Alexander Mustard
Portfolio
issue n°43
Tecnique:
- feb 2019
shooting wide in
Raja Ampat
Review: GioSim UW housing
Travels: Crystal Blue resort
DAN Europe: 5 tips to avoid accidents
Biology: the White Tip reef shark
Monthly Contest: October - November
Dear friends, First of all I would like to wish you a wonderful and happy new year! You will remember that during the last quarter of 2018 we decided to steer towards quality; for this reason our magazine became bi monthly plus two special issues during the year. Talking about quality it’s my pleasure to introduce you Scubashooters Magazine new Editor in chief, Leonardo D’imporzano. Beside being a professional journalist with numerous publications he is also a diver and a great Ocean lover... you will find more information about him in the following pages reading his editorial. So I would like to publicly welcome Leonardo on board the Scubashooters.net ship and wish him great times and good work with us. Stay tuned for more news to come in the months ahead! Marino Palla Owner and Founder Scubashooters Network
Cover image by: Alexander Mustard
News
Welcome
Leonardo D’Imporzano
Chief Editor of Scubashooters
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issues of “Scubashooters”; as many as the answer to life’s essential question, according to Douglas Adams in his “Galactic guide for hitchhikers”. And SCUBA divers are a little hitchhikers too, due to their always overweight luggages, full of diving photographic, video gears and apparatus, often custom made so to make them resemble “Ocean’s Geeks”, ready to dive into unknown submerged universes always bringing along their personal towel, another essential requirement for every “galactic hitchhiker”.
of the huge work laying behind this machine through the years; they were having results, notably increasing as time passed and so stepping into the Command deck of this ship at large wasn’t and it isn’t an easy task for me. After several meetings with them, we set forth new guide lines and strategic goals we want to achieve with what we can call now the magazine new course... n43 was born and to me (but not only) it’s like number 0.
During the nearly 4 years of “Scubashooters” life, the magazine has become a precious source of information for underwater photographers worldwide; wether you were looking for UW photo tips, intended to plan or seeking inspiration for the long time dreamt trip, or looking for the right space through which let the world know your experiences and discoveries, “Scubashooters” has proven to be the right place, and each issue’s readers number give the right measure of this more than every other thing. All big projects are in a constant evolution... if you want to evolve, keep the pace, and why not become somewhat of visionary you need to keep on changing.
First and foremost, impossible to be unnoticed we now applied a small fee on. In most countries for the equivalent of this fee, you can buy a coffee for example, this is what we ask you in order to be able to continue offering a quality service to you and deliver it flawlessly to your devices.
When Marino and Fabio offered me the Chief Editor position at Scubashooters’ Magazine, I honestly was reluctant and in doubt wether to accept the position or not: I was aware
This price is a really small amount of money for almost everyone involved in the diving industry but it’s a meaningful amount for us
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which will enable Scubashooters to improve its offer, bringing always unpublished contents, scientific insights, in a better and more consistent way than the one we have been able to afford so far. This will be possible because with small fee we will be able to pay all the graphics, freelance, reporters, biologists and photographers who make every issue possible. The euro will enable them to dedicate more time and energy and I’m sure this will improve the overall quality of our magazine. For this turning point issue, we will offer you the breath taking portfolio of one of the UW photography absolute stars, Mr Alex Mustard as well as a new housing preview. Keep on trusting and supporting us, we will pay you back with emotions, this is our commitment. Happy bubbles! Leonardo D’Imporzano - Chief Editor Scientific journalist and “Golden Trident” @ International Academy of UW Sciences and Technologies.
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Contents
Issue n°43 - February 2019 pag. 44
P ortfolio Alexander Mustard
Editorial: by Marino Palla
Biology:
pag. 3
fish watching the reef, the White Tip shark
News:
welcome Leonardo
D’Imporzano
pag. 4 pag. 62
Tecnique:
Monthly contest: October - November turtles, marine ambient
pag. 68
pag. 10
Travels: 36 years on in Tufi paradise in Papua New Guinea
pag. 72
pag. 28
Review: UW housing for Canon EOS R by GioSim
pag. 84
shooting wide in Raja Ampat
Review: Inon super midrange D-200 Strobe Travels: Crystal Blue Resort Anilao, Philippines
DAN Europe: 5 tips to avoid accidents
pag. 34
on dive boats
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pag. 90
DESIGNED FOR DEPTH The ZEO’s all-metal, pneumatically-balanced valve is an engineering marvel of precision, durability and comfort delivering a phenomenal breathing experience in any condition. Time for an upgrade?
www.oceanicuk.com
I N N O VAT I O N F I R S T
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Tecnique
Shooting Wide in
Raja Ampat
Words and pictures: Beth Watson
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capture the essence of the regions splendor using a macro lens. Consider shooting wide, and focus on the entire scene. Please also take time to observe and enjoy the macro species as well.
aja Ampat in Indonesia is a vast archipelago that incorporates over 2,500 islands. The coral reefs here host one of the highest concentrations of endemic fishes in the Pacific Ocean and the visual impact is stunning. Situated within the Coral Triangle, West Papua has been coined the Bird’s Head Seascape and is considered the worlds premier epicenter of marine biodiversity. The Bird’s Head Seascape lies on top of a tectonic plate convergence zone, it’s one of the most geologically active places on Earth. The Pacific Ocean currents flow through this region bringing in rich nutrients creating an environment which cultivates extreme marine diversity. This fantastic province has an endless array of extraordinary photographic opportunities both above water and below. Underwater photographers will have the arduous decision whether use a macro or wide angle lens in this wildly beautiful region. The massive coral bommies, shallow water mangroves, shoals of glass sweepers and schooling fish are best recorded using a wide angle or fisheye lens. It is difficult to
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Composition
After these questions are answered, proceed with your camera settings, strobe positioning etc. Practice this sequence often; it won’t take long until it becomes second nature, and the questions and answers will come quickly. The result will be improvement in photography and diving skills.
