Happy Earth Day 2014!

Moonlight Manta Dance - By Michael Maes.

"Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Found my way downstairs and drank a cup." And then this...

Signed on to Facebook to be greeted by some stunning footage of Manta Rays in Kona by one of diving's future legends, Michael Maes. Also, a great guy and a close friend. So from time to time we get to witness a pure genius at work. Take a couple minutes out of your day to enjoy "Moonlight Manta Dance." 

http://vimeo.com/92474489 

The Underwater Photographer, Photographed!

Here are some images my friend, Ken Kiefer, captured of us at work during our recent trip to Cat Island in the Bahamas to photograph Oceanic Whitetip Sharks. I'm the one clutching the camera housing. Such a talented photographer, I love his work. Check it out at; www.kenkiefer.com

In Da Hood!

"What people don't understand is joining a gang ain't bad, it's cool, it's fine. When you in the hood, joining a gang it's cool because all your friends are in the gang, all your family's in the gang. We're not just killing people every night, we're just hanging out, having a good time."  

~ Snoop Dogg.

Yup, here we all are in da hood, just hanging out having a good time. Departure lounge, New Bight International Airport, Cat Island, Bahamas, after a fabulous week photographing Oceanic Whitetip Sharks with Epic Diving.

Pictured above: L to R, Michael Maes, Kimber Kiefer, Jett Britnell, Ken Kiefer, Ellen Cuylaerts, Debra Canabal & Vincent Canabal.

Week Of The Long Hands - Oceanic Whitetip Sharks.

Two weeks ago, I was with friends snorkeling offshore and photographing Oceanic Whitetip Sharks at the remote Cat Island in the Bahamas.

Jacques Cousteau once proclaimed Oceanic Whitetip Sharks were, "the most dangerous of all sharks." He also nicknamed them, "the Long Hands" due to their notably long, white-tipped, rounded fins. While there is no question they could inflict some serious damage on a person, they were actually quite well behaved during our time in the ocean with them offshore at Cat Island, Bahamas. A truly magnificent shark whose numbers around the world are in sharp decline. Like all sharks in the ocean, they need to be protected from shark finning. This shark's particularly large long knives are highly valued as the chief ingredient of shark fin soup. These apex ocean predators belong offshore in the World's oceans, not at the bottom of an Asian soup bowl.

Here are just a few photos that I captured. 

Give ‘Em The Fin.

 

GIVE ‘EM THE FIN
http://seasave.org/what-we-do/give-em-the-fin/
@ Sea Save

Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary Kathryn Britnell!

April 2, 2014: I'm currently on an assignment photographing Oceanic Whitetip sharks in the waters off  Cat Island in the Bahamas. Kathryn was unable to make this trip, so we're celebrating upon my return. Her Facebook post warms my heart!

Making The Best Of It!

During the past 32 hours, I’ve dined out for dinner in Vancouver, ate breakfast in Toronto and enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner here in Nassau, Bahamas while listening to reggae versions of Beatles songs. We also received a free hotel room upgrade! Life is sooo good!

What Are The Odds?

Last summer in Rome, Kathryn took this picture of me taking pictures of some tourists, who had just asked me if I would take their picture. What are the odds of randomly asking a pro photographer on location to take your picture? 

 

 

Sea Urchin Orgy.

Sutton Islands, British Columbia: A stylized image inspired by my friend, David Fleetham's work. He pioneered cold water underwater images with a diver off in the distance similar to this back in the film days. Call it luck, or divine intervention, I was so fortunate to be around such immense talent.

My Heart's Desire.

"A beautiful woman pleases the eye, a good woman pleases the heart: one is a jewel, the other a treasure." - Napoleon Bonaparte.

Clearly, "The Little Emperor" said this without ever meeting someone like Kathryn Britnell. She happens to be both!

Vancouver : Skies Painted With Unnumbered Sparks.

