Review: CrumplePop ToneGrade color correction plug-in 
By Steve Douglas
Last Update: 01 February 2012 07:42 AM
Author: Steve Douglas
It was inevitable that third-party software companies would begin to update their plug-ins for Apple’s new Final Cut Pro X as soon as they could. Some already have, but with limited success, as adjustable parameters in previous sets are not always found in the Final Cut Pro X versions, and I have found that some are not as stable as they may have been in legacy versions of Final Cut Pro.
While CrumplePop has updated their split screen plug-in previously reviewed here and actually made improvements to it in that, for the Final Cut Pro X update, you can add color corrected clips to the many split screen options which will retain the color correction, this review will focus on CrumplePop’s completely new plug-in, ToneGrade for Final Cut Pro X.
There are some similarities to other plug-in packages on the market, but CrumplePop’s ToneGrade comes in at a fraction of the price of their competitors, is completely stable with Final Cut Pro X and offers many advantages in its simplicity of use, the diverse footage types it can be applied to, and how much it can improve your imaging results.
While I wouldn’t quite call ToneGrade a color grading application like Red Giant’s Magic Bullet Looks or a touch up app like Digital Anarchy’s Beauty Box, I would say that ToneGrade can provide you with the tools you need to make the subtle changes to your images color tone that can smooth out the wrinkles in skin or simply make your image pop just the little bit it needs to stand out.
In a nutshell, ToneGrade uses an image processing technique which simulates the properties of high dynamic range photography, quickly allowing you to dial in the small amounts of tone mapping to your image while expanding the details in both your highlights and shadows. Unlike full color grading applications which often soften or smear fine details, I found ToneGrade to be able to grade the image of my clips while retaining or even punching up the small details stylizing it for a greater dramatic appearance.
In Final Cut Pro X, ToneGrade, once installed, can be found in your effects browser under ‘Basics’. Scroll down to the bottom of your folder and ToneGrade will be there waiting for you to apply it as you would any effect in Final Cut X. Making sure your video inspector is open and set to Video, drag ToneGrade on to your clip. You will then see a short list of ToneGrade adjustable parameters for you to use. There are not too many so as to confuse or overwhelm you, but just what you need to accomplish the task at hand. We’ve all seen some effects parameters that really don’t accomplish a whole lot for the image. However, each one of the parameters provided in Tone Grade actually can make a huge difference.
The first parameter, Depth, adjust the mid-tones and highlights. I found that, in its own way, it separates certain details from others creating just what it says, depth. At the same time it crushes shadows a bit, but you can use the depth slider or ToneGrade’s own Exposure slider to bring the blacks back up and balance out the image to your liking.
The Fine Detail slider does an excellent job on bringing up the smaller details like hair or, should you want it, the cragginess in an individual’s skin.
The Coarse Detail parameter is similar, but focuses more on the larger outline details. From my testing, this was the only parameter that should be used parsimoniously as bringing it up too much made the image look rough and somewhat cartoonish. Then again, any parameter adjustment to any plug-in should not be done to the extreme for a well graded and color corrected image.
The Shadow Depth setting further helps to avoid crushing the blacks too much maintaining details even in the darker areas of the image and worked quite nicely.
The Saturation parameter works as any saturate/desaturate tool might work.
ToneGrade can be used to simply smooth out the wrinkles and blemishes to a face as well as sharpen details. The Skin Smoothing slider does just that; it helps smooth skin appearance out without creating a cartoon effect. Use it in small amounts to maintain realism.
Both the Color Cool/Warm and Cool/Warm Intensity sliders adjust the overall tone of the image without effecting the image details. Drag the slider to the left for a cooler effect and to the right for a warmer look.
Usually I avoid using sliders as I don’t find them to be as precise as I like and wind up typing my settings in. Not sure why, but the sliders for ToneGrade were very easy to move about in Final Cut Pro X.
I found that just applying ToneGrade to a clip improved the image with its default settings. Below I applied ToneGrade to a clip of a Sand Tiger Shark on the wreck of the Spar in N. Carolina.
Third party creation of plug-ins strictly developed for Final Cut Pro X was inevitable, and CrumplePop has produced the first plug-in devised only for Final Cut Pro X.
