An Underwater Photographer Is Born!

Kathryn took this image of me while we were diving over the eel grass beds and patch reefs in Cozumel last Christmas. This was the first time Kathryn ever used an underwater camera system. While I can wax poetically about how natural and fluid the underwater model appears to be, the truth is my talented young wife snapped this picture while I was not aware she was doing so.

2012 BC Association Of Travel Writer’s Annual Symposium.

Kathryn and I attended the 2012 BC Association of Travel Writer’s annual symposium today at the Listel Hotel in Vancouver. Some excellent presentations by: Owen Clark, Julie Ferguson and Mari Kane on the subject of Social Media. We also came away with two tickets to a "Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival Play" along with a one-night stay at Victoria’s "Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel". I’m thinking... a night dive at Victoria’s Ogden Point Breakwater, or perhaps, a run out to Race Rocks is in the cards.

“Shoot Like A Pro: Tips & Tricks For Improving Your Underwater Photography" Seminar At Ocean Quest Dive Centre On May 23rd!

Yup, it's confirmed, we will be presenting our seminar, “Shoot Like A Pro: Tips & Tricks For Improving Your Underwater Photography" at Ocean Quest Dive Centre on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 at 6:30 pm. This will be the same presentation we gave to a packed room of underwater photographers at the Northwest Dive and Travel Show in Tacoma last weekend, only we anticipate there will be a noticeably larger number of Canucks in attendance. Ocean Quest (#107 - 3790 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC) will send out an email to their customers approximately two weeks before zee really big show with an online registration link to keep track of numbers. Off-duty members of the Vancouver Police Department will likely be onsite directing traffic and assisting with crowd control. ;)

Salmon Run: An Oil Painting By Canadian Wildlife Painter, Erica Nuemann.

Several weeks back we received a request from a Canadian wildlife painter in Calgary, Alberta, who asked if they could use one of my sockeye salmon images as reference for an oil painting she wanted to create.

Inserted above is the finished work, “Salmon Run”, a 60x30 oil painting by artist, Erica Neumann. For more information about Ms. Neuman’s artistic work, go to:

www.ericaneumann.com

R.I.P. Albert Falco (17 October 1927–21 April 2012).

“Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure.” - Another diving legend left this world yesterday when pioneer diver, Albert Falco (17 October 1927–21 April 2012), passed away. For nearly four decades, Falco was Jacques Cousteau’s first diver, expedition chief and captain of the Calypso.  As a kid watching each fascinating TV episode of  “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau”, Falco always seemed to be the “go to guy” aboard Calypso. He not only helped reveal the mysteries of the ocean realm, but also seemed to epitomize the spirit of camaraderie that exists amongst divers. R.I.P. Mr. Falco and thanks for creating for me, some boyhood wonder.

Tacoma Dive & Travel Show 2012: We Were There!

 

Earlier today, we presented a seminar on "Underwater Photo Pro Shooting Tips" to a packed room of underwater photographers at the Northwest Dive and Travel Show in Tacoma. We actually could have filled a larger room as several attendees had to stake out a place to stand in the back of the room. It was also nice to see many old friends and get to know some new ones. This also marks our fifth consecutive year presenting at this fabulous West Coast dive show.

Some very nice early feedback too!

“Thanks so much for the seminar on Saturday at the NW Dive Expo.  My wife and I got a ton of info!  I remember thinking when the Expo rep said it was time to wrap it up, that it was advertised as an hour seminar, not 10 minutes!  The time flew by. Thanks again for a great seminar!” - Steve Zedekar, Battle Ground, Washington.

Harbors Magazine Newsletter: The Kenmore Air Destination Magazine.

Looking forward to seeing our story about diving in Campbell River's Discovery Passage published in Harbors Magazine, The Kenmore Air Destination Magazine's 2012 Summer issue!

Judging Annual Underwater Photo Contest: Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2012 Photo and Video Competition!

 

Spent some time contributing today to judging Dive News Network's Tacoma Dive and Travel Expo 2012 Photo and Video Competition. Always interesting. Some word of advice to those entering photo contests, be sure to doublecheck that you are entering your images in the right category.

Southeast Dive News: "Feliz Navidad From Cozumel" Story.

Here is a FACEBOOK posting announcing that Dive News Network has published our story, “Feliz Navidad From Isla Cozumel” in their April 2012 edition of Southeast Dive News. This is the same story that appeared in the February 2012 issues of Northeast Dive News and Midwest Dive News. Here's the first page of the magazine story.

Indonesia Diving: Wakatobi - Almost At The End Of The World.

Sportdiving Australia has published my story about diving at the fabulous Wakatobi Dive Resort in their May 2012 issue. Here's a download link to the article:  

http://www.divetheblue.net/pdf/151artWakatobi.pdf