Wetpixel.com

That teen who rode a whale shark

Eric Cheng — 2013-06-19T07:26:41+00:00

Whale shark feeding near Isla Mujeres, Mexico (photo: Eric Cheng)

I’m being asked about the [kid who rode a whale shark](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/17/chris-kreis-whale-shark-florida-controversy_n_3454837.html) recently, and I have mixed feelings about it. I am, however, sad that there is a witch hunt by so-called conservationists and animal lovers whenever something like this happens.

Whale sharks are [listed as Vulnerable by CITES](http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19488/0)—they are not endangered, nor are they protected in many places of the world. People kill them for their fins. Personally, I wouldn’t (by default) ride a whale shark (even though I have the urge to do so every time one swims up to me), but it is hard to fault an excited kid for doing so. Riding whale sharks where the incident took place isn’t illegal, and it might have actually inspired the kid—and his friends—to love sharks and take part in conservation efforts for the rest of their lives. It’s absolutely true that they could be out there killing sharks instead, which for the most part, also isn’t illegal (update: in this case, the [kid does apparently like to kill sharks](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2342260/Florida-teen-hitches-ride-30-foot-WHALE-SHARK-weighing-50-000lbs.html), which is really unfortunate).

Those of you who have been in the water with sharks know that if a shark doesn’t want to be near you, it can disappear quickly. Never has it been more obvious that is their domain, and not ours (assuming that we are just humans, snorkeling, and are not using long lines or drift nets). If you are touching a whale shark, it is because the whale shark is letting you do it.

Obviously, there are local rules, as well. You might be in a nature preserve or park, in which case you shouldn’t touch anything, and your local guides might also have specific rules about marine life interaction.

In general, I don’t believe in touching large animals in the wild. Wild animals are wild and have the potential to be really dangerous. But sometimes, the right thing to do is to interact. I [gave a sperm whale a rub down once](http://echeng.com/journal/2010/02/02/andrew-armour-and-scar-the-sperm-whale/) (yes, I understand that a sperm whale is a mammal and not a fish, like the whale shark is). The whale swam up to me and closed its eyes, virtually begging to be rubbed, which was the obvious thing to do—the result of a connection between two beings.

Intimate encounter between human and sperm whale, Dominica (photo: Eric Cheng)

I’ve also had turtles, groupers, tiger sharks, cleaner shrimp, mantas, and more swim up to me for interactions, and in some cases, it was impossible not to make contact with them.

Finally, anyone who is is a fish eater and is angry that a kid rode a shark is a hypocrite.

Tagged: editorial

Canon issues service advisory for EOS 1DX and 1DC

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-18T19:50:03+00:00

Canon issues service advisory for EOS 1DX and 1DC

Underwater imagery on display at the UN

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-18T18:32:43+00:00

Wetpixel sister site, [DivePhotoGuide](http://www.divephotoguide.com/underwater-photography-scuba-ocean-news/divephotoguide-underwater-photography-exhibit-un/), in conjunction with Swiss watch company Blancpain, has created a display of underwater imagery in the United Nations Visitor Center in New York City. The exhibit highlights World Oceans Day and includes images captured many noted photographers, and features ocean ecosystems from around the globe.

###Press Release.
##Blancpain and DivePhotoGuide Present "Oceans," an Exhibition of Underwater Photographs at the United Nations.
Featuring a collection of images from top underwater photographers, the United Nations upcoming exhibition "Oceans" highlights the ecological and economic importance of healthy oceans and the need to protect their fragile ecology and underwater life. "Oceans" is presented in connection with World Oceans Day, marked annually on June 8th, and is organized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (Office of Legal Affairs) in partnership with Blancpain and DPG.

Thirty images and two high-definition videos will be displayed in the UN building, showcasing the beauty and diversity of the ocean's underwater life and inviting the public and the international community to study, respect, and protect our oceans for future generations. These images convey a powerful message and promote sustainable solutions for ocean conservation.

"*I was extremely excited when the Department of Ocean Affairs approached us about doing a photo exhibition at the United Nations in connection with World Oceans Day. Beautiful underwater imagery is the perfect medium to convey the importance of protecting the oceans, and the United Nations, especially on World Oceans Day, is the ideal venue to showcase this message*," says Matt Weiss, the owner of DivePhotoGuide.