They are to be congratulated on doing a great job of it. Some real thought and effort have obviously gone into bringing this plug-in to the Final Cut Pro X community. On another note, I am known for frequently commenting on a company’s website and its user friendliness. As I have noted before, CrumplePop has always maintained excellently produced video tutorials for any of their plug-ins. The three separate video tutorial for ToneGrade were all well done and easily accessible. CrumplePop even has a couple of other plug-ins I didn’t know existed called ‘Paul Irmiter: Dacar set for light looks, and an interesting set of ‘Noir Moderne’ dramatic lighting effects. If their quality is as good as ToneGrade, I will have to check them out myself; soon.
CrumplePop’s ToneGrade plug-in for Final Cut Pro X was provided to the reviewer free of charge for the purpose of an objective review. In no way, is the reviewer obligated to provide either a positive or negative review. It is available to purchase from CrumplePop for $75.00.
Steve Douglas is a certified Apple Pro for Final Cut Pro 7 and underwater videographer. A winner of the 1999 Pacific Coast Underwater Film Competition, 2003 IVIE competition, 2004 Los Angeles Underwater Photographic competition, and the prestigious 2005 International Beneath the Sea Film Competition, where he also won the Stan Waterman Award for Excellence in Underwater Videography and 'Diver of the Year', Steve was a safety diver on the feature film "The Deep Blue Sea", contributed footage to the Seaworld Park's Atlantis production, and productions for National Geographic and the History channels. Steve was a feature writer for Asian Diver Magazine and is one of the founding organizers of the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition. He is available for both private and group seminars for Final Cut Pro and leads underwater filming expeditions and African safaris with upcoming excursions to the Cocos Islands, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. Feel free to contact him if you are interested in joining Steve on any of these exciting trips.
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Comment(s):I became friends with Larry on our trip in January 2006 and he kept in touch ever since. On our trip Larry was always up early in the morning ,as was I, and we got to spend lots of time chatting. His stories were always fascinating because of his passion for what he spoke. His twinkle in his eye and smile will always be remembered.
During that trip Larry took me aside and commenting on how he had seen and known many photographers in his days and that he can see I really know how to handle a camera. I was honoured to hear those encouraging words from Larry especially considering National Geographic was on the boat. My images from that trip went on to be in display in the Smithsonian this year and Larry was very proud of that accomplishment posting it in his newsletter. Thank you Larry you inspire me.
Posted by yahsemtough on 03/22 at 07:23 AMThis is really hard to believe. I just ran into Larry in Raja Ampat in February. Feel very fortunate I was able to see him again. He was his usual bubbly self excited about the diving in the area. Prior to his coming on aboard I was talking to another guest who was from Denver and because I am from Texas he was telling me about a Texan he had met in Grand Cayman many years ago who had been very helpful. From his description I knew it had to be Larry and sure enough it was. May God Keep you close. Love ya.
Posted by mreid on 03/22 at 07:09 PMEveryone who knew Larry, knew his exhilaration and enthusiasm for the underwater world was unparalleled. He MADE every dive exciting. Larry was fond of repeating in his dive briefing: “Don’t do anything stupid” and “Follow the big yellow fins”.
I imagine that the gates of diving heaven are marked by “big Yellow Fins” and Larry beaconing us onward to someday join him....
Posted by docrobina on 03/22 at 08:58 PMAs I sit here in Houston, Texas at my kitchen table still trying to accept the loss of our father another world away all I can think about is how many lives he touched other than mine. These last few days my brother and I have been sharing stories from our childhood that most of you have never heard. I can still remember when we were kids him setting up our summer vacation to come see him in Little Cayman at Pirates Point for the 4th of July. He sent us a hundred bucks and told us to fill up a suitcase with fireworks and come on down. Of course that couldn’t happen now but we did manage to pull it off back then. Not knowing that we were doing anything wrong we arrived and shot fireworks on the beach all night long. Lord knows what he was thinking but it all worked out. THe same thing goes with diving. He would partner Tim and I up as dive buddies before we were even old enough to drive. Dad was so good at what he did. It has been so comforting seeing all of your postings on this website and I want each and everyone of you to know that you guys also brought a great joy in his life as well. Without you he would’nt have been able to thrive in his career the way he did. Touching lives both above and beneath the sea. His passion for the ocean will never be forgotten. Rather its a whale spout on the port side of the boat or a tiny pigmy seahorse clinging for dear life on a sea fan he always had that passion to share it with the next person in line. I have so many memories of being able to see first hand how he interacted with people and showing them things they had never seen. I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time with him four years ago in Bali and tag along with him on his everyday routine. I will never forget while sharing bunks with him on dive trips trying to beat him to sleep. His snoring would drive a person overboard. There were so many small things he did through out his life that will never be forgotten. Once again I want to thank all of you. You are what made his career and success in life. Our wish is to never let his legacy be forgotten.