Wide angle photography produces its own set of unique challenges. Creating an impactful, colorful, sharp image requires thought and preparation. There are several variables that need to be considered when photographing underwater wide angle scenes. Scan the reef and water column, looking for visual impact.
A few lucky people have a natural eye for composition while others often struggle. Visualize a final image before it is captured. Look at the works of other photographer’s whom you admire. What do you like and dis-like about their images? What draws your attention? Is it the color, subject, lighting, lens choice or composition? Don’t emulate other photographers; take what is inspirational, build on that, practice and create your own style of photography.
A good composition will engage the viewer, whether it is simple or complex. Sometimes the “less is more” theory works well. Bird’s Head Seascape is often an underwater extravaganza. There can be so much action, it becomes difficult to know where to look, and much less what to shoot. After the decision has been made what to shoot, a few questions need to be answered before setting up for the shot. What direction is the sun shining? Which direction is the current running? How much air is left and what is my depth? Do I have proper buoyancy to capture the shot?
Camera Settings It is important to know what camera and strobe settings are dialed in before you enter the water.
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Tecnique
This will facilitate quicker adjustments underwater, and will improve your chance of not missing the shot. A good starting point for camera setting would be; f/11, 1/100, ISO 100-160.
Once in the water, meter the water and adjust accordingly. Set the focus point 1/3 up from the bottom of the scene. This will provide good overall clarity and depth of field for the image.
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The background color and brightness is controlled by the shutter speed. The higher the shutter speed the darker the background. If a blue background to too dark, lower the shutter speed to create a background with lighter shades of blue. However, if there is a moving subject in the frame, a minimum shutter speed of 1/100 to 1/125 is required to freeze the action. If the shutter speed is increased, it might be necessary to raise the ISO to compensate. Artificial Light Lighting wide angle scenes can be challenging, it takes time, patience and most of all practice. Balancing ambient light with artificial light can be a hurdle for those new to the technique. When lighting wide angle scenes, several variables need to be taken into consideration; the position and strength of the sun, distance to subject, strobe power and camera settings all attribute to the end result. Shooting a scene that is parallel to your camera lens will enable the entire scene to be evenly lit. Otherwise, the strobes will not reach the distant areas of the image resulting in diminished colors and dark spots. Use a diffuser on strobes to soften and spread the light for even distribution.
camera at the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. Aim the strobes the same direction the sun is shining through the water. This will mimic the sun and add additional light on the subject. Experiment with different strobe positions to find out what works best for different situations. A good starting point for strobe power is 1/4. Most wide angle scenes can be adequately lit without cranking up the strobe to maximum power. Dial in the strobe settings manually instead of relying on TTL. It can be difficult to properly expose a wide angle scene using TTL.
For wide angle images, longer strobe arms are ideal, they will add more lighting coverage. However, this does not necessarily apply to super-wide angle lenses, such as the Canon 8-15 fisheye lens. If long arms are used it may be necessary to drawn them in. Otherwise, the strobe light might not reach the center portion of the image, causing a dark spot. A solution would be to place a third strobe above the camera. To prevent strobe flare and backscatter, extend the strobes behind the camera lens and angle them outwards. This is especially crucial when using a fisheye lens. Another technique is to position the sun behind you and adjust the strobes above the
Ambient Light, Reflections & Silhouettes Eye-popping, colorful images can be achieved with ambient light. To get good color in your images, shoot with the sun behind the camera and close to the surface. Less color absorption will take place in shallow water, creating colorful, sharp, detailed images.
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Dappled Light
Reflections are fun and easy to shoot. Be creative and think outside of the box, reflections can be inspiring and thought-provoking. Experiment shooting in shallow water near the surface. Angle the camera until the reflections are visible in the viewfinder. The calmer the water, the more mirror-like effect the effect will be.
Approximately one hour before sunset sun-rays will begin to shimmer and dance through the water column. This daily short-lived phenomenon is known as dappled light. To capture this magical light it’s best to shoot in shallow water, 10 meters or less. A higher aperture setting will create a sharper, crisper image. Adjust the ISO or shutter speed to compensate for dark images. It is good practice to check the histogram, evaluate and make sure the highlights have not been over-exposed. Providing the sun is over-head, dappled light is visible for a short period every day. Be prepared and find the subject/composition early in the dive.
Silhouettes are captured by putting the subject in front of the sun or light source. Attempt to cover up the entire light source with the subject. Be careful not to over-expose the highlights. Faster shutter speeds are required to stop moving subjects, creating a sharper image. A silhouette image can be dynamic, compelling and will most likely benefit from a black and white conversion. All these considerations will impact decisionmaking, camera settings and the camera angle.
Experiment with camera and strobe settings to find the optimal combinations before the light conditions reaches its peak.
