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Palau Digital Shootout 2006 Daily Webcast

Posted: 17 April 2006 11:20 AM
Last Update: 19 April 2006 12:26 AM
6 comment(s)

Categories: Features, Trip Reports
Author: Eric Cheng ( echeng )
Event Dates: 01 Apr 2006 - 10 Apr 2006

Welcome to the Digital Shootout Palau 2006 daily webcast, by Eric Cheng
The Digital Shootout 2006 is run by Backscatter and Light & Motion,
with support from Wetpixel.com, Sam's Tours, and the Palau Pacific Resort

>> [apr 3] [apr 4] [apr 5] [apr 7] [apr 8] [apr 9] [contest] [yap] <<

Digital Shootout Palau 2006

This year's Digital Shootout is sponsored by Backscatter, Light & Motion, and Wetpixel.com. We are hosted by the Palau Pacific Resort and Sam's Tours.

The Digital Shootout directors are Dan Baldocchi and Berkley White, and the staff this year also includes Jim Watt, Sy Harris , and Wetpixel's Eric Cheng.

Coming up: Digital Shootouts 2007! Details will be posted at thedigitalshootout.com, or you can e-mail for more information.

berkley white in palau. life does not suck.

Splash into the world of underwater digital photography at the fifth annual underwater Digital Shootout. With daily dives and seminars with some of the world's most knowledgeable underwater photographers, you'll be sure to head home with your heads stuffed with new photographic techniques, for both above and below water. We are also hosting a photo contest with over $10,000 in prizes!

April 3, 2006

As I type this, Berkley White is giving an informative talk about exposure and lighting, where he shows slides entitled "Digital Bummer" (re: sunballs) and talks about how to light the elusive glowing squid and spherical nudibranch. The shootout staff has been here in Palau for a few days now, and we've set up a nice, air-conditioned classroom adjacent to the Palau Pacific Resort's main lobby. Our group of 25 participants is picked up bright and early every morning by dive boats from Sam's Tours, who are proving to be one of the most accommodating, organized, and friendly dive operators I've ever encountered. Manager Dermot Keane and photo pro Kevin Davidson have been amazing in their help with the shootout.

digital shootout staff, ready to serve! we're excited
because Berkley finally bought new booties, sparing us
from the lovely view of his toes we've been graced
with for the past who-knows-how-many years.
unfortunately, staff member sy harris is missing
from this photo.

We have an eager group of participants this year, and are excited for what the coming week will bring. After two days of diving, we're finally settled in and expect to be receiving our first batch of images for the evening slideshow. Stay tuned for the upcoming week! I'll be posting new images when time allows.

Selected Underwater Photos (by Eric Cheng unless otherwise noted)

anemonefish, guarding eggs	hard coral on top of helmet wreck
anemonefish in anemone	dive guide daniel in jellyfish lake
school of black snapper above blue corner	school of jacks above blue corner
anthias at 100' (dexter's wall)

Topside Photos (by Eric Cheng unless otherwise noted)

dinner: early arrivers mel, audrey, sy, dermot, jim,berkley, and dan	group participants get an orientation
SAM of Sam's tours!	berk, dan, and mel
jim watt shoots in the surf during a surface interval	our boat driver, jake, checks out Sy. his camera, i mean.
berk macgyvers on a diopter with parts from a soda can	jim watt stuffs brown bags
a nice surface interval stop, no?

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next day: april 4, 2006 >>

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our daily view from the dive boats

April 4, 2006

"I don't want to be made fun of, but... do you guys watch Days of Our Lives?" -Sy Harris

Ron Leidich of Planet Blue Kayak Tours (@ Sam's Tours) gave a fascinating talk last night as a preface to our evening slide show. He showed images of amazing coral formations in marine lakes scattered around Palau's numerous rock islands. Some of the lakes have absolutely no current in them, allowing hard corals to grow so thin that you can shine dive lights through them. He also talked about a narrow, subterranean tunnel that you can shoot through at 7 knots, but only if you wear a full wetsuit, knee and elbow pads, and a hard helmet! We're sold, and are definitely going to go out on a tour with Ron before we leave Palau.

