SDTTL2011–14
No 11 “ControverSea” June 24 2014
Cover by Jason Isley/Scubazoo
FROM THE EDITORS
Diving is generally a happy-go-lucky activity; depending on where you are, it’s all sunshine and beaches, or rugged adventuring in the high seas. But this sport can also raise serious, thought provoking questions that touch on morality, environmental responsibility and even politics.
We decided it was time to face some of the most contentious subjects in the world of scuba, head on. We’re also being a bit controversial ourselves, taking liberties, mixing it up, and, for one issue, departing from our usual format to bring you excursions into the realms of ideas rather than exclusively into the realms of “place”.
One of the most divisive issues in the industry is that of baited shark dives where sharks are fed or lured in with chum. We have gathered opinions from experts and shark enthusiasts from the world, and even Pierre Cousteau has weighed in.
We shine a light on the issues surrounding diving gravesites, and consider a dive on one of Egypt’s most controversial wrecks, the Salem Express. We linger in the Middle East with a look at the beautiful seascapes of Israel’s Eilat, and speculate whether a country’s politics or policies should affect your decision to dive it.
Pushing the difficult questions even further, we find out if you really do need an SLR, and we challenge you to determine just how far it’s ok to go in pursuit of your next great shot. We get extreme with Photoshop, giving you a software tutorial that will have the purists up in arms… literally…
Are you ready to get controversial?
Matt Weiss (Americas)
Alice Grainger (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar W. Fuchs (Europe & Africa)
CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
SUBJECT SPOTLIGHT
CROWN OF THORNS
Does this reviled echinoderm deserve its not-so-holy reputation?
>> READ THIS ARTICLE ON DivePhotoGuide.com!
FROM THE FIELD
BLACK WATER
By Scott “Gutsy” Tuason
Drifting through the open ocean, at night, looking for the denizens of the dark and deep, takes some nerve
Portfolios
GALLERY
AUSTRALASIA Underwater Photo Competition THE SHORTLIST
The 20 images shortlisted in the competition; choose your favourite and vote for the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD!
IN FOLIO
INTERVIEW WITH A PRO
Lia Barrett tells us about being a woman in an industry dominated by men, and how documenting a freediving
tragedy produced one of the most controversial images ever taken of this extreme sport
Features
PHOTOTREKS ASIA
ISRAEL: DIVE INTO POLITICS
By Mark Fuller
The diving is stunning off Eilat’s Red Sea coast, but a dive trip here means holidaying in one of the world’s most contentious states
PHOTOTREKS SHARKS
TO FEED OR NOT TO FEED?
By Various Contributors
The subject of baited shark dives certainly ignites debate. We gather opinions from experts and enthusiast around the world
PHOTOTREKS WRECKS
GRAVE SHIPWRECKS
By Rod MacDonald and Christian Llewellyn
Shipwrecks make dramatic, haunting dive sites. But vessels often go down with a loss of life, meaning that many wrecks are also graves, raising questions about how we treat them
FEATURE
SHOOTING UP THE REEF
By Ricard Buxo
How much manipulation of the environment and its inhabitants is ok to get “the right shot”?
Techniques
NOVICE
THE POWER OF THE SMALL
By Tim Ho
Think you need an expensive SLR to get professional quality images? Think again. Tim lets us in on the secret power of the compact
INTERMEDIATE
BLACK AS NIGHT
By Christian Skauge
Put your subjects in the limelight by throwing the background into darkness
GOING PRO
PUPPET MASTER
By Erin Quigley
Making a statement about the use of Photoshop and a tutorial on a radical technique, but is this going too far?
No 10 “Four Seasons” March 24 2014
Cover by Shawn Heinrichs
FROM THE EDITORS
We may take for granted just how much the balance of life on Earth depends on the 23.4-degree tilt of its axis. As different parts of the planet are bathed in the sun’s light and warmth, the seasons shift, and life flourishes—currents carry warming or cooling waters around the world, and with them nutrients and new life.
Seasonal cycles of procreation in the ocean take many forms. In this issue we have tried to provide a glimpse into the gamut; from syncronised coral spawning as captured on camera by Alex Mustard (Coral: The Next Generation), to the fascinating, egg-laying fishes whose cycles follow those of the moon (Cracking the “Egg Shot”, by Alex Tyrrell), and the epic, transcontinental, seasonal migrations of the charismatic humpback whales. In Meet the Humpbacks, Shawn Heinrichs lets us in on the secret to connecting with humpbacks and creating winning photographs of these charismatic leviathans.
