August Newsletter

August 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
SEA2008 International Underwater
Photography Competition
2
Events
3
Announcements
6
Monthly Mini-Comp Winners
7
Videolights
7
Backscatter Feature Article
8
Upcoming Trips
9
CoralRealm Monthly Species Profile
9
NCUPS Classifieds
11
Joining NCUPS
11
Northern California Underwater
Photography Society Calendar
12
UPCOMING EVENTS
8th Marmara Underwater Festival
3
2009 Raja Ampat Entrance Tag
Design Contest
3
35th World Festival of Underwater
Pictures
4
2008 LAUPS International
Competition
4
California Academy of Sciences
Grand Opening
5
SEA2008 International Underwater
Photography Competition
5
Ellat Red Sea Images of the World
Competition
6
Speaker: Eric Cheng, Anatomy of a
Winning Photograph
MiniComp: Nudibranchs
8/01 Business Meeting (7 pm)
(See back page for maps and directions.)
Anatomy of a Winning
Photograph
Techniques and Methods for Great
Underwater Photography
Josh Honomichl/Kathy Mendes
Photo: Eric Cheng
MILLBRAE, CA – This month the Northern California Underwater Photographic
Society (www.NCUPS.org) is privileged to
host a lecture by award-winning wildlife
photographer and wetpixel.com owner Eric
Cheng.
During his presentation, Eric will deconstruct a series of his favorite photographs,
describing the techniques and methods he used to create them. Eric will also address
the technical aspects of digital photography that contributed to the success of each
shot, including camera settings, strobe power, and positioning.
In addition to the discussion of photographic technique, Eric’s lecture will offer a
unique glimpse into the evolution of several of his shots. He will not only show the
attempted shots that led up to the final image; he will also provide a comparison of
his final processed images and the original raw images.
Who is Eric Cheng?
MEETINGS THIS MONTH
8/08 Membership Meeting (8 pm)
| Volume 6 Number 8
Eric Cheng, a Stanford University graduate (BS '97, MS '98), was a computer scientist and cellist before he took his first underwater photograph in 2001 and fell in love
with the beauty of the underwater realm. Since then, Eric has become known around
(Continued on page 6)
the world for his expertise in underwater imaging.
How to Copyright Your Digital Images
A Pre-meeting Seminar with Mike Miller
Before you attend Eric Cheng’s lecture on creating great photographs, learn how to protect them by attending Mike
Miller’s pre-meeting seminar on digital copyrighting. In this
modern age, photographers have unprecedented power to
bring their art to an audience of millions by uploading their
works to the internet. Unfortunately, the ease of access has not come without a price.
Once posted, photos enter the public domain and control of the images can quickly
leave the hands of the owner if they are not copyrighted.
Your photographs belong to you and you alone. Mike’s seminar will provide the fundamentals to allow you to begin copyrighting your work, so that others cannot legally
use your images without your permission.
Northern California Underwater
Photography Society
President Position Open
president@ncups.org
Vice President/ Position Open
Speaker Coordinator info@ncups.org
Equipment Manager Randy Herz
randy.herz@sbcglobal.net
Secretary Jim Kaller
secretary@ncups.org
Treasurer Helga Mahlmann
treasurer@ncups.org
Membership Lanette Otvos
membership@ncups.org
CBDPC Coordinator Position Open
cbdpc@ncups.org
SEA Coordinator Kathy Mendes
sea@ncups.org
Boat Dive Coordinator Chuck Tribolet
triblet@garlic.com
Photo: Patti Baugh “Sea's Candies” - SEA2007 Best of Show/1st Creative/Winner of the Bob Commer Award of Excellence
DEMA Coordinator Robbie Turner
marketing@ncups.org
E-groups Moderator Charlie Eng
charlieeng@hawaii.rr.com
SEA2008 International Underwater Photography
Competition
Membership/Merchandise Lanette Otvos
Coordinator membership@ncups.org
Kathy Mendes – NCUPS SEA Coordinator
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Northern California Underwater Photographic
Society (www.NCUPS.org) proudly presents the 44th Annual SEA International
Underwater Photographic Competition, and the Bob Commer Award of Excellence in Underwater Photography. This “mail-in” underwater digital still and
print photography, and underwater videography competition is open to amateur
photographers and videographers from around the world. Award sponsors of the
SEA 2008 competition, with prizes totaling in the tens of thousands of dollars,
include SCUBA ecotourism resorts, travel agencies, and luxury live-aboards, as
well as SCUBA and photography equipment manufacturers. Sponsors include:
Nai'a Cruises, Fiji; Kararu Cruises, Indonesia; Bilikiki Cruises, Solomon
Islands; MV Febrina, Papua New Guinea; Pindito Dive Cruises, Indonesia; Mike
Ball Expeditions, Australia; Manthiri, Maldives; Stormcase, Lowepro, SanDisk,
Ultralight Control Systems, Ikelite, and Backscatter Underwater Photo and
Video. Previous competitions have brought in hundreds of the finest still image,
print, and video entries from underwater photographers all around the world!
The SEA 2008 underwater photographic competition will issue awards for the
best work in categories including Macro, Wide Angle, Underwater California
and Marine Conservation; a traditional print category; creative categories in print
and digital, and a video category. In the creative categories entrants are encouraged to use any and all tools available to express their individual creativity.
