Martin Edge underwater photography workshop

[Tazzie]

After a fantastic day spent with Martin on Saturday I thought it may be of interest to share my experience or at least pass on the knowledge for anyone looking for some help!

I've read (or tried to read) a number of books on how to improve my photography including Martin's book but never managed to get further than the first few chapters. After disappointing results with my canon 400D in Sharm I decided i needed some help and pointers - so I looked online and found Martin is running 1:1 courses in Bournemouth.

Prior to the course we had a brief chat about what I was looking for and Martin structured the day around what I wanted.

We kicked off looking through my recent results which was absolutely nerve wracking as I'm pretty in awe of the results Martin has achieved. Within about 20 (out of 250!) photos Martin had worked out what I was looking for in my photos, what I liked and what I was finding frustrating! Amazing!!

We talked through the mind set necessary for a successful camera dive and then moved on to some techniques. After a short while playing around with some macro shots we went back to some professional examples which emphasised what worked and didn't work in nderwater photography - it's amazing how simple the principles are and yet how easy they are to overlook!

Over lunch we went through the quesitons I had that Martin asked me to prepare, and then in the afternoon, not being able to get in the pool for some practise, we wandered off down to the Bournemouth Aquarium instead! It sounds crazy but was the perfect place (other than underwater) to put into practise what we'd spoken about all morning.

Here are three of the images I took that I'm particularly pleased with:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...g?t=1184612714

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...g?t=1184612753

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...g?t=1184612786

Apologies for havng to turn your monitor on the side I haven't yet got the software myself to play with them so they're as raw as they come at the moment!)

We then returned from the Aquarium, had a look through Photoshop CS2 at editing underwater shots and wrapped up for the day.

Martin made the subject so easy, he's so approachable and easy to talk to and never (despite some pretty horrific examples) condescending, patronising or exasperated at even the most novice of underwater photographers' (me!) questions - I can't wait to get back into the water to practise everything we discussed!

If anyone is struggling or new to underwater photograph I can't recommend Martin enough - you can see is website and contact him through: Underwater Photography, The Underwater Photographer, Edge Underwater Photography

[copperband]

Nice photos Tazzie.

Thanks for the write up about your course, I've got a 400D myself but I'm too scared (and skint) to put in a housing myself.

Regarding photo editing, even simple editors have photo rotate facilities. I'm not sure about photobucket who you use to host your photos, but flickr.com have a rotate option on their photo hosting site.

[PeeBee]

Tazzie, CS2 is a great program but it aint cheap, there are free alternatives available. I have CS2 but I also use GIMP which is similar but freeware. Download it here ftp://ftp.gimp.org/pub/gimp/v2.2/

Alternatively a very efficient, simple to use and free download is Nikon View 6 which came free with my camera but is also available as a download here.
Answer
For some reason you can download it from the US site with no trouble, the download link is at the bottom of the page. Everyone I have ever shown this to is impressed, take a really poor photograph, click edit and you can sharpen, adjust the colour balances, fix redeye etc very easily.

Good luck.

[B]

CS2 is a great bit of kit... but it is like a huuuuuuugeeee minefield... go online, type in free tutorials for photoshop.. amazing stuff...

I would love to do a photoshop with Martin - the man is a genious but sadly the bank manager fails to see my point of view and share my ambitious dreams...

LOL

B x

[triplefin]

good report, very useful, thx

[Tim Ingmire]

I have to agree with the OP - the 1:1 session with Martin is probably the single most useful thing I have done to accelerate my photography.

I've also done a group composition course with him and that was good too.

If you don't have a DSLR and are serious about your photos then I'd still recommend Martin and his book.

[DIVE BUDDHA]

Originally Posted by B

CS2 is a great bit of kit... but it is like a huuuuuuugeeee minefield... go online, type in free tutorials for photoshop.. amazing stuff...

I would love to do a photoshop with Martin - the man is a genious but sadly the bank manager fails to see my point of view and share my ambitious dreams...

LOL

B x

b try cs3 its bloody ace ! i had most of yesterday going through tuorials ! and playing with pictures!

[Lady of the Lake]

I have only just bought my camera so have yet to take any shots at all. I am waiting for his book to come at the moment. It must have been really interesting and exciting!! I had never thought of gaing to an aqarium to practice. There is a sea life near me I may just go to that. Thanks for the idea!

[intothebigblue]

Very helpful thread.

I have a Canon 400D and I'm getting good results topside (due to my GF being a professional photographer.. ) but would like to take some pictures on dives. I'll be looking up Martin in the near future.

What housing do you use? I'll need to get one and could do with some pointers.

As an aside, the Canon is a great camera but I had a bad experience. Luckily, although I could buy off the net cheaper, I opted for going to Jessops and glad I did. Within a week the camera wouldn't turn on, drained it's battery without being used and refused to take photographs even when on and in full auto. Took it back and they swapped it without a fuss. So, big thumbs up for Jessops.

[Tazzie]

I went with the Hugyfot in the end - it felt so much more ergonomic with it's nice round lines, I also really liked it's closing system which is done by allen key rather than clips - I thought it was more dumbo proof so ideal for me.

Unfortunatley no one supplies Huggyfot in the UK now as the main importer had a couple of customers have their camera flood and is no longer able to supply - I have no idea how this could have happened given the aforementioned closing system but you never know with people

I therefore go to a chap in Germany DIGITAL DIVE | Der Onlineshop für UW-Foto und Video Equipment who, despite the language barrier, has bent over backwards to help me. Currently I have an issue with the electonics of my strobe connector (my fault not Hugyfots) and despite Hugyfot being on holiday he's trying to source me a replacement urgently

I looked closely into Ikelite and just couldn't get comfortable with the seemingly standard housing on land let alone in the water. I also looked into the Sea and Sea but no one could tell me when it was going to be availble. In short no one seemed to really care over here. Yes it's a PITA having to do a money transfer to Germany everytime I order something but his "can do" attitude blows his UK competitors out of the water IMO.

Hope that helps - I'm in Romsey if you were ever down this way from Reading you're more than welcome to have a look over it

Back to the Martin Enge workshop - thanks for all your comments and PMs