Nowhere, however, are the oceans’ seasonal fluctuations more evident than in the temperate seas. In A Cape for All Seasons, the team from Atlantic Edge Films takes us through an underwater year off South Africa’s Cape Point and introduces us to the dramatic and charming interactions that can be had as each season moves into the next.
From pole to pole, seasonal changes underpin all life on this planet. We hope this issue goes some way to celebrating our annual journey around the sun as a rich source of wonder and creative inspiration.
Matt Weiss (Americas)
Alice Grainger (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar W. Fuchs (Europe & Africa)
CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
SUBJECT SPOTLIGHT
CORAL
Intimate details of the tiny creatures creating our oceans’ oases
FROM THE FIELD
CORAL: THE NEXT GENERATION
By Alex Mustard
Capturing the Caribbean corals’ seasonal, synchronised sex life takes planning, timing, and a little bit of faith
Portfolios
GALLERY
ADEX 2014
Photo and video seminar speakers
IN FOLIO
INTERVIEW WITH A PRO
Thomas P. Peschak
The celebrated conservation photographer talks to SDTTL about sharks, how images can save our seas, and the story behind the shot that went viral
Features
PHOTOTREKS AFRICA
A CAPE FOR ALL SEASONS
By Sophia Van Coller, as told by Mark Van Coller
Professional photographers and videographers in South Africa are attuned to the Cape’s shifting seasons and their dramatic photographic opportunities
PHOTOTREKS ARCTIC
THE PULL OF THE POLE
By Andrey Nekrasov
The magical pull of the polar north compels divers to return season after season
PHOTOTREKS ASIA-PACIFIC
MEET THE HUMPBACKS
By Various Contributors
Lessons from Tonga reveal that connecting with, and photographing, our planet’s most well-travelled seasonal migrants requires an absolute commitment to a pure intention
Techniques
NOVICE
SOLAR POWER
By Ethan Daniels
The beauty of shooting emotive images in shallow seas, and in ambient light
INTERMEDIATE
CRACKING THE “EGG SHOT”
By Alex Tyrrell
Capturing glimpses into a prenatal underwater world takes time and planning, but with the right information and techniques, the “egg shot” is yours for the taking
GOING PRO
BELOW ZERO
By Aaron Wong
Taking pictures with a sheet of ice above your head presents some unusual challenges. Tips on taking the edge off when you’re shooting sub-zero
No 9 “Then & Now” December 15 2013
Cover by Sid Macken
FROM THE EDITORS
It was Isaac Newton who wrote, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” In this issue we journey into the past, and pay tribute to some of the giants of underwater exploration and photography.
Pioneers like Hans Hass and Jacques-Yves Cousteau, among others, made the sport and the art form what they are today. They inspired and educated generations of divers and photographers, and their legacies live on, as Philippe Cousteau reveals, sharing his thoughts on bringing his grandfather’s legacy into the modern world ("Cousteau Then and Now").
In the old days, divers committed to bringing back images of the underwater world had to first imagine and then develop equipment to use. Now, just decades later, we reap the benefits of their pioneering work. We have cameras that enable us to shoot thousands of images on a single dive, sub-marine video lights that light up the reefs for hours at a time and reveal hidden ultraviolet seascapes never imagined in days gone by. In this issue’s centrepiece we showcase the photographers who launched genres of underwater photography, and contrast them with some of the figures leading the way in the same categories today ("Then & Now"). We also celebrate 40 years of the world’s best underwater images at Antibes ("40 Years of Antibes").
Many of our ocean-going legends also became dedicated advocates for the protection of our marine ecosystems as they watched the environment that captured their hearts deteriorate over the years. Venerable marine biologists reminisce about the reefs of their youth ("Reefs Then and Now"), and we share a tale of hope - the recovery of a once lost shark population under good management ("Defending the Sanctuary").
While we can never go back, we can certainly stand on the shoulders of these giants as we forge into the future, and continue to apply, in the here and now, the lessons learnt back then.
