures: Emilio Mancuso

9

Biology

M

any are wondering what’s going on to our sea, the kingdom of silence, now that for almost two months, “it seems that the world has stopped.”

The Nature, and our seas in the very first place, always leaves us speechless for the great recovery capacities, for the great resilience basing its foundations in the biodiversity of these

Many people crave, and I, who am writing, admit having dreamed of the sea for many nights now, to returning to the water and see how much the sea is reborn.

ecosystems; but Nature itself teaches us that a very complex problem cannot be solved with a too simple solution.

Undoubtedly, curiosity is there, and I believe it is also fueled by the great passion and the great abstinence from the sea that we all have.

Then, there is news from various media speaking of a series of “exceptional” sightings seeming to tell us that, not only in the Mediterranean, but in our entire planet inside the seas, perhaps, nature is recovering space.

But as much as I am a pathological optimist, and as much as we all at this moment are in great need of optimism, it is unlikely that so many years of deeply wrong relationship with our sea could have been reset by a couple of months in which, I repeat, “it seems that the world has stopped “.

Hope you will forgive the quotation marks, but trying to understand a little more deeply what is happening and what we should do when we can return to enjoy our sea, it must be said in the first place that this isolation of ours does

10

the destination is well worth the effort!

11

Biology

12

13

Biology

not correspond to the lockdown of the whole planet and, above all, does not match with the blocking of human activities at sea.

The road below the house is more peaceful, the park is closed and even the big cities have become quieter ... but at the same time millions of tons of goods are sailing the seas of the world on board of thousands of ships, mining activities continue such as industrial fishing.

Our perception of the world stopping, at sea probably corresponds to a decrease in coastal anthropic activities: we are not diving, small-scale artisanal fishing has slowed down because local distribution has had some decrease, there was a stop to pleasure boating and surely all those in the sector related to summer coastal tourism are lagging behind the works (and with many concerns).

The world around us didn’t stop: it has only slightly lowered the background noise and the pressure on coastal environments.

Surely this will not upset our sea, especially in a period like spring that, in a seasonal sea like the Mediterranean, is an important moment of rebirth.

Nevertheless, if only a couple of months of reduced anthropic stress were enough to heal many and many years of constant impact, we would have to apply it at least every four years, like the Olympics, to totally heal the situation and bring us back to a sea prior the “industrial revolution�.

I hope this paragraph was able to stimulating reflection on how such a complex situation as the one that man and sea have been living for too many tens of years, cannot be solved so simply with what, and only apparently, is the world that stops.

I also invite you to reflect carefully on the many news that flood the media about the nature that is reconquering the world.

First, read closely and always make sure that

14

the news arriving is founded: in the last three days I received the same video of two dolphins swimming in a port on a cloudy day - while above Italy there was a wonderful sun - which was the port of Ischia the first time, the port of Lavagna the second time ... a port in Sardinia in the last post.

Even if in good faith, even if dictated by hope and by our need to knowing that “good nature always wins�, the famous fake news are more

likely to do damages, or at least to confuse us.

Even for those true, detailed and confirmed news of particular sightings, the point to be underlined is that these organisms have long since shown their presence and insistence close to human activities.

This was well before the lockdown, e.g. since the ability of some animals to adapt made us surprised to see them close to the breakwaters,

15

fish farms or along the commercial routes.

And it should have made us understand that, while we were modifying entire ecosystems by subtracting space and resources, some organisms were forced to adapt and were smart enough to find resources in what we left behind.

The romantic vision of the man-friendly bottlenose dolphin, often hides a bottlenose

dolphin turned less skilled that exploits an anomalous situation to more easily find more food and less competitors.

Fact remains that some encounters can sometimes be truly extraordinary, but this must not mean that our need for a romantic vision of nature distract us from what our responsibilities are, and from what we really need to field in favor of a more balanced relationship with nature.

Biology

16

17

Biology

Blue sharks have been spotted along the coast, fin-whales in the Strait of Messina and off the coast of Elba, and this reminds us “only� how wonderfully rich is the Mediterranean, and how little was enough to see it: a little silence, a pace a little slower and a crucial season such as spring, when the finwhales in the Strait of Sicily return to high Ligurian sea, or when young blue sharks come along the coast searching for food.

This cloistered life of ours will end, change, and we will return to a new everyday reality.

The most optimistic of the thoughts with which I close is that we all have learned a little better that problems affecting our health, our economy and our daily lives come from the bad management of natural resources.

That we have learned a little better that our sea has incredible potential and resilience,

18

but needs a more balanced relationship.

We will return to put the cylinders on our shoulders.

Personally, I can’t wait, but I promised myself to go back leaving the camera at the diving center for the first dive, for getting in the water with a net and gloves to collect as many crap as possible, to thanking the sea for waiting for us and for having made this confinement more bearable, even just with the memory of the many wonders it has always given us.