Posted by smithdive13 on 03/23 at 12:01 AMThe entire team at Kararu Dive Voyages wishes to express our deepest condolences for our mentor and the pioneer of some of the best diving in the region, Larry Smith.
His insatiable enthusiasm for sharing the treasures of the Indonesian seas with whoever had the fortune of diving with him, spread like wildfire and sprouted a whole new growth of world class operations throughout the archipelago.
It doesn’t matter if you knew him or not, a presence of Larry will remain, forever, in all of us – whether it be when we find that special critter in the muck and feel his excited hand in ours, or while we watch the sun setting from our top deck and hear his rumbling laughter at the end of one of his stories – his legacy in Indonesia will live on in all of our hearts.
He will be sadly missed by all. Our prayers and wishes go out to Dewi, Breezy, his family in the States and all the people of Adventure H20.
Sincerely,
Lisa, Sascha and the staff of Kararu Dive Voyages
Posted by kararu on 03/23 at 12:41 AMNever have I learned more about spotting and appreciating critters than I did on my first Bali - Komodo trip with Larry Smith. He was a great guide, teacher and “guy” and easily shared his love of critters, the sea and Indonesia with his guests. He will be sorely missed.
Posted by uphillracer on 03/23 at 02:15 AMA cremation and memorial service for Larry will be held in Bali on Sunday 25 May at 1:00 pm. If you are able to attend and need details or assistance, please contact me at +62 812 386-7270. Robert Delfs
Posted by frogfish on 03/23 at 02:32 AMI will always remember Larry for the open hearted soul he had when meeting new people, and reuniting with friends. The tales of adventure at dinner, the greetings he extended to his island friends along our journey, as well as coffee at sunrise on the bow of the AK while spotting life on the ocean will forever remain with me. What will always bring a smile to me, was watching Larry take out his regulator at depth and purse his lips repeatedly while calling in the jack fish, and then shaking my arm underwater with enthusiasm as they swam in closer and closer. He was a thrill to dive with, and I will miss him very much. What a treasure he was.
Posted by sealionluv on 03/23 at 06:16 AMI met Larry on the Pelagian for a Komodo trip in July 25, 2000.
Larry’s energy and charisma was infectious and I was instantly a fan. A few fond memories of Larry… All day during our first day of diving off of Satonda, Larry teased us all day about his big surprise. Furthermore, Larry said we would see ‘his surprise’ at 6:19 Pm, which was right around sunset.
He had us guess what it was and of course he has us stumped. Low and behold around at 6:19, thousands if not hundreds of thousands of fruit bats close to a meter across each came flying right over the boat o their way to an adjacent island.Larry was a guy you can learn and have fun with both in and out of the water. Days later, we, the guests, decided to pull a little prank on Larry who was always on the search for “critters.”
On August 3, we were diving off of Sangeang and we asked our chef, Adam, to create something special for our third dive of the day. Adam made a pseudonudibranchs which really looked like a hybrid of a nudibranchs and a piece of sushi with its pins sticking out of a white body. (I have a picture of the chef’s creation) Two guests Steven and Dena planted our new little friend. Somehow, one of us managed to remember where it was and ‘drag’ Larry over to it’s oh so natural habitat to inspect this new find.
Larry, as expected, cracked up over this find.
Larry reinvigorated my interest in all things alive in the ocean and his spirit and kindness will be a reminder how I want to live.
Posted by socalguitar on 03/23 at 09:16 AMMy name is Julie Springer. I am and always will be Larry’s neice. Even though Uncle Larry was not around the family much we all knew that he was fulfilling his dream. The family would like to express our appreciation to all of you that accompanied Uncle Larry on his adventures and helped him fulfill his dream.
