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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Photo Hint – Frame Your Subject Against Open Water

By Tobias Friedrich

When a subject performs a “flyby” like this Hawksbill Turtle, make sure to frame it against open water. The animal will stand out much more when it has only blue water around it, instead of having a reef or any kind of distraction in the background.

Equipment: SeaLife Micro 3.0

Settings: Deep Water White Balance

If you’d like a copy of the above underwater image, please email: lindsay@pioneer-research.com

Sea Dragon 3000SF Pro Dual Beam

SL679

Try the NEW SL554 Micro 3.0 Pro Dual Beam Set! The compact Sea Dragon 3000SF Pro Dual Beam Photo-Video light has a large COB LED, delivering 3000 lumens in an even 120° wide beam. The light offers an impressive 90 CRI (color rendering index) with a proprietary COB LED array that replicates natural sunlight (A CRI of 100 would be just like natural sunlight). With a simple one-button push, the underwater photographer can switch from the wide 120° beam to a narrow 1500 lumen 15° spot beam. For imaging, the spot beam offers many creative opportunities such as to create a narrowly focused snoot or stage spotlight effect.

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Photo Hint – Creative Use of Ambient Light

By Tobias Friedrich

Working with ambient light is a great way to add contrast to your image. In this case, it was a much better idea to give the light source to the diver, so they can have it in their hands, rather than using the light to illuminate the cave’s interior. The light at the edge of the cave leads the viewer towards the diver.

Equipment: SeaLife SportDiver Housing with iPhone 12 Pro Max using 0.5x iPhone Lens

If you’d like a copy of the above underwater image, please email: lindsay@pioneer-research.com

SportDiver Underwater Smartphone Housing

SL400-U  Available now!

The SportDiver underwater housing works with iPhone® 7 through the latest 13 Pro Max and most Android phones. Check if a phone fits and is compatible here. The SportDiver includes a color correcting red filter that brings back lost underwater colors. The best way to get breathtaking images and brilliant video underwater with your phone is with the Sea Dragon 3000F or the complete SportDiver Pro 2500 smartphone housing & photo-video light set.

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Photo Hint – Shoot Upward for Best Perspective

By Tobias Friedrich

Shooting upward is always the best option to compose your image. In this case, the low camera perspective works best as the moray eel is masked into the blue which gives a nice silhouette of the animal’s huge head.

Equipment: SeaLife Micro 3.0, Sea Dragon 3000F

Settings: Deep Water White Balance

If you’d like a copy of the above underwater image, please email: lindsay@pioneer-research.com

SeaLife Micro 3.0 Pro 3000 Set

SL552 – Available now! Ideal for colorful, sharp stills and videos, the Micro 3.0 Pro 3000 Set includes the Sea Dragon 3000F Photo-Video Light, Micro 3.0 Camera, Flex-Connect Single Tray and Grip for optimal stability and handling. The SeaLife Micro 3.0 camera offers easy set-up with automatic and manual image setting options. The Sea Dragon 3000F Light has a Color Rendering Index of 80, with a 5000k color temperature to simulate natural sunlight. Sea Dragon Photo/Video Lightsreveal beautiful colors in underwater photos and videos.

Micro Wide Angle Dome Lens

SL052- Available January 2022 The SeaLife Micro Wide Angle Dome Lensincreases the camera’s field of view by 43% and allows for 3x closer shooting distance. For the SeaLife Micro 3.0, the lens angle is increased from 100° to 143° and shooting distance is reduced from 15”/38cm to 5”/13cm. The 0.7x dome lens high-grade optical design improves overall image quality and edge sharpness. Fits all SeaLife Micro-series and ReefMaster RM-4K camera models.

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Photo Hint – Composing Schooling Fish

By Tobias Friedrich

When you’re shooting schooling fish, like these bannerfish, try to get them all swimming in one direction, which will result in a much nicer composition and image. It takes a little patience with schooling fish in general until they gather and move in a composed way, so make sure to stay with them patiently.