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Alice Grainger, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar Fuchs, Editor (Europe & Africa)
CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
FROM THE FIELD
COUSTEAU THEN AND NOW
By Philippe Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau left behind a legacy of exploration and conservation, a mantle that is being passed down through the generations
TIMELINE
THE HISTORY OF UNDERWATER CAMERAS
Charting the ‘firsts’ in the development of underwater imaging equipment
PHOTO PIONEERS
DREAMS DRIVEN BY DOUBILET
By Todd Essick
How a talk by David Doubilet ignited the drive to produce one photographer’s most well-known body of work
Portfolios
SPECIAL REPORT
40 YEARS OF ANTIBES
By Dietmar Fuchs
The world’s oldest festival of underwater image capture celebrates its 40th anniversary
GALLERY
THEN & NOW
By Various Contributors
A showcase of images from underwater photography’s classic genres, and today’s rising stars building on the work of their predecessors
IN FOLIO
INTERVIEW WITH A PRO
Anna and Ned DeLoach
The fish ID photography specialists talk to SDTTL
Features
DESTINATION YESTERDAY
REEFS THEN AND NOW
By Various Contributors
Venerable marine biologists remember the reefs of the past
PHOTOTREKS ASIA
DEFENDING THE SANCTUARY
By Shawn Heinrichs
Dedicated enforcement of the no-take zone has caused shark populations to bloom in Misool, but a conservation photojournalist’s work is never done...
Techniques
NOVICE
REEF FISH PORTRAITURE
By Richard Smith
How to turn the most commonly overlooked fish into great subjects
INTERMEDIATE
SHOOTING THE SUNBURST
By Aaron Wong
Capturing the effect that can make an underwater image shine
GOING PRO
DOUBLE EXPOSURE
By Mark Fuller
With good planning and the right settings, your compositions are limited only by your imagination
No 8 “Fins Off!” September 15 2013
Cover by Lia Barrett
FROM THE EDITORS
With Scuba Diver Through The Lens, we are always trying to find new subjects, destinations and techniques that will inspire our readers to try something different. That was the main goal of this “water sports” issue – to expand the horizons of scuba diving wildlife underwater photographers and show them other opportunities that exist for underwater photography in the places they love to dive.
In this issue, we explore the best places that divers can not only have a great scuba trip, but also capture the beauty of the waves with surf photographs, demonstrate how adding a kayaker to a split shot can create a totally different type of image, and learn what it’s like to photograph a diver unburdened by a tank. We’ve also got advice on how to shoot with everybody’s favourite water sports camera – the GoPro.
Our hope is that, with a little guidance from the pros we’ve featured in this issue, you’ll be more willing to try your hand at this exciting form of underwater photography. And if you’re a water sports enthusiast that picked up this issue, then welcome to the wonderful world of scuba diving!
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Ian Seldrup, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar W. Fuchs, Editor (Europe & Africa)
CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
FROM THE FIELD
DOLPHIN DALLIANCE
By Matt Weiss & Keri Wilk
A stingray shoot in the Cayman Islands gets spiced up by a cheeky dolphin with a fondness for divers.
SUBJECT SPOTLIGHT
PEACOCK MANTIS SHRIMP
By Joseph Tepper
The multitalented colourful crustacean with super-shrimp abilities goes under the microscope
WORLD MAPS
BEST WAVES
Put your surf photography skills to the test at these cool breaks around the globe
Portfolios
GALLERY
FISH OUT OF WATER
By Various Contributors
Underwater photography takes us to amazing places to photograph amazing animals – but there’s often one animal that goes overlooked: the human
IN FOLIO
INTERVIEW WITH A PRO
Christian Vizl
Award-winning Mexican photographer Christian Vizl explains how he took his passion and hobby to the next level
Features
PHOTOTREKS ASIA
THAILAND’S BIG THREE
By Scott Johnson
With the luxury liveaboard Thailand Aggressor at your disposal, enjoying the crème de la crème of dive spots has never been easier
PHOTOTREKS USA
CALIFORNIA CLASSIC
By Andy & Allison Sallmon
From jaw-dropping kelp forests and multicoloured reefscapes to anemone-carpeted wrecks and curious sevengill sharks, So Cal has it all
Techniques
NOVICE
UNDERWATER HERO
By Joel & Jennifer Penner
GoPro’s unique cameras are an interesting, inexpensive way to get started in underwater photography
INTERMEDIATE
PHOTOGRAPHING PELAGICS
By Rodrigo Friscione
Shooting species in the open sea comes with its own set of challenges, but the rewards can be spectacular
GOING PRO
FREE SPIRITS
By Lia Barrett
With free-divers as your underwater subjects, you have a whole ocean of creative possibilities to try out
No 7 “Small Matters” June 15 2013
Cover by Brandi Mueller
FROM THE EDITORS
Underwater macro photography has exploded in recent years and there are those who have taken the niche to the point of obsession. Over the past decade or so, magnification levels seem to have steadily risen, as close-up lenses have increasingly become a common tool in the subsea shooter’s gear bag. Inevitably, macro nerds just keep stacking those lenses like there’s no tomorrow!
