Houston's Premier Scuba and Dive Shop Oceanic Ventures Inc.

(713) 523-3483 (dive)
5808 Newcastle Drive
Houston, TX 77401

Eric Keibler

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Travel and Adventure Photography – Nine Hints for Underwater Photographers

In reading Helen Jung’s article, Secrets to Traveling like a Local, I thought about how to apply some of her hints to diving travel photography.   We have a lot of the same issues but when you add underwater photography to the mix, it opens a whole new world in travel photography.  Here are some hints I came up with:

20090908-IMG_1109Study before you go.

You should look at what others have done so you have an idea of what iconic photographs represent the location. If you were going to Paris, you would want a photograph of the Eiffel tower.  The same applies to your underwater trip.  What creatures, people, and places did others find interesting?  Finding out where these things might be located will help you capture images that encompass your trip.

Ask Questions.

Talk to people who have been diving there and find out what they found interesting.  Keep an open mind.  You might not be interested in a Japanese Communication Bunker in Chuuk but the view from the top is wonderful.

Penetration - Truk LagoonTalk to the Dive Master.

Remember, local knowledge is a big plus in photography, especially in underwater photography.  I remember one dive in Chuuk, where I went on a photography dive with Todd Emmons, the lead Master on the Odyssey.  He led me through the ship and acted as the model for a series of photographs.  I still had to interpret  each site, but he knew where others had made beautiful photographs in the past.  He also had some new places where he thought there was potential for some fun photographs.

Photography by Ann KeiblerForce yourself to push the envelope.

I am a die-hard wide-angle photographer.  I love the expansive scenics both above and below the surface.  However, many locations are really best captured using a macro or super macro lens.  So, while I can always fall back on wide-angle, I have to force myself to concentrate on Macro photography.  This was especially true in Indonesia where there are some incredible opportunities for Macro photography.

“Don’t be a Jerk.”

I cannot stress this enough!  I can write an entire article on being a good photographer underwater but I will just touch on a few things for now.  You need to be respectful of the people, places and the environment.  This is especially true underwater where the marine life is fragile and very susceptible to damage.  If you cannot get the shot without damaging the surrounding coral or other creatures (this includes hanging on) then pass on the shot or approach it a different way.  You have to be aware of your body position, fins, hands, etc so that you don’t damage the surrounding environment.  Another aspect of this is being respectful to the rest of the group.  If you are diving with a group, you owe it to them to remain a part of the group and not lag too far behind.  You may to have to pass on some shots to make up for the one you just took in order to stay with the group.  If you find this difficult, hire your own Dive Master and boat and you can then set the timing of the dive.

Talk to your taxi driver and other locals.

Remember, they know a lot about the area you are visiting.  They can be a good resource for fun things to do and entertaining things to see and do.  They can also be your pathway to understanding the local culture and customs more which will help your photography.

It is ok to be a tourist.

You are a tourist after all so it is ok to be one.  Don’t miss some of the touristy spots because some of them are really fun.  If you want a challenge, get the classic shot and then find different ways to portray the spot in your images.  Ask Ann, she loves macro photography and sometimes tree bark can be cool.

fiji-403Get up early and stay up late.

There is nothing like a sunrise or sunset right?  Well, it can really be special to be up when it goes from dark to light even before the sun starts to rise on the horizon.  Photographers call this the “Blue Hour” and it occurs twice a day – before sunrise and after sunset.  The lighting is magical so don’t miss it.  You can always take a nap or sleep when you get home.

Alex & the Girls“Give yourself permission to look and act foolish sometimes.”

“It’s OK to ask for help or not to know how to do something. You’ll get more out of a trip if you put those reservations aside.”

 

In both travel photography and underwater photography, we try to tell a story.  There is always a story, we just have to find the one we want to tell but that is a thought for another day…

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Next Club Aquarius Social Club – New Technology in Packing and Travel

Scuba Diver and Adventure Traveler Sean Marmion
Diver and Adventure Traveler Sean Marmion (On the Left)
“OMG, you want how much for an extra bag?” The increased fees and draconian rules from the world’s airline carriers is requiring travelers to travel smarter.  Come learn how to reduce your travel stress by applying some new technologies to your travels. Our guest speaker, Sean Marmion, is a professional traveler and consultant and he has some ideas to make your travels easier, safer and more fun by applying some simple things to your packing.
As an avid traveler, Sean had to find ways to tour the world without an entourage of luggage handlers and Sherpas.   As a father of two, he also had to tailor his travels to include children and their needs.  Please join Oceanic Ventures as he discuses his travels and his secrets of experiencing locations and cultures traveling alone or with a family.
  • What:        Club Aquarius Social Club
  • When:       Thursday, February 25, 7:00 PM
  • Where:      Black Labrador, upstairs, 4100 Montrose, near Richmond
  • How:         However you get there

Sean is a resident of the world.  He was born in the United states, lived and attended school in England, and graduated with a degree in international business from San Francisco State.  His love of travel led him to work in the outdoor industry where he now owns his own company, working as a representative for companies like Eagle Creek and Teva.  His passion is traveling and over the past two years alone, he has visited Turkey, Tanzania, India, Argentina, Uruguay, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador and Easter Island.