I can only invite you to do the same, and for the second dive everybody with cameras in hand to try to understand how relaxed the inshore sea has become after a couple of months of “silent spring�.

19

GAMMA

WATERPROOOF Flashlight

The essence of form + function now 60% brighter thanks to the latest LEDs and special light concentrating optics.

Each Gamma starts with aircraft grade aluminum, precision-machined into a supremely ergonomic, no-slip contour grip. Military-grade anodizing and a double o-ring seal provide corrosion-proof and waterproof operation up to 400ft (120m).

SPECIFICATIONS • • • • • • •

400 ft (120m) depth rating 350 lumen concentrated 10° beam Color temperature 6500K Over 10 hours run time Accepts 2 CR123 batteries Dimensions 5.6 x 1.4 in (142 x 36 mm) Weighs only 4 oz (113 g)

Review

Sea Save Foundation

Helping Our Buddies

Website: www.seasave.org

22

23

Review

S

ea Save Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non- We seek solutions, advance public policy, and profit ocean conservation organization. drive advocacy.

We believe that because oceans do not recognize political borders, we must work at the global level if we are going to bring about real change.

To that end, we have been official participants at the Conference of International Traded of Endangered Species (CITES) for more than

a decade and are also official participants in the United Nations: Ocean Conference.

The majority of our workforce comes from volunteers who leverage their professional skills to help promote our efforts.

The Sea Save Foundation Impact Statement: Sea Save Foundation strives to protect oceans by raising awareness about the beauty of marine ecosystems and their fundamental importance to human survival.

We are currently working to help SCUBA crews around the world through the COVID crisis.

Jacques Cousteau once accurately surmised: People love what they know and protect what they love.

Donate https://seasave.org/scubaambassadors/

We believe this is true, and as such, many of the primary ambassadors who show people the beauty of ocean ecosystems are SCUBA resort and liveaboard crews.

To this end, Sea Save Foundation set up a series of fundraisers for these crew members.

These diligent workers, often support extended families and rely heavily upon tips for their revenue stream.

24

Sea Save Foundation has created these fundraisers as a service and are taking zero percent of any funds raised.

25

Please consider helping your favorite crew:Â Â https://seasave.org/scubaambassadors/

Travels

Protected Marine Areas Let’s protect our Oceans

Words and pictures: Marcello Di Francesco

28

29

Travels

A

s underwater photographers, we can call ourselves privileged: we are often lucky enough to travel and dive in dream places and see wonders that are generally hidden from most people.

Being underwater photographers, we also have a great responsibility: namely to produce photos that amaze, that make people open their eyes, that make them fall in love with nature in order to make them aware of what man is causing to these environments and therefore try to stop them before our beloved underwater world is completely de-

stroyed. Underwater photographers have the opportunity to photograph places and living beings that most likely future generations will never be able to see due to the continuous deterioration of the marine environment. And it is really terrible to realizing that.

We hear more and more talking about conservation of the marine environment, precisely because the degradation factors of this delicate ecosystem are constantly and sadly growing.

The main causes of this rapid deterioration arise from the demographic increase and the consequent growth in consumption, which has led to the expansion in urbanization, the coasts cementification, the enhancement in industrial activities, sea transport, fishing and mass-tourism.

These are factors that are causing a severe deterioration of all marine environments, having as a sad result the loss of species and biodiversity.

Pollution, coastal erosion, but above all over-fishing and irresponsible (often also illegal), are among the main causes of these traumatic changes taking place.

Although the continuous adaptation of living beings to the evolving environment has always been a peculiar feature of our planet, due to the impact on the environment caused by the human activities mentioned above, the pace of these changes has so extraordinarily accelerated during the last century that is causing considerable concerns.

The destabilizing fact is that it is difficult to truly realize these changes, especially because

30

the destination is well worth the effort!

31

Travels

32

33

Travels

tinction as much as terrestrial ones.

most people are unaware of the seabed conditions of a few decades ago. For example, if we analyzed vintage photographs, we could easily see how some marine animal species abounded some time ago, while today they have almost completely disappeared precisely because of the excessive exploitation that has been done to our sea.

Today we know that the great ocean predators such as sharks, tuna and swordfish have decreased by 90% in just fifty years under the action of intensive fishing carried out with the trawl line (tool consisting of a long line of large diameter with inserted, at regular intervals, pieces of thinner lines each carrying a hook) or the horrible practice of shark finning.

Without those testimonials in the form of images, today we’d consider certain species as “rare� only because they are so in our brief present experience.

A truly depressing scenario. What to do then?

How can we try to remedy and limit or stop this rapid decline?

We now have the dramatic awareness that many marine environments, once destroyed, are no longer able to return to their original state. These will transform into different environments, much less rich in terms of biodiversity, that is the set of living species found in the considered area.