Those who don’t understand ask, “How far will this go?” The way we see it: setting boundaries is not conducive to true artistic expression. While it’s true that at a certain scale, you can’t really see what you’re going to get, the master will always approach her craft with a vision – a dream of capturing a photo of a mind-numbingly stunning animal that is no bigger than a grain of sand.
Imagine the challenge of taking a great photo of something you can barely see with your naked eye. How do you light something that small? How do you find the right angles and come away with an image that you can be proud of?
All your questions are answered in the pages that follow…
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Diego A. Garcia, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar Fuchs, Editor (Europe & Africa)
CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
FROM THE FIELD
HAMMER HOME
By Dr Tom Burns
On the sand with hammerhead sharks, day and night
SUBJECT SPOTLIGHT
BLUE-RINGED OCTOPUS
QUICK MAPS
MACRO WORLD
Features
PHOTOTREKS EUROPE
LEMBEH OF NORWAY
By Christian Skauge
Muck diving in chilly Gulen, on the Norwegian west coast, can be just as dazzling as the world’s greatest critter dives
PHOTOTREKS FLORIDA
UNDER THE BRIDGE
By Lazaro Ruda
A menagerie of miniatures in an unexpected backyard destination
Portfolios
GALLERY
TINY WORLDS
By Various Contributors
Super close-up images of critters from Asia, Europe and North America
COMPETITION
OUR WORLD UNDERWATER 2013
Presenting the winners of one of the world’s largest underwater photography competitions
IN FOLIO
INTERVIEW WITH A PRO
Indra Swari W.
A passion for the ocean’s beauty that isn’t so easily spotted
Techniques
NOVICE
COMPACTS FOR CRITTERS
By William Tan & Dexiang Chen
Convert your compact camera into a marvellous macro machine
INTERMEDIATE
SUPER MACRO TOOLKIT
By Keri Wilk
Diving headfirst into the optics of super macro underwater photography to transform the miniscule
GOING PRO
SHOOTING WITH THE BUGEYE
By Amir Stern
We call it the bugeye, but its real name is almost as long as the lens itself
No 6 “Masters of Monochrome” March 15 2013
Cover by Ernest H. Brooks II
FROM THE EDITORS
The question about photography and its relationship to art has long been the subject of academic debate, with some placing the practice in the jurisdiction of “communications” rather than “fine art”.
For us, the answer is simple: photography becomes art when a camera finds itself in the hands of an artist. It’s what you’ll find in these pages, where photographic legend Ernest H. Brooks II shares his incredible images from his Hasselblad with a 70mm back (“Master of Monochrome”). We’ve also got three masters of light and form who continue to take our art to greater heights.
First, Arturo Telle brings us on a conceptual intergalactic journey (“Water Planets”). Then, Justin Gilligan takes his portable studio to Lembeh for intimate portraiture (“Portraits of Lembeh Strait”). And finally, Aaron Wong develops an ingenious technique to create impossible lighting (“Light Reborn”). For the time being, it looks like the art of underwater photography is alive and thriving in the hands of these ocean artists.