I have many unforgetable memories of Uncle Larry that I will treasure forever. Uncle Larry certified me in Negril, Jamaica. I remember how proud he was to be able to share his dream with me, if only for a short period of time. I also remember “Poncho”. Poncho was a McCall parrot that had a very good vocabulary. One of our favorite memories is Poncho getting out of my grandmother’s house and pirching on the neighbor’s roof. All was well until a bluejay began to dive at Poncho. Poncho called for help! “Larry help me...Larry help me...” Poncho knew that Uncle Larry would come to his rescue.
Even though Uncle Larry is no longer in our presence he will always be in our hearts. The experiences and education that he provided will continue to carry on and the memories will continue to be shared from coast to coast and dinner table to dinner table.Posted by JULIESPRINGER on 03/23 at 09:43 AMWe had the good fortune to meet Larry almost upon our arrival in Indonesia nearly 5 years ago to start a new job. We were priviledged to have shared a number of cruises with him, soaking up his knowledge & professionalism like sponges. He showed us around Sanur, pointing out everything he thought we needed to know, not least where to find the best brownies in town! He became our mentor and good friend and when our schedules allowed, it was over to Larry’s to share in his smoked turkey & banana pudding.
Larry was truly unique – charismatic, funny, an excellent story-teller, the eternal optimist and always thinking of others. His enthusiasm for life, diving & people was second to none and we learned so much from him. He does not need to be here in body for us always to feel his presence – dive sites he found & named, dive guides he mentored & trained, stories & anecdotes of his which will be remembered, retold and heard by many people.
Thank you, Larry, for touching our lives. You will live on in our hearts & minds forever. We miss you already.
Our deepest condolences go out to everyone who knew him, especially Dewi, Breezy & his sons & family in the U.S.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Karl Klingeler & Linda Johnston
Posted by lindajohnston on 03/24 at 01:00 AMI participated in one trip to Kommodo with Larry. I remember him as one of the most interesting and enthusiastic people in the dive industry. I regret I didn’t have a chance to dive with him again.
Posted by davephdv on 03/24 at 10:05 AMI will miss my 5AM friend Larry very much. I spent many a morning out on the deck with him talking and enjoying life. Larry was full of wonder and appreciation of the beautiful things he got to live and see on a daily basis. He was a unique individual whose passing touches many people. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Sherry
Posted by swren on 03/25 at 06:26 PMWe are so deeply saddened to learn of this. Everyone who knew Larry probably shares similar emotions, and feels the loss of a very dear, life-long, beloved friend.
Lisa loves to tell the story of our first trip with Larry traveling from Bali to Komodo, and we were just getting to know him. On one of the dive sites he advised of a good chance to find a “solar powered nudibranch” (which at this point we had never seen). Soon after we entered the water Lisa spotted Larry in the distance waving her to him with all his might. Once she reached him he grabbed her hand, locked his arm with hers and started swimming at full speed (pulling her along of course), to soon arrive at her first sighting of the unusual critter. Although Larry had of course seen these things many times before, he was so thrilled to be showing it to her for her first time that he could barely contain himself.
Every day we spent with Larry, and every dive we made together was a special experience. As a person, he was a consistent and shining example of how to keep things in perspective, look on the bright side, and always treat everyone with the utmost respect.
Lisa and I offer heartfelt condolences to all of Larry’s family, and also to the Adventure H2O team who we know loved Larry so very much.