The SEA International Competition Best of Show, in addition to a selected prize
from the prize list, is awarded the prestigious Bob Commer Award of Photographic Excellence! All media; digital still, print and video, are eligible.
(Continued on page 5)
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
Marketing Director Robbie Turner
marketing@ncups.org
2
Newsletter Editor Josh Honomichl
newsletter@ncups.org
MVP Assistant Ruth Chofré
Newsletter Editor ruthchofre@comcast.net
Minicomp Columnist Randy Herz
randy.herz@sbcglobal.net
Ocean Conservation Gordon Firestein
Coordinator gfirestein@seapact.com
Refreshments Helga Mahlmann
treasurer@ncups.org
Webmaster Position Open
© 2008 NCUPS. All Rights Reserved.
All content in this newsletter is copyrighted by the Northern
California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS) or
the author or photographer indicated by an entry. No part of
this newsletter may be copied, reproduced, redistributed or
stored by any means without the express written consent of
the NCUPS and/or the individual who owns the copyrighted
material.
The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society
(NCUPS) is a “501(c)(3) nonprofit” organization formed to
promote interest in underwater photography. The club has
been active since 1957. NCUPS sponsors educational
events on both underwater photography and video while
promoting awareness of the underwater environment and
pertinent ecological issues. NCUPS serves the greater San
Francisco Bay area, including Silicon Valley.
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
Events
August
8th Marmara Underwater Festival ..............................................
2009 Raja Ampat Entrance Tag Design Contest ........................
September
2008 LAUPS International Competition .....................................
California Academy of Sciences Grand Opening ......................
October
SEA2008 International Underwater Photography Competition .
Ellat Red Sea Images of the World Competition ........................
2009 Raja Ampat Entrance Tag Design Contest
Deadline: August 28
3
3
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Conservation International, The Coral
Reef Alliance, and Wetpixel.com
have announced the 2009 Raja
Ampat Entrance Tag Design Contest. If you have the perfect photo that captures the excitement and beauty of Raja Ampat diving, enter the 2009
contest for a chance to have your image printed on the
4,000 park tags that will be attached BCDs of visiting divers!
4
5
5
6
Commodore Chuck Tribolet’s Weather Web Page
Monterey Sea Conditions at a Glance
In addition, the first place winner will receive a 7-day, 6night, all-inclusive dive trip (excluding airfare) to Raja
Ampat’s original eco-resort at Kri, kindly donated by Papua
Diving.
www.garlic.com/~triblet/swell/wamglance.html
8th Marmara Underwater Festival
Deadline: August 1
Second- and third-place winners will receive a fabulous
book about Raja Ampat by ten of the world's leading underwater photographers.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – The 8th Marmara Underwater
Festival will be held by Scuba Divers Sports Club (BSK),
between August 18 and 24. The aim of the festival is to unite
international and local underwater photographers and videographers, both professional and amateur, through whose
productions an awareness of the underwater world can be
spread to the world.
To enter the contest, submit up to two photos or graphic
designs per contestant before midnight on Thursday, August
28, 2008. After finalists are chosen, the public will vote for
the best image or design until September 25, 2008. Winners
will be announced on October 1, 2008.
Underwater Photography
Competition Categories:
For rules and submission details, please visit:
http://wetpixel.com/raja
• Video Amateur
For more information about Raja Ampat, visit:
http://www.diverajaampat.org
• Video Professional
• Wide Angle Print
• Macro Print
• Digital Art
• Portfolio
• Macro
• Wide Angle
For competition guidelines,
rules and entry form, visit:
Photo: Top – Serdar Çelíkdemír 1st Digital Wide
Angle; Bottom – Marchione Giacomo 1st Printed
Macro, 8th Marmara Underwater Festival
Balıkadamlar Spor Kulubu
Iskele Cıkmazı #69
Caddebostan 34728, Istanbul-Turkey
Tel: +90 (216) 355 56 28/Fax: +90 (216) 360 52 50
www.marmarafestival.org
info@marmarafestival.org
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
3
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
35th World Festival of Underwater Pictures
Deadline: September 15
2008 LAUPS International Competition
Deadline: September 19
ANTIBES, JUAN-LES-PINS, FR –
The 35th World Festival of Underwater Pictures will be held in Antibes – Juan-les-Pins – France, at the
Convention Centre from October
29th to November 2nd, 2008. The
35th World Festival of Underwater
Pictures will be held at the end of
October 2008. This is one of the
most prestigious competitions of the
year. Daniel Mercier, Philippe Vallette and the usual team of the Festival will be pleased to welcome you during this 35th edition,
under the usual festive atmosphere.
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society announces the 46th Annual International
Underwater Photographic Competition. This year the oldest
and one of the largest contests of its kind offers seven categories, five still and two video which amateur photographers may enter. Prizes include live-aboard/land-based
vacations, diving/photo equipment, and much more.
Categories:
• Video Open
• Behavior
• Cold Water
• Marine Related Scenic
• Marine Environment
During the festival, the competitors’ films, slides and slide
shows will be screened into three rooms (Spondylia room:
300 seats; Merry Ferrer room: 100 seats; and a tent with a
capacity of 600 seats). Concerning exhibition space,
1000 m2 will be reserved for exhibitors. The main hall of the
Convention Centre will host magazines and the exhibition
of works in competition (still photographs).