The exhibition includes photographs from leading underwater photographers including DPG contributors Daniel Botelho and Keri Wilk . The photographs feature ocean ecosystems from all over the world, including the pristine reefs of Raja Ampat, the waters of South Africa where free-diving scientists swim among sharks, and the lair of the rare coelacanth at the very depths of the ocean.

The exhibition would not have been possible without the support of Blancpain. Their commitment to the ocean is displayed in a desire to make this vast and mysterious universe better known. Convinced that we can only respect and protect what we love, and can only love what we know, the Swiss watchmaking brand supports numerous underwater explorations and was the driving force behind "Oceans."

"Oceans" will be on display at the United Nations Visitor Center in New York City from June 5 to August 16. Visitors must purchase a UN Guided Tour ticket online to access the Visitor Center and see the exhibition. Photos courtesy of Blancpain.

Tagged: dpg, news, united nations

New Dryzone Bags by Lowepro

Abi Mullens — 2013-06-18T17:05:07+00:00

New Dryzone Bags by Lowepro

Photoshop CC tutorials available on Adobe TV

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-18T12:25:54+00:00

Photoshop CC tutorials available on Adobe TV

Turtle Rescue by Lea Lee

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-18T10:01:00+00:00

Adobe updates its Creative Cloud

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-18T07:20:59+00:00

Amidst the [furore](http://wetpixel.com/articles/adobe-creates-a-furore-over-its-creative-cloud-plans) regarding its change to a subscription based model for most of its software, Adobe has released the new Creative Cloud (CC) versions of its apps. These include Photoshop CC, Premier Pro CC and After Effects CC amongst others. Key improvements include new sharpening technology in Photoshop and the Lumetri Deep Color Engine in Premiere.
###Press Release
##Major Update to Adobe Creative Cloud Now Available
###Includes Next Generation of “CC” Desktop Applications and Delivers New Community and Publishing Capabilities
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced that a major update to Adobe® Creative Cloud™, the company’s flagship offering for creatives, is now available. Unveiled at Adobe MAX, The Creativity Conference, in early May and packed with new features, this Creative Cloud release reimagines the creative process through a stunning set of “CC” desktop applications and sophisticated cross-device collaboration and publishing capabilities. Creative files can be stored and shared, via Creative Cloud, on Mac OS, Windows, iOS and Android; and Behance, the world’s leading online creative community, is now integrated with Creative Cloud, so customers can showcase work, get feedback on projects and gain global exposure.

“*We've added a ton of new innovation to all our CC desktop apps like Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. These apps include new features that increase productivity, streamline the effort to build mobile content and showcase some stunning new imaging and video science. And in addition to the traditional areas of innovation these apps are now connected to the powerful publishing and community features integral to the Creative Cloud experience,*” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president and general manager, Digital Media, Adobe. “*And with even more great updates coming to Creative Cloud throughout the year, we can’t wait to see the incredible work our customers are going to deliver*.”

With Creative Cloud, publishing finished work has never been easier, with enhanced services that build and power websites, mobile apps, tablet publications, online portfolios, and content for virtually any medium and device.
###Adobe Creative Cloud Powers Frictionless Creative Workflows
This milestone update to Creative Cloud simplifies the entire creative process. Core features include:

* Creative Cloud Experience on the Desktop. With the new Creative Cloud desktop app, your entire creative world is synced and organized across your desktop, website, and mobile device. You can stay connected to work on Behance; track feedback; and install and manage apps and updates. More features will be added soon to manage your files and desktop fonts within this same experience.
* Integration With The World’s Leading Creative Community. With Behance now integrated with Creative Cloud, members are able to publish their own portfolios, follow other creatives, publish work-in-progress from within a growing number of CC apps and solicit feedback from the worldwide creative community. Over 1.4 million creatives globally are part of the Behance network.
* Store, Share and Collaborate. All files and assets can be shared between the desktop, cloud and mobile devices. A designer can take a photo on their iPad, use Photoshop® Touch to refine the photo while on the go, then access that file, via the cloud, and use Photoshop CC on their Mac or Windows PC to further enhance the image. Designers can send files to view, download or comment. Individual members receive 20GB of storage.
* Seamless Publishing. Creative Cloud members have access to the services necessary to publish highly personalized portfolio websites using Behance ProSite, high-impact digital publications for iPad using Digital Publishing Suite (DPS) Single Edition, and PhoneGap™ Build to create and publish mobile apps for any device. Adobe Typekit features an unmatched library of old-classic to new-favorite fonts for use on websites and, coming soon in an update to Creative Cloud, creatives will also be able to quickly find the perfect fonts in the growing Adobe Typekit library, sync them to their computer, and have them immediately available for use in any desktop application. Full Creative Cloud members will soon have access to over 700 fonts, installed with a single click.