"We're naked! (high-pitched) " - Berkley White, before opening the door and finding confused resort staff

We awoke this morning to rain and slightly-dampened spirits, but by the time we made it out of the cluster of islands surrounding the Palau Pacific Resort, the sun had broken through, signaling the start of a beautiful day.

During one of our dives at New Drop-Off today, I hung motionless in the blue while the rest of the group was entertained by a large Napoleon wrasse on the coral shelf. Underwater "corners" are gathering points for marine life of all types, and during my thirty minutes out there I was passed by numerous schools of fish, including groups of barracuda (two different species), jacks, black snappers, and more. No fewer than 10 small grey reef sharks and white-tip sharks wandered back and forth around along the wall below me, and a threadfin jack buzzed by, threads trailing along behind him.

Participant and chiropractor Kim Jameson has "fixed" two staff members so far (Jim Watt and Kevin Davidson), who have both reported great results despite having endured painful (and funny!) contortions. I wish I had photographs of their faces during treatment! Maybe one of the participants has something I can steal and post here in this webcast. :)

Our afternoon seminars today included a talk on composition by Jim Watt and the first of three talks on Photoshop (for underwater photographers) by Berkley White. The images submitted today by our group of eager photographers are already showing a dramatic improvement in quality with a surprising lack of what we call "nuked" images (images processed beyond decency). We're impressed, and are expecting even better images in the coming days!

Selected Underwater Photos by Participants

Don Ashbrook

Mel Betley

Kim Jameson

Richard McGonegal

Doug Smith

Don Ashbrook

Mel Betley

Richard McGonegal

Marty Steinberg

Rick Swart

Topside Photos (by Eric Cheng unless otherwise noted)

When you're cruising at 10 knots, rain hurts!

Jake and Daniel, our crew

Daniel hangs out with Audrey on the ride back to the resort

Evening slide show of participant images

Catherine and Jaxie at the evening slideshow

Ellen, Ken, Mel, and Audrey at the evening slideshow

<< previous day: april 3, 2006

next day: april 5, 2006 >>

>> [apr 3] [apr 4] [apr 5 ] [apr 7] [apr 8] [apr 9] [contest] [yap] <<

April 5, 2006

Images only, today!

Selected Underwater Photos by Participants

Mel Betley

Ellen Blumenfeld

Jaxie Gowen

Richard McGonegal

Audrey Shapiro

Doug Smith

<< previous day: april 4, 2006

next day: april 7, 2006 >>

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our participants go mud-crazy after too many seminars! (photo: james watt)

April 7, 2006

Today is officially crazy topside photo day. I've been nagging participants virtually non-stop to submit topside photos, and it has finally paid off. The only bummer about having so many photos is that at current upload speeds, it's going to take me a long, long time to get them all online. Hey, Palau! Get fiber to your island already!

Yesterday was an academic break for participants and staff alike; most boats did two dives plus a trip to Jellyfish Lake, followed by either a night dive or leisurely dinner in "downtown" Koror. And speaking of Jellyfish Lake, it was absolutely off the scale when we (on Silvertip) arrived there in the mid-afternoon. The shadows had already started creeping out into the middle of the lake, driving the jellyfish en masse into the center. In fact, the Mastigias sp. were so thick that snorkelers only a couple of feet apart might be completely obscured from each other's sight! Incredible, incredible experience. I didn't want to leave, and by the end of our time there, the few of us who were left had the lake all to ourselves (well, if you don't count the 15 million jellies pulsing around us).

By all reports, Blue Corner has been "going off" as well, with strong current driving jacks and barracuda into swirling vortices and bringing circling sharks into photographic range. Jim Watt has been somehow hitting Blue Corner nearly every day, and he has nailed some really impressive photos of eagle rays.

After tomorrow, all of the staff will have finally been given the opportunity to dive with all of the participants. There is a great deal of boat bonding going on, and in fact, I can't imagine a better way to bond with someone than by hanging off of a reef hook (which actually saves the reef rather than damages it) in a three-knot current at Blue Corner.

Selected Underwater Photos by Participants

photo: Don Ashbrook

photo: Mel Betley

photo: Ellen Blumenfeld

photo: Ken Blumenfeld

photo: Jane Call

photo: Kim Jameson

photo: Richard McGonegal

photo: Randy Schafer

photo: Philip Seys

photo: Harriet Smith

photo: Marty Steinberg

photo: Michelle Steinberg

photo: Yrjo Trog

photo: Dean Ulven

photo: Monte West

Topside Photos

photo: Harriet Smith

photo: Jaxie Gowen

(photo: Eric Cheng)

photo: Jaxie Gowen

(photo: Eric Cheng)

photo: James Watt

photo: Randy Schafer

photo: Marty Steinberg

photo: James Watt

photo: Marty Steinberg

photo: Richard McGonegal

photo: Marty Steinberg

(photo: Eric Cheng)

photo: Richard McGonegal

(photo: Eric Cheng)

<< previous day: april 5, 2006

next day: april 8, 2006 >>

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beach time is fun.

April 8, 2006

Photos only, today.

Selected Underwater Photos by Participants

Mel Betley

photo: Ellen Blumenfeld

photo: Jane Call

photo: Kim Jameson

photo: Richard McGonegal

photo: Philip Seys

photo: Michelle Steinberg

photo: Yrjo Trog

photo: Dean Ulven

Topside Photos by Eric Cheng

Kathy strolls on the beach at Ulong, which is where the Koror tribe of Survivor Palau lived

Jaxie photographs Catherine, who would like to remind all of us that she is "sweet and juicy."

Sy, Catherine, Kathy, Jim, and Jaxie

Mark Thorpe, at Ulong Island

Hanging out during a surface interval

Polynesian dancing at the Palau Pacific Resort

<< previous day: april 7, 2006

next day: april 9, 2006 >>

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an unfortunate fish is served during the evening party at sam's tours

April 9, 2006

We're officially done with all of the seminars! We spent a few hours in the afternoon in a final push to having entries ready for the Digital Shootout photo contest. By 6pm, all of the contest entries had been submitted, and shortly after, we headed out to Sam's Tours for a buffet dinner, drinks, and a slideshow of topside images and contest entries.

Tomorrow, judges will be cooped up all day judging images and preparing for the final awards ceremony. Stay tuned for the winning images, which will be posted here soon!

Topside Photos by Eric Cheng

Yahoo! Beach

Richard and Nancy

Catherine and Jaxie work on contest submissions

Audrey really needs help!

Participants work hard on contest entries

We've been printing all week.

Workshop session

Dan and Sy help participants with images

Berk, Ellen, and an orangutan crab

Dan and Ken

Catherine and Kathy

Watching a slide show at the party at Sam's Tours

Party at Sam's Tours

Jim Watt likes it raw.

Slideshow at Sam's

Jim the dive guide

cheers!

Sy loves the flowers.

Dan, Eric, and Sy drink beer. Yes, Eric is drinking beer.

Daniel, Kathy, and Angela

Kevin, Jane, and SixTwos (how do you spell that??)

6-2s and Dermot

I heard an "I'm ready!" from across the bar, and had to go over to take this photo.

Kathy

Audrey draws blood

Audrey, with beer

Jake and Daniel

Daniel, Audrey, Jake, Eric, and Sy

Daniel, Audrey, and Dean, on the dance floor

The photo contest judges, hard at work

<< previous day: april 8, 2006

next day: photo contest results >>

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April 11, 2006 - Photo Contest Results

- GROUP PHOTO -

Group Photo at the Palau Pacific Resort
Download: [1024 pixel] [hi-res (soon)]

- BEST OF SHOW -

Best of Show: Mel Betley

- MACRO TRADITIONAL -

1st - Macro Traditional Jaxie Gowen	2nd - Macro Traditional Jane Call	3rd - Macro Traditional Monte West
	Hon Mention - Macro Traditional Doug Smith	Hon Mention - Macro Traditional Philip Seys

MACRO UNRESTRICTED

1st - Macro Unrestricted Philip Seys	2nd - Macro Unrestricted Mel Betley	3rd - Macro Unrestricted Mel Betley
Hon Mention - Macro Unrestricted Mel Betley	Hon Mention - Macro Unrestricted Philip Seys	Hon Mention - Macro Unrestricted Michelle Steinberg

WIDE-ANGLE TRADITIONAL

1st - Wide-Angle Traditional Kim Jameson	2nd - Wide-Angle Traditional Richard McGonegal	3rd - Wide-Angle Traditional Mel Betley
	Hon Mention - Wide-Angle Traditional Philip Seys	Hon Mention - Wide-Angle Traditional Yrjo Trog

