NEWSLETTER MARCH 2007

FORTHCOMING PROGRAMME

April 10th:     Flash Synchronisation - Arthur Kingdon
                         Far East Travels - Anna James

COMPETITION PROGRAMME

April 10th:      Monthly Theme: - Abstract

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

April 10th Meeting

The Meeting (start time 2000hrs) will be at our normal venue (click here for how to find us).

Please try and be on time as we have to keep the main doors locked while we are using the building. However, there is an intercom entry system so you should be able to get in if you are running late.

A short presentation by Arthur Kingdon will cover the main aspects of flash synchronisation eg synch speeds, front curtain and rear curtain flash etc.

The main presentation will be by Anna James who will be telling us all about her recent, extended trip to the Far East, which included Thailand, Mabul and Sipadan. A fascinating part of the world that offers plenty for the underwater photographer.

The monthly competition theme is 'Abstract', so a bit trickier this time - get your creative hat on. Send your digital files to Bob anthonyrez30@tiscali.co.uk  or bring your slides on the night (let Bob know if you will require a slide projector).

BUPG Splash In 12/13 May

Our own Splash In will be held at Babbacombe over the weekend of 12/13th May. There are neap tides that weekend and, with high tide at 1401 GMT on the 12th, it should be diveable for much of the day. We are avoiding the Bank Holidays that weekend. Check out our rules here.

I have just come across the website run by Dan Bolt who lives in the Babbacombe area. It's full of useful stuff for South Devon (and further afield), give it a look: http://www.underwaterpics.co.uk/UWP2/index.php

BSoUP Splash In 7 July

Our boat is booked for the weekend of 7/8 and entry forms for the Splash In will be available at our Monthly Meetings (or can be downloaded from the BSoUP website). Check out the details here http://www.bsoup.org/Splash/2007/intro.php  Please note that entries for the Print Competition have to be in by 23rd May.

RECENT EVENTS

March Meeting

Annual Print Competition

Results as follows:

Overall Winner - Cathy Lewis

Monthly Competition

The theme for March was 'Fish' and, surprise, surprise there were lots of entries. However, the voting was spread very wide with eleven images getting one vote each but one image got two votes so we had a winner!

In First Place was Rob Kemp with a good shot of a group of sweetlips:

In equal Second Place were eleven images (!) including these:

Jeannie Bailey

Martin Bailey

Michelle Brookes

Simon Green

Arthur Kingdon

Three members had a second image which also received a vote (not shown) - Martin Bailey, Simon Green and Arthur Kingdon.

Understanding Exposure - Arthur Kingdon

This was an informative talk covering the following aspects:

Basic Theory
Exposure Value
Exposure Range
Measuring Exposure
Auto or Manual?
Digital Sunbursts
Dynamic Range
HDR
The Future

There was something for all abilities in the presentation with plenty of recommendations as to how to get the best out of your camera underwater. There were plenty of PowerPoint slides such as this one which shows the effect of shutter speed on the colour of the blue water background

Capturing sunbursts on digital media has been a problem since the dawn of digital but the latest sensors are getting better and Arthur showed some results from his D200:

Using graduated filters as an option was demonstrated and Arthur showed an easy and inexpensive way to use Cokin filters when doing over/under shots. This aspect has been taken a stage further by Berkley White who has developed a rotating filter to achieve some impressive results. Read about it in Wetpixel:  http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/backscatter-neutral-density-underwater-filter-system/

Using software to extend the dynamic range was covered eg CS2's 'merge to HDR' facility and Arthur gave details of several interesting websites: http://www.hdrsoft.com/index.html http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/high-dynamic-range.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/hdr.shtml
Some of the HDR aspects are of limited use underwater but it is as well to be aware of the possibilities.

Overall, this was a well received talk and much appreciated by the audience.

MISCELLANEOUS

Cape Wrath Liveaboard

Several of our group, along with other Bristol divers, are visiting Cape Wrath and the Western Isles over the period 18 - 25 August. This promises to be a great trip and anyone wishing to go on it should contact Roger White on 01179 771 779. There were four places available a couple of weeks' ago.

Maldives Manta & Whaleshark Safari

Ocean Optics and Maveriks Diving are organising a rather special trip to the Maldives in late October 2007. Read all about it on their website (tell them you saw it here if contacting them) http://www.mavericksdiving.co.uk/events/20071027maldives.html

New Royal Mail Stamps

If you have not seen them already, the Royal Mail has just issued a set of stamps entitled 'Sea Life'. The stamps feature images taken by some well known photographers eg Peter Scoones and Paul Kay amongst others. If you buy the presentation pack there are further images inside, including a basking shark by Alan James.

Fake Memory Cards

Two friends of mine have been caught out in an eBay scam where memory cards have turned out to be fakes. It is a big enough problem for eBay to have put out a warning. Click here for link.

Bovisand Diving

Sally Sharrock (who insists she is not on commission!) tells me that Bovisand is now open for diving seven days a week with air, shop, cafe etc and the rib shuttle is running. Shore diving is no problem and parking is £5 per day but that includes a free air fill (sounds a bargain to me). There is also B&B available in the accommodation block. See www.discoverydivers.co.uk

Arthur