The establishment of Marine Protected Areas could be a viable idea, although it is certainly not a solution to the problem. It may seem like a grain of sand in the desert, but certainly the benefits that marine parks bring are certainly tangible and certainly are the first step towards spreading a culture aimed at increasing awareness and respect by all of

This shows that the sea is far from infinite, and that marine species are capable of ex-

34

us on the delicate environmental issue.

The natural marine protected area (MPA) is generally a circumscribed area of sea or coast of particular environmental value where, through a series of rules, you try to regulate the activities allowed, to preserve the environment (in particular the flora, the fauna and geology of the areas concerned) and make it impossible, or greatly limit, the construction of new commercial or industrial buildings that could somehow degenerate and/or damage the coastal areas in such places.

One of the fundamental rules of a MPA is to limit and regulate all fishing and taking activities within it. It also has the peculiarity of promoting and carrying out studies, research and allowing restocking; all combined with didactic and educational programs aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge towards the nature surrounding us.

There are many examples of MPA in Italy and worldwide. As an underwater photographer,

35

I have recently had the opportunity to dive very often in South East Asia, in places characterized by a vast and very interesting biodiversity but unfortunately victims of illegal fishing, poaching or fishing with cyanide which is causing significant damage also to the corals population.

However, I was lucky enough to visit several conservation areas: protected areas where nature continues to proliferate. There are many virtuous examples of these areas where nature is yet again taking possession of its spaces.

Over the years, I have dived into the waters of Sipadan, in the Sea of Celebes, just off the east coast of Borneo. The same island that Jacques Cousteau defined fifty years ago as a unique and intact work of art, is today one of the 5 marine parks established by the Malaysian government.

No coincidence that this has always been seen as a top destination in the world for

Travels

36

37

Travels

38

39

Travels

the quality of the dive sites, mainly thanks to one of the richest underwater habitats ever, with more than 3,000 species of fish

were started on the island of Sangalaki, setting up ranger stations to control the nesting areas and take care of the nests on the

and hundreds of different classified corals.

By diving into its waters, you have the opportunity to dive in the midst of thick schools of fish (something increasingly rare nowadays).

beaches of this beautiful piece of sea.

The results are surprising and you can see turtles almost everywhere while diving.

One of my last trips took me to another marine protected area, that of Misool. We are in Raja Ampat, which corresponds to the Indonesian (and western) part of New Guinea.

Here you can make very diversified and interesting encounters, from green to hawksbill turtles, from dense shoals of barracudas or jackfish, to large columns of huge bumphead parrotfish, from white tip reef sharks to gray reef sharks, plus a whole incredible series of smaller subjects that are a peculiar feature of the biodiversity of these Indo-Pacific waters.

It consists of an archipelago made up of 4 main islands (Misool, Batanta, Waigeo and Salawati) to which are added another 1,500 islets of various sizes.

The seabed of this area is now one of the last ‘underwater frontiers’: a real underwater paradise still perfectly preserved. Misool became a Marine Protected Area in 2005. 15 local rangers work full-time patrolling the area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring the

An exuberant nature and lots of fish even slightly further south, in the Indonesian part of Borneo. For example, I dove in the Derawan archipelago, where programs for the protection of green and hawksbill turtles

40

absolute ban on fishing. Since then the Misool Foundation has expanded and now protects a marine reserve of 12,000 square km within

which all taking practices are prohibited: fishing, collection of turtle eggs, fishing with dynamite or cyanide. Nets are also prohibited, such as shark finning.

The results are truly extraordinary: just put your head under the surface of the water to understand that you are into a real biodiversity paradise. A recent scientific survey found that, on average, biomass increased by 250% in just 6 years and, in some specific sites, the recovery has even exceeded 600%.

The first consideration I made after diving in these places, was to note that it is first of all thanks to the establishment of the marine park that today we divers can still admire the wonderful spectacle that these waters have to offer.

41

Fortunately, thanks to far-sighted governments, it has been possible to contain a possible deterioration of this corner of paradise.

However, the large increase in underwater tourism could also become a problem.

Thus, in many of these areas the entrances are controlled and under fixed number so to avoid overcrowding of divers and boats.

All this to avoid the deterioration of the coral reefs quality. Moreover, there have been encouraged various marine habitat conservation programs by undertaking several activities aimed at increasing the ecological awareness of the inhabitants.

Only by increasing education and raising awareness among local fishermen and ordinary people about the importance of conserving natural resources we could really achieve visible and concrete results.

Travels

42

The government has also implemented biological and habitat data collection, cataloging the various vulnerable marine species, threatened by fishing or endangered.

Ultimately, the MPAs represent one of the most important tools in the management of a country’s marine resources, raising awareness of the real risks that our planet may face.

