Male
This is a subject very dear to my heart.
I dive solo at home....not often....but I do love it (no I dont have a solo diving qualification but I do have 900+ dives on my skull)..and always as safely as possible...i.e. safe site, easy ingress and egress.....no depths.....no currents...shallow water.. etc etc..
In all my years diving with a camera, I have always been the lone camera diver in the boat....have always been left behind by the pack....and in the early days...got the ear chewed off me by guides!
Totally concurr with Saudio.. I have to say that now I find that a little honest communication with the dive guides beforehand..(or the dive operator)....just assure them that you will be keeping an eye on the group as the dive progresses....does indeed help....and I do find they will meet me half way. After all........you are a paying customer....so if you dont open your mouth.........you wont get anywhere.
Also I find when I demonstrate to the guide I am a competant ..good buoyancy control...manage my air...stay with the group as best as possible......I do find I get more freedom to do my thing, because you build up faith with the guide that you will not do something stupid.
The only time I felt I was truely free to do my own thing was on a dedicated underwater photography workshop with Scuba Serya in Bali....and I loved that to bits.
Dedicated underwater photographer trips are the buisness for me!
