Welcome to Our scuba diving news for March
March we have being busy, we can congratulate another successful Instructor development course with Sanya which saw Peter, Bjornar, Stefan and Ozay become OWSI as well as see our very own MSDT instructors Andy and Ann ascend the ranks to IDC staff instructors. Lots of wreck dives this month and some great video opportunities made a perfect time to re launch our you tube channel. Special feature this month takes a look at DSS Bungy Mounts for computers and compass and our scuba tips this month are on underwater videography.
Dive Centre Updates
We would like to congratulate and personally thank Sanya our friendly PADI course director who helped Peter, Bjornar, Stefan and Ozay become OWSI Read more about Instructor Development courses here.
Click Here For More Updates @ Facebook
Check it out! Our very own master scuba diver trainers Andy and Ann complete their IDC Staff instructor courses to move up the chain under the guidance of Kru Sanya
Dive Site Review – Koh Rong Khon – Samae San Thailand
Location: Just 200m east of the Hardeep ship wreck is Koh Rong Khon. Two small rocky islands each about 50m (165 ft) in length.
Conditions: Good drift dives along the seaward side of these rocks, can be exposed to large waves when strong winds are from the south. Visibility ranges between 5m (16ft) and 15m (50ft). This site offers some of the deepest reef around the Pattaya/Samae San area.
Average depth: 9m (30ft) Maximum depth: On the northern end depths well exceed 60m (200ft)
When entering the water on a incoming tide start at the southern end of the rocks on the eastern side, then let the tide take you the whole length of the two islands. On a good flooding tide you will move the whole length of the dive site quite quickly, this is not a problem, when reaching the northern end follow the rocks around to the other side, here you can remain out of the current for the rest of your allowable bottom time.
The northern tip of these islands is very deep and is popular with Tech divers as depths can well exceed the limits of recreational divers. You will see many clusters of filter feeding corals and sponges attached to the boulders
Click here for More Info on Dive Sites In Samae San Thailand >>
Monthly Special – DSS replacement instrument mounts (bungy mounts)Review
The DSS (Deep Sea Supply) replacement instrument mounts (bungee mount) securely retains a dive computer or compass with an easy snap in fit, Low profile and designed to accept 1/8″ to 3/16″ in. diameter Bungee Cord.
A tech diver friend recently introduced these to me and I instantly seen the comfort and advantage in using such a modified set up, clean, tidy, professional and reliable.
Bungee Cord mounted gauges are far easier to don than Buckled straps, and are depth compensating. Simple, secure, snap in installation, tough elastomeric material and remain flexible at low temperatures.
Several different bungee lacing methods are possible,one continuous piece, Two separate loops, etc. The photo below show examples of two of these.
- The replacement mounts are generally lower profile than original especially in the case of the Sk7 Compass.
- long lasting and reliable no buckle issues and position anywhere up your arm as preferred.
- This mount can be fitted with one continuous bungee, (as shown in the photos) or two separate loops for redundancy.
- Simple, secure, snap in installation, tough elastomeric material, remains flexible at low temperatures.
- Includes 2′ of 5/32″ black bungee
For more information please visit https://www.deepseasupply.com/
Scuba Tips – Underwater Videography
One of my favourite web site is www.uwphotographyguide.com this site is packed full of useful tips and excellent techniques from proven photographers and videographers please visit and enjoy and share 🙂
Be sure to follow The Underwater World as seen by Walter Marti
Walter is an an amateur underwater videographer that resides in Southern California. I’m currently using a Sony HC9 HiDef videocamera in an Amphibico Dive Buddy Housing. My lights are four Fisheye Fix LED 100DX’s, or Light & Motion Sunray HID lights with a home built canister battery pack. I also use a home built 7″ external monitor. For editing I’m using Adobe Premiere Pro CS4.
Read below some of Walters tips and tricks to make the most of your underwater photography
Thanks to Walter Marti for writing these underwater video tips. Walter has won many of the top underwater videography contests over the last few years. and Thanks to www.uwphotographyguide.com for being awesome
Also check out our own work here at our Pattaya Dive Centre you tube channel.
1) Many of the techniques for still underwater photography apply for underwater video as well.
2) It’s called “Moving Pictures”, not “Moving Camera”!! Avoid ‘fire hosing’. That is moving your camera around as if you were putting out a fire. The steadier your shots, the less seasick your audience will be.
3) Take your finger off the Zoom button. The Zoom should only be used to compose your shot. Then capture the shot. Zooming in and out can be quite distracting.
4) Watch the Discovery Channel and other nature channels. Look for techniques that appeal to you.
5) Remember, “Tape is Cheap!”. Or, for the newer cameras, memory is cheap. Never miss an opportunity to capture a cool shot. Give yourself plenty of pre-roll and after-roll. Let the fish swim out of the frame before you hit pause. You’ll be surprised how many times something unexpected will happens after you hit the pause button.
6) For the most part, shooting underwater video is easier than shooting still images. The camera can run and you can wait for action to happen. All you have to do is keep it in focus and steady. The post production is way easier with still images than video. If you like to show behaviour, or tell stories, there is no better way than with video.
7) Always take the three basic shots, establishing shot, medium shot and close up. Your videos should tell a story. For this you need to show the environment you subject is in.
8) Don’t forget to take shots that will bring your audience underwater and back to the surface. Jumping off of a boat, diver descending, diver on anchor line. Be creative with this.
9) Shooting underwater video with available light, you’ll want to be where it is the brightest. Use a colour correcting filter whenever possible. They do work. You can see the results in your view finder.
10) White balance often, If your housing doesn’t have manual white balance. Set it on Auto. You will still need to shine it on a white surface constantly. Or, point it to the Sand or the Sun. Only point at the sun while you’re underwater of course.
11) Shooting wide angle (scenic): Zoom the camera all the way out. Lock you elbows to your side and be perfectly neutrally buoyant. Hold you breath to minimize shaking (warning, you cannot ascend even a little if holding your breath). If want to pan a scene, do it slooowly. Shoot multiple takes. Use a colour correcting filter.
12) Shooting medium shots (fish pictures): Zoom to compose the shot. Get as close to the subject as you can. If possible without damaging the reef, set the camera on a solid object. Or, put your elbows in the sand to secure the camera. Hold your breath to minimize shaking if you are on the ground. Then when the camera is still, press record. Try not to follow the fish, let it swim out of the frame.
13) Shooting Close up or Macro shots: Here you should have lights. And, hide from the sun. Your lights will never overpower the big light in the sky. The closer you get, the stiller you camera has to be. The tiniest shake can ruin the best shot.
14) Get as close as you can to your subject, with the camera Zoomed out as much as possible. The subject should ‘Fill The Frame’. The closer you are, the better your colour, contrast and sharpness will be.
15) Most of the lesser priced housing do not have full access to many of the cameras features. Thus, you will have to put all the settings on Auto. Like, Focus, White Balance, and Aperture. The camera manufacturers have spent a lot of money developing these Auto features. They work quite well. But, they do have their limitations.
16) Practice in a pool. Then, if possible, on a local beach dive. You never want to learn how to use new gear on an expensive vacation.