These underwater paradises are also an important tourist resource and bring wealth to the country.

43

Protecting them is very important and ensures that we are moving towards an increasingly sustainable development.

I can conclude that for sure protecting, managing, and preserving marine ecosystems perpetually is vital: a way that will allow future generations to appreciate, understand and enjoy all what nature has to offer. www.marcellodifrancesco.com

46

Biology

The Camogli’s “Tonnarella”

Words and pictures: Isabella Maffei Photo

47

Biology

T

una fishing is a piece of food culture still resisting in northern Italy, safeguarded and accepted in one of the most famous marine protected areas in the world: the Portofino one.

doing so, we have suppressed the memory of those who, with the experience of aching hands and faces corroded by sun and salt, found a compromise with the big blue.

It is an ancient art, lost in a limbo of confusion and horror, abused by words such as over fishing, exploitation of resources, and destruction of the seabed.

While the open sea fishing has become more and more destructive, and bottom trawls seriously damage the deep seabed, in the activities taking place around the “Tonnarella” remain all the charm of the old fisherman’s craft, deep connoisseur of the sea and its resources.

No, it wasn’t always like that, and in this last stronghold of awareness, for hundreds of years, a fishing cooperative keeps alive the hope that humans and the sea can continue to co-exist, without one sinking each other.

We live our “ecological” past as an ominous moment to forget, an era to remedy, but

Today, like centuries ago, the nets are lowered each year, from April to late September, at the same spot of the coast, enclosed between Camogli and Punta Chiappa (GE).

Still handmade woven by tuna fishermen, the

48

49

Tecnique

50

51

Biology

“tonnarotti,” using twisted coconut fibers, once the nets are dropped underwater are quickly colonized by marine organisms, thus making them difficult to detect by migratory fishes.

eye, the tuna is deceived by the barrage created by the “foot” (the piece of net anchored to the ground, placed transversely to its path) and follows it up to finish its journey inside the Tonnarella.

The correct positioning of the nets system is the result of archaic observational strategies about tuna habits.

Entering the grand room of the trap, the fish is disoriented and, unable to find a path to its left can only enter into the various rooms, until arriving to the death room, where there’s no way out and where its fate is marked.

The fish comes in during springtime through the Gibraltar Strait, follows the temperate surface currents, essential for its reproduction, and then returns from where it came in fall.

It is said that, carrying out this migration towards the Ligurian Sea, the tunas keep always the land to their left side, as if watching with a single eye.

Always following the coast with the left

It is selective fishing, not destructive.

Tuna is becoming increasingly rare.

The nets also capture smaller fish species, such as kingfish, bonito, swordfish, jackfish, mackerel and sea bream, but very often in the passage chambers, together with fish of small size not yet mature for selling, also sneak-in species commercially not interesting, such as sunfishes, mobulas and many others, which are then

52

released when lifting the nets.

For the first time in living memory, but above all for the first time documented and photographed, two dolphins, driven by curiosity or perhaps attracted by the fish, have entered the net. Although they had the consciousness of being in a restricted environment, they did not seem frightened by the situation.

To the contrary, they showed curiosity towards

me, maybe because we were playing on equal terms: both mammals, both needing air to remain under water, both closed in the net. Vocalizations were frequent, perhaps to locate the net that in some parts, especially in the backlight, became almost invisible.

They tried to interact for fifty minutes, attracted by the light of my flashes, or perhaps com-

53

forted by a strange cooperation relationship, or maybe to become a pack. I had their eyes on mine always. It is difficult to interpret the behavior or the thinking of these mammals but, for a moment, the one who felt uncomfortable was I. The joy of this unexpected encounter soon turned into the sorrow of seeing these beautiful creatures, so close to us by genre, confined in a space that was reducing quickly.

What were they thinking? What were they feeling?

They never tried to force the net. Perhaps their faith in humans was great, or maybe they were completely unaware of what was happening.

Armchair, lookout and donkey have always

Biology

54

55

Biology

56

57

Biology

been the three wooden boats used for fishing in the Tonnarella.

Every move, repeated by the crew and commanded by “the rais,” the head fisherman, is a journey back in time. Fishermen rise the nets three times a day by dint of arms, shrinking it and bringing it closer to the surface, fishing only what has to be fished.

All the fishes of no commercial interest are left into the sack.

The uncollected fish species are set in conditions to break free on their own: the same way they went in, they would get out, but not without feeling stressed.

Fish have no expression, in appearance at least, but the eyes of those dolphins, in that instant, expressed uncertainty, awareness of a potential danger, alarm status and need for an action: escape.

I was there, in front of them, only allowed to observe: while one was pushing down the bag using his nose, the other freed himself rolling around on the belly.

An example of group strategy, which leaves to understand how these mammals apply the result of reasoning to the sheer instinct.