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Snell’s Window
Over/Under’s
Another interesting shooting technique is incorporating Snell’s Window into an image. This is present at every dive and can be seen by looking up at the surface. It shows up as a bright circle directly overhead: the water outside the circle is usually darker. Refraction of light entering the water causes this intriguing phenomenon. When the water is calm, navigate close the surface and a portion of the sky or shoreline can be seen from below. Position, then angle the camera until the sky or shoreline is visible in the viewfinder. Unveil your creativity and experiment with composition and lighting. A shallow area with interesting topside scenery is a perfect location for shooting Snell’s Window. Throughout Bird’s Head Seascape, trees and foliage line the shoreline, protruding out over the waters. The dive sites Yeben Shallows and The Passage offer great photo opportunities.
Another term for an over-under image is split-shot. Here a single frame contains both a underwater and topside subject. It is best to use a fisheye lens with a large dome port. Crank up the aperture, up to f/16 for DSLR’s and f/11 for compacts; this will ensure that the entire scene is in focus. If the image is too dark, increase the ISO or slow the shutter speed. Strobes are typically used to light the underwater portion of the image. Meter and expose for the top-side portion, put the focus on something underwater for best results. To help prevent water droplets from forming on an acrylic dome port, rub shampoo or RainX on the port before the dive and rinse it off in the water Another technique is to spit, rub, dunk, and shoot. Be quick, as water droplets won’t form on the port for a couple of seconds. Glass dome ports aren’t as susceptible to water droplets as acrylic ports.
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Conclusion
before the next print-worthy image is created. Be a visionary - if you see it, you can shoot it!
Diving Bird’s Head Seascape is a wonderful experience, both above water and below it.
Tips & Tricks
The photographic opportunities are truly remarkable, from schooling fish to amazing coral bommies and everything in-between. It’s a destination that begs to be re-visited.
• Include a diver in the scene. This adds interest, scale, and gives the viewer a sense of “being there” • Take control of the camera. Try shooting with manual settings. • Void/Negative space is a welcome element in image composition • Always shoot in RAW if possible. This will allow for non-destructive editing practices • Don’t sweat over the white balance of an image, as this can be easily corrected in post-processing. • Look at other photographer’s work and learn from them. • Be creative, think outside of the box. Try new techniques. • Venture outside your comfort zone. • Expect the unexpected.
Take it to the next level. Trial and error is intrinsic to improving photography skills. Learn from mistakes. It may require many captures and discards
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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 25
Puerto Galera - Oriental Mindoro - Philippines
Share your passion for diving wishlist exploring the magical underwater world of Puerto Galera. This fabulous destination offers the perfect mix of diving and culture, hiding surprises for even the most expert of divers in its unique biodiversity and colourful marine creatures. An ideal destination for macro photographers.
www.fishermenscove.com
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+63 917 533 2985
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info@fishermenscove.com
Review
Inon
Super Midrange D-200 Strobe Website: www.inon.jp
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uide Number 20 and UNDERWATER coverage 110 degree. The next generation lightweight and reasonable standard D-200 strobe equipped optically designed dome lens offering wide 110 degree coverage UNDERWATER without any diffuser which can sacrifice power, is released on September 8th, 2018. D-200 FEATURES 1. Dome Lens delivers UNDERWATER coverage 110 degree without sacrificing power. Guide Number 20. Precisely designed front dome lens (*1) together with INON’s unique T-shape twin flash widens powerful strobe light without sacrifice any power to accomplish UNDERWATER coverage circular 110 degree. Not as like a conventional translucent diffuser which can widen coverage while it has to sacrifice power and store heat inside, this specially designed dome lens diffuse light thanks to reflection ratio of air, acrylic and water to attain UNDERWATER coverage 110 degree with all powerful output coming through. Comparing to the previous D-2000 strobe, both of power and underwater coverage has been improved.
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D-200 front dome lens
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Review
Furthermore, the D-200 has overcame drawback of high-power strobe which has long flash duration and reaches to FULL power in significantly short period of time after start flashing. Together with flashing system in sync with pre-flash and main flash of camera’s built-in flash, the D-200 can deliver full power even at 1/1000 high shutter speed setting without cutting power (*1) PAT. P on the dome lens system to widen underwater coverage.
Strobe Light Shade is removable
2. Bundled Strobe Light Shade to prevent shining camera lens The Strobe Light Shade is bundled as standard accessory to cut a part of strobe light to benefit not shining camera lens directly to dramatically suppress ghost or flare and backscatter when the strobe is located to significantly close to a lens port or using side lighting technique. The shade rotates 360 degree. Intuitive operation with light clicks offers comfortable adjustment even underwater. 3. Radiation system to release generated heat inside The D-200 strobe is equipped with circular metal heatsink carrying high thermal conductivity around light emitting area. The heatsink can release heat generated inside of the strobe by each shot effectively to underwater. Improved heat tolerance has resolved heat problem typically accompanied with powerful strobe. No stress with sudden stop of flashing to cool down.
The shade goes to any position
4. 220 lumen, Shutter-linked AUTO OFF Focus Light The built-in Shutter-linked Auto-Off Focus Light delivers 220lm brightness to support when focusing a subject and cease in synch with the shutter release and automatically turns ON again. To aim optical axis of the Focus Light in line
Focus Light trajectory (underwater) Upper: D-200 - Lower: D-2000
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with strobe light’s optical axis, the Focus Light has a fresnel lens in front supporting more accurate strobe aiming and improved usability. 5. Conspicuous Phosphorescence Back Panel and Improved Intuitive Control Dials Using white base high-intensity phosphorescence material for the back panel to improve visibility both during day and night dive. Also control dials are enlarged for user-friendly controllability even through thick gloves during cold water diving.