Dave Allen & Lisa Downs
Posted by DaveandLisa on 03/25 at 07:03 PMThank you, Larry for taking me on such a beautiful Odyssey. I am a woman from Nebraska who never saw the ocean till she was an adult. So, back in the 80’s, this red headed Texan decided my first dive in the ocean would be down a tunnel with him and out into the ocean at 85 feet over Bloody Bay wall. It was so breathtaking; I was addicted to diving immediately. Even then he tried to show me every single beautiful big and little thing down there. His enthusiasm for the waters never lessened. Every dive site was his favorite. Every time I came to go diving with him he had something new to show me. Especially the time he grabbed my flipper as I was surfacing and pointed out the dug outs above me. The people in them had never seen a white person before and even brought their dogs out on the boats to see us. There was one thing that brought a bigger smile to his face then diving and that was his family. We talked hours about all his kids and his wife Dewi. I wish them all the best. Always Gay
Posted by Gay Bussard on 03/25 at 07:51 PMTribute to Larry Smith
Though for many years I have heard of the boisterous Larry Smith, it was not until early 90’s where our path cross in the Banda Islands. His enthusiasm spread like wild fire and I was engulfed in his passion for all the amazing creatures of the seas. Larry has profoundly inspired the scope of my career as an underwater photographer. The last time I dove with Larry was just a few years ago which he promised before the dive that he will show me the greatest light show on earth. It is not that I have not seen flash light fishes before but some how Larry enthused it to be a very special experience. He was like Peter Pan taking us to Never Never Land through a universe of flashing stars. It was magic. Larry’s seems to have to knack to make an ordinary dive a great dive and he ever so willing to share his happiness and joy. Larry is the ambassador of the wonder of our ocean. We have lost an extraordinary fellow being, a hero, a legend that is bigger than life. Michael AWPosted by awm on 03/25 at 11:16 PMOn behalf of the Coral Reef Alliance, I’d like to express our condolences to Larry’s family and friends. This past year we had the fortune of working with Larry on reef conservation projects. His passion for exploring and sharing the underwater world clearly paralleled his enthusiasm and commitment to protecting it. He was a tremendous friend and partner, always going the extra mile.
Larry, thank you so much for everything.Sherry Flumerfelt and the staff and Board of the Coral Reef Alliance
Posted by Sherry Flumerfelt on 03/26 at 06:54 PMWe, who knew this great man, are both blessed and proud to have known him. His contributions to Undersea Discovery were enormous. All the passengers on board Cehili were infected with his warmth, generosity and enthusiasm. Our deepest condolences to Dewi and Breezy and all his family in America as well as his huge adopted family of friends.
Stephen & Shelagh PepperPosted by Stephen Pepper on 03/26 at 10:47 PM34787<83:fp353>nu=3249>5:6>:48>WSNRCG=3233:58334347nu0mrj.jpg
Larry was one of the most adventure loving persons I believe I have ever met. His passion for life, above & below the surface resonated through his strong voice, iron clad bear hugs, & his under-his-breath chuckle. I never had the pleasure of diving with Larry, but I know he will be with us all, especially when we enter the world beneath the surface that he so loved. My husband, Tim Smith, along with the rest of the family appreciate all the stories, condolences, & pictures submitted. These great memories that are shared here have provided us healing and given us the occasional & much appreciated laugh. I will miss his gusto for everything--be it luggage, rubberbands, BBQ, or Mantis Shrimp EVERYTHING was an adventure with Larry…
Jessica SmithPosted by jesspsmith on 03/27 at 08:37 AMIn addition to being the most outstanding and knowledgeable dive guide I have ever met, Larry was a fantastic person.
After many years of diving, it wasn’t as much fun for me because every dive started to look the same. Then in 1995, a friend convinced me to go to Lembeh for a long weekend. The cool new critters they were finding there every day were wonderful but it was “cousin Larry” that made everything so magical. The passion that he showed on every dive, in fact all day long, bowled me over and rekindled what it was like on my very first dive. From just that one trip, he was my inspiration to become a dive master and my role model to this day. I haven’t had a bad dive since then. I bumped into Larry several times since then, unfortunately never underwater, and he was always as pleasant, friendly and enthusiastic as the moment he welcomed us as customers of KBR.
My condolences to his family and friends from all over the world.