###New Family of CC Desktop Applications Available Exclusively to Creative Cloud Members
This update to Creative Cloud includes the next generation of 15 Adobe desktop applications -- including Adobe Photoshop CC, InDesign® CC, Illustrator® CC,Dreamweaver® CC, Premiere® Pro CC and more. Adobe Creative Cloud includes more than 30 tools and services that enable professional-grade content creation and delivery across print, web, mobile apps, video and photography.

Hundreds of new features are included in these latest versions of Adobe’s industry-defining desktop tools. Innovations include:

* Photoshop CC ships with new sharpening technologies and designer workflow enhancements. Camera Shake Reduction deblurs images that would have otherwise been lost due to camera movement. All-new Smart Sharpen makes texture and detail pop, and Adobe Camera Raw 8 adds even more powerful photographic controls to straighten and perfect images. Photoshop CC and Illustrator CC are the first Adobe desktop applications to include the ability to post files directly to Behance, showcasing work immediately and integrating peer feedback into the creative process.
* For designers, the Touch Type tool in Illustrator CC offers a new level of creativity with type. Move, scale, and rotate text characters knowing that it remains editable. This feature works with a mouse, stylus or multi-touch device. Illustrator also enables painting with a brush made from a photo. Art, Pattern, and Scatter brushes can contain raster images, so designers can create complex organic designs quickly, with simple brush strokes. And Illustrator CC features integration with Behance, so work can be shared directly to Behance to get feedback and showcase projects. A new, modern architecture for InDesign CC turbocharges performance, and in-browser editing in Adobe Muse™ CC -- a tool for designers to create and publish HTML websites without writing code -- allows clients to make edits to a published website, which can then be reviewed, approved, and updated by the designer.
* For video customers Adobe Premiere Pro CC includes dramatic new editing features, customizations and improvements to help editors work efficiently. Premiere Pro CC integrates powerful color workflows, with the addition of the Lumetri™ Deep Color Engine to easily apply rich color grading looks. A high-impact version of Adobe After Effects® CC brings motion graphics and visual effects artists more creative possibilities and allows them to work more easily in 3D with the new Live 3D Pipeline with Maxon Cinema4D integration. There are also all-new versions of Adobe SpeedGrade CC, Audition® CC, Prelude™ CC and Adobe Story CC Plus.
* Web designers and developers can look forward to significant advances in Adobe’s family of Edge tools and services. The latest Edge Animate CC lets web designers create animated and interactive content with amazing ease and precision, using native HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Dreamweaver users can look forward to the most up-to-date CSS and properties via the intuitive visual editing tool, CSS Designer. And Adobe Flash® Pro CC features a modern, modular 64-bit architecture rebuilt from the ground up to be fast and reliable.

###Adobe Create Now
To mark this introduction, Adobe has also launched Create Now: a Celebration of Creativity. Over the course of the program’s first month Adobe will host a variety of collaborative art projects, commemorate the birthday of a design icon and provide a forum for creatives to use Adobe tools to express themselves in fun, engaging and unexpected ways. More information is available on the Adobe Create Now [page](http://adobe.ly/createnow).
###Membership Plans and Availability
This major update to Creative Cloud is available now. Current Creative Cloud members receive all of this innovation as part of their existing membership, at no extra cost. Special promotional pricing is available to existing customers who own CS3 or later. Individual, education, team, government and enterprise membership plans are available. See [here](https://creative.adobe.com/plans?plan=individual&sdid=KGXGU) for pricing details.

