Howdy from paradise,
I'm having a blast and learning so much from Alex and all the rest of the Wetpixelians on this trip. What a pleasure it is to dive with these folks. If you've never had a chance to go to one of Alex's classes/trips you owe it to yourself to do it. Thought I'd share a shot of Alex Wednesday morning before breakfast
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and one of my favorites from the snorkel with the rays;

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This trip is filled with incredibly gifted photographers. I have a whole new definition of a "good photo" after seeing their work.

Great times,
Steve

The view from the other side:

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Alex

Great Shots! However, it looks a lot more like a morning pre-breakfast "walk" than a snorkel... did the water even reach your chins???

I just turned GREEN WITH ENVY!!!!!

Love the B&W shot Steve! Exquisite!

Sandbar or shallow City?

Yeah, you guys rub it in -- down there having fun whilst the rest of us are stuck at work (where even Northeast Florida it's cold this week)!

Looking forward to seeing posts of some excellent shots.

Mark

Nice black and white steve!

Hey guys, Sarah and I are coming down on Saturday for our first international vacation w/ the baby. Hope to see some of you in Grand Cayman.

And no, the baby is not diving yet, he still has 13 yrs and 6 months until he can get certified :-)

Cheers
James

Sandbar!

It was interesting dive profile; 120 min at 4 ft.

James the second crew is coming in Sat. I'll probably pass you in the airport. I'll be the guy with too much gear and a big grin on his face.

Thanks Patrick and Miss Mermaid!
Cheers!
Steve

thought I'd add one for the show. This guy responded nicely to an expert tickler here in cayman

Very well-tickled! I met a few of those guys this summer and never saw more than just the head.

Looks like you guys are having fun!

I'll be arriving on Monday, hope to see you guys at some point! Anyone staying at Sunset house?

All of the current crew are at Ocean Frontiers - believe that the next crew are also all staying here.

Paul C

Thats a wonderful image steve the B&W thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Diggy

Obviously, I can't organise my life properly...

... family (+ teenagers) trip to Ocean Frontiers. but not 'til the summer.

Have you any advice about what/where to shoot?

Looking forward to seeing Alex M. in Lembeh next month.

Tim

See everyone for Week 2 of Digital madness tomorrow...

basim

In addition to being a excellent instructor and all-around good guy, Alex is a fantastic underwater model as well!

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An inquiring mind would like to know, what's that hanging off his left hip, some type of new signal device?

That will be the Tupperware - something of a theme this week - honestly it's the next big thing for in water imaging.

Paul C

Or it could be time for that famous quote from Mae West.

Maybe Alex is just glad to see you...

Now that my caymans trip is over, a couple of comments. It was great to put faces to, and meet several wetpixelians. Wow as steve said the talent on that trip was really special. As for Alex; what a special guy. A great teacher, explainer, and a truely nice guy. I will definately be better for the experience. Also thanks to steve, I'm ready to give lightroom a go. Now if that could only make me a better photographer.

Phil,
So true!... Here's another one of Alex.

All right Joel! Great shot partner.

Cheers,
Steve

Truly a great trip and learning experience...special thanks to WAZUW, Steve, and Alex!

Mike

Looks like Babylon?

Yes Patrick, the Babylon site is a special place.

Cheers,
Steve

Week 2 well underway now. Not the best weather today, but we were lucky enough to be treated to a visit by a Wiseman. It is actually Henry I am most keen to see, but had to settle for James!

Anyway, it gave me a chance to have a break from posing and actually have a model in my shots for a change. Here are three I took of James this morning at High Rock Drop Off. The two yellow tube sponge shots were taken with snoot on the flash.

D700 + 15mm. F13 @ 1/100th:
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D700 + 15mm. F10 @ 1/100th:
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D700 + 15mm. F11 @ 1/160th:
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Alex

Alex - what strobes are you using with the D700 + 15mm?

Two Z240s?

Thanks!

I have been using the INONs, but preferentially I use 2x Subtronics - or 1x for the snoot shots.

Alex

Hey! I snapped those sponges too - but no willing model

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Have a great 2nd week and thanks again for a fantastic experience!

Phil

Nice, Phil!

I think that you had a good shot of that red rope sponge under the boat too!

Alex

Well, what a great trip!

Many thanks to Alex; I learnt a lot, met some Wetpixelers and had a great time - what else could you want?



I hope the second group have as good time a we did!

R

PS If Victor is a member on here please contact me as I've got a couple of pics for you.

yes, I'd love to see them send your email address to my work at vzucker@facey.com, and ill get you my home email

Great pictures !!

For stingray city, is it better in the mornining or afternoon ? I'll be avoiding the crowds by going when there are no cruise ships in port.

nice work Alex, did you buy the snoot or make it yourself?

I'd like to try one on my Z240s, any advice on whether to purchase one or make it? and what material to use?

thanks!

Scott

Home made, of course! Compared with my homemade ring flash it was very easy! It is a funnel with some egg crate inside - sprayed black. Held in place with an old wetsuit sleeve. I chose a funnel that fits on both my Subtronic and Inon strobes. The size of the hole depends on the effect you want. Having a mechanism to alter the aperture size would be great.



Morning, midday and afternoon are all good for different reasons. The main thing is to have as few people as possible. This means having your own boat - to go there when you want. This is expensive on your own (obviously much easier with a group).

Alex

[quote name='Alex_Mustard' date='Jan 26 2009, 07:19 PM' post='199263']
Home made, of course! Compared with my homemade ring flash it was very easy!

I would be interested to know how you made the flash ring.

Hi Guys,

I had a fantastic morning and it was great meeting you all. Just for fun - here's one of Alex - Art of Diving style :-)

Cheers
James

taken in about 15 feet on a wreck site. Spotted by alex and chased by me. about 30 % cropped

oops

Wow - you can really see it, though. In my photo it is a mushy mess!

I wanna see some of the stingray shots.

Alex

This one is going nuts on Flickr, 500 views and 50 favorites in one week. I never saw that happen before. Thanks Alex for showing me the light.

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I'd love to see some more guys!
Cheers,
Steve

OK, Boss!







R

Good to see vazuw's hammer pic came out! More stringrays from the first week and Joel trying to get the shot:

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Hope everyone there is having as great a time as we did!

Phil

Those are great phil! here is another ou

Fantastic over/under!

Cheers
James

Hey Phil,

This is what it looks like from the other side.



Here's the other shots I got from "trying to get the shot" running through the sand!







It was a great day photographing rays.

Cheers everyone!
Joel

Your ou is fantastic

Very nice all.

Alex