Equipment: SeaLife Micro 3.0, Sea Dragon 3000F

Settings: Deep Water White Balance

If you’d like a copy of the above underwater image, please email: lindsay@pioneer-research.com

SeaLife Micro 3.0 Pro 3000 Set

SL552 – Available now! Ideal for colorful, sharp stills and videos, the Micro 3.0 Pro 3000 Set includes the Sea Dragon 3000F Photo-Video Light, Micro 3.0 Camera, Flex-Connect Single Tray and Grip for optimal stability and handling. The SeaLife Micro 3.0 camera offers easy set-up with automatic and manual image setting options. The Sea Dragon 3000F Light has a Color Rendering Index of 80, with a 5000k color temperature to simulate natural sunlight. Sea Dragon Photo/Video Lights reveal beautiful colors in underwater photos and videos

Sea Dragon 3000SF Pro Dual Beam

SL679 – Available Now! The compact Sea Dragon 3000SF Pro Dual Beam Photo-Video light has a large COB LED, delivering 3000 lumens in an even 120° wide beam. The light offers an impressive 90 CRI (color rendering index) with a proprietary COB LED array that replicates natural sunlight (A CRI of 100 would be just like natural sunlight). With a simple one-button push, the underwater photographer can switch from the wide 120° beam to a narrow 1500 lumen 15° spot beam. For imaging, the spot beam offers many creative opportunities such as to create a narrowly focused snoot or stage spotlight effect.

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Photo Hint – Adding a Diver in the Negative Space

By Tobias Friedrich

Adding a diver always adds to the composition of the image. Try to place the diver in negative space and not too dominating, allowing some room for the animals and keeping a balanced underwater scene.

Equipment: SportDiver Housing with iPhone 12 Max Pro using 0.5x iPhone Lens

If you’d like a copy of the above underwater image, please email: lindsay@pioneer-research.com

SportDiver Underwater Smartphone Housing

SL400-U  Available now!

The SportDiver underwater housing works with iPhone® 7 through the 13 Pro Max and most Android phones. Check if a phone fits and is compatible here. The SportDiver includes a color correcting red filter that brings back lost underwater colors. But the best way to get breathtaking images and brilliant video underwater with your phone is with the complete SportDiver Pro 2500 smartphone housing & photo-video light set.

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Florida Gulf Diving – Pensacola July 2022

Florida Gulf Diving – Shore Based Diving in Pensacola

Trip 1: July 16-18, 2022

Trip 2: July 20-22, 2022

Overview

Join us for a Pensacola Summer Spearfishing Adventure with Charles Alvarez as your trip leader. This is a perfect chance to demonstrate your spearfishing and lionfishing skills! Two dives each day onto shipwrecks, artificial reefs or other structures known to hold a variety of fish species. This trip occurs during Red Snapper season!

Once the daily dives are done and the fish is prepared (or delegated to your trip leader to prepare), explore Pensacola and/or Perdido beach! Everyone will love playing or relaxing on the sugar sand beaches and Pensacola beach has a variety of activities including parasailing, jet skis and more for our non-diver family members. Dine oceanside at a variety of restaurants and, after the last days dive,
perhaps venture out to the famous Flori-Bama bar. Charles will be happy to help combine the underwater experience with topside recommendations from start to finish.

What is included?

  • * 3 days of diving – 2 tank dives each day
  • , Cylinders and fills (Nitrox Recommended)
  • * Rental Equipment (if needed – deposit or credit card on file, required) (pole spear, zookeeper, speargun, stringer)
  • * Fishing licenses and tags while on boat

Are there any Upgrades?

  • Ask about adding a dive to see the “Mighty O,” the Oriskany, an aircraft carrier sunk as an artificial reef! The flight deck is at 150′ and the views from the flight operations tower are stunning!
  • Cook your catch for dinner! Several restaurants will prepare your fresh catch.
  • Fish Cleaning – yes your trip leaser will fillet, vacume seal, label and freeze your catch for easy transport.