Up :Back panel (daytime) Down :Back panel (night time emitting light)
6. S-TTL Auto /13 Steps Manual Flash Mode INON’s proven and reliable auto exposure system S-TTL is equipped to benefit you with easy yet reliable accurate exposure. In addition, optimized high performance slave sensor never miss camera’s trigger signal even faint or partially damaged fiber optics cable can trigger the strobe to offer faultless triggering. Precisely 1/2EV. increments 13 steps Manual flash control is onboard to support profes-
sional use requiring fine flash output adjustments.
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Review
7. Wide Variety of Dome Filters The D-200 strobe has a bayonet system to hold a strobe dome filter (*2) to attach/remove easily. Besides bundled Strobe Dome Filter SOFT which protects dome lens surface and softens strobe light, optional Strobe Dome Filter ND which steps down at -4EV, Strobe Dome Filter [4600K] which changes native color temperature to 4600K and Strobe Dome Filter [4900K] which changes to 4900K are available.
Left: Bundled Strobe Dome Filter SOFT Right: The Strobe Dome Filter SOFT installed on the D-200
(*2) Strobe Dome Filters are designed to use for D-200 / Z-330 only and not usable for any other strobes. 8. Underwater weight -4g/0.14oz, Dramatically Lightweight Underwater weight of the D-200 is 4g/0.14oz negative including the Strobe Light Shade and 4 x AA batteries (eneloop), which is much lighter than previous model D-2000 strobe (underwater weight: 47g/1.7oz) supporting comfortable strobe position adjustment when shooting or swimming. 9. Optical Trigger Supported The D-200 is equipped with high performance slave sensor to trigger optically by optical triggering signal (i.e. camera’s built-in flash).
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匀䌀唀䈀䄀匀䠀伀伀吀䔀刀匀 䴀䄀䌀刀伀 䴀䔀䔀吀䤀一䜀 倀䔀刀䤀伀䐀㨀 䴀愀礀 ㈀ ⴀ㈀㜀Ⰰ ㈀ 㤀 倀刀䤀䌀䔀㨀 唀匀␀Ⰰ 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 㠀 搀椀瘀攀猀Ⰰ 㠀 搀愀礀猀 ⼀ 㜀 渀椀最栀琀猀 愀琀 䌀愀猀愀 䔀猀挀漀渀搀椀搀愀 䄀渀椀氀愀漀 刀攀猀漀爀琀 愀渀搀 䐀椀瘀攀 䌀攀渀琀攀爀Ⰰ 䈀愀琀愀渀最愀猀Ⰰ 倀栀椀氀椀瀀瀀椀渀攀猀 一漀渀ⴀ䐀椀瘀攀爀猀 倀爀椀挀攀㨀 㔀 ␀ 䈀氀愀挀欀 圀愀琀攀爀 䐀椀瘀攀 攀瘀攀爀礀 搀愀礀 ⠀攀砀琀爀愀 瀀愀挀欀愀最攀⤀
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Travels
Crystal Blue Resort Anilao, Philippines
Website: www.divecbr.com
C
rystal Blue Resort, located in the heart of Anilao, Philippines is 2.5 hours away from Manila and the NAIA airport. Anilao and CBR are one of the easiest places to get to from the US, Europe, Asia and Australia with direct flights daily. No inter island transfers to wait for, no crazy luggage restrictions to worry about, just pack it and bring it. Our drivers will be waiting for your arrival and will transport you to the resort right away. CBR is just entering its 14th year of operation and has never looked better. CBR was originally built as a dive and leisure center for the weekend warriors of Manila to get away and to entertain incoming foreign divers. At that time, our guests needed to take a boat to reach the resort, all the way from the Mabini pier. Much has changed since those early, not so long ago time’s. It was 2011 when we stripped the resort down and re-designed it from the base up for underwater photographers and photography. At that time there wasn’t anyone in Anilao or the greater Philippines that concentrated on Underwater photography. I have to admit, as an underwater photographer i couldn’t figure out why a place like Anilao, so rich with marine life didn’t have such a facility. Were proud to be the first of our kind in An-
ilao and our years of experience are felt in every part of our operation. CBR is now highly regarded as the underwater photographers choice for form and function. We specialize in underwater photography workshops and excel at providing a truly unique and fun dive experience while learn-
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ing. Since the beginning, we have made continuous improvements to the resort and our dive operation. The rooms, our kitchen, our boats, Nitrox system, even the way our bookings are handled. We believe strongly in hospitality and personal service and feel that this is the true
strength of Crystal Blue Resort. Other quality features of the resort include: • • • • •
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Limited divers on each boat Comfortable and shaded dive boats Professionally trained guides Seminar room Nitrox Membrane
Travels
• Clean air system • A covered dive deck • 23 bay camera room • Farm Raised Vegetables • Well groomed grounds and gardens • Chef Prepared Meals • Easy to understand dive packages and much more. Our location on the small peninsula is perfectly oriented to the dive site locations. Our house reef is Arthurs Rock, one of the better mixed muck dive sites on the Balayan bay. With coral heads, sloping sandy reefs and a massive garden of hard and soft swaying corals, even a nice wall dive. Arthurs is also part of the MPA or Marine Protected area in Anilao and many great critters can be found while diving here. Crystal Blue offers many workshops throughout the dive season to encourage the learning process while enjoying your trip. Critterfest, our longest running annual workshop, The Nudibranch festival, and several other “In-house” workshops are just the beginning. We also have many professionals hosting workshops at the resort which we feel is
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again a great value for our clients and super fun. These workshop are designed for all levels of Photographers using compact cameras, SLR’s, even video shooters.
push planktons up from the depths, nourishing the reefs and reef fish found here. The benthic subjects like frogfish, nudibranchs and scorpionfish larvae settle on the various slopes driven by the same circular current patterns in each of the bays. We love exploring and discovering new dive sites but never at the guests expense.
