Image of The Month

The giant mantas are one of the reasons for visiting Mexico’s Socorro Islands. This image, taken from above, shows a manta cruising past a diver over the rubble strewn ridge at El Canyon at San Benedicto Island. The size of the manta compared to the diver gives the image that extra “context” where you can’t fail… Continue reading October 2009

Roca Partida in Mexico’s Socorro Islands offers excellent “shark action” diving. This image shows a group of Silky Sharks out in the blue, arranged in a particularly pleasing way.Image taken on 30st May 2009 with a Nikon D200/Subal housing and a 10.5mm fisheye lens. Settings were ISO 100, f8, 1/160th second

In the Mexico’s Socorro Islands, there were opportunities to photograph the mantas from above and below, with a couple of nice chances of hiding the sun behind the animal. I also attempted some self portraits with a manta cruising the surface in the background, with this image being the most pleasing – I’m not really sure… Continue reading August 2009

Roca Partida in Mexico’s Socorro Islands is a fantastic place to observe and photograph White Tip Reef Sharks, which can often be found snuggling together on the numerous ledges at around 15 metres. I found that if I edged towards them slowly, they would sometimes tolerate a close approach which was a real opportunity for me.… Continue reading July 2009

Schooling fish can be frustrating subjects to photograph, often thwarting valiant attempts by photographers to herd them into visually pleasing aspects and to within striking distance of the lens. This school of “Silversides” were no different, being difficult to approach and unpredictable in movement. Around the jetty at Loloata Island Resort in Papua New Guinea,… Continue reading June 2009

This image is still on the theme of Jeremy’s “nightmare trip” to Loloata Island in Papua New Guinea. It was taken underneath the jetty after having to sit out the real diving thanks to a nasty sinus/ear infection and is a different kind of self portait, also featuring one of island’s boatmen. The image taken on… Continue reading May 2009

Although the trip to Loloata Island in Papua New Guinea was “a nightmare” for Jeremy in terms of whole experience, thanks to an illness and sinus/ear infection, which meant sitting out all of the diving except the first day, it was possible to float around in the mangroves close to the jetty and restaurant. This… Continue reading April 2009

Each week, at the Loloata Island Resort in Papua New Guinea, a group committed to preserving traditional dance visits to entertain guests. I tried a few things to capture their performance and found that a slow shutter speed combined with flash set to rear curtain sync created a liveliness, colour and intensity that the other images… Continue reading March 2009

Still on the theme of Hawaiian Monk Seals, this image shows one individual checking out his reflection before visiting the surface for air. Taken at the Vertical Awareness site, close to Hawaii’s “forbidden island” of Niihau, to the south west of Kauai, the diving is excellent and offers chances of some splendid underwater encounters and stunning topography. … Continue reading February 2009

This image was taken at the Verticle Awareness site, close to Hawaii’s “forbidden island” of Niihau, to the south west of Kauai. The diving in this area is excellent and offers chances of some splendid underwater encounters and stunning topography. This image shows a critically endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal appearing to “laugh” at Scott, one… Continue reading January 2009

This image, taken at the Sheraton Caverns site on Kauai’s south shore is a hotspot for turtles. There’d been quite a lot of rain runoff making the visibility quite murky, so I was pleased to get this clear, striking and back-scatter free image of a turtle from beneath. Image taken using Nikon D200/Subal housing combination… Continue reading December 2008

This image was taken from inside the wreck of the Chrisoula K, at Abu Nuhas in the Egyptian Red Sea. During our liveaboard week, we spent three days diving the excellent wrecks in this area, which also included the Giannis D and the Carnatic. In looking for a different kind of image, I found this interesting vista and worked with… Continue reading November 2008

This image of copper sweepers was taken in the engine room area of the Ghiannis D in the Egyptian Red Sea. It’s easy to get carried away with sweepers and be overwhelmed by the sheer number of fish, rather than their aesthetic value, so I spent quite a lot of time trying to get a… Continue reading October 2008

Although Lionfish aren’t difficult to approach, they seem to have this trait of turning away from the camera just as you get close enough to push the button. On a dusk dive in Sabang Bay, at Puerto Galera in the Philippines, this specimen decided to give me a chance by rising up into the open… Continue reading September 2008

Not far from the Atlantis Resort at Dumaguete in the Philippines, at about 27 metres on a sandy slope of volcanic sand is the “Car Wrecks” dive site. Quite a lot lives on and around these small but interesting wrecks and they’re good to explore. For this image, my dive guide Weng Weng helped me by modelling… Continue reading August 2008

This image of a Stargazer was taken on a night dive in Puerto Galera in the Philippines, a short distance from the shore in the bay of Sabang. Although Stargazers might well be reasonably common on sandy slopes, they’re not often seen. I was lucky to spot this specimen whilst it “re-settled” itself in the sand. The picture wasn’t… Continue reading July 2008

During a break in the weather, we enjoyed a visit to the excellent Mont Orgueil Castle at Gorey in Jersey. Despite the sun, it was very windy, but it allowed for this interesting image of some valerian growing in the masonry against the backdrop of the town and bay. The image was taken using a… Continue reading June 2008

At the end of our trip to Edinburgh, on a bitterly cold but sunny Easter Monday, we had a couple hours before heading to the airport for the journey home. We had breakfast at the top of Cockburn and then wandered down the hill. The light was quite good, so I was able to get… Continue reading May 2008

At Easter, we visited the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh. It was a chance for what could best be described as “grab shot photography” as we rushed between historic sites, cafes, attractions and toy shops with our son Zac. In the Camera Obscuri centre, close to Edinburgh Castle, we were treated to a selection of optical… Continue reading April 2008

Our son, Zac had his 5th birthday party on the 1st of March. He had a great time with more than twenty of his friends as they danced, played and watched a magician. Many of the children also had their faces painted. This image shows Zac enjoying his party resplendent in his new “look”. Image… Continue reading March 2008

In January, we had a couple of days in London, mainly so that our son Zac could see Big Ben, and visit the London Aquarium and Science Museum. We also booked him a flight on the London Eye, and whilst we were waiting, I captured this interesting angle using a nearby tree as part of… Continue reading February 2008

This image, of our son Zac, was taken at Westonbirt Arboretum in the Cotswolds. I was experimenting with slow shutter speeds, rear curtain sync flash and zooming, and found this image one of the best of the bunch. Image taken on 4th November 2007.

Whilst in the south of France, we decided to drive along the coast from our base in Cassis, to “see where we end up”. We ended up in Sanary, a vibrant and picturesque town with interesting back streets and a nice harbour. We liked this image, which shows a woman sat in front of a… Continue reading December 2007

We liked this image of Mustapha, the captain of the Sea Serpent liveaboard. He was very happy for me to take this portrait, which was taken between dives using a Nikon D200 and an SB800 flash. Image taken on 1st July 2007.

Whilst exploring some of the swim-throughs at Dangros Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea, I found this splendid soft coral in an accessible place close to the surface. There was enough room to position the camera and strobe without causing any damage to the ceiling of the swim-through. The “skylight” adds an extra dimension to… Continue reading October 2007

The Small Gota site in Egypt’s Red Sea provides some great photographic opportunities, but you’ve still got to look hard to find the best ones. With this image, I worked with Amanda, directing her to swim across the blue water whilst I tried to capture the best moment. This image was the most pleasing and… Continue reading September 2007

This image, taken by Amanda, won the Martin Edge on-board photo competition and is a particularly pleasing study of several clownfish, which have arranged themselves momentarily into a heart shape. It was taken in the Egyptian Red Sea at the St. John’s Caves site on 29th June 2007 using a Nikon D200/Subal Housing set up… Continue reading August 2007

Lady Elliot Island is a haven for bird life. On the last evening of our stay, I found this pair of Brown Noddies perched in an ideal position close to the lighthouse. The backdrop of the pale blue sky and sun tinged clouds gave the resulting image an almost surreal background. Image taken 24th March… Continue reading July 2007

Cod Hole is one of Australia’s best known dive sites, located close to Lizard Island on the Ribbon Reef systems of the Great Barrier Reef. The giant potato cod make great subjects and are completely unfazed by the presence of divers. This huge specimen seemed happy to pose with Amanda whilst I fired away. Image… Continue reading June 2007

This image, taken during our time aboard the Spirit of Freedom at the Challenger Bay site onthe Ribbon Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, shows Amanda photographing some clownfish. I liked the reflection of the anemone in her lens and thought it a nice image of an underwater photographer in action. Image taken on 3rd… Continue reading May 2007

Turtles are common around the reefs of Lady Elliot Island, a lovely island situated at the southernmost point of the Great Barrier Reef. At the Lighthouse Bommie site, towards the end of a dive, I was able to get close enough to these magnificent creatures to capture this pleasing image. Camera setup was the Nikon… Continue reading April 2007

Inside the walled garden, at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, I saw some opportunities with some of the exotic plants against the background of a pale blue sky. This image was the most pleasing and was achieved by combining a slow shutter speed with flash whilst simultaneously zooming the lens. Image taken on 28th January 2007.