• Video Raw
• Wide Angle
• Macro
Invaluable support had
been provided by the Los
Top: Mirko Zanni “Ice World” Best of
Angeles Natural History Photos:
Show; Bottom: Justin Gilligan “Cave Dweller”
1st Place, Wide Angle Digital, 2007 LAUPS
Museum, Weldon Color International Competition
Labs, Thermostatic Industries (TMO) and Post + Beam. Best of Show and first place
awards have included live-aboard/land-based vacations and
photo equipment from such sponsors as Backscatter,
Bilikiki Cruises Ltd., Club Cantamar, Explorer Expeditions,
Lagoon Resort Fji, Lembeh Resort, Manta Ray Bay Resort,
and Yap Divers, Mike Ball Diving, Nai'a, Nautilus Explorer,
and Uncommon Adventures.
Categories:
• Book of the Sea
• Portfolio
(slides or digital)
• Films Group B:
(video clip and short)
• Films Group A:
(medium length and
feature films)
• Slides
Stills
and
Additional prizes are awarded to 4th place in each category
and have included a valuable array of SCUBA and photo
equipment donated from key sponsors including Andy
Sallmon Photography, DAN, H2O Photo Pros, Hollywood
Divers, Ikelite, JMJ Wetsuits, Jujee Beads, Peace Dive Boat,
Pelican Products, Reef Photo & Video, Spectre Dive Boat,
Sub Auatic Camera repair, Submersible Systems, Torgny
Nautical Jewelry, Ultralight Control Systems, Wetpixel.com
and Woody Mayhew for Nexus.
Digital
• B/W and Color Prints
• Sound Shows
Photo: Thomas P. Peschak Gold Diver, 34th World
Festival of Underwater Pictures 2007
• Advertising
• Website
For rules and submission details, please visit:
http://www.underwater-festival.com/en/index.html
For competition guidelines, rules and entry form, visit:
www.LAUPS.org
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
4
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
California Academy of Sciences Grand Opening
September 27
SEA2008 International Underwater Photography
Competition
Deadline: October 10
Join us for a weekend-long celebration of historic proportions in Golden Gate Park – with family-friendly activities
and entertainment from morning to night.
Enjoy live music and dance performances. Sample sustainablysourced food from all over the
world. Marvel at Chinese acrobats. Browse the latest in green
technologies. Scale the rockclimbing wall. And so much
more! And this is just what’s
outside the Academy in the
Music Concourse. Admission
inside the Academy is free on
Saturday, September 27th. Plus,
hours are extended both days.
It's taken ten years and great
vision to unify the Academy's
twelve buildings into one notable structure. Under one Living
Roof, the new Academy contains a planetarium, aquarium,
and natural history museum.
When the facility opens in Fall
2008, the Academy hopes to
earn the highest rating-platinum- for Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design
(LEED).
(Continued from page 2)
The winner of the Bob Commer Award receives $500 and a
handcrafted glass trophy of an underwater photographer. (For
additional info: www.ncups.org/commer.html).
In its second year at the SEA competition is the Marine Conservation Category. Underwater photographers have a responsibility to educate other divers and non-divers about issues related
to the marine environment. Underwater photographers have
first-hand experience with environmental issues and the means
to illustrate them to those who have limited or no underwater
experience. The entries in this category should illustrate a
marine conservation issue; whether it is an endangered or rare
species or environment, an illustration of a non-sustainable
fishery; or something positive, such as re-growth of an environment, return of an endangered species, or an illustration of the
benefits of artificial reefs. The Marine Conservation Category
is open to still images taken underwater anywhere in the world.
Entries should include a maximum 75-word description about
where the image was taken, the story behind the image, and
why it was important to the photographer to take the image and
tell the story.
California Coast
The Farallones National Marine
Sanctuary comes to life in the
100,000-gallon tanks teeming with
small sharks, abalone, and sea
urchins. Tide pools let visitors get up
and close to sea stars and crabs,
while sea bass, giant octopus, and
jellyfish swim past in other exhibits.
Water Planet
Four exhibit islands showcase a
range of habitats where seahorses,
snakes, turtles, frogs, and fish of all
sizes thrive. A multimedia display
turns the exhibit walls into an
immersive environment bringing
images of whales, sharks, and larger
marine mammals into the museum
experience.
Still images only will be accepted in the Marine Conservation
category. Proceeds will be donated to a marine conservation/
environmental educational organization at NCUPS' discretion.
All of the entries of the Marine Conservation category will be
displayed with their descriptions on a special NCUPS marine
conservation web page, (2007 entries at http://
www.ncups.org/sea/SEA2007Web/conservation07.htm).
Entries will be accepted beginning in August 2008 with all
entries due by October 10, 2008. Winning entries will be
announced on the NCUPS website in November 2008. Download Rules, Regulations, and the Entry Form from the NCUPS
website at http://www.ncups.org.