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Diego A. Garcia, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar Fuchs, Editor (Europe & Africa)
CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
FROM THE FIELD
FIRE & WATER
By CJ Kale and Nick Selway
QUICK TIPS
COLOUR TEMPERATURE
By Jason Heller
Features
DESTINATION EUROPE
GREENLAND: OF ICE & SNOW
By Tobias Friedrich
A stunning set of images from a seldom-dived region of East Greenland – this is wilderness photography at its finest
DESTINATION INNER SPACE
WATER PLANETS
By Arturo Telle
Imagine entire worlds shaped by water. These are the dreamscapes of an artistic mind, delirious with sub-sea adventure
PHOTO PIONEERS
MASTER OF MONOCHROME
By Joseph Tepper
The incomparable portfolio of Ernest H. Brooks II, in classic black and white, and shot on a Hasselblad
Portfolios
GALLERY
SCULPTED FOR THE SEA
By Various Contributors
Sculpted by both hand and sea, statues become part of an ecosystem, supporting life, creating beauty and in the process inspiring photographers
IN FOLIO
IMAGINATION BREATHES DEEP
Mark Hillesheim
Deeply impressed by the adventures of the men aboard the Calypso, this photo-artist creates his own universe, skimming the surface of his imagination
Techniques
SHUTTERBUG
AB.STRACT ART
By Keri Wilk
Artwork that achieves its goal using shapes, forms, colours and textures, without trying to mimic or represent recognisable reality or objects
DSLR SHOOTER
PORTRAITS OF LEMBEH STRAIT
By Justin Gilligan
Bizarre creatures are intimately photographed using a portable black backdrop
GOING PRO
LIGHT REBORN
By Aaron Wong
Armed with a single light and loads of ambition, this photographer uses layering to create images with impossible lighting
No 5 “Giants” December 15 2012
Cover by Bartosz Strozynski
FROM THE EDITORS
When underwater photographers think of scuba diving with giants, there are a few usual suspects that come to mind—like whales, sharks and manta rays.
But photography is all about trying to be different, and so should a photography magazine. That’s why, in this issue, we feature images of the lesser-photographed giants, like walruses (“Swimming with Giants”), anacondas (“Adventures with Anacondas”), and even grizzly bears (“Fishing Grizzlies”). Of course, having said that, we didn’t know what to think when we received images of swimming pigs (“Eye to Eye with Giants”)!
On a sentimental note, this is the final issue of our first year. We’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the world’s most well respected underwater photographers, as well as some of the industry’s rising stars. We’ve covered underwater fashion, cutting-edge approaches to underwater photography, and paid homage to those that push the extremes of the craft. With every new issue our contributors continue to astound us with their imaginative, fearless and tireless approaches to underwater photography. As long as there are photographers willing to push the limits, and to create totally new images, borne from new ideas, we will continue to produce a platform to share their underwater art.
Thanks to all our photographers, supporters, and readers for an incredible inaugural year. We can’t wait to see what you’ll shoot next.
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Diego A. Garcia, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar Fuchs, Editor (Europe and Africa)
CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
FROM THE FIELD
FISHING GRIZZLIES
By Paul Souders
PHOTO FEEDBACK
OUR READERS SHOTS
SDTTL reader Kirsty Faulkner gets tips from our pros
Features
DESTINATION AMERICAS
ADVENTURES WITH ANACONDAS
By Franco Banfi
Photographing the world’s largest snake in a muddy Brazilian swamp takes more than just courage. It takes knowledge, time and a creative plan to get the images you want
DESTINATION EUROPE
SWIMMING WITH GIANTS
By Paul Souders
Dedication, a drysuit and some serious guts is all that this photographer needed for an encounter that few have ever achieved... or even considered
PINNIPEDS
LEOPARDS & LIONS OF THE SEA
By Various Contributors
From playful to predatory, sea lions and seals challenge photographers with their speed and unpredictability
Portfolios
GALLERY
EYE TO EYE WITH GIANTS
By Various Contributors
A collection of stunning images of encounters with big animals from around the world
IN FOLIO
TIM CALVER – ODE TO THE OCEAN
A passion for the sea and the people who love it inspires a collection of powerful, yet serene images that beckon adventurers back to the blue
Techniques
DSLR SHOOTER
SHOOTING HAWAII, BIG TIME!
By Keri Wilk
A fisheye’s view of the big creatures from the Big Island
GOING PRO
EXPEDITION – CHILE
By Andy Murch
A nation with 78,000 kilometers of coastline that is largely unknown to divers, Chile demands true exploration
No 4 “Extreme" September 15 2012
Cover By Andy Murch
FROM THE EDITORS
For most people, underwater photography is inherently extreme. It is our opinion that taking a camera underwater should not be considered normal.
But there are some underwater photographers who have pushed the boundaries of the extreme, and have paid little attention to what is considered ordinary. They photograph oceanic sharks, 60-foot predatory whales, icebergs in sub-zero conditions, and even aggressive carnivorous squid.
