Field Notes 2006
Field Notes from Kona Coast, Hawaii – September 2006
The Big Island of Hawaii is some of the world’s newest land – still volcanically active and geographically remote.
We visited Hawaii’s Kona Coast aboard the Kona Aggressor liveaboard and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was our first entirely digital underwater photography trip in that we were both using our Nikon D200/Subal housing setups – we felt that we learned a lot, and took a lot more images than had we been still using film.
The reefs are not as developed as you might find in south east Asia or the Indian Ocean, but there’s still plenty of subjects, whether shooting wide angle/fisheye or macro.
Most memorable were the incredible Manta Ray night dives around Kona for which the area is renowned, and a challenge photographically to convey what was experienced.
At the smaller end of the scale, there were plenty of macro subjects including photographic favourites such as frogfish and moray eels.
We were both pleased with our results and the greater scope that working digital gave us in terms of feedback and the freedom of being able to shoot more than 36 images per dive – JC
<Read about this trip here>
Field Notes from Swanage Pier – August 2006
A good test with the new D200/Subal rig at Swanage. I only had time for a single dive but I came back with 70 pictures. The conditions were pretty murky but some of the images were promising if not remarkable and allowed more familiarisation with the equipment.
I used the new 10.5mm fish eye with a single strobe.
The ears seemed fine, so I’m hoping that the nasty ear infection from Florida may have fully cleared up. Here’s hoping so! – JC
Field Notes from the Goodwood Festival of Speed – July 2006
We took our 3 year old son, Zac to Goodwood, so it wasn’’t a weekend of concentrated photography. The event is a celebration of motorsport and attracts around 100,000 visitors over the three days. It’s also a magnet to the “who’s who” of motorsport. Cars from all eras of motorsport are displayed and driven over the 3 days.
Some images from the event appear in our motorsport section. – JC
Field Notes from the South of France – June 2006
In France, I attended world renowned underwater photographer Kurt Amsler’s Fish Eye Workshop.
It was the first time in the water with our new Nikon D200 camera/Subal ND20 housing setup.
There’s obviously a lot to learn about the camera and digital imaging in general, but I was encouraged by the start. Although I didn’t capture any remarkable images, I found the trip useful to begin the process of familiarisation with the equipment, using the diving as a “systems test”.
It went well and I hope to be in the water in the UK during August – JC
Field Notes from Florida – April / May 2006
Our trip to Florida was one of mixed fortunes, photographically.
Underwater, we’re still using film cameras – our housed Nikon F100’s – so as yet we’re still not enjoying the instant feedback advantages of digital. However, I feel that I have moved forward and have built upon some of the experiences from western Australia just over a year ago. Certainly, the wide angle images are consistently better and I’m more likely to confidently and successfully tackle “close-up wide angle” subjects.
On wrecks such as the Benwood, off Key Largo, I used a “natural light/fish eye” combination, the results of which have prompted me to investigate filters as I felt the colour loss was too great when I moved in close. I could, of course, put on strobes, but sometimes it’s easier to work without the clutter and the variables of fisheye/strobe combinations.
In Amanda’s case, it was more frustrating. As I concentrated on wide angle, she concentrated on macro, most of which was ruined thanks to a camera mix up before we left the UK. Of course, the instant feedback of digital would have alerted us to the problem at the very beginning. Memory of which camera has the malfunction would not be enough in the future, only careful labelling will do – another lesson learned.
At the end of the Dry Tortugas liveaboard trip, I noticed that my ears were starting to suffer some hearing loss, although I didn’t think much about it initially. However, it got worse, making the Ginnie Springs visit a disappointment in that I only did two very short and shallow dives – I daren’t do any more. And the photographic potential was immense!
A big scare before setting off for the Dry Tortugas liveaboard from our Treasure Island, St.Petersburg base was leaving a bag of lenses in Key West! Miraculously, they were handed in and we managed to get them couriered to us before we set off. Phew!
My overall diving and underwater photography summary of Florida is that there are fantastic and varied opportunities in abundance. It isn’t, as I initially thought, a “compromise” destination that only divers with young families should visit.
Topside photography was another opportunity to continue getting to grips with our Nikon D200. More instant feedback, more interesting results. – JC
<Read about this trip here>
Field Notes from Bahrain – March 2006
Bahrain gave us first real chance to get to grips with the new Nikon D200. It’s a real cliché to say that the instant feedback is so useful. Also, the ability to change ISO was fantastic, allowing a seamless transition from high to low light situations.
In Bahrain, the light quality was variable throughout our stay with Saturday being a day better suited to black and white, with a colourless “white light”. Manama, Bahrain’s capital, is not an especially photogenic place, although it has its moments so it was interesting to work with more obscure, almost “abstract” ideas rather “scenic” shots.