When complete, the Academy
will boast an aquarium that
Philippine Coral Reef
A 25-ft deep aquarium will feature
housing
more
than
the worlds deepest interior coral
reef ecosystem. Three thousand
38,000 aquatic animals from
exotic
fish
will
swim
in
212,000 gallons of saltwater. Divers
around the world, an African
equipped with a communication
Hall that features dioramas
system will reveal the inner
workings of the reef to visitors.
meticulously recreated by artists and curators, a four-story
glass dome enclosing a complete recreation of a rainforest
ecosystem, and a world-class planetarium.
The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society, one
of the oldest and most prestigious underwater photography
clubs in the United States, possibly the world, promotes conservationism and environmental protection through the membership's shared passion in underwater photography and
videography. Established in 1957, NCUPS sponsors educational events on both underwater photography and video while
promoting awareness of the underwater environment and pertinent ecological issues. For more information on the NCUPS
organization, meetings, and information on how to join please
visit the NCUPS website at http://www.ncups.org.
For more information on the amazing new building, the
exhibits, and the opening-day ceremonies, please visit:
http://www.calacademy.org
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
5
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
Announcements
Ellat Red Sea Images of the World Competition
Deadline: October 12
Shipwreck Images and
Videos Wanted
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL – The competition
will be held this year, fourth time in a
row, on the 10th to 15th of November,
2008 at the Isrotel Yam Suf Hotel. This
year’s competition includes several categories, such as: Best Five Images, Best
Color Print, Humor, Ecology and Nature Care, Wrecks,
Video Clip, and a category for beginners.
Randy Herz
California Ships2Reefs will have a
large booth at DEMA this year and
is currently putting together a show
of shipwrecks from around the
world for use at DEMA. If you have underwater images or
video of a wreck that you are willing to share please contact
Randy Herz (randy.herz@sbcglobal.net). Artist credit will
be given in the show and you will be helping a great cause.
The Eilat competition is open to all underwater photographers, amateurs and professionals. This year we have more
than $80,000 in prizes, dive trips to exotics dive sites around
the world, and cash prizes. The first prize this year is
$10,000 and a trip for two to Papua New Guinea.
Anatomy of a Winning
Photograph
The Eilat event combines the hi-tech world with photography, tourism, diving, and recreational activities. According
to the event's management, the additional competition categories, the increased value prizes, and the assistance of the
Israeli Ministry of Tourism, will bring participants from all
over the world, including Egypt and Jordan.
(Continued from page 1)
He has meticulously documented his travels around the
world and has been published in
numerous publications, both in
print and on the web. In 2003,
Eric was awarded a prestigious
Antibes Festival award for his
work with Wetpixel.com, the
Antibes underwater imaging
web site of the year, and in
2005, he won a category in the
prestigious Nature's Best Magazine photo competition, which
has placed his work in the
Smithsonian's Natural History
Museum. Eric also leads photo Photo: Eric Cheng
expeditions and has given workshops and seminars in locations around the world.
Categories and Prizes:
• Best Five Images Competition (portfolio, digital)
$3000 courtesy of Olympus and Dive trip for two aboard
the SY Siren for any trip running to Komodo or Thailand
for 10 days courtesy of WorldWide Dive and Sail
• Best Color Print Competition (print)
$3000 courtesy of Quick-Soft, Adobe Israel and 7 days
diving for two to the Red Sea, Aboard Sinai Dive's Legendary Ghazala 1 Yacht. courtesy of Sinai Divers
• Best Wrecks of the World (print, black and white)
$2,000 and D-9 computer with transmitter-watch courtesy of Suunto
• Best Humoristic Image (print)
11-night dive trip aboard Cheng Ho for two to Bali with
the Kararu group, courtesy of Kararu Dive Voyages. Use
the underwater world to create your studio and picture the
best Humorous image
Eric owns and operates Wetpixel.com, the premiere online
resource for underwater photographers. Hosting thousands registered underwater photographers internationally, Wetpixel's
friendly community offers breaking news, reviews, features,
community forums, image galleries, photo contests, photo
expeditions, and more. In 2007, Eric launched Wetpixel Quarterly, a print magazine featuring the best in underwater photography.
• Environmental and Conservation (digital)
$5,000 courtesy of PADI; The image must show an environmental concern
Registration in one of the above categories is 25 Euro; each
additional entry per category is 10 Euro (maximum 3 entries
in each category)
Eric's underwater images can be found on personal website:
http://echeng.com/photo/
For more information contact:
David Pilosof
Phone: 972-9-745-7055/Mobile: 972-52-480-8722
http://www.sandiskredsea.com
info@sandiskredsea.com
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
Other links:
Wetpixel: wetpixel.com
Wetpixel Quarterly: wetpixelquarterly.com
6
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
Monthly Mini-Comp Winners
So now we understand the need for good buoyancy and the need to
practice that buoyancy. First we need to practice without a camera
in our hands, and then we need to practice with it in our hands.
Finally, we need to practice holding still with the camera in our
hands being sure not to disturb anything in the water or on the
seafloor.
This Month: Nudibranchs
Last month’s minicomp was a fantastic display of talent with
a variety of entries submitted on the topic of “Stars.” Congratulations to the winners!
Stars
First Ruth Chofré
Second Kevin Sprout
Third Randy Herz
After gaining great buoyancy control, we need to understand our
cameras. With the onslaught of the digital realm, there are numerous buttons and each may have numerous functions. Again, practice comes into play.