In this issue of Scuba Diver Through The Lens, we honor the extreme photographer. They’ve captured iconic blue sharks at night (“Day & Night”), swum with tiger sharks at sunset (“Over-Under Shark Photography”) and delved into pitch-black caves in Europe (“Shot in the Dark”). Sure, any of the photographers’ work in this issue could be considered dangerous and difficult, and therefore extreme, but they’re not driven by the adrenaline or even the desire to be different—they’re fueled by a passion for their subject and for their craft.
To accomplish something truly extreme, something characterized by being the “farthest removed from the ordinary”, it needs to be something you truly love doing. As Daniel Botelho puts it (“The Extremes of Daniel Botelho”), it needs to come from the heart.
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Diego A. Garcia, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar Fuchs, Editor (Europe and Africa)CONTENTS
Photo Briefs
FROM THE FIELD
MAKO REFLECTIONS
By Matt Weiss
On assignment with the fastest shark in the sea
PHOTO FEEDBACK
OUR READER’S SHOTS
SDTTL reader Boogs Rosales gets tips from our pros
Features
DESTINATION EUROPE
SUB-ZERO PART 1 – SWISS ICE
By Franco Banfi
Shooting “snowbergs” and “snowcaves” in the Alps
DESTINATION ASIA
SUB-ZERO PART 2 – ASIAN ICE
By Aaron Wong
A warm-blooded photographer looks for ice in the unlikeliest of destinations
BLUE SHARKS
DAY & NIGHT
By Tobias Friedrich and Bill Fisher
Photographing blue sharks under an African sun and an American moon
Portfolios
GALLERY
THE EXTREMES OF DANIEL BOTELHO
A look at the diverse portfolio of images from a Brazilian photographer with a taste for extreme subjects
COMPETITION
SD/MIDE 2012 THROUGH THE LENS
Winning images from Asia Pacific’s premier underwater photography competition
Techniques
VIDEOLOGY
THE SHARK SPECIALIST
By Matt Weiss
Cameraman Joe Romeiro has made a name for himself with daring and innovative shark videography
DSLR SHOOTER
SHOT IN THE DARK
By Uli Kunz
Learn the basics of cave photography before you decide to take on this highly technical form of the art
GOING PRO
OVER-UNDER SHARK PHOTOGRAPHY
By Andy Murch
Shooting the air-water interface gets even more extreme when your subjects are sharks at sunset
No 3 “Cutting Edge” June 15 2012
Cover by Peter A. Reiserer
FROM THE EDITORS
There’s a sentiment out there in the photographic world that the digital revolution has simplified things. Just get yourself the latest Nikon 800 or Canon 5D MkIII with a fancy housing, and all the different features of these state-of-the-art instruments will have you shooting cutting edge imagery in no time. But photographic equipment is no different than any tool – harnessing its power takes more than simply owning one.
In the hands of renowned photographers, who think first and shoot afterwards, fancy equipment does help to produce their innovative ideas – but it’s the inspiration that commands the equipment. Just have a look at the work of Tobias Friedrich (“360˚: The Cutting Edge”), Keri Wilk (“How to Shoot with a Snoot”) and Imran Ahmad (“Lighting the Surreal”) – three photographers who continue to push the boundaries of what we consider “cutting edge” underwater photography.
Even if you go back 20 years, you‘ll find photographers like Peter Alexander Reiserer, who used cutting edge ideas to produce pictures that are still compelling and avant-garde today (“Ahead of His Time”). And although his lighting was, admittedly, pretty advanced for the day, Reiserer still produced timeless images without the help of today’s digital paraphernalia.
So it’s not about the number of pixels, nor the sheer number of picture programs or filters that you use – it’s still your cutting edge ideas and knowledge of photography that will help your images stand the test of time.
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Diego A. Garcia, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Dietmar Fuchs, Editor (Europe and Africa)
CONTENTS
Features
DESTINATION AMERICAS
WHEN PENGUINS FLY...