Another unique feature of the resort is that were continuously finding new subjects in our area and new places to dive. One would think that with such a small area that all of the best dive sites have already been found. The truth is, nearly everywhere you dive in Anilao, will be good for one kind of subject or another and were always on the hunt for that next hot dive site.
Our resort is again the first in the area to run Blackwater dives and we do it with safety procedures in mind. Our guides are trained for Blackwater, the boat captains and our gear are specially designed to enhance the experience and to create a calm environment for the photographer. Exploring, learning and photographing the unique subjects that live in Anilao would never be complete without a blackwater night dive.
Anilao is known as the nudibranch capitol of the world with more than 1,000 species to be found on just this tiny peninsula alone. Not to say we have all of the slugs in the world but we do have an staggering variety with new subjects being discovered all the time. Anilao’s proximity to deep water and the Verde Island Pass create a dynamic inter-tidal and ocean driven current that keep the waters cooler then the rest of the Philippines. The constant upwellings feed nutrients and
Photo 1.
Our 2 Family Villas are the largest rooms with 2 separate suites. Perfect for small families or mixed couples to share. They are private, have a small refrigerator and have a nice patio area for relaxing and high quality linens.
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Travels
Photo 2.
Photo 4b.
The dining area has a breathtaking west facing view that is right over the water. This allows our diners to see the entire Balayan bay and surrounding islands while dining. Talk about a great way to sip a cup of coffee in the morning while planning the dives.
Each of our 10 double rooms are well appointed. Our upper rooms have a balcony with a commanding ocean view of the Balayan Bay, wood flooring and high quality linens. While Our lower Doubles have a view of the bay and our gardens, patio seating and high quality linens.
Photo 5.
Photo 3.
Each of our 4 single rooms are built for the solo traveler in mind but are perfect for couples as well. With either a garden view or a view of the bay and high quality linens.
The F-stop lounge is our Bar thats situated directly across from our camera room. Perfect for grabbing a cold one after a day of diving and editing your images. Our hand drawn chalk art menu boards are full of various critters to find too.
Photo 4.
Photo 6.
Chef prepared meals and baked goods are a daily treat at CBR. Fresh omelets in the morning, waffles or our famous Mango Crepes.
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Photo 9.
We’ve designed our camera room to be a quiet, high function workspace the has everything needed to perform the proper maintenance needed to keep our camera system working at the highest level. Absorbent work space mats, fiberless towels, adequate lighting, 220 power at each station, plenty of storage and a dry charging section. The room is environmentally controlled and is locked down each night, we even have comfort rooms! Photo 7.
Camera rinse and dry stations Photo 10.
Our pro shop has full rentals for groups or single guests. Branded gear such as Atomic, Beuchat and Suunto are there when needed or if desired. Photo 8.
Boat and valet service for the guests means we do all of the heavy lifting for you. The only requirement is relaxing, diving and enjoying the best of Anilao. Photo 11.
Our dive deck is designed to be clean and organized with assigned stations for tanks, boats and gear. Our divers gear is also protected from the tropical elements. Our nitrox membrane and hyper filtration system is designed for both clean and safe air.
Our Admin Office is the first thing you will see when you arrive at our beautiful resort.
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Travels
Photo 12.
CBR from the water. Photo 13.
Sun deck-Perfect for sunbathing and watching the sunset. Please contact Mike or Connie for our agents package and marketing materials. For group, individual or general inquiries please contact Mike Bartick: Mike@DiveCBR.com Connie Sevilleno: Connie@DiveCBR.com
CBR has many new things planned for the next coming years, please stay in tune by visiting our website www.DiveCBR.com or one of our various Facebook or instagram pages. Learn more about our workshops on our website workshop page or send us an e-mail. Agents are accepted as well.
Please mention this article.
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Alexander Mustard Underwater Photography
Website: www.amustard.com
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(USA) and Diver Magazine (UK).
r Alexander Mustard MBE, 43 from the UK, is a former marine biologist who is now widely regarded as one of the world’s leading underwater photographers.
He is the founder of the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition, and has acted as a judge for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the CMAS World Championship of Underwater Photography and most major underwater photography contests.
His images have won many international awards, including being regularly awarded in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. In 2013, he was named European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. He has published several books including his 2016 instructional book Underwater Photography Masterclass, which has rapidly become the most sought after title on the subject and was reprinted just two weeks after its launch.
He is also Associate Editor for Wetpixel.com and committee member of the British Society of Underwater Photographers. He runs highly popular underwater photography workshops in the top diving destinations around the world. In 2016 he received the ADEX Award for Extraordinary Contribution to Underwater Photography and in 2018 was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
His latest book “SS Thistlegorm” describes the famous wreck in unrivalled detail and his images can also be seen in the new version of Sir David Attenborough’s seminal Life On Earth book, both are released in October 2018. He has published more than 500 articles on underwater photography and currently writes columns for Scuba Diving Magazine
Alex lives in England with his wife Eleonora, daughter Isabella and their wire-haired dachshund Zena.