This practice should be done over and over while on land so that
we understand all the necessary functions of our cameras. We can
start with shooting in auto modes so that we don’t become inundated with every camera function too soon. Nowadays, with the
technology what it is, auto focus and auto white balance is quite
acceptable for taking good pictures.
When we are using artificial light like video lights or strobes, we
need to find the best placement of those lights. Again, practice on
land is the first place to start but understand that shooting on land
doesn’t help overcome the backscatter that occurs while diving
because of the particulate matter in the water. Obviously, the next
step is to practice light placement and directions of our lights while
in the water.
Sometimes pointing light directly at a subject can cause over lighting and a bad picture. Nice lighting effects can be obtained by
pointing lights a little away from a subject, possibly highlighting a
pretty sponge or coral near the subject. We still need to make sure
that we are illuminating our subject enough as well.
To overcome backscatter in the water, our lights need to be held
somewhat away from our cameras and then pointing somewhat
towards our subjects. If we held our lights next to our cameras and
pointed them towards our subjects, the light rays would illuminate
any particulate matter in the water and bounce directly back
towards our lenses. When we hold the light farther away from our
cameras and the light rays hit particulate matter, the bounce back
is towards the light and not towards our lenses.
MiniComp “Stars”: Top: Ruth Chofré, 1st Place (Nikon D100); Middle: Kevin Sprout, 2nd Place
(Canon EOS 350D (Digital Rebel XT)); Bottom: Randy Herz, 3rd Place (Nikon D200, 60-mm)
Videolights
Creating Quality Photos 101
One more thing to always remember is to be close to our subject.
The closer we are there will be less particulate matter between our
lenses and our subjects, thus making the shot clearer. Also, the
closer we are, the more effective our artificial lighting will be
remembering that light may only travel three to five feet effectively.
Roger Roth
We all want to take the best image we can when we go diving. But
what does that actually entail? And what do we have to do to get a
quality photo?
The first thing that needs to be conquered is our buoyancy. We
can’t be crashing around the reef tearing up everything in our
paths, or there would be nothing pretty left to shoot. And we surely
can’t have arms flailing or we’d be actually chasing the fish away!
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
The next step is to learn the other functions of our cameras beyond
the auto functions. Changing f-stops, aperture sizes, and white-balancing will change the look of a picture. Again, practicing on land
first is suggested so that you can learn and see the differences firsthand of these changes. (Continued on page 8)
7
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
Backscatter Feature Article
Videolights (Continued from page 7)
How to Select an Underwater Video Light- Part II
Composing a good picture is the next thing to consider. We need to
keep our subjects in the picture of course, because cutting off a
nose or a fin in the picture will not represent our subject in its truest
form. And shots of a fishtail swimming away will probably not be
very appealing to most viewers.
Sy Harris (www. Backscatter.com)
See Part I in the July NCUPS Newsletter.
Tungsten Halogen
Halogen lights have a color temperature of 3200k and are
therefore warm. Many videographers prefer the tone halogen lights bring to blue underwater footage, but color-balancing halogen light with sunlight can be a challenge. The
warm halogen lights in the foreground will contrast with the
blue ambient light in the background. Those shooting wideangle subjects in bright environments may prefer the daylight balanced HIDs. I personally like halogen lights when
shooting in Monterey because the water here is normally
dark and green. Balancing artificial lights with natural sunlight isn’t really an issue. In macro scenes balancing foreground light with background light is not an issue.
Placement of our subject in the picture will also add appeal. For
this we need to understand the rule of thirds which is dividing our
viewfinder into thirds whether horizontally or vertically or even
diagonally. Keeping our subjects along these lines or within these
lines will help to create a nice picture.
We should always remember to fill the frame with our subjects. If
we are shooting one small goby we need to be close and have that
goby take up most of the viewfinder. If we are shooting a wide
angle shot, think about the wow effect we’ll gain if our viewfinders
are filled with zillions of colorful anthias swarming over a reef!
Considering the background of our pictures is something else to
remember to do. A nice colorful background can add a tremendous
amount of appeal to any picture, and we all know that there’s usually plenty of color underwater once illuminated. Even mid-water
shots can have a nice colorful blue background.
Another feature I appreciate in Halogen lights is the adjustable power output. Most have 3 settings giving me the flexibility to add more or less light as I choose. There is
however, a drawback to this flexibility. Halogens use a
heated filament to produce light. This heated filament will
eventually burn out like any normal bulb. A 30w halogen
bulb has a typical lifespan of about 40 hours where an equivalent HID bulb will last around 300 hours.
The only time one might consider violating the rule of thirds might
be when shooting a picture that will be created for more advertising uses. Think about a magazine cover that will need some room
for titles that don’t cover up the subject of the picture. Or maybe we
want to have a picture of our first trip to the south Pacific and we
want to use Photoshop to label this picture accordingly.
Mounting Your Lights
Once you?ve picked a light system for your housing you
must be able to mount the light heads and their pods to it. We
at Backscatter recommend you purchase a housing package
that includes both the housing and the light system. This is
not only convenient, but cheaper in the long-run. Otherwise,
most light heads can mount to housings using Ultralight or
Infinity arms. Mounting the pods to the bottom of the housing is the challenge. Light and Motion provides an extra
plate to attach their battery pods to other housing brands.