Janet Echelman’s monumental aerial sculpture lights the sky at the TED Conference in Vancouver. The sculpture is suspended 745 feet between the 24-story Fairmont Waterfront Hotel and the Vancouver Convention Center. The sculpture, “Skies Painted with Unnumbered Sparks,” will remain in place until March 22 before it is removed and showcased at other cities.

The Most Beautiful Thing We Can Experience Is The Mysterious.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs In Paris.

"A woman can never have enough pairs of high heels!" ~ Kathryn Britnell.
"Say hon, while you're trying on shoes, I'll just be outside shooting a road sign or something..." ~ Jett Britnell. 

Everywhere I Go I Hear It Said!

Ee-e-e-Oh-Mum-A-Weh.

"In the ocean, the mighty ocean, the lionfish sleeps tonight."

Happy Valentine's Day To My Wife, Kathryn!!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my uber sweet wife, Kathryn! Last summer when we were in Paris, I took her to the Pont des Arts bridge, otherwise known as, the “lover’s bridge.” It is here several years ago that love-struck sweethearts began locking padlocks onto the chain link fence of the Pont des Arts, which crosses from the left bank to the Louvre museum. The love padlocks, called cadenas d’amour, have since multiplied to the point where there are thousands of these love tokens, each engraved with a message of love, locked to the bridge’s chain link fence. After locking the love padlock to a chain link or another lock, it is customary for the lovers to toss the keys into the Seine River as a sign of their eternal devotion. It is also believed if the lovers kiss each other while on this bridge, they’ll be happy together forever. 

Amber Huppertz Captured A Moment!

Amber Huppertz captured me having a moment with a Steller sea lion at Norris Rocks, British Columbia in January 2014.

Ellen Cuylaerts - 2013 World Champion Underwater Photography!

 

Ellen Cuylaerts has proven once again she has a natural talent for the art of underwater photography. Some might say her talent is God-given. But those who truly know her can appreciate just how hard she has worked to learn the craft in a very short time. Aside from deserving all the recognition & accolades, she is one of the nicest and warmest souls you could ever meet. We feel privileged to both call her our friend, and also to witness this butterfly of the sea come into her own in an arena where the competition is fierce, and the learning curve steep. Check out her work at www.ellencuylaerts.com

Steller Sea Lions - British Columbia.

Spent last Sunday diving with Steller Sea Lions at Norris Rocks, near Hornby Island British Columbia. These sea lions weigh upwards of 900 pounds, with the bulls tipping the scales at 2,000 pounds. An adult male Stellar sea-lion's skull, jaw & teeth are very similar to - as in almost indistinguishable from- those of a large Grizzly bear... BIG strong teeth!

Our Story, "Working With Underwater Models", - Published in Scuba & H2O Magazine.

In the January 2014 issue of Scuba & H2O magazine, Kathryn and I have authored a piece about “Working With Underwater Models - Tips For Improving Your Diver Portraits.” It was a pleasure to be able to include a quote by underwater photo legend, Stephen Frink. Throughout his career, particularly during his early works with Skin Diver Magazine, Stephen defined the art of underwater model photography. He inspired so many underwater photographers to improve their game in this area and he always gave praise and credit to his underwater models for their contribution. Something all underwater photographers should remember to do.

Here's a free link to the story online. You miss the nice layout of the magazine, but the info is there.

http://www.divenewsnetwork.com/index.php/newsevents/divingnews/photos-videos/196-underwater-photography/2207-working-with-underwater-models

It's In The Bag! Vancouver Aquarium's Divers Weekend Seminar.

So appreciative of all who came out for my seminar today at the Vancouver Aquarium's Divers Weekend. Nice to meet Paul Kennel, Eiko Jones, Jody Greaves and ROy Mulder in the flesh. Also great to see Rick Stratton, Selene Muldowney, Lee Newman, Lisa Newman, Kelly Raymond Bracken and that Won Ton Aquatica Digital housing pusher, Stewart Sy. New friends, old friends, it's all good!

My Image Was Selected "Picture of the Day" Today At Sport Diver Magazine Online!