Grand Cayman. January 2009
In December 2008 and January 2009 I travelled twice to the Cayman Islands. The main aim of the second (longer) trip was to teach my Understanding, controlling and exploiting underwater light photographic workshop. I actually ran two workshops back to back, with 12 photographers attending each week. The workshop lectures covered available light, strobe light and balanced light, looking in detail at each. Topics included lens filters, strobe filters, diffusers and underwater soft boxes, snoots, ring flash, flat versus directional light, sunbursts, blues, complimentary colours, and most importantly how the different characteristics of strobe and ambient light determine the types of subject matter that can be captured effectively in underwater photographs. Other aspects of underwater photography were covered in briefings before dives and in image review sessions. With a talented bunch of photographers in attendance it was a positive learning experience for all, myself included. You can see some of the photographers images from the week here (not got them all yet). They are impressive.
My photo workshops always attract some interesting folks. During the first week in Cayman we were joined by Extreme Sports and official Red Bull Photofiles photographer Predrag Vuckovic. Not only did he take many stunning underwater photographs during the week, he also shot this wonderful collection of topsides, documenting the week. Click here to see the gallery.
Although the workshop does not allow me to be totally dedicated to my own photography, as I need to keep my beady eye on the gang, it is an excellent opportunity for testing new equipment etc. I used the D700 and tested a wide variety of lenses on the familiar subjects of Cayman. With the D700 I shot the Sigma 15mm fisheye (occasionally with a 1.5x teleconverter), Nikon 17-35mm with +4 and +3 dioptres, 20mm with +4 dioptre, Sigma 28-70mm with +4 and +3 dioptres, Nikon 60mm AFS macro and Sigma 150mm macro (sometimes with Canon 500D dioptre). With the Nikon D2X I used the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye, Sigma 17-70mm with +4 dioptre, Nikon 105mm VR macro and Sigma 150mm macro with Canon 500D dioptre. I tested a variety of strobes setups on both my Subtronic Alphas Pros and Inon Z240s, including self made underwater softboxes, snoots and ring-flash. I did not use my Magic Filters because, embarrassingly, I left them at home.
Cayman is an ideal destination for underwater photography because of a multitude of reliable and photogenic subject matter in clear water and calm conditions (mostly). Sponges, seafans and softcorals provide excellent wide angle foregrounds. Then there are big creatures like the stingrays, turtles and reef sharks. Reef fish, squid and a variety of macro critters compliment the longer lenses.
These images are password protected in order to keep them fresh for publication. I am happy to license the use of these new images for editorial and advertising. Please email me for access details letting me know which gallery you wish to see. No need to state reason - just browsing is enough. If I am online access password sent by return.