Gates does not and modifications may be required to mount
their batteries to another brand of housing.
Another thing we want to always remember is to keep everything
in focus. If half of a picture is out of focus, it will have little appeal
to anyone viewing it. The only time a picture is acceptable when
part of it is out of focus might be when there’s perfect focus on a
subject’s foreground and the focus tapers off slightly towards the
background; but this has to be uniform throughout the picture.
Finally, attempting to show action in our pictures will give them
superb appeal. Examples of this would be shooting a fish as it is
just turning towards our lenses with a curved body, or shooting divers actually doing something like fanning silt from some coral to
keep it healthier. Looking for shots like this will take us a step
beyond a simple point and shoot.
This article is continued from the
July newsletter. Alternatively, you
can view the entire article by visiting the Backscatter website:
http://www.backscatter.com/learn/
article/article.php?ID=12
Now, go practice. Sea Ya!
Critter Corner
If one has a burning desire to shoot fish tails, consider the colors
and markings of the tails of the stoplight parrotfish, surgeonfish
with their scalpel-like spines at the base of their tails, or even the
numerous different butterflyfish tails.
© Copyright 2008, Roger Roth.
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
8
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
CoralRealm Monthly Species Profile
rooms have wide upper and lower berths and double portholes,
and 6 cabins feature large double beds with a single upper
berth and panoramic windows. All the beds are extra long to
help our taller divers.
Shovelnose Guitarfish
Rhinobatos productus
Family Name: RHINOBATIDAE
The huge dive-deck has several camera tables and multiple
rinse tanks plus a camera maintenance room. Care has been
taken to ensure that photographers have safe places to put
down their expensive cameras just before and after dives.
Size: This species is born at 20 to 24 cm (7.9
to 9.4 inches) and can attain a maximum
length of 1.7 m (5.5 feet), although most do
not exceed 1.5 m (4.9 feet). Large females
Photo: Scott Michael
can weigh over 18 kg (40 lb.). The males of
this species reach sexual maturity at a length of 90 to 100 cm (35.4 to 39.4
inches) (at which time their claspers develop quite rapidly). The claspers of
mature males usually measure in excess of 13 cm and have well-developed spurs. Females reach sexual maturity at a total length of 99 cm (39.0
inches), at an estimated age of 7 years. This species is thought to live to a
maximum age of 11 years.
The prolific waters of North Sulawesi provide superb diving
and some of the best photographic opportunities in the world.
We will be traveling to some of the best spots in Indonesia everything from the muck of Lembeh boasting unusual critters
to the marvelous wide-angle views of Bunaken.
Distribution: Central California to the Sea of Cortez.
Habitat: This species occurs at depths ranging from the intertidal zone to
over 13 m (42 feet). It usually occurs in shallow embankments and estuaries, on sandy or mud bottoms, or among sea grass. This guitarfish is sometimes found at the edge of kelp beds. It is more common off the California
coast in the summer.
During their time on Ocean Rover, Jack and Sue will help both
new and seasoned photographers. Between dives they will be
available to help with camera issues and offer Photoshop tips.
In the evenings, as we enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine,
there will be presentations that range from basic photography
to digital imaging, and just about everything in between.
Distinguishing Characteristics: The shovelnose guitarfish has a disc that
is longer than it is wide, rostral cartilage that is narrow at the tip with no
large tubercles, and a row of spines down the middle of its back. It is brown
dorsally, with occasional gray spots.
Cost for the 10night/11day trip is $4400 approximately per
person, based on double occupancy. The price includes round
trip airfare from LAX. The actual travel dates are October 1 14, 2008. Charter price includes transfers to and from the ship,
all meals aboard the ship, non-alcoholic beverages, double
occupancy accommodation, tanks, weights, and unlimited air
refills. Charter price does not include gratuities, alcoholic beverages NITROX, Port Clearance Fees, Marine Park Fees, fuel
surcharge, scuba gear or camera rentals, and personal purchases from the ship's store.
References: Herald et al (1953), Limbaugh (1963), Timmons and Bray
(1997)
The monthly species profile is provided by CoralRealm.com, a website dedicated to providing scuba
divers, aquarists, biologists, reef naturalists, dive resort
operators and even armchair explorers with a premium,
Internet resource for continuing marine life education
and reference. Memberships begin at $30. Join now by
visiting: http://www.coralrealm.com/memintro.asp
Upcoming Trips
Come join us for the Indonesia Photo Adventure aboard the
Ocean Rover (www.oceanrover.com). Don’t miss this fabulous
opportunity to dive the prolific waters of Indonesia with Jack
and Sue. For further information or to book your Indonesia
Photo Adventure, go to:
The following trips are organized and run by NCUPS members. If you have a trip that you want to list here, please let
the newsletter editor know. This page is only for NCUPS
member-run trips. It is always best to have a web page to
describe your trip, as space is limited.
www.jackandsuedrafahl.com/tripsindonesia.html
Jack and Sue have been writing for both photography and diving magazines for over 30 years, and have been actively
involved in the digital transition since the early 80's. They are
software and hardware Beta testers for companies like Adobe,
Ulead, Applied Science Fiction and Corel. They are popular
lecturers and present workshops world-wide. The Drafahls
have several new books on digital under their weight belt, Master Guide for Digital, Digital Imaging for the Underwater Photographer, and Adobe Photoshop for Underwater
Photographers. They also produce an on-going DVD Tutorial
series on Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements. They are founders of the Oregon Coast Digital Center, a learning facility for
personalized Photoshop instruction. (Continued on page 10)
Indonesia Digital Diving Adventure
Date October 3 - 13, 2008 (travel dates Oct. 1 - 14)
Cost $4400 per person based on double occupancy
Airfare from LAX is included!
