Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005: Daily Webcast

by Eric Cheng Sunday, July 31st, 2005

Welcome to the Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 daily webcast, by Eric Cheng

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Did you know?

Did you know that one of our staff members grew up in Texas, was a wrestler and football player in school, and owns old shirts that clearly identify him as having the nickname, "Moose"?

I won't tell you who it is, but I'll give you a few hints: he has long, flowing hair, big-toe holes in his neoprene booties, and is sometimes referred to as a "crazy hippie" -- in the best way possible, of course. :)

July 27, 2005

Well, our call for Skypers yesterday was a success! Jim Watt sat at his computer from 9:30-10pm, and received two calls (the computer spaces were occupied from 9:15-9:30). Okie, a former Shootout participant, called to give us an update on his life, and someone else called in search of an Equinox housing. I wasn't able to be there because we were finishing up photo critiques in the Flamingo's Nest.

The Alice H dove the Hilma Hooker wreck this morning, in absolutely beautiful, clear weather. In her day, the Hilma Hooker was an old cargo boat that turned out to be used for drug-smuggling. When she started taking on water, she refused help and eventually ended up on her starboard side in just over 100' of water. It was really refreshing to take a wide-angle rig into the water; nearly everyone on our boat had switched to wide-angle setups to shoot the wreck. Most of the images we've seen so far have been of macro subjects, but since wide-angle is harder, the best prizes in the photo contest invariably end up being awarded to wide-angle winners.

Seminars today included a talk on slideshow creation and web galleries, followed by the "3-Way Smackdown," in which Berkley, Jim and I showcased tips for speeding up workflow and image processing.

The photos coming in are now REALLY good. We're all very impressed.

Topside Photos
No one is submitting topside photos, which is why the photos are mostly of staff...

Berkley flexes his huge bicep as he prepares to down a beer.

Amstel Bright, at Mai Mai restaurant, Bonaire

Berkley White in the red evening sun

These days, we like to ask Dan, "hey -- what time is it?"

Eric Cheng, all angled and arty

A giddy Berkley

Lane goes in for a dive

Berkley White, ready to tear it up.

Lane and Berkley: Friends 4Ever!

Eric Cheng and Jim Watt, looking serious

Underwater Photos by Shootout Participants

Photo: Jungjohann

Photo: M Carey

Photo: Jungjohann

Photo: John Byrnes

Photo: Will Chen

Photo: Gordon Firestein

Photo: Erik Moon

Photo: Pauline Muscat

Photo: Alice Riley

Photo: Greg Roll

Photo: Singer-Yakobov

Photo: Greg Bang

Photo: J Carretta

Photo: Chip Chase

Underwater Photos by Eric Cheng

Bonaire Reefscape

Dan demonstrates the near-neutral bouyancy of his Titan D100 housing

The stern of the Hilma Hooker wreck

Tarpin and divers on the Hilma Hooker wreck

Dan Baldocchi on the Hilma Hooker wreck

Dan floats next to the Hilma Hooker

The propeller of the Hilma Hooker

Dan and the propeller of the Hilma Hooker

Erik Moon and his Subal/Canon 1Ds Mk II

Dan Baldocchi on the Hilma Hooker

Erik Moon and his Subal/Canon 1Ds Mk II

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that group shot of everyone and their gear is probably a crooked TSA/AA baggage persons wet dream! no wonder we dont have a shootout in miami or san juan.
Posted by nitteo on 2005-08-01 17:56:57 p.s. thanks for the purple crown sea goddess Pauline!....have only seen one other here in cayman!Good find!
Posted by carib-blu on 2005-07-29 20:54:58 We have the world's best photographers all right here on one website and I am glad to be a part...if we could all be together for one meeting, we would definitely need a bigger island!! Great stuff here kids, keep up the good work....john
Posted by carib-blu on 2005-07-29 20:46:38 I so wish I was there! Great shots, looks like a lot a fun....
Posted by Reefkeep on 2005-07-28 20:37:17 Wow- Pauline's underwater photo looking up at the dive boat bow is excellent! James
Posted by James Wiseman on 2005-07-28 17:28:58 The 'DID YOU KNOW...GUESS WHO IT IS' insert question was way too easy. The photo of those rippling biceps was a dead give away of Berkeley's former football career. Maybe you guys can take up a collection and get him some new booties. The picture of him going down the ladder (naked toes and all) still hurts my eyes.
Posted by dmoss on 2005-07-28 17:04:17 Whoops! Shouldn't "In her day, the Alice H was an old cargo boat" be "In her day, the Hilma Hooker was an old cargo boat"? Looks like you guys are having a blast! :)
Posted by NitroLiq on 2005-07-28 10:40:07 Great results over there and what a storm. Did it even dry up that day?
Posted by DuikKees on 2005-07-27 03:11:25 Wish I was there....I love your Jawfish spitting sand shot....what a catch Karl
Posted by kdietz on 2005-07-26 16:54:37 Really enjoying the reports, Eric. Keep 'em coming! Alex
Posted by Dr. Alex Mustard on 2005-07-26 06:40:25 Eric say hi to Greg Bang and Watty! Great guys. Dove with Greg in Indonesia and well you know the Watt story. Have a good one. Todd
Posted by yahsemtough on 2005-07-25 11:21:21