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K
IT LIST
Cameras: Nikon D5 and D850 Housings: Subal Underwater housing for each camer Flashes: Seacam underwater flashes. Retra underwater flashes Main lenses: Nikonos RS 13mm, Nikon 8-15mm, Sigma 15mm, Nikon 16-35mm, Nikon 20mm, Nikon 28-70mm, Nikon 60mm macro, Trioplan 100mm, Nikon 105mm macro, Sigma 150mm. Nikon 2x teleconverter. Kenko 1.4x teleconverter Underwater optics: Carl Zeiss Underwater Corrector. Nauticam Wide Angle Corrector Port. Nauticam SMC-1, Nauticam SMC-2.
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www.revistaaQua.com • aQua #18
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Biology
Fish watching the reef the
Whitetip Reef Shark
Words and pictures: Emilio Mancuso and Massimo Bicciato
B
iological introduction
It is probably the most common and easily observable shark in the entire Red Sea. The “Triaenodon obesus”, better known as the white-tip shark, is a shark in all respects and, as such, it has its great ecosystem importance and, to make it more special than you might think, is the only representative of the Triaenodon genus. Recognizable especially from the white tip of the first dorsal fin and of the caudal, as well as from the wide and squared muzzle and the almost triangular shape particularly, in the majority of cases, when it’s seen from above. The white tip reaches 2 meters in length, although very often it is smaller. “How deep…” Very sedentary and “stick-in-the-mud” shark, we categorize it among “those who... look at the reef” though actually it just looks at it very closely. Most of the time, in fact, we see it solitary or in small groups resting on the reef, from a few meters of water up to about 40 meters deep, while at night it shows its most active behavior by going hunting for small fish and crustaceans.
In English, though, the difficult ambiguity remains: white-tip reef shark and oceanic white-tip shark. Yet, observing them thoroughly, both the color and the behavior (not to mention the nearly two meters of difference in maximum size) make the two sharks very different from each other... But speaking of sharks, you know that often comes out of the most irrational side of the human being...
Curiosity It seems hard to believe, but often the white tip is mistaken with the oceanic whitetip.
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How to approach them
shark, and could be misinterpreted by the over-zealous diver.
It has probably already been written in other tabs, but this must become a sort of Tibetan mantra that every diver must remember: never swim against it; never fall upon it from above; if it rests on the bottom, get very close to the bottom itself and approach slowly, maintaining a distance so to not disturb the animal. In case the shark is swimming, especially if at night, do not force it to sudden changes of direction that would certainly bother the
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Biology
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Biology
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Monthly contest
O ctober -N ovember
Turtles - Marine Ambient Website: www.scubashooters.net
F
IRST PLACE
IFI LORINCZ FERENC
S
ECOND PLACE
IFI LORINCZ FERENC
T
HIRD PLACE
CLAUDIO CERESI
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F
IRST PLACE
PIERRE RIBOULON
S
ECOND PLACE
NICK POLANSZKY
T
HIRD PLACE
SEAN STEININGER
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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
匀栀攀爀愀琀漀渀 匀栀愀爀洀攀 䠀漀琀攀氀☀刀攀猀漀爀琀Ⰰ 匀栀愀爀洀攀 䔀氀 匀栀攀椀欀栀Ⰰ 䔀最礀瀀琀 吀攀氀⸀ ⬀㈀ ㈀ ㈀㈀㤀 㤀 㠀㐀 䔀洀愀椀氀⸀ 椀渀昀漀䀀戀甀戀戀氀攀搀椀瘀攀挀氀甀戀⸀挀漀洀 眀眀眀⸀戀甀戀搀挀⸀挀漀洀
Travels
36 years on in Tufi
Paradise
in
Papua New Guinea
Website: www.tufidive.com
A
s we come in to land a single gravel airstrip stretching from the waters edge to a clearing in the rainforest comes into view. From the sky there appears to be no roads in or out, no tour busses, no real streets, not even a shop to be seen. All looks quiet along the fiord, an occasional canoe paddles between shorelines and winding paths snake through the dense bush hosting a handful of locals walking between villages. The water glows a rich turquoise as the sun bounces off the reef below creating vivid opal-like outlines around the coast. Nearly forty years ago my parents experienced this same descent down to Tufi in a little 6 seater plane piloted by my uncle and still today their description matches my view exactly; an unspoiled paradise. In my hand are a set of photos that had passed on to me about a month before our trip. Among them are pictures of locals performing a Sing Sing in elaborate feathered headdress and locals with beaming smiles standing alongside a 1970’s version of my parents. To be honest I’m expecting the photos to be a relic of times past, after all it’s been a long while since they were here and the world has changed.
The sounds of exotic birds in the distance mix in harmony with the ocean, like a meditation soundtrack. The rooms are beautifully simple with all of the comforts one would need without disconnecting you from the natural surroundings. It’s perfect.
We wander through the resort to our room and it is truly quite.
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It’s our first morning and from a hammock on the balcony of our room I watch the sun rise over the ocean, coffee in hand eagerly anticipating our first dives.
brief us. With a deadpan face he apologises for the current visibility before bursting at the seams with excitement and an ear-to-ear smile that can only come from a PNG local, “the viability is currently only 40m”. Most dive sites are within 20-30 minutes of the resort and just the journey out through the fiords is a must-see experience.