One last gentle greeting, a bow to my lens and then off to freedom. I reconsidered the meaning of freedom.

No nets or barriers deprive us of freedom, but the helplessness and the resignation to accept a fate we do not master any longer. fishing has also been the cause of the loss of interest by entrepreneurs, who regularly took under concession and set up, every year, the Tonnarella.

The concept of eco-sustainability is as old as the sea. Ever since humankind began to take advantage of its resources for a living.

Preserve and not destroy: humankind knows how to do even that, and it is inherent in his nature. It’s enough to remember and take as a model an old craft, ancient like the sea: the fisherman.

Over the years, the fishermen cooperatives of Camogli, took turns preparing seasonally the Tonnarella, but from the ‘80, management went to the Cooperative Fishermen of Camogli, one of the most important sector

The gradual loss of profit related to tuna

58

companies in Liguria, founded in 1974.

Even today, the cooperative proudly carries forward said tradition that, in addition to the long fishing season, engages fishermen for the rest of the year in the nets’ patient manufacturing operations, and the putting into the sea of the structure.

Over the past decade, to keep alive a dying profession, in collaboration with a local div-

59

ing center, is permitted to a maximum of 5 divers at a time and under the supervision of an attentive guidance, to dive inside the grand chamber of the Tonnarella.

Divulgation, Eco tourism, awareness of their own origins, can do nothing but help us to preserve the cradle of life: the sea. www.isabellamaffeiphoto.com

Puerto Galera - Oriental Mindoro - Philippines

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

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

An ideal destination for macro photographers.

www.fishermenscove.com

.

+63 917 533 2985

.

info@fishermenscove.com

Portfolio

Fabio Iardino 62

63

I

was born in 1971 in Udine, in the north east of Italy. Passionate about photography since I was a child, intrigued by the magic of the dark room, where my father Alfredo developed his films and printed his shots.

I began to dive with him in 1983 although the first CMAS diving certificate was obtained in 1992.

Over the years I became a CMAS diving instructor and also a diving instructor in TRIMIX. The passion for photography and scuba diving soon led me first to the purchase of a fantastic Nikonos V where I started photographing underwater.

After attending an underwater photography course, I switched to the use of the SRL

64

65

Portfolio

66

67

68

69

camera with the famous Nikon F-801s and Nikon F90x in housing made by the Swiss RenĂŠ Hugenschmidt who in 1953 founded the Hugyfot brand and then moved on to digital photography using the D200, the D300s, the D800e up to the D850 with two strobes OneUW 160x and two Inon z330.

As well as the lenses for wide photos Nikon AF-S Fisheye Nikkor 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5 ED, for macro AF-S Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G ED DX, AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED and Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro. I use also two wet macro lens: SubSee +5 and Inon UCL-90 +11.

For creative photography I often use my handmade optical snoot.

70

In 2009 I published a photo book titled “THE TWO FACES OF AN ADRIATIC PEARL” dedicated to the Dalmatian island of Vis. For FIAS (the Italian Federation of Underwater Activities), I participated in the writing of the books “UNDERWATER DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY” used for Underwater photography courses and “TRIMIX MANUAL 62” for Trimix diving courses.

From 1983 I dived and photographed in Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Malta, Greece, Austria, Egypt, Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Serbia and Atlantic Ocean.

Since 2006 I participated in competitions and contest of underwater photography of national and international circuits.

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

Portfolio

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87

88

89

90

91

In 2015 I won the Italian Championship of underwater photography in team competition played in Panarea Island, in Sicily.

Among the many prizes and awards the most important was undoubtedly “Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019” in the Macro category at the “UPY” prestigious english contest.

92

I had the honor of being part of the “Club Azzurro” the Italian National Underwater Photography Team.

Recently I have been invited as a member of the jury in contests and underwater photography competitions, where with pride and passion in these years I have been trying to do my best.

I’m SNSI Underwater photography instructor trainer and I organize underwater photography courses up to instructor level on request.

I am proudly part of the “World Ambassador” for Italy of the Hugyfot brand that accompanied me on my dives for almost thirty years.

I am also testimonial of the “ONEuw” manufacturer of high quality underwater strobes, “TRT TURTLE strobe trigger” as well and part of the “tester team” of the Flex-Arm Underwater System.

My contacts:

93

Crystal Blue Resort~Anilao

Dedicated to Underwater Photographers Worldwide • • • • • • • •

Nitrox 32 Chef Prepared Meals On-Sight Photo Pro Camera Room Workshops Highly Skilled Spotters 4:1 boat loads Rental Gear

Contact Mike@DiveCBR.com saltwaterphoto@live.com

INTO THE

DEEP

Y OUR DREAMS OF

+39 335 537 8531

ficarelladivingclub@gmail.com

Ficarella-Diving-Club-Saline-Joniche-rc-Italy

Explore Cape Town’s top dive sites

Macro Life

Kelp Forests

Beautiful Reefs

Nudibranchs

www.indigoscuba.com

info@indigoscuba.com

+27 (0)83 268 1851

Interview

Interview with: David Pilosof

CoVid-19 and World Shootout

By Isabella Maffei Photo www.isabellamaffeiphoto.com

96

How will the covid-19 affect the recreational diving environment ?

