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?