At the boat shed below the resort our gear is being set up and loaded on to the boat and it’s approaching time for our dive guide to
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The mountains separating the fiords shoot up almost vertically out of the water and are cloaked in vines tangling the trees together in a blanket of green. The reef skates just metres below the boat as turtles float on past catching a breath of air before descending back into the sea. Looking back towards the mainland the most striking feature is the complete lack of infrastructure; there are no buildings or modern towns, just thatched villages camouflaged in the thick rainforest.
We pull up to our first site and looking into the water every detail of the reef is visible from the surface; it’s like staring through tinted blue glass at the underwater world below.
As we explore we truly are in paradise but looking across the vast spans of reef I can’t help but feel there is something different about these dives.
As the bubbles clear from our masks we are face to face with a bustling city; millions of fish are travelling on invisible highways that criss-cross and weave through the reef. Huge schools of colour glide over the top of us as the silver shine of ten thousand fingerlings dart across the ledge into the deep. Corals of all shapes and sizes sprout from the steep rock walls silhouetted by the sun revealing a psychedelic mix of reds, greens, yellows and oranges as we approach. The reef is teaming with life and is so healthy. The dive sites in the area are made up of huge pinnacles rising from the deep, re-routing the currents around the tapered points of the reef creating the perfect environment for huge schools of fish life.
The fish life is incredible and the coral is immaculate but there is something else, something that isn’t immediately clear.
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I continue to snap away, the strobes on my camera rig exposing the assortment of colours on the reef and it suddenly hits me; there is nobody here. No walls of bubbles from other dive groups, no silhouettes of students floundering around near the surface, it is just the small group of us who descended together, floating in the water column with unobstructed views. I think back to the photos back in the room and recall seeing my dad with snorkel gear on in the fiord with shell casings from the war. With so few people around I would bet there are more of these relics still lying around.
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Late in the evening the sun’s glow lights the sky in purples, oranges and yellows as it sets in front of us. Conversations around communal dining table reflect on the days dives as we trade stories from the day. Kayaking, diving a hammerhead sighting and the amazement at the crystal clear water dominates the conversation. Post dinner, our three-course meal has us reclining in our seats, glass of wine in hand as our day rounds out. Tomorrow it’s off to Tufi village to meet the locals and hopefully track down the people in my parents photographs. It’s still early and the light hits the steep walls of the fiord creating a magical glow across the water. Our boat is bound for the small village of McLaren Vale where the locals are preparing to share their rich history and traditions with us. At the end of the fiord a group of tiny outrigger canoes collect us from our powerboat and glide across the water into the mangrove lined canal. We meander through the rainforest and pull up to the side of the canal in a small clearing. The only sounds are those of the rainforest; insects, birds and the ripples from the water lapping against the mangroves. All of a sudden a shriek cries out and the sounds of a thousand wings in the canopy flutter to safety as two spear toting men dressed in loin cloths and rich black bodypaint pounce from nowhere. It’s a shock to the system as the situation plays out finally resolving with a smile and a handshake to welcome us as friends and not foe. The reenactment is scarily realistic and quite confronting, but essential in shifting us from tourist mode to visitor mode. We are guided to the village where the chief talks us through their traditions from food preparation to fire starting and the traditional bamboo-tattooing of the womens faces. The elders describe to us how Tufi’s culture has changed and that it has been many years since these face tattoos were mandatory for females.
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“We have adapted because we know that the outside world does not view our tattoos the same and a person has their own choice how to treat their body” the chief explains. The young girl in the demonstration looks up at us as the paint is applied to her face to replicate the traditional patterns and it’s hard to imagine a time when this was the real deal. Our visit concludes with a small Sing Sing, reminiscent to the photos I still have in my pocket. We are told the feathered head-dress worn by the men are in some cases over one-hundred years old and it has me wondering if maybe they are the same ones used in the performance back in 1980. I invite the chief and elders to have their portraits taken and we move down to the river as they clutch their drums made from hollowed out logs, stretched with lizard skin and bees wax. As I photograph them there is such a deep sense of pride, it shows in their stance and in their powerful stare. I take the pictures from my pocket and ask the chief if he recognises any of the people in my parents photos. He pauses and reflects, it’s clear he is sifting through decades of memories to pinpoint this moment from nearly forty years ago. He looks up and a smile creeps across his face “Yes, yes” he declares, “this is a tribe from Randal’s Beach just a few kilometres up the coast, you see this lady?” pointing at the picture “her daughter now works at Tufi Resort”. There was real joy in the discovery as the elders huddled around our collection of photos. Mum and dad had flown here with some friends on a Cesna piloted by my uncle and had described the scenes all around us with such vivid detail it was almost surreal to be experiencing it ourselves. To be back here nearly 40 years later with so little of the village itself changing was a real testament to the authenticity of the place.
and diving reefs almost completely isolated from the outside world. We have traveled to dive destinations all over the world but Tufi is one of those special few. Whilst the resort itself has changed immensely since our family first visited in the 1980’s the authenticity and symbiosis with the local community has not.
