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

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

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New Scuba Diving Computers

tusa-dc-solarOne of the things we looked at recently is changing some of the computers we offer in our packages and as upgrades to our packages.  Two of the new entries are the DC Solar Link and the EON Steel.

According to the website, the DC Solar Link dive computer is the next generation in TUSA’s solar-powered devices. Features include: dive log transfer to smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth® SMART technology; Solar recharging which eliminates the need to replace a battery; 4-Mix Gas support; Free-Dive Mode, and a factory-sealed and rugged design that prevents flooding.

Using Bluetooth® SMART technology, you can transfer the dive logs from the IQ1204 DC Solar Link dive computer to any smartphone or tablet with TUSA Diving LOG app. Once uploaded to your device, dive logs can be shared with your friends on social media.

This computer looks like a new Casio G-Shock watch so it can double as a sport watch.  It looks good and we believe it will be a nice addition to our line.

suunto-steelThe EON Steel is Suunto’s next generation dive computer. The intuitive Suunto EON Steel combines advanced technology with a bright color screen and customizable features and display to show clearly what you need. With heavy-duty housing, a stainless steel bezel, and user updatable software, Suunto EON Steel will dive with you for years to come. We brought one in for a client who took it on our Cozumel trip and found it easy to read especially during the dusk/night dive.  The advantage of this computer is that it can be air integrated.

shearwater-infographic-transparent-1Another computer introduced last month is the Shearwater Perdix AI.  Our technical divers are familiar with other Shearwater computers becasue they have been using them for a number of years.  The Perdix AI offers all of the same great features of the Perdix, the Perdix AI uses its large, easy-to-read screen to clearly display the tank pressure as well as your gas time remaining (GTR). The Perdix AI is capable of connecting to either one or two transmitters giving the diver the option to monitor both tanks or dive sidemount.

So, if you are in need of a new dive computer, come by and look at one of the new offerings.
 

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Scuba Diver's Garage Sale

Garage Sale Sign
November 19-20
Have you ever found that you just have too much stuff? Do you trip over things and wonder what can you do to clear-up a path?  Well, we have been having the same issues here and we have decided it is time to make some changes.  So, we are cleaning out the back-room, the storage lockers and any place else we have things stored and pricing it to move on.  This is your chance to get some great deals on diving equipment.
We have new equipment that we is one-of-a kind, last year’s models as well as trade-ins, exchanges and demo equipment.  There are books, travel guides and who knows what else (we are still looking through things).  We will have a bin of FREE items and things that benefit the Oceanic Ventures Foundation.

Don’t Wait Come See What Shows Up!

Since we are already looking through the storage facilities, some of the items we have found are showing up in he store.  Right now you will find a collection of wet suits on the  veranda for $25.00 – $50.00 so come by and see what we’ve found.  Dive Mom has two bins of equipment beneath her desk full of deals! You just need to come by and see what has shown up during our excavations.

 

  • WHEN:   Saturday, November 19 10:00 – 4:00
  •                      Sunday, November 20,   2:00 – 5:00
  • WHERE: Right here at 2715 Bissonnet, suite 302

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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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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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Scuba Science – Methane Seep Off Coast

NOAA-OER / BOEM / USGS
NOAA-OER / BOEM / USGS
This lithodid crab is perched on a mussel bed at 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean

Scientists just found perhaps the largest methane seep in the world (about one kilometer long). Around this seep they discovered a vast ecosystem that was supported by the constant leak of methane. This seep of methane was found in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean, and it is only the third one to be found off the coast of the United States. Mussels were found covering the seep of methane. Since these mussels were so deep in the sea, the sun’s energy did not reach them, so they relied on bacteria that used the methane to make energy. Researchers also found sea cucumbers squeezing themselves between the mussels. Around this mound of mussels and sea cucumbers, scientists found shrimp swimming around (most likely eating leftover food). Many strange fish were also found circling this ecosystem. It will be interesting for deep sea divers to collect specimens from this methane ecosystem someday to study them in more detail. Since methane is a gas that contributes to the atmospheric greenhouse effect, understanding how these creatures use methane might help us slow global warming.

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Divers Rescue Whale Shark from Dangerous Debris

Divers in the Revillagigedo Islands west of Mexico came across a whale shark earlier this month that they quickly realized was in distress. As the divers examined the whale shark they could see that it had a rope tightly caught around its pectoral fin area that had created deep cuts on its body. They knew the whale shark had much slimmer chances of surviving with the rope constricting it and when they happened upon the same whale shark on their second dive that day they were prepared. The dive guide and two other divers approached the whale shark and cut the rope, which was two inches thick, from the whale shark. The whale shark swam off free and although it had big gashes from the rope, it now has much better chances of surviving longer than it would have otherwise. The divers also filmed the rescue with an underwater camera and the video has been getting a lot of attention on the internet. This incident highlights the importance of divers’ vital role in protecting and preserving the ocean and its animals because we are the ones who best see and understand the ocean and how to conserve this place we appreciate so much.

Here is the video: