Alex Mustard talking at EMUP (15/4/08)

[Cussy]

The next meeting of the East Midlands Underwater Photography Group will be on Tuesday 15th April at Stoney Cove, and will be given by:

Alex Mustard (Alexander Mustard)

Not sure exactly what Alex will be talking about, but I would guess it will be a general talk about reef fish. Hopefully this should be a well attended meeting as Alex is one of the best underwater photographers in the world and an excellent communicator. If you've never heard of Alex I can guarantee you will recognise a lot of his images, just look at his website!

The meeting, as normal, will be downstairs in Nemo's Bar at Stoney Cove. Please aim to arrive for about 7:30 as we will have a prompt start at 7:45pm.

This months competition is Reef fish/life

We don't do membership, so anyone can enter; just let me know whether it was taken on a compact or not.

Full details on emup.org.uk

Cheers,
Rob

[Edit] I should add we ask for contributions of about £3 each to cover the costs of the venue and Alex's travel expenses

[paramedic paul]

Looking good for the next meeting, shift seems compatible!!

Have a go at the competition guys and gal's, i've entered 2 and came second in the first one and won the second (Beginners obviously!) Yes there were more than 2 entries!!!!!! If i can do it any one can and it's a great night out as well!!!!!

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by paramedic paul

Looking good for the next meeting, shift seems compatible!!

Have a go at the competition guys and gal's, i've entered 2 and came second in the first one and won the second (Beginners obviously!) Yes there were more than 2 entries!!!!!! If i can do it any one can and it's a great night out as well!!!!!

Fibber

Safe diving,
Steve

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by paramedic paul

Have a go at the competition guys and gal's, i've entered 2 and came second in the first one and won the second (Beginners obviously!) Yes there were more than 2 entries!!!!!! If i can do it any one can and it's a great night out as well!!!!!

A good underwater photo is made up of two qualities; 1) technical excellence and 2) composition. People often assume that SLRs/DSLRs are the only sorts of cameras that can give you (1) - WRONG! You can achieve (2) with any camera, even the most cheap of disposable cameras. You can learn (1), but its very hard to learn (2) and this is often down to natural talent; whats referred to as "the photographers eye"

The comments Paul has gotten from both of his entries are that the compositions have been really good, backed by a well executed photo. Also in his defence, there were 8 entries when he came second and seven when he came first! So he wasn't lying.

Paul is right though, you learn a lot from entering as it is a "free" opportunity to get feedback from a top photographer. Just listening to the comments this year you start to understand what judges look for and the standard of entries has always been high and is improving!
Rob

PS competition has been simplified to Open (so thats every photo entered) and Compact cameras.

[paramedic paul]

Originally Posted by Cussy

but its very hard to learn (2) and this is often down to natural talent; whats referred to as "the photographers eye"The comments Paul has gotten from both of his entries are that the compositions have been really good, backed by a well executed photo. .

Read 'em and weep Summers, read 'em and weep

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by paramedic paul

Read 'em and weep Summers, read 'em and weep

I suspect money and/or beer changed hands there

Safe diving,
Steve

[Whale Shark]

Do you have to be at the meeting to be able to participate in the competition?

[Cussy]

Originally Posted by Whale Shark

Do you have to be at the meeting to be able to participate in the competition?

Not really, you dont have to be there, but the main point is to get feedback from the speaker (there is no prize). Its difficult to remember everything that is said, so I may not be able to pass on that advice.
Rob

[Whale Shark]

Originally Posted by Cussy

Not really, you dont have to be there, but the main point is to get feedback from the speaker (there is no prize). Its difficult to remember everything that is said, so I may not be able to pass on that advice.
Rob

ok, thanks.

[Cussy]

Improving my underwater photography
By Alexander Mustard

I am always trying to take better photographs underwater. My intention when I jump in the water is to take a photo that will make my top 50 shots. I usually fail. But sometimes I succeed. The aim of this talk is to describe how I address this challenge. The talk will cover many of the common subjects we all photograph, and I will discuss the aesthetic considerations and techniques I use, that hopefully transform the come out shots into stand outs.

A big part of the process of creating stand out photos is innovation. There are so many great shots out there. So this talk will cover a variety of my recent and ongoing experiments with new kit and techniques, including back lighting and off camera strobes, the importance of strobe colour temperature, filters for black and white photography, small domes, six lens macro photography, image stabilisation, long exposures, multiple exposures on digital and more. Looking forward to my first talk at EMUP.