Contact Jack or Sue Drafahl
digitalduo@jackandsuedrafahl.com
(503) 842-9979
www.jackandsuedrafahl.com
Join the Digital Duo, Jack and Sue Drafahl, on a 10 night/11
day diving trip aboard the Ocean Rover. This 100' boat features
live-aboard diving at its best. This extremely spacious ship
provides 16 guests with all the comforts of a quality land-based
resort - including hot showers and cool staterooms. Two state-
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
9
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
Upcoming Trips (Continued from page 9)
Club Sponsors
These individuals and companies generously donated goods or
services as prizes for our two annual contests: SEA200X and
The California Beach Dive Photo Competition. Please show your
appreciation by considering them when you are shopping and
mention that you are a member of NCUPS in an effort to
reinforce their association with us.
Manthiri Live-Aboard Trip
Maldives for Manta Mania
Date October 8–18, 2008
Cost $3400 ($750 First Deposit)
Final payment due June 27, 2008
Contact Richard Woulfe
6867 Golfcrest Drive #4 San Diego, California 92119
(619)886-7044
Platinum Sponsors
Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo . . . . . . . . . . www.backscatter.com
The trip includes nine full days and ten nights diving the
beautiful atolls of the Maldives. Participants will enjoy double occupancy accommodation aboard the Manthiri LiveAboard while performing three to four dives daily; tanks and
weights will be provided (nitrox is extra). The price includes
all meals and snacks, tea/coffee/juice, bottled drinking
water, and wine at dinner. Pick-up and drop-off at Male,
Maldives Airport is also provided.
Bilikiki Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.bilikiki.com
Island and Cruise Adventure, Inc. . . . . . . . . . www.islandcruiseadventure.com
Kararu Dive Voyages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.kararu.com
Kasawari Lembeh Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.kasawari.com
M/V Febrina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.febrina.com
Manthiri Liveaboard Diving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.manthiriliveaboard.com/
Mike Ball Expeditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.mikeball.com
NAI'A Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.naia.com.fj
Odyssea Divers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.odysseadivers.com
Thailand: Thailand and Myanmar
9 days/9 nights Live-aboard on MV Mermaid 1
One Ocean Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.oneocean.com
Pindito Dive Cruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.pindito.com
Date January 22–31, 2009
Cost $1980 to $2780
Contact Jenny Collister
Reef and Rainforest Dive and Adventure Travel
jenny@reefrainforest.com
(800)794-9767, ext. 302
Reef and Rainforest Adventure Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.reefrainforest.com
Wallin's Dive Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.wallins.com
Gold Sponsors
Expedition Fleet Liveaboards . . . . . . . . . . . . www.islandcruiseadventure.com
Exotic Caye Beach Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.belizeisfun.com
We still have a few places on this excursion, planned for the
best diving season on one of the region’s nicest boats. Cost
depends on cabin choice, ranging from $1980 to $2780, not
including port and park fees.
Kodak Professional Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.kodak.com
Kosrae Village Ecolodge and Dive Resort . . . . . . . . . . www.kosraevillage.com
Lembeh Dive Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.lembehresort.com
Silver Sponsors
Ikelite Underwater Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ikelite.com
Special Update: 15% Discount for any standard cabin –
that’s only $1683!
LowePro Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.lowepro.com
Nautilus Explorer/Alaska/Socorro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.nautilusexplorer.com
Optiquatics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.optiquatics.com
India’s Andaman Islands
9 Days/8 Nights Live-aboard on S/Y Siren
SanDisk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.sandisk.com
Stormcase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.stormcase.com
Date February 06–14, 2009
Cost $4358
Contact Mark Strickland
Oceanic Impressions
markstrickland@verizon.net
(805)271-9798
Sub Aquatic Camera Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.subaquaticcamera.com
Bronze Sponsors
Aquarius Dive Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.aquariusdivers.com
Cypress Charters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.cypresscharters.com
Fathoms Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.fathoms.com
Be among the first to explore this unspoiled and idyllic
archipelago, known especially for abundant schooling fish
and big animals like Napoleon Wrasse, Giant Grouper, and
Mantas. Free Nitrox! The package is 2800 Euro, not including port and park fees (approximately $4358 as of this writing, exchange rate subject to change; for a handy currency
converter, go to www.xe.com). (Continued on page 11)
Gates Housings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.gateshousings.com
Helga Mahlmann - MEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ncups.org
Hotwave Wetsuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.hotwavephuket.com
Scott “Gutsy” Tuason . . . . . . . . www.clubocellaris.com/images/gutsytuason
Sea Challengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.seachallengers.com
Steve Rosenberg - MEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ultralight Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.ulcs.com
UnderwaterPhotography.com . . . . . . . . . . www.underwaterphotography.com
Information Sponsors
CoralRealm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.CoralRealm.com
Backscatter Underwater Video and Photo . . . . . . . . . . www.backscatter.com
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
10
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
NCUPS Classifieds
Upcoming Trips (Continued from page 10)
Custom built slide light table
(24" × 36"). If you still do slide shows,
perhaps you can make use of this. I have
two anyway. Please call Ben (510)2787169 or bentetzner@sbcglobal.net
$75.00
Indonesia: Banda Sea and Raja Ampat
10 nights live-aboard on MSY Sea Horse
Date April 15–25, 2009
Cost $2950 to $3650
Contact Jenny Collister
Reef and Rainforest Dive and Adventure Travel
jenny@reefrainforest.com
(800)794-9767, ext. 302
Nikon D200 Digital SLR Camera. 10.2
mega pixels, excellent condition. Complete as packaged new: D200 camera
strap Li-ion Battery and quick charger,
LCD monitor cover body cap, eyepiece
cap rubber eyecup, USB cable PictureProject CD-ROM, quick start guide
instruction manual, and the original gold
box! Asking $900 or best offer. Please
contact: Randy Herz (408) 285-5075
Weekdays; (408) 244-9505 Home.
