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>