Remember – Club Members get their name in twice for the prize-drawing.  You can join or renew on-line now by going here.

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Photography – A Short Exercise to Improve Your Photography

Mother and Son in FijiRecently I was reading an article by Darren Rowse entitles A 15 Minute Exercise to Help You Improve Your Photography.  The title intrigued me so I read on.  His idea was to challenge you to slow down and thing about the images you are making before actually taking the photograph.  In the film days, you had a limited number of shots on a roll.  Because of this, photographers tended to look at a scene prior to starting shooting.  With the advent of the digital camera and more specifically the cheap photo storage, photographers just started shooting.

To help you improve your photographs you need to look at your subject and discover where the light is coming from.  How it will look best in the environment, do you need to move in or out to compose the image properly?  Darren’ s challenge is to get your camera, even an iPhone will do and go outside and find a place to just sit.  For the next ten-minutes you cannot take a photograph but rather just look around and observe what is around you.  While you are doing this, plan your shots.

In his article he says:

  • Observe – Think about your shots, move around see what the different angles of light do to the subjects that are catching your eye.
  • Plan – Think about what you are going to shoot and how you might take the best shot you are composing in your mind
  • Shoot – after your ten minute ban, after you have completed both your observation and your plan, now shoot your subjects and see if you can make you plan a reality. Spend only five minutes taking photographs
  • Evaluate – How did you do? What can you do different? Did you have the right equipment for your subject or would using another piece of equipment made it better?  Was there something you could have used on-site to improve your image (eg. You could use a piece of paper to act as a reflector to reduce the shadows on one side of your subject).

If you want to read his full article, you will find it here

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Coral Bleaching Outlook for 2016

October 2015-January 2016: NOAA's standard 4-month bleaching outlook shows a threat of bleaching continuing in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Kiribati, and potentially expanding into the Republic of the Marshall Islands. (Credit: NOAA
October 2015-January 2016: NOAA’s standard 4-month bleaching outlook shows a threat of bleaching continuing in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Kiribati, and potentially expanding into the Republic of the Marshall Islands. (Credit: NOAA)
[From Kelly Drinin, NOAA]  NOAA’s standard 4-month bleaching outlook shows a threat of bleaching continuing in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Kiribati, and potentially expanding into the Republic of the Marshall Islands. (Credit: NOAA)
As record ocean temperatures cause widespread coral bleaching across Hawaii, NOAA scientists confirm the same stressful conditions are expanding to the Caribbean and may last into the new year, prompting the declaration of the third global coral bleaching event ever on record….[READ MORE]

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Scuba Diver Receives 2015 Volunteer of the Year

jesseOne of our clients, Jesse Cancelmo, was honoured this year as the 2015 Volunteer of the Year by the Office of the National Marine Sanctuaries.  Jessie is a big supporter of diving at the Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary as well as around the world.  He has published several books of his photographs and appears as a guest contributor to Dive Training Magazine.  He will also be joining us on one of our Indonesia trips this year.  Congratulations Jesse!  The press release follows…

Scuba Diver Receives 2015 Volunteer of the Year

Every year the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries asks each sanctuary to select a volunteer of the year. These 14 people are then recognized at the annual Capitol Hill Ocean Week celebration.
For 2015, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary selected long-time sanctuary supporter Jesse Cancelmo.
Jesse first got involved in activities at the Flower Garden Banks in 1989, before it was designated a sanctuary. He was part of the team that installed the original mooring buoys and helped advocate for sanctuary designation.
As a journalist and underwater photographer he has introduced many others to the sanctuary and encouraged their support of this special place.
Jesse has also served as a recreational diving representative on the Sanctuary Advisory Council since 2011, including terms as Vice Chair, then Chair of the council.
Congratulations, Jesse, on many jobs well-done! We appreciate your dedication to the sanctuary for so many years.

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The Flower Gardens

FGNMS Photo
Photo Credit : FGNMS

The Flower Gardens – The Bigger Picture

[From Kelly Drinnin, NOAA Nationl Marine Sanctuary] If you’ve never been to the Flower Garden Banks sanctuary, you’ve probably never thought about what makes it the way it is. Two of the key elements are salt domes and currents.
Salt domes are small underwater mountains formed by large pockets of salt pushing the sea floor upward. These are the “banks” in the sanctuary name.  Without these, the sea floor would be too deep to support reef-building corals out near the edge of the continental shelf.
The Gulf loop current is what brings wildlife up from the Caribbean, past Cuba and the Yucatan, into the Gulf of Mexico. Eddies that break away from that current, swirl westward across the gulf and carry with them many of the Caribbean fish and invertebrates found around our reefs. Other currents swirl clockwise from the Yucatan past Texas and Louisiana and are the likely source of our corals.
Of course, water temperature, freshwater input, artificial reef structures, etc. all play roles in how our reefs came to be and how they continue to develop.
The sanctuary is an amazing place that is the happy combination of all the right things, in the right places, at the right times!  To learn more…