NEWSLETTER MAY 2008

FORTHCOMING PROGRAMME
        

June 10th:  Monthly Competition - Wide Angle
                      Presentation - Nikon D300  - Anna James & Jim Drake
                      Photo Forum - Monochrome - Arthur Kingdon
                     Tech Talk - Monochrome Conversion - Arthur Kingdon

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Jun 10th: Monthly Meeting

The Meeting (start time 2000hrs) will be at our normal venue - The Casson Centre, Rodway Road, Patchway, BS34 5DQ (map)  It is  easiest to access it via Durban Road, off Highwood Road - you can turn right at the traffic lights if coming from the Gloucester Road direction. The Casson Centre is the left hand part of the Patchway Community Centre, immediately next door to the Patchway Town Council Offices. There is off road parking adjacent to the Centre and further spaces along Rodway Road, near to the local Spa shop.

The main presentation will be a joint one by Anna James and Jim Drake who will focus on the new Nikon D300 and how it performs underwater. Anna has had the opportunity to try her D300 out on a couple of trips whereas Jim has still to get any serious underwater time with his. Jim will concentrate on the technical aspects of the camera while Anna will concentrate on what she has discovered while using it in a Sea & Sea housing.

The Photo Forum theme is 'Monochrome'. This will be led by Arthur Kingdon who will show a selection of images illustrating what makes for a good (or bad) monochrome image. Arthur will also give a short tutorial on monochrome conversion using Photoshop.

The monthly competition theme is 'Wide Angle'.  Send your digital files to our Competitions Member - Kathryn Rosling (kathryn.rosling@blueyonder.co.uk) and also send a copy to Arthur Kingdon(akdiver48@hotmail.com). A word of caution - Kathryn's email box can fill up, so do not leave your submission to the very last minute. Unsure about entering? Even if you don't feel you have any winners, send some in to benefit from the audience feedback - it's an ideal way to learn.

BUPG Splash In

Currently planned for the weekend of 7/8th June at Outer Hope Cove. Further details will be emailed to all members prior to the event. Check out http://www.shoredive.co.uk/hopecove.htm for more info. If you don't know the way http://www.theaa.com/travelwatch/planner_main.jsp?toPlace=Hope+Cove will direct you to Inner Hope but Outer Hope is a mile or so earlier. See our Competition Rules page for more information.

BSoUP Splash In

The BSoUP Splash In takes place on Saturday 12th July at Plymouth. We have a boat booked for the 12th and 13th, and, at the moment, all places are filled.
See http://www.bsoup.org/Splash/2008/intro.php for all the details.

St Abbs Splash In

The St Abbs Splash In takes place on Saturday 23rd August. We have a boat booked for the Fri/Sat/Sun and at the moment the boat is full.

RECENT EVENTS

May Meeting

Monthly Competition - Close Up

There were twenty six entries for what is normally a very popular theme.

Anna James took First Place with four votes with this image of a starfish, taken in the Similans using a Nikon D200 with a 60mm lens.

A semi-abstract shot that was well visualised.

In equal Second Place with three votes each  were images from Tamsin Eyles and Rick Ayrton.

Tamsin's cornet fish was given a severe crop and the dramatic composition works very well. Captured using a Canon 5D.
Rick's excellent image of coral polyps was taken in the northern Red Sea using a D200 and a 105mm lens.

Tamsin had a good evening with all three of her images picking up votes:

This feather duster worm received two votes...

..while her napolean wrasse received one vote.

With a 60mm lens fitted, this napolean was just getting too close, a close-up of the head was just about the only option.

Finally, a pygmy seahorse image from Simon Green, taken in Mabul, picked up one vote.

Presentation - The Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsular - Cathy Lewis

Cathy gave a fascinating talk about her trip to the Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsular. Cathy and her husband Chris were based in Playa del Carmen from where they traveled a short distance each day to a variety of sites.

Cathy explained how the cenotes were formed and now comprise a freshwater, limestone sinkhole where the roof has collapsed. They often consist of a cavern that then forms caves running for considerable distances for which cave diver qualifications are required for those that wish to explore. However, there is ample opportunity for sport divers of even limited experience to safely explore the caverns themselves. Lines have been laid for divers to follow and there will be some daylight visible at all times during the dive.

Photography is not particularly easy as often the lighting will be very low and you need to be familiar with your camera and controls. Cathy was using a D200 and 10.5mm fisheye for all her images. Some were natural light and others were with twin strobes. A slow shutter speed and wide open aperture were frequently required.

Despite these difficulties, the crystal clear water and stunning underwater scenery made for some impressive images.

The entry/exit platform can be seen in the background of this image.
Two of the cenotes had waterlilies around the edges. The fisheye lens has exaggerated the curve of the surface and enabled the lilies to stay in focus virtually right up to the dome.
All of the cenotes have there own characteristics - Chak Mool had beautiful light rays streaming in from the main pool.
The line for divers to follow can be seen in the lower left of this image.
Angelita cenote offers a very surreal experience - about 20 metres below the surface there is a layer of sulphur formed by centuries-old rotting vegetation. Above and below this layer it is crystal clear.

This was a fascinating presentation accompanied by some stunning images. For adding something different to your portfolio, the cenotes deserve serious consideration. Thank you Cathy.

Photo Forum - Wide Angle - Arthur Kingdon

Arthur showed a selection of images, all of which could be considered wide angle but not necessarily perfectly suited to such a theme. It provided a lively forum for members to discuss the merits of each image and gain an insight into what would make the ideal wide angle image.

BSoUP Meeting May 21

The week after our Meeting, BSoUP held their monthly Meeting with the Focus On competition theme of 'Close Up'. Two of our members did very well, making it into the top six: Trevor Rees came Third with an image of jewel anemones from the Isles of Scilly, just pipping Anna James who came Fourth with her starfish image that won our Monthly Competition - well done to both.

See all the top six here  http://www.bsoup.org/Gallery/86.php