WIDE-ANGLE UNRESTRICTED

1st - Wide-Angle Unrestricted Mel Betley	2nd - Wide-Angle Unrestricted Richard McGonegal	3rd - Wide-Angle Unrestricted Mel Betley
	Hon Mention - Wide-Angle Unrestricted Richard McGonegal	Hon Mention - Wide-Angle Unrestricted Philip Seys

Awards Ceremony Photos by Eric Cheng

I'm here with Mike Veitch in Yap, trying to upload stuff. I now understand his pain. Let's all pray for fiber to all of Micronesia!

Congratulations to all of our shootout winners! And as we say at every shootout, "we'rs all winners, but some of us are more prize-challenged."

As a side note, it appears that some of us are seminar-challenged as well; our Best of Show winner Mel Betley didn't attend a single lecture -- but she did learn everything she knows about underwater photography while at previous shootouts and trips with Dan and Berk. :) And Mel is also a long-time Wetpixel member, soaking up knowledge while lurking in the shadows...

Judges Berkley White, Jim Watt, and Eric Cheng judge images in the photo contest

Photo contest awards ceremony

Monte West

Jane Call

Jaxie Gowen

Catherine and Jaxie Gowen celebrate Jaxie's category win

Michelle Steinberg

Mel Betley

Yrjo Trog

Richard McGonegal

Kim Jameson

Phillip Seyes

Mel Betley

Audrey Shapiro

Sam, Dermot Keane, and Mark Thorpe applaud the week's participants

Berkley White and Dan Baldocchi

Dermot gives a Palau book to every participant in the shootout

Hanging out in the rain

Steve Fish, Berkley White, Dan Baldocchi

Eric Cheng and Audrey Shapiro

Dan and Mel, with margaritas

Mel and Eric

Dan and Mel. Photo taken by a professional photographer.

Dermot's lucky day! (with Audrey and Mel)

Dan Baldocchi, Mel Betley, Berkley White, Audrey Shapiro, and Steve Fish

<< previous day: april 9, 2006

next day: yap extension >>

The optional Yap extension was hosted by Manta Ray Bay Hotel and Yap Divers

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April 12-16: Yap Extension

Traditional bamboo-stick dance, Kadai Village

After our wonderful time diving in Palau, a dozen Shootout participants flew 50 300 (or 400 or whatever) miles to Yap in pursuit of manta photographs. We were hosted by the Manta Ray Bay Hotel and Yap Divers, and had the pleasure of meeting Mike Veitch, who is one of our moderators here at Wetpixel.

Unfortunately, the Shootout participants only had fleeting glimpses of mantas during their three days of diving, and I only had a single good manta pass during my 6 days. But such is the nature of nature. Last year at this time, mantas were seen in groups of up to 30 (!).

On Saturday, we headed out to Kadai Village, where Stan (our village host) showed us the fruits of a cultural preservation non-profit that has been trying to keep elements of the old ways alive. During our short stay, we enjoyed fresh fruit and coconut juice, conversation with Stan about Yap's history and culture, a coconut tree climb by a local boy, and a traditional bamboo-stick dance. We shot about a billion photos.

After everyone else left, I took advantage of Yap's wonderful mandarinfish dives, where single coral heads were producing 6 or more of the beautiful little dragonets, all mating around sunset and then again swimming up into the water column once darkness had settled in (attracted to the lights, perhaps? this is strange behavior for mandarins). They slowly rose up through open water and settled, using both my camera and mask as shelter; it was all I could do to make sure that they were all returned to the safety of the branching coral! I had never seen anything like it.

In the south outside the lagoon, Yap has a vertical wall with thousands and thousands of pink anthias milling about, darting into crevices and slowly spreading back out radially after each sign of danger. Small groups of blue jacks patrolled the wall's ledge, regularly kicking off blindingly-quick attack runs through the schools and into the holes in which the anthias had retreated.

Both above and below the water, Yap is as different from Palau as any two islands could be. I can't believe they are so close to each other, and definitely am going to return to try for mantas again.

Underwater Photos by Eric Cheng