Larry was the rarest of people - a humble legend.~ Michael Smith
Posted by zippsy on 03/27 at 06:43 PMThis shocking news came to me via Dive News Wire only last night. I had the privilege of meeting Larry when he brought a group of divers from the Longview/Tyler, Texas area to Pirate’s Point in Little Cayman when my then husband, Dana Vied, and I were managing the resort in 1985. While Dana and I experienced a little mishap and had to make an emergency trip to Grand Cayman, Larry and his group carried on with the rest of the staff to enjoy their diving vacation. Upon our return to Little Cayman, we were welcomed back by Larry and his group with a huge Welcome Back sign and the party began. I lost track of Larry but did see him at one of the DEMA shows years later when he was working in Indonesia. It is amazing how many people he has had such an impact on and how many will miss him. He was truely a success in the dive industry and in life. My condolences to his family, Sarah Moody
Posted by SarahMoody on 03/28 at 08:42 AMI grew up with Larry’s cousins in Texas, so Larry was “sort of” like my cousin too. I met him for the first time when I was about 7, I guess. Anyway, he was always great to be around - he was always smiling. I remember I got my first real rock album after he played the Who’s Magic Bus for me. Funny the things you remember. I always thought it was pretty amazing that he ended up in such an exotic place living such an awesome life. I haven’t seen him in several year - the last time was at a family funeral back in Texas. I met Dewi and Breezy for the first and only time then. They seemed like such a happy bunch. I’m so sorry that Larry is gone, he was such a sweet guy. It’s wonderful to read all the comments from his friends and extended family around the world. My deepest condolences to his mother “Aunt” Evelyn, his sister Joyce Ann, Larry’s sons, and especially Dewi and Breezy. Fondly, Lynn Lyles Cuervo
Posted by etexgal on 03/28 at 01:32 PMLarry and I shared many adventures aboard “Pelagian” from Bali through Eastern Indonesia to Micronesia and Papua New Guinea. I, like all in the diving community who came in contact with Larry, knew him as a diver extraordinaire. He was one of the great pioneers in diving and ocern exploration. Once we were talking and we concluded that I started diving about two years before he did but he had about a gazillion more dives than I and a world more experience. Unlike most divers, he was in a league of his own.
But, diving was what Larry did and not who Larry was. Larry was one of the world’s great souls. He would have been missed and mourned regardless of his profession. Larry touched lives through diving but diving was incidental to the man. Larry was a human being to emulate. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. His laughter and personality were infectious. Many people loved Larry who never shared the sea with him. Wayan the taxi driver in Bali and Ennie who owned the little shop in Sanur will miss Larry just as all of us who dived with him.
Just as Larry inspired many to be better divers and stewards of the environment he also inspired many to be better people and stewards of our fellow man. He will be missed by many but the world is a better place for his time here.
Let us celebrate his life.Tom Ridenour (Friend of Larry and former Capt. of Pelagian)
Posted by tridenour on 03/29 at 11:43 AM“The best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglay.” I was sooo looking forward to finally diving with Larry Smith. I just know I would have loved him, from all I have read about his kind heart and enthusiasm for marine life, diving and divers. My first attempt to dive with Larry was on the Tropical Princess out of Biak Island, in 1991, along with Ron and Nancy Sefton. But alas, the Tropical Princess lost its financial backers, ran aground, exhausted its provisions and was canceled. Instead, we dove in the Solomon Islands on the Bilikiki. Then, again, I laid plans to dive with Larry on the Pelagian. Val and Ron Taylor, as well as Douglas David Seifert were on that trip. You have read the notes from Tom Ridenour who was captain of the Pelagian when we did a circumnavigation of the Bismarck Sea in 2002. Larry had flown to Texas for a funeral and never rejoined the Pelagian. And now I am packing for my trip on the Adventure Komodo....but not with the usual zeal, knowing that Larry will not be there. What a person, to have inspired a WORLD of divers, who have never even MET the man! No parallel exists in my knowledge....only he could warm the cockles of your heart from 12,500 miles away. Without ever hearing his “Who-hoooo” I feel I have heard it. When Gabrielle notified me, as probably with you, a certain spark was extinguished in my soul. Larry will surely be remembered by all who knew him and wanted to know him. I am deeply saddened by his loss and send my prayers to those who worked closely with him..Made, Ali, Steve, Gabrielle, Widya and the staff and crew of Adventure Komodo.
Judy Foester
Posted by Judy Foester on 03/31 at 04:14 PMI started diving with Larry, Cpt A.E. Blood, the Wilgus family, Aubry Mackelroy and the rest of the county ‘recovery unit’...that was way back when only wussies wore floaties(BCs). I’ll always remember Larry and his parrot that would not allow a woman into the dive shop! Lots of mud hole, caves and carribean memories! THANKS! Larry!
Posted by johnrbts on 04/07 at 05:09 PMLarry is a great guy, and this is a great loss to the diving community.
I met Larry last year during Conservation International meeting in Bali and again at DEMAShow, Orlando. He is the pioneer of diving in Biak, and many people in Biak still remembers him.
He was planning to come dive with us around Biak and the Cenderawasih region this year.
I will sadly miss the chance to dive and explore some of the places he had been to, and show him some of the new dive sites I have discovered in the Cenderawasih bay.