The Corona virus stormed our lives and began to affect all factors in the global economy - stock exchanges, economy, tourism, restaurants and of course the diving sport.

The far-reaching effects of the virus to cease diving activities with new dive certification in dive clubs, and in the dive tourism that caused the closure of dive resorts and Live aboard around the world.

The closure has more benefits - evidence of a decline in underwater noise causes experts to predict that the crisis may have benefited other whales and mammals on days and oceans and in some places reports fish and animals have begun to appear, which means divers have had a significant impact on reef destruction.

Do you find that the restrictions for the underwater activities are severely limiting for the performance of our favorite hobby?

For many years you have been on the scene of international diving shows with one of the most famous contest in the world : “ the world shootout”. What will be the impact of anti-covid limitations on the competition’s activities ?

It’s a little delusional to the restrictions that the authorities don’t understand and impose on the diving industry

I quickly realized that 2020 will not be another year with the regular annual competition that requires new photos taken during the current year and then to also engage and keep the photographers in focus came the idea of ​​going to “Pictures of your life” competition where this unique competition allows the photographers to go to their archive dig and submit their best photos taken Over the past years to 12 categories

The dive world is starting to develop locally, and it will take several months for airlines to return to flight and dives to fly From the dive sites.

Do you have any suggestions for diving on the management of demanding customers such us underwater photographers?

As I see in Israel on the first day that allowed under the restrictions to go diving, Israeli divers flocked to Eilat on the Red Sea and I believe that in the first phase diving activities in general and underwater photographers in particular will concentrate on dive locations close and nearby where they leave that do not need to go on planes.

True, there are no prizes and no participation fees, but in the end, we will produce a digital album with the best photos and in August 1st will perform a live ceremony in FaceBook where the finalists will be announced and of course the winners

97

Tecnique

SMI: Super Macro Illumination Words and pictures: Simon Stopar

100

101

Tecnique

S

ponents and no sealing surfaces and O rings.

SMI can operate at any depth.

Due to this fact there are no electronic com-

SMI is custom design for each user according to the equipment which customer use.

It can be design and manufactured for any di-

MI system is custom designed according to user needs and equipment configuration.

It is passive system which means that have no light source at its own, but use torch or strobe for light source.

opter and almost any torch or strobe. Diopter can be fixed directly on port or on flip holder.

SMI can be put on/off before dive or underwater during shooting. If diameters of different diopters (e.g. 5+ and 10+ ) are similar enough, then one SMI system can be used for both.

On the market there are well known Weefine ring torch, but there are few key difference.

Ring torch have 90 degrees beam and cannot

102

103

Tecnique

104

105

Tecnique

106

illuminate object right in front of lens on short distance (20 mm -40 mm). SMI deliver focused light on relatively small area in front of super macro lens on distance between 20 to 50 mm. this is usually focus range of most of diopters

With SMI can be also shooting in burst mode or post focus mode (if camera have this option).

SMI is light weight for transport and traveling (approx. 200 grams) and slightly negative In case when the object is hiding in small hole buoyance. or tide crack there are not possible to illuminate the object with torch or strobe from side position, but with SMI there are no problem Autor of pic. In folder MIKE RUDE is Mikhail because light come from right direction.

Rudenko, Autor of pic. In folder Jonny Magnusson is JonIf photographer want to “play� with light, than ny Magnusson, also strobe from side position can be use to- Bouth of them are agree with publishing of gether with SMI and shadows can be created. there photos SMI is a perfect system for super macro shoot- the rest of pics are mine. ing of still images or videos.

My contacts: sstopar@gmail.com Facebook: @supermacroilumination

107

We are located exactly 74 km far from Trieste, near the small town of Kantrida, which is about 5 to 6 km before downtown Rijeka.

Our Diving Centre is right under the swimming pools area, directly in front of the open beach. On one side, we are overlooked by Mount Major (Ucka) and on the other, we face the beautiful islands of Krk and Cherso: in brief, we are right inside the Kvarnaro Gulf.

Our flagship is wreck diving by boat: three wrecks situated at different depths, each one no farther than maximum 20 minutes boat ride. And there’s more! Our shore dives directly from our Center’s beach offer an easy and colorful training ground for any kind of diving courses. Finally yet importantly, our diamond tip dedicated to macro photography lovers: a wide variety of critters to increase the pleasure of diving.