Departing Sorong, Returning to Ambon. Diving areas
including Misool, Banda, and Ambon. Cost depends on
cabin choice, ranging from $2950 to $3650. Nitrox is complementary! This trip is nearly full, so don’t delay!
Indonesia: Raja Ampat – Land based
(follows the Sea Horse Liveaboard Trip)
7 or 14 days at Papua Diving’s Sorido Bay Resort,
Kri Island
Joining NCUPS
Date April 26–May 03 or May 10, 2009
Cost $2772
Contact Jenny Collister
Reef and Rainforest Dive and Adventure Travel
jenny@reefrainforest.com
(800)794-9767, ext. 302
The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society
(NCUPS) is a nonprofit educational organization formed to
promote interest in underwater photography. Schmoozing
begins at 7:00 pm and the general membership meeting at
8:00 pm on the second Friday of each month (with the
exception of December). Each month, a guest speaker presents a subject concerning diving and/or photography, usually as a show or multi-image presentation.
One week packages start at 1781 Euros including accommodation ($2772 as of this writing, exchange rate subject to
change; for a handy currency converter, go to www.xe.com),
all meals and 17 dives. National Park Fees, Nitrox and certain distant dive sites require additional fees.
Other NCUPS activities include local monthly boat dives,
occasional trips to southern California dives and tropical
vacations, sessions on photography, and a host of additional
activities planned by the members.
The following memberships are available:
Active
$35
Those who participate in NCUPS activities
Family
$45
Two or more members in the same household
At-Large
$25
Those unable to participate in local activities
because of geographic location
Associate
$15
Non-divers who wish to support the aims of
NCUPS
New members joining after September 1 are half price, provided they are paying with the dues for the upcoming year.
Make checks payable to “NCUPS” and mail to:
Lanette Otvos
P.O. Box 1168
Alameda, CA 94501-0121
The most efficient way to change your address, phone number, or internet address in the roster is to send an e-mail to:
membership@ncups.org
Northern California Underwater Photography Society
Monthly Newsletter
11
Volume 6 Number 8
August 2008
Northern California Underwater
Photography Society Calendar
Meetings This Month
Membership Meeting – August 8, 2008
New Vision United Methodist Church
450 Chadbourne Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
Aug
Doors Open
Pre-Meeting Workshop
Mike Miller, Copyrighting Photographs
Membership Meeting
Eric Cheng, Anatomy of a Winning Photograph
MiniComp: Nudibranchs
8
14
Sept
12
18
Oct
10
16
Nov
14
20
Membership Meeting (8:00 pm)
Open
MiniComp: Creative
Business Meeting (7:00 pm)
Membership Meeting (8:00 pm)
Mike Boom
MiniComp: Fish Faces
Business Meeting (7:00 pm)
TBA NCUPS Holiday Party
MiniComp: None
Jan
9
15
Round Table Pizza
61 W. 43rd Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
Business Meeting
NCUPS members are welcome to attend.
(Arrive early if you would like to eat.)
Membership Meeting (8:00 pm)
Herb Ko
MiniComp: Schools
Business Meeting (7:00 pm)
Dec
Business Meeting – August 14, 2008
7:00 pm
Pre-meeting Workshop (7:00 pm)
Mike Miller, Copyrighting Photographs
Membership Meeting (8:00 pm)
Eric Cheng, Anatomy of a Winning Photograph
MiniComp: Nudibranchs
Business Meeting (7:00 pm)
Membership Meeting (8:00 pm)
Jack and Sue Drafahl
MiniComp: TBA
Business Meeting (7:00 pm)
Monthly minicomps are open to all NCUPS members and are held after the featured presentation at each membership meeting. Entries must be digital images
or scanned slides submitted on a CD, or a flash disk (thumb drive).
Northern California Underwater Photographic Society
PO Box 1168
Alameda, CA 94501
© Copyright 2001-2008, The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society
General Delivery Email: ncupscontact@yahoogroups.com
Deadline for the next issue is the 21st
First Class Mail
Address Correction Requested