Posted by swanido_roland on 04/12 at 07:44 PMThey just cancelled our trip for the area to start on April 27th. Where are you? Do you have a dive operation? Can we dive with you instead? There were five of us scheduled to board the live-aboard on April 27th. I e-mailed the others and await their response. The site does not provide me with your e-mail address.
Posted by Judy Foester on 04/14 at 08:50 AMHi Judy,
We are not operating in Raja Empat. We have a land based adventure diving operation in Biak, which is about more than 500 kilometers east of Raja Empat. You may want to check with Grand Komodo, Seven Seas, or Shakti, if they have spaces left for Raja Empat.
Here is my email, , if you need any help.Posted by swanido_roland on 04/15 at 02:02 AMDear judy,
Larry was a very good friend for many years and I have followed his career and stayed in touch with him since his early days on the Tropical Princess, through the Cehili, KBR, Sea Contacts and until a short time before he left us. I had not previously shared my feelinsg on this site, but I have followed the wonderful warmth and generosity that Larry generated and received from all who knew him. I just leaned of the cancelation of your trip today and feel that Larry would be more than dissapointed that you should be travelling halfway across the world to dive with him and they yank the carpet from under your feet. I can help you put a program together that may not be Larry - no one can replace him - but will at least have you diving in the places that he loved so much. I also pledge that any monies that come through the transcation will be donated to Dewi and Breezy’s fund. Please don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail if I can assist.Posted by Dominick Macan on 04/17 at 05:19 AMA message from Nus Lobbu, via Annie Crawley:
“..........too much memory that i couldn’t even tell about Larry. I was very sad...very sad. I can’t describe it really. Big loss.
“He’s good teacher. Good friend. Good father. Good man. Everything about him was good.
“He made Lembeh Strait famous
He made people like us famous“So i think any appreciation to Larry is just not enough......
“He’ll remain in our heart.....”
Posted by Eric Cheng on 05/15 at 12:29 PMMessage from John Porter:
“’Just sad to leave My girls for such a long period of time. But I love my job more than anyone and just about to pop from excitement and anticipation to get back out there.’ Larry’s words from his 16 Nov ’04 email giving us suggestions on where to stay in Singapore and asking if we had contacted, Semuel, ‘the dive guide I trained at KBR’. We followed his suggestions and enjoyed both.
“And too soon, he has been called to leave, “My girls”, again. We do not know how long this separation will last, but we hope and pray that “My girls”, his Family, his Friends and Larry will have the strength to persevere and prosper during this separation.
“Many have mentioned being recipients of Larry’s infectious joy for life and things aquatic. Larry has, in my opinion, left a genetic legacy of his joy of and for life. I met Larry’s son Casey at DEMA in Houston. In 2004, Casey’s life had been tossed into a turmoil. Larry got Casey to come visit . They spent time in Bali and on Adventure Komodo. When I met Casey at DEMA that fall, Casey was again, his Father’s son, with that same joy of and for life. Casey shared stories and pictures of activities and friends while on Adventure Komodo. If you get a chance, ask Casey to tell you about his adventure with a swordfish. He was even more excited about the time he had spent with Dewi and his new little sister, Breezy. Looking at Larry’s picture of Breezy, I can better appreciate Casey’s enthusiasm.
“Larry is no longer able to hold Breezy or Dewi s elbow, or wrap his arm around them to share the “special” joys in life. I hope that those who have been blessed by Larry’s touch will be able to “lock arms” to try, in our own way, to share this legacy with Breezy and Dewi. Larry, may I again, some time, some where, ‘follow your bubbles’.”
John Porter
Posted by Eric Cheng on 05/15 at 03:03 PM32. Message from David S. Feinberg
I just learned of Larry’s passing.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
I have known Larry for many years, even before the time when we both worked in the Caymans at the same time although for different dive resorts.
I will always remember Larry as a wonderful human being, a super dive person, and a fellow Texan.
His heart was always in the right place, a positive minded, helpful, cheerful friend.
Fond memories of him and his “bird” dressed in pirate costume at parties in the Caymans.
The last time that I saw Larry was at Dema about 5 years ago. We emailed a few times.
Maybe we’ll catch up again and share a few stories
if there is a diver heaven.David S. Feinberg, Chief Executive Officer
Crown & Champa Resorts
Republic of Maldives
Email:Posted by dsfeinberg on 05/28 at 12:39 AM
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