Our week is full of adventure, walking trails visited by so few outsiders before us, relaxing in the tranquility of the resort grounds
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It isn’t just another resort on a long list of destinations, it’s a living and breathing part of a culture, isolated from the pitfalls of mass tourism. It’s a place that has a million different stories and a million different journeys but all with one thing in common, it’s heart. Words and pictures by Matt Krumins
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Review
for
UW Housing
Canon Eos R by GioSim Website: www.gio-sim.com
T
he Housing Gio for Miroless cameras are customized for each type of machine and carefully studied for a perfect and functional use in water. All compatible machines can be inserted with the flash open to make it possible to use optical fibers for external flashes, essential for a good result foto. All controls are on the outside, the proof required is ensured by 3 stainless steel hooks that allow a perfect closing of the lid is placed on the housing where the oring . The use of the housing is recommended to a maximum depth of -100mt. Il material specially selected and all the technical details of extreme quality are extremely accurate and reliable. The various available portholes are integrated with bayonet system on aluminum flange and lock / unlock seeds automatic .the ergonomic handles are very stable and easy to insert in addition to having an outer part rubber for a better grip of the hand they have the possibility of insertion upper slide arms for Flash / lamps.
Canon EOS R
Review
General technical date and characteristics of Gio Housing
The material used PO 2464 and PS 434 + special additives with excellent properties:
Max depth -100mt
• High transparency
All controls with double o-ring.
• High resistance against shock and pressure
Visual and sound sensor humidity
• High temperature resistance
Double plug for optical fiber
• Good dimensional stability
Eyepiece Magnifier
• High Tenacity
Water buoyancy slightly positive (depends on the lens / portholes)
• Biologically inert
Support machine with antiskid system and the housing block
• The material used is virtually the best in the
External control zoom directly into the housing / depends on the model of optical Weight in air without machine Kg. 2,440 Housing material: Technopolymer with special additives Material Handle: Naylon PA 6 GF 30 and rubber
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market today
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DAN Europe
5 Tips to avoid
accidents on dive boats
Website: www.daneurope.org
B
oat diving can be so much fun – but, unfortunately, dive boats can also be injury-prone places.
to dive because he felt okay. However, once back on the boat after the dive, he developed a paralysis of one side of his face, a so-called facial paralysis.
Due to its wetness a dive boat is mostly a slippery place. Some may also find it difficult to balance due to the waves. These and other conditions can lurk on deck potentially causing accidents and injuries.
After being hospitalized and months later this disability was still persisting, indicating that the incident had caused some neurological damage to his brain and the Nervus facialis that innervates the face muscles.
Some Alert Diver magazine issues earlier we reported on two occasions of ripped-off fingers which struck us as pretty extraordinary cases. Divers jumped off the boat and got caught on some kind of boat’s screw with their wedding ring.
This is a serious condition and it not only marks a person for life but it also makes speaking, eating, and drinking very difficult, hampers the eye-closure reflex and also puts scuba diving to the past. Another case happened very recently in April this year. A dive master was hit by a scuba tank in the neck by another diver jumping on him.
Much more common are incidents like a finger being bruised or even crushed by the boat ladder after a dive - undoubtfully very painful.
Besides a two-minute-lasting unconsciousness and severe pain later on, he had one broken vertebra in his cervical spine which affected proper movement of one of his arms.
Finger injuries are one thing, having someone jumping on you or being hit by a scuba tank, is something else. When head meets metal or tank hits spine, very serious injuries can occur. Some can be fixed, others can’t and the diver may end up with a permanent disability.
Two CT scans at an international hospital were necessary to show the injury and decide that he had to undergo neurosurgery immediately to fix it and to prevent worse from happening.
For instance, there was a case last year when a diver got hit on his head by a scuba tank from another diver who jumped off the boat later than the instructor had instructed the group. The diver who got hit still continued-
The surgery went well and several screws and a titanium plate later in his spine, the dive master is recuperating.
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Surely, no-one wants this to happen on their holidays or at all. And no-one probably wants to be the diver doing this to others. Worst case is permanent paralysis, or even death.
finding out underwater that a vertebra of the spine is broken or a concussion is developing. Especially, when the pressure changes underwater can worsen the effect. Be warned by sharp pain or pain at all, numbness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tingling sensation, limited mobility, headaches – these are all warning signs and should be taken seriously.
So, how can we prevent accidents like this? First of all, nobody should ever just jump off a boat and land on someone else’s head, neck or back.
The skull and the spine are fragile and the brain and the central nervous system are very vulnerable.
Pay attention. A quick glance to check if the water beneath is clear is the least we should do.
The brain, neurological control center of our body, can swell when hit heavily. However, a swollen brain cannot expand in the constricted space of a bony skull.
Secondly, listen to briefings and follow the procedures on board when boat personnel instruct divers to jump at a certain time – don’t jump too early, neither too late. There is a reason for the exact timing. Third, always stay alert and aware and watch out for yourself and for your dive buddies, especially when they are inexperienced.
In turn, the swelling can cause compression of the brain and eventually lead to partial neurological deficits, if not complete neurological loss of control or loss of consciousness.
Fourth, once in the water, start seeking a bit distance from the boat immediately, so noone can jump on you.
This sometimes develops with some delay to the actual incident. If underwater, it can lead to permanent disability or be fatal.
Fifth, if you have been hit by a scuba tank or a jumping diver, the best advice is to abort the dive immediately and wait a day until you are sure that you feel alright. If not, seek medical advice immediately.
DAN Europe regularly launches safety campaigns to raise awareness for more safety in diving. Get informed, get involved.
It would not be wise to continue diving and
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