Underwater photography courses?

[Jules]

We have been learning to do digital underwater photography by trial and error with a cannon S50 (5 m pixels).

I am going to be buying my own camera soon and wondering whether anyone had done a specialist underwater digital photography course.
Last year i looked at some with this lot
http://www.new-horizon.co.uk/photoce....ain.htm

Anyone done their courses and what did you think?

Also open to recommendations about what camera and housing to buy. Retail therapy is required..

Jules

[Fiona]

<font color='#0000FF'>Jules

I am booked on their digital course on thursday night, it is run by a guy called Steve Smithson, have heard some good things about him, so will let you know all about it on Friday.

Fiona

[Tim Ingmire]

Jules, you can pick up a lot of info from www.digitaldiver.net and www.wetpixel.com.

As for a new camera, Kirky is selling his setup for £550, I think. &nbsp;It's a very decent camera set-up and one that is used by a lot of the folk on the digitaldiver site.

Also goto www.uwpmag.com for a free magazine (which is excellent) stuffed to the gills with info. &nbsp;It is downloadable so that you can read at your leisure.

Also, any book on underwater photography will help - the prinicples are the same for digital, any differences twixt film and digital you will be able to pick up from the above sites.

There's some guy that runs courses in Bournmouth but try here for a list of more exotic courses.

[Dr Stevil]

My local council runs freebie 10 week courses in digital photography, you know the kind of thing held at local schools of an evening, I'm sure yours will too

[HelenM]

Julia,

I've done a few courses through New Horizons (although not this one) and have always found them to be very good. &nbsp;I've seen various photos Steve has taken around their shop, and they are pretty fantastic. &nbsp;Some of them are on www.new-horizon.co.uk under the pro photo gallery bit.

Have been vaguely thinking about trying to squeeze onto the course this Thurs, but I have to be back in Kemble to mess around with a 4x4 on Friday, and I don't know if I can be bothered to travel up there and back. &nbsp;If I don't go can you let me know what it was like Fiona?

Cheers all
Helen

[Fiona]

<font color='#0000FF'>Helen

We might get some sort of handout, if we do I do some copies. &nbsp;

Fiona

[Jules]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (FionaB @ Feb. 09 2004,15:00)]Helen

We might get some sort of handout, if we do I do some copies.  

Fiona

yes please Fi, that would be great!

[Noel Johnson]

I've tied to contact the chaps at Sea and Sea through the wonders of T'internet but without success. The last book I bought was really useful though &quot;photpgraphing underwater wonders&quot; I'm afraid I can't remember the name of the chap who wrote it though.

HTH,

Noel

[HelenM]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (FionaB @ Feb. 09 2004,15:00)]Helen

We might get some sort of handout, if we do I do some copies.  

Fiona

Thanks! &nbsp;Hope you have a fun night! &nbsp;

Helen

[JohnK]

Julia - courses are fine and give you pointers/theory that is important but like diving there is no substitute for just having a go. The great thing about digital is that if you dont like the pic you can bin it and try again straight away.

OK - now to own up - when I was in badge collecting mode I did the PADI UW photography course. It was basic but helped a bit with the theory. If you want the manual let me know - its written in but can still be used for reference. Also I bought `The art and Technique of underwater photography` by Martin webster. Not for digital cameras but again helped with the background. You can borrow this if you like