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

www.diving-marcopolo.com

唀渀搀攀爀眀愀琀攀爀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀

挀⼀漀 匀琀愀戀椀氀椀洀攀渀琀漀 戀愀氀渀攀愀爀攀 ᰠ匀琀攀氀氀愀 䴀愀爀椀渀愀 渀⸀㜀ᴠ 一甀洀愀渀愀Ⰰ 䤀琀愀氀礀 吀攀氀⸀ ㌀㤀 ㌀㌀㔀 㘀㘀㈀㔀㌀㌀㤀 䔀洀愀椀氀⸀ 椀渀昀漀䀀挀攀渀琀爀漀猀甀戀洀漀渀琀攀挀漀渀攀爀漀⸀挀漀洀 眀眀眀⸀挀攀渀琀爀漀猀甀戀洀漀渀琀攀挀漀渀攀爀漀⸀挀漀洀

Review

The Graduate Mask Of Claudia Becherucci Words and pictures: Pierpaolo Peluso

110

111

Review

I

want to see it clearly …

What I am about to describe may look like a trivial topic, one of those things that seem “obvious”, but given my personal experience and after having talked about it with many of my clients (I own a diving center in Sharm el

focus, there is little to do except using a graduated diving mask.

Someone offers contact lenses also for presbyopia, but the performance is really unsatisfactory. Which brings us to why I thought of writing this article: I am at my third graduated mask

Sheikh specialized in underwater photography, the Bubbles Dive Club, where I often hear about various sight problems), I noticed that the issue has a certain relevance.

and finally “I saw the light.”

It is undeniable that the average age of divers is rising and, after forty years of age, vision problems arrive.

Personal result: the first one made me turn my head if I looked from both eyes, the second had the additional lenses mounted too high and, when I didn’t want to use them, I had to look with my eyes upwards, in an unnatural position that brought me considerable discomfort.

The manufacturers of underwater housings have helped us with the various magnifiers that allow a better view in the viewfinder, but for that growing number of compact cameras users, without a viewfinder, and for those who want to be sure that their last shot is in

In most cases, they ask you what grade you need and glue lenses to the mask ...

By chance, I came across a girl, Claudia Becherucci, who turns out to be the owner of an optician shop with a well-equipped lens pro-

112

cessing laboratory.

correction, but under-correct by 0.50 / 0.75 so as not to have a lens that is too thick at Well, maybe because she is a scuba diver too, the edge when passing from near to far and, maybe because she too has vision problems, more importantly, allowing a more flexible but she does this job with an incredible pas- focus point from near (i.e. not too close). sion. I’ll tell you how she behaves so that you can understand what to ask your trusted opti- Among other things, as per the segment cian, unless you do not want to contact her di- height, I ask whoever orders the mask from rectly given that she delivers all over the world. outside either to mark the pupillary point Just be prepared to give her the set of parame- on the mask or, in case they have to order it ters you’ll be required. from me, I adjust based on the mask model. http://www.mascheregraduate.it/

Yours for example, which has inclined glass and therefore widens your field of vision, To better understand, I made her a small se- MUST be centered a little lower precisely beries of questions that I report. cause the inclination already brings the lens closer to your eye.

Me: Hello Claudia. I decided to ask you a few things Me: after becoming one of your happy customers. When I ordered the mask, you took my inYou have now become one of the reference ter-pupil distance. If I had to order the mask points in Italy for those who “want to see clear- online from you, who would provide me this ly under water”, and I know that your masks data? are also being requested from abroad.

Claudia: Definitely your ophthalmologist, from whom Personally, after having already had two, I we should remember well how important it is found your work absolutely different and I to be examined every now and then. would like to understand why. What do you ask to those who order you a graduated mask? Me: Are all masks eligible for becoming optical Claudia: masks?

In addition to the classic parameters that are requested, but not always taken into account, Claudia: the fundamental thing for a photographer The choice of the suitable mask for underwaremains the height of the segment and, for ter photography and video shooting is essenhigher corrections by presbyopia (greater tial to obtain a satisfactory result. Not all of the than 3 diopters) I usually avoid giving the full models of masks on the market are in

113

Review

114

Moreover, the masks with removable frames allow an easy “transfer” or replacement of the optical lens in the case of losses and / or silicone ruptures, but also the replacement in case the optical correction is to be increased or modified.

Me: fact suitable for the mounting of presbyopia Once you choose the right one, what will hapcorrective segments or for a bifocal correction, pen to our mask? and thanks to our decades of experience we are able to supply the best advice based on the Claudia: optical correction to be made and the personal Regarding the processing phases of the gradneeds of the photographer. uated mask, particular attention must be paid to the pre-gluing cleaning phases of the Me: lenses with specific products.

