Photos from Martin Edge Trip to Cebu

[Tazzie]

Hi all, apologies I havne't beena round for a while - I've finally gotten around to posting up some pics of my recent trip to Cebu that I thought some might enjoy The photos can all be found here:

And if you don't get around to reading the report it's here: Tazzie Blowing Bubbles

For those of you who don't get to the bottom of the page, the report is:

We had a stunning house reef to dive on as well as up to 3 boat trips (on outriggers, large enough for up to 8 people comfotably) a day and our evenings were spent either in Workshops led by Martin or critiquing our photos taken that day.

The resort is quite small with I think c20 very nice double / twin rooms set around a pool and overlooking the house reef. There is a bar and restaurant on site along with the dive centre and well equiped dive shop.

I cannot begin to explain how much I learnt over the trip, from composition (which i thought I was ok at until we started discussing contrasting colours, accessability of subjects, leading lines, surface texture to mention but a few), working with models (and Sylvia (Martin's wife) and Amanda (Shannon Conway's wife), experienced models and fantastic spotters (and photographers!!) through to the think and consider system Martin talks about in his book. The critique sessions were brilliant and gave us a real opportunity to look at what we were producing followed by the opportunity to return to the same reef / part of the reef and improve on what we'd already done.

Down time was spent in the well stocked bar with yet more opportunity to talk about photography and get some great ideas from not only the other photographers in the group but also Shannon Conway, one of Martin's proteges who is a professional photographer in his own right! I met a fantastic group of people who all shared the same passion - perfect!

I can't wait for the next opportunity to go on one of these trips, Martin is an incredibly insightful and knowledgeable chap whose encouragement and eternal optimism of your own ability is to be commended! If you get the chance to go on one of these trips then I can highly recommend them, pretty much regardless of the location! (Although I did love Kasai!)

[big_si]

Very nice indeed! I bet you're well chuffed with some of those pics!

I'm a sucker for the half air / half water pics. Lovely!

[Gogs]

Awsome photos!!

Well done.

Gogs

[scubagit]

Brilliant photos, Cheers for posting.

[triplefin]

some lovely photos - particularly liked some of the diver ones

[puddlediver]

Brilliant Pictures! I really have to go on one of the Martin Edge liveaboards. Perhaps next year.

Looks like I'll have to get a dslr with housing soon.

Cheers

Lyv

[Jules]

Originally Posted by puddlediver

Brilliant Pictures! I really have to go on one of the Martin Edge liveaboards. Perhaps next year.

Looks like I'll have to get a dslr with housing soon.

Cheers

Lyv

Ditto... but i have to be kind to my other cameras whilst i save up

[copperband]

Jeeeez, you don't half get about!
Would be worth investing in the equipment if I could get the use out of it, but I know only 1 or 2 trips a year make it not worth while.

Anyway, enough jealousy from me, cracking shots If they were mine I wouldn't need to wallpaper the living room.

[Tazzie]

Thanks all ;D

Copperband, I really am not sure that you have to go DSLR to get good photos as long as you work the rules. I struggled admittedly with a compact but i have seen some awesome photos from others on theirs!

Perhaps a topic for discussion???

[Cussy]

Tazzie, excellent photos, but I told you that on Digigreen.

The rest of you,
What is all this cr@p about having to go DSLR to get shots like these, absolute rubbish. I believe within a few years there will be compacts that are every bit as good as SLRs. The Sea & Sea DX-1G (or whatever its called) can do a fantastic job. Many of us who are now DSLR were getting good results on a whole range of compacts (mainly Olympus though).

At the end of the day, every underwater kit is just made up of a box, a sensor, some optics and possibly a flash, oh yes, and a lot of water sensitive electronics. The optics of many compacts are very good. The sensors are improving year on year and before long you never know, someone may put an APS sized sensor in a compact.

Maybe you should consider the downsides of DSLR. I got stung £60 to take my bloody heavy rig out to Sharm. I can't do video. Stick a long macro lens on and all the big stuff comes out. Stick the fish eye and all the small things appear. I can get dust on my sensor and ruin every shot there after.

There are clear advantages, but some of these are only marginal.

So stop thinking you can't do it with a compact. If you have a damn good one that will do RAW, can attach a damn good wide-angle lens to the front, and can sync it with a good flash and you have 90% of a DSLR.

If you'd seen the photos at the British Underwater Image Festival in the Padi categary, and those on display at the NEC Dive Show on the BSoUP stand, then you'd know exactly what I mean.

The camera is just the tool. Learn the limitations, stick within those, and thats all you need to know.

Rob