In early January, we took our son Zac to the Marwell Zoological Park near Winchester. Photographically it wasn’t particularly interesting thanks to the dull weather, but at the end of our visit, as we were walking out of the gate, I managed to get an interesting “rear curtain sync” image using the metal arrows of… Continue reading February 2007

Antibes Juan Les Pins is a nice area of France’s Mediterranean coastline. During a morning walk, we came upon a nice vista of an imposing old building that is currently being renovated; the tree and lamp post provide a particularly effective frame for the composition. Image taken on the 29th October 2006.

The Big Island of Hawaii is the world’s newest land. Lava from Kilauea has been flowing almost constantly for twenty years or more, quite often reaching the sea. This image is taken from a helicopter, which provides one of the most spectacular, if fleeting, ways of viewing the volcanic action. It’s also difficult photographically because… Continue reading December 2006

The incredible Manta Ray night dives on Kona Coast of Hawaii are a unique and special experience. A good number of years ago, lights shining over the water from the Kona Surf Hotel (now the Marriott) attracted plankton, which attracted mantas, which attracted divers, who put in even more lights. This unique “symbiosis” has happened ever since. Image… Continue reading November 2006

Yellow Tangs are common along Hawaii’s Kona Coast but it’s another thing to geta good image of one. At Rob’s Reef, the perfect opportunity presented itself at acleaning station, with a cleaner wrasse perfectly positioned above the head of the Tang. Image taken 26th September 2006.

The beach at Treasure Island on the Gulf side of Florida is usually fairly empty, especially in the week. These volleyball nets provided an interesting foreground when combined with the yellow windbreaks in the distance. Image taken 30th April 2006.

In the south of France, I had the first tryout our new Nikon D200 camera/Subal ND20housing combination. It took a while to get familiar with the “extra” controls but the instant feedback was useful to say the least. Whilst on the boat, I’d accidentally changed one of the camera settings – the instant feedback allowed… Continue reading August 2006

Some groupers won’t tolerate a diver at close proximity, but others actively seek them out. “Fred” is found around the wreck of the City of Washington, off Key Largo in Florida and often approaches divers, especially those with cameras. Image taken on 3rd May 2006.

I only managed two very shallow dives at Ginnie Springs in north central Floridathanks to picking up a nasty ear infection while diving in the Dry Tortugas. However, even a short and shallow dive can reveal some fantastic photographic potential in these incredibly clear springs set amid mature woodland. Image taken with a 16mm fisheye… Continue reading June 2006

Reflections can produce some interesting results. This picture, taken in Swanage, combines the contents of a shop window and reflections of the sky and nearby buildings. Image taken 1st April 2006.

The Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix is the only motor race of its kind in the Middle East. It’s held at the new state-of-the-art circuit at Sakhir, in the desert south of Manama. As is normal for the first race of any season, much discussion and speculation surrounded the event, like these two race-goers deep… Continue reading April 2006

Late afternoon light bathes the buildings on Bournemouth sea front on a remarkablyclear winter’s day. Image taken on Sunday 29th January 2006 .

The beach at Le Touquet in France is huge and expansive, especially when the tide is out. There’s great photographic potential here, even if you get close up, like these bubbles on the sand. Image taken on 21st January 2006. .

Storm clouds gather on the edge of Salisbury Plain, near Battlesbury Hillin Warminster, December 2005.

Watching the firework display at the Warminster Army Camp, November 5th 2005.

A Pipefish hides among the weeds underneath Swanage Pier in Dorset. Image taken on October 8th 2005.

Underwater photography students at Martin Edge’s composition course in Bournemouth – taken 24th September 2005

Messerschmitt in 45m of water, Ile de Planier off Marseille in theSouth of France – taken in September 2005.