Tagged: adobe, creative cloud, news

The most important cinema cameras of 2013

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-17T21:03:47+00:00

The most important cinema cameras of 2013

Sea & Sea announces the MDX D7100

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-17T19:24:58+00:00

Sea & Sea has announced that their MDX-D7100 housing for the Nikon D7100 SLR will be available from the end of June. The new housing features the option of a built-in YS TTL convertor and a multi selector control that mimics both the function and position of the camera's. It also has an externally controlled port lock and a leak detector as standard.
###Press Release.
##New product release: MDX-D7100
* Optical YS Converter N can be built into the housing.

Compatible with new Optical YS Converter N (#50126) which converts the camera’s TTL signal to a light signal. Both TTL and manual strobe photography is possible using a fiber-optic cable. (Optical YS Converter details will be announced later).

* Compatible with both VF180 1.2x and VF45 1.2x viewfinders

By attaching the VF180 (#46112) or the VF45 prism viewfinders (#46111) (magnification ratio of 1.2x) to the housing, the magnification increases by 1.2x and entire field of view can be seen at the same time. Recommended for users committed to strict composition and focusing.

* Port can be replaced without opening the housing.

Port lock can be now activated from outside the housing. The housing is also equipped with a ‘lens-lock release’ button which allows the lens to be replaced without opening the housing. The port lock can also be activated from inside like previous SEA&SEA housings.
###Features
* Equipped with two fiber-optic cable sockets. With the camera's built-in flash raised and fiber-optic cables fitted, external strobes can be triggered as ‘slave units’ by the built-in flash.
* Every detail of the housing is precision machined. The housing is protected by a highly corrosion resistant anodized coating. All edges have been polished carefully for perfection.
* Controls all the Nikon D7100 essential functions underwater. (Bracketing button, preview button and function button are not operable from the housing).
* The multi selector (which is often used underwater) is the same design as the camera control and can be operated in the same way. AF areas and Focus points can be changed by depressing the selector. The multi selector control is located so that it is accessible with your hand on the grip.
* The camera's built-in flash can be activated and deactivated from the housing. (When the accessory light-shielding plate is fixed, this function cannot be used).
* Equipped with Accessory Port which can be used for HDMI output.
* The grip design has been significantly improved with the travelling diver in mind. The grips are mounted with threadless fixings to facilitate easy transportation, mounting and removal of the grips. The new design also alleviates corrosion build up around the fittings. All fixings are available as spare parts.
* Fitted with a tripod socket on the centre underside of the housing.
* Equipped with the Optical Viewfinder 0.5x as standard. Other (optional) interchangeable viewfinders can be used.
* The quick shoe makes the camera easy to install and remove from the housing.
* Built-in leak sensor immediately alerts you to water ingress.
* Depth rating of 100m / 330ft makes the housing ideal for tech diving.

*1. The MDX-D7100 is standard with a connector cap only. Optional Sync Cord Connectors are available. External strobe(s) or the YS Converter/N can be used with fiber-optic cable or by removing the connector cap and installing Optional Sync Cord 2-pin Connector (#50122) or Optional YS Converter / N 5-pin Connector (#50123).

###Specifications
Construction: Body: corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy (machined) / Grip: corrosion-resistant die-cast aluminum alloy.
Depth rating: 100m/330ft.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 341 x 192 x 136mm/13.4 x 7.6 x 5.4 inches
Weight: Approx. 2,700g / 94.5oz.

Tagged: mdx-d7100, news

New study estimates manta ray tourism at $140 million

Adam Hanlon — 2013-06-17T18:26:08+00:00

A [study published](http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0065051) in the Public Library of Science (PLOS) ONE journal has quantified the revenue that is accrued from tourism related activities associated with manta rays. In the 23 countries in which manta ray watching operations met the study's criteria, direct revenue to dive operators from manta ray dives and snorkels is estimated at over US$73 million annually and direct economic impact, including associated tourism expenditures, at US$140 million annually.

The paper reached these figures using diver operator surveys, internet research and a review of available literature. The annual catch of mantas for the Chinese medicine trade is estimated to have no more than $5 million worth of value.

Tagged: environment, manta rays, news