By Joseph Tepper
Of all the amazing animals one can photograph in the Galapagos Islands, one soars above the rest
DESTINATION ASIA
SHOOTING BIG IN THE LAND OF SMALL
By Andy Sallmon and Allison Vitsky Sallmon
An intrepid photo-duo take their wide-angle lenses to a macro heaven
Portfolios
GALLERY
STATE OF THE ART
By Various Contributors
Taking stock of the latest techniques and technologies in underwater photography today
PHOTO PIONEER
AHEAD OF HIS TIME
By Javier Pierro Ruis and Alain Sebastian Wienkoop
Peter A. Reiserer was one of the first underwater photographers to bring commercial studio ideas underwater
COMPETITION
UNDERWATER COMPETITION 2012
Winning images from DEEP Indonesia
Techniques
SHUTTERBUG
LIGHTING THE SURREAL
By Imran Ahmad
Mixing film and classic photo techniques for a new look in underwater images
DSLR SHOOTER
HOW TO SHOOT WITH A SNOOT
By Keri Wilk
Take control of your lighting techniques with this illuminating device
GOING PRO
360°: THE CUTTING EDGE
By Tobias Friedrich
Panoramic images take on a new meaning with digital technology
No 2 “Beauty” March 15 2012
Cover by Mallory Morrison
FROM THE EDITORS
Photography, like all art, is about making something that is truly unique. Whether that means achieving technical perfection, using cutting edge technology, or traveling to places that are nearly impossible to reach, for photographers to make art, the goal is to take a photo no one else can take. Take a look at the images of photographers like Mallory Morrison, Zena Holloway, and Elena Kalis, who use water as a medium that helps them achieve their concepts for their commercial, fashion or personal projects. Other underwater photographers travel to exotic destinations like the Red Sea, Komodo and Port Hardy, because they are the prime habitat for photographing the wonderfully unique colors of the ocean. Regardless of how a photographer may treat water — be it as a habitat, medium, or muse — make no mistake that underwater photography is art and it is beautiful.
Matt Weiss, Editor (Americas)
Don’t recognise your copy of Scuba Diver magazine? We wanted to do something completely different for this beauty-inspired issue, the first time in our history that we’ve released a horizontal cover. Many of you may be unaware, but Scuba Diver was first printed in 1981 under the title The Scuba Diver.
Since then, the magazine evolved and changed, becoming Scuba Diver AustralAsia, and of course, just last year, we added the unique photography title Scuba Diver Through The Lens, which you’re holding in your hands right now! As you flip through these pages keep this history in mind as you appreciate the legacy of photographic and journalistic excellence that has brought us to this remarkable collection of images and stories from around the world.
Diego A. Garcia, Editor (Asia-Pacific and Australia)
Each new year is heralded by great diving expos around the world, but the coming ADEX 2012 in Singapore is my favourite. And it’s the first time that each of us three editors will be present, on our never-ending quest for the best pictures done under water. Taking pictures can be documentary – that’s what most of us do, getting our fellow divers and our deep sea adventures framed. But some of us want more: We express our creativity in underwater scenes of pure art and beauty. In this issue we put three of the finest “Art” photographers together to prove to all of us, that the underwater realm offers the creative photographer much more than a real world – it offers magic! Enjoy the new Scuba Diver Through The Lens.
Dietmar Fuchs, Editor (Europe and Africa)
CONTENTS
Features
ASSIGNMENT
SHOOTING RED
By Udo Kefrig and Rose Jones
How to photograph long-wavelength colours
DESTINATION ASIA
WHERE MYTH BECOMES REALITY
By Joseph Tepper
Indonesia’s Komodo Island may appear mythical, but it’s as real as it gets
DESTINATION AMERICAS
PORT HARDY
By Todd Mintz and Rand McMeins
Canada’s west coast province of British Columbia is truly “Supernatural”
Portfolios
PROS AT WORK
THE FAIRY QUEEN ZENA
Photo taleteller Zena Holloway brings us into her own personal fantasy world
ELENA'S WONDERLAND
Elena Kalis reminds us of the innocence of childhood and the wonder of Alice
MAGIC OF MALLORY
Mallory Morrison has made a career out of making people look natural underwater
COMPETITION
OUR WORLD UNDERWATER 2012
Winning images from the one of the world’s largest competitions
Techniques
SHUTTERBUG
NUDIES IN NORWAY
By Christian Skauge
If you can stop your hands from shivering, Norway’s nudibranchs make stunning macro photos
DSLR SHOOTER
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY
By Wolfgang Pölzer
How to work with divers for best results in your wide-angle images
GOING PRO
FASHION H.2.O.
By Aaron Wong
Secrets of the professional underwater fashion shoot
No 1 “Inner Peace” December 15 2011
Cover by Imran Ahmad