Are there any specially classes being offered?

Spearfishing & Safety, Deep Diving, Nitrox Diving, Boat Diving

May I use my rebreather?

Florida does not allow spearfishing on a rebreather. However, if you are just diving, you may use your rebreather. You will need to bring all of your own gasses and consumables.

May I sidemount dive?

This is a sidemount diver friendly vessel! You will need to bring your own hardware.

Special Oceanic Ventures Connoisseur Club Benefit

  • * trip brochure and packet,
  • * trip shirt, and travel leader.

Other activities that can be arranged… 

Shopping in town, City and cultural tours

What is not included?

Airfare, airport tax, other travel, room & board (we have some recommendations), trip insurance, equipment not listed, tips for the local crew.

Where are we diving?

You Will be diving some of the best that Indonesia has to offer!

How do I get there?

Most of the divers are driving their own vehicles. Ask Dive Mom about carpooling. There are some flights available as well.

Dive Mom – “Tell Me More!”

COVID Information

The traveler must be free from COVID before departure. These requirements are subject to change

The Fine Print…

Please see the Terms & Conditions page for a listing of our travel policies. Additionally, please see the Master Liveaboard terms and conditions. By depositing on the trip, you agree to both sets of terms and conditions. All prices are subject to change until booked and ticketed. All moneys are due in full on deposit even if not paid in full and some penalties may ably for cancellations based on the operators policies and group penalties.  As with most small island properties and vessels, cancellations are more of an issue so they have limited ability to fill unused spaces.  We highly recommend trip insurance to help avoid any unnecessary problems and should be purchased within 14 das of the initial deposit to receive the most benefit.  No refunds for missed flights or changes in plans. Trip insurance and diving insurance can be found at http://oceanicventures.net/travel-insurance/.  Both Dive Assure/DAN and Travel Guard have a family plan.  Diving Accident and Medical Insurance is required. Vessel and OVI travel releases are required.  Please plan to bring a copy of your logbook, c-card, and diving insurance.  

Passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity prior to passport expiration.  No refunds for missed flights or boats.

Note: All guests spaces are reserved upon deposit.  But unless a minimum number of guest sign up for the trip by the deadline dates, an Oceanic Ventures trip leader will not be attending.

Adventure Date

Trip 1: July 16-18, 2022

Trip 2: July 20-22, 2022

Travel

Travel or Airfare is not included in this trip. Your destination is Pensacola, Florida

Transit Arrangements

Dive Mom may be able to help with carpooling

Fare

All per person double and Club membership. First booked, first choice. Only 15 guest spaces available

  • * $900 pp
  • * Maximum trip size is 6 so don’t wait!

Deposit & Final Payment

Tell me More!

Travel Notes

  • * An Oceanic Ventures Application/Travel Release is required at time of booking
  • * A boat Release is required
  • *All pricing are subject to change until booked and ticked
  • * As with most small loperations, cancellations are more of an issue so they have limited ability to fill unused spaces. We always recommend trip insurance to help avoid any unnecessary problems. There are no refunds for missed flights or changes in plans. Travel Insurance (ie: comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation and interruption insurance) purchased at the time their reservation is made, may help protect guests from financial disappointment if they are prevented from making their scheduled trip due to illness or family illness, or in the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent the airline or yacht from making its scheduled trip.
  • * We require diving accident insurance. For your convenience below are links to Dive Assure . Both organizations offer Travel Insurance and Dive Accident Insurance and be purchased via our web site at https://oceanicventures.net/travel-insurance/.  Both Dive Assure and Travel Guard have a family plan. Dive Assure is diving insurance and also has a travel insurance option.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend travel insurance to help cover you for unknown events that may occur. You should purchase it within 14 days of your deposit to receive the most benefit from the policy. We also recommend that you have coverage to help you in the event you need to leave for weather or other emergencies.

Thank you for letting us assist you with your family’s diving adventures!