Explain yourself better: on what basis should I This allows us having an excellent perforchoose one mask instead of another? mance over time by avoiding the infiltration of water between the two lenses, afterwards Claudia: highlighted by dirt, as well as eliminating as much as possible the annoying fogging that Some masks models have features allowing them to better adapt to your face morphology frequently creates problems during diving. and the optical correction to be applied.

In addition, the use of top quality adhesives The parameters to consider and recommend that have the same refractive index as the are definitely a particular “drop” shape, deep- glass avoids any type of distortion, ensuring excellent optical quality. er in the lower part, as well as an inclination of the front towards the face that allows to Thanks Claudia, keep it up. I’m looking forward bringing the lenses closer to the eyes and consequently significantly increase the visual to unveiling the project you told me about, which will be an incredible innovation for us field, both peripheral than in proximal diswho need optical masks. tance vision.

115

Leo3 Plus

Leo3 Wi

MAKE IT EASY

Leo3

Leo3 Smart

Enjoy your passion.

We make it possible.

Via Milano 177/B 37014 Castelnuovo d/G Verona - ITALY 0039 45 6450480 info@isotecnic.it

www.revistaaQua.com • aQua #18

free download

aQua magazine

www.revistaaqua.com

DAN Europe

Overcoming Challenges While Diving

Website: www.daneurope.org

G

It all happened very fast.

ETTING LOST AT SEA: NIGHT DIVE IN THE GALAPAGOS Well, I nearly lost my life twice.

I remember I couldn’t see beyond my hand. I was being pushed from one side to the other.

One was a near drowning experience when three friends and I went diving in rough seas at Dwejra in Gozo, and the other was during a night-dive in the Galapagos.

About 10 minutes later we managed to make it through the tunnel and into the blue and, when we got there, we realised what a terrible idea it all was.

Both were due to me being silly or not taking the necessary precautions.

“The more you know before your dive, the easier it is to factor in the possibility of what could go wrong.”

Back then I was certainly younger and more naive — you always think it won’t happen to you or if it does, that you can get away with it. Luckily, I didn’t pay the ultimate price.

HYPERVENTILATING WATER: DROWNING IN ROUGH SEAS

I was leading the other two guys and we immediately decided we needed to head back.

I stopped to wait for them so we would surface together but unlucky for me, a wave broke, literally, all over me, yanking me into the other side of the inland sea, ripping off my mask and regulator.

ALMOST

Two of my friends and I decided to go for a dive at the inland sea in Dwejra, Gozo.

My tank was wedged into a crack and I was hyperventilating water.

It was the craziest thing we could do: the waves were breaking through that narrow passage, hitting the ceiling, but we had dived there the week before and we thought we’ll be fine.

Thankfully I didn’t hit my head, but I saw my whole childhood flash before me and it was then I realised: “I’m drowning, I’m dying”

When we eventually came to the rocks it was already way beyond what we imaged.

Instinctively, I reached for my regulator which was dangling at the side of my suit and started trying to breathe again.

The water was coming into the narrow passage through which we had to pass and then coming out at such an intense speed, it was basically sucking us in.

I then managed to get out from where I got stuck and started to surface.

118

I then made it to hospital where I was treated. Looking back I was really lucky I had the necessary experience and reacted the way I did.

could go wrong.

My advice to divers is: 1. Know yourself.

2. Know your equipment.

3. Know your territory.

It’s easier to know what one can expect when diving in familiar territory.

Take all the necessary precautions and never, ever think you are about to ask a stupid question.

If I’m diving in a completely new environment, then I will take other precautions, even asking basic questions to ensure I’m completely aware of sea and weather conditions.

When in doubt, speak.

It’s better to go in for a dive feeling assured than feeling helpless in a crisis situation.

ADVICE TO DIVERS The more you know before your dive, the easier it is to factor in the possibility of what

Don’t take anything for granted.

119

匀 吀䄀夀 䤀 一 倀䄀 刀 䄀 䐀 䤀 匀 䔀

䄀 䜀 唀 匀 吀䄀 䤀 匀 䰀 䄀 一 䐀 Ⰰ 刀 䄀 䨀 䄀 䄀 䴀 倀䄀吀Ⰰ 䤀 一 䐀 伀 一 䔀 匀 䤀 䄀 䤀 一 䘀 伀 䀀 䄀 䜀 唀 匀 吀 䄀 刀 䔀 匀 伀 刀 吀⸀ 䌀 伀 䴀 䄀 䜀 唀 匀 吀 䄀 刀 䔀 匀 伀 刀 吀⸀ 䌀 伀 䴀

Indonesia MOYO ISLAND

See it, Dive it, Love it A top natural wonderland A place where the beauty of nature exceeds expectation.

An exotic and luxuriant island paradise.

An extremely peaceful place where you can relax in tranquility.

A world-class diving destination.

info@bluemoceanresort.com www.bluemoceanresort.com +62 813.3794.6294