As we start to make a cautious emergence from COVID-19 lockdown, renowned underwater photographer Stephen Frink has kindly shared his thoughts about how to go about planning underwater imaging opportunities for the next year or so. His divides his objectives up in terms of how far off they are likely to happen and the time periods that are needed to record specific events.
Allison Vitsky Sallmon discusses how she and partner Andy Sallmon go about researching and planning their photographic trips in order to maximize the chances of producing amazing imagery. Beautifully illustrated by their imagery, the article provides practical guidance that we can all benefit from by keeping us inspired while we are all unable to travel.
While our photographic and video travel plans have been hindered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the time that many of us now have provides a potential opportunity to do some in-depth research and planning for trips that we can undertake once it is safe to do so. With this in mind, Wetpixel has reached out to solicit travel and trip planning tips from a wide variety of Wetpixel’s contributors and friends. Please stay tuned for a series of trip planning themed articles over the next few weeks
Mike Bartick of Saltwater Photo discusses why the Anilao area is such an epicenter of diversity, along with some of its lesser-known wide angle attractions. He describes why Anilao attracts such an abundance and proliferation of species, and its unique geographical location and geology. As always, Mike has also kindly shared some of his stunning imagery to illustrate the article.
Wetpixel presents a review of the Think Tank Photo Stash Master 13. This travel cube is a water-resistant padded container with adjustable internal dividers that can provide protection to underwater imaging equipment when it is placed inside a dive bag or suitcase. This adds flexibility and additional options in avoiding airline baggage limits.
Wetpixel Editor Adam Hanlon presents an introduction to the process of creating 3D photogrammetry models. Initially tasked to produce a survey of one of the walls of the El Pit Cenote in Mexico with Under the Jungle’s Natalie Gibb, he enrolled on a GUE Photogrammetry course run by John Kendall that introduced and practically applied the image capture and workflow for creating these fascinating models
[Don Silcock] (http://www.indopacificimages.com) presents a primer highlighting the amazing diving and photographic opportunities that are offered in Papua New Guinea’s Witu Islands. Located in the middle of the Coral Triangle, scientists have identified more than 600 species of coral together with 2000 species of reef fish in the area. Don has illustrated his guide with stunning images.
Wetpixel columnist Don Silcock offers his first impressions of ONEUW’s 160X strobes. Don was able to test them during a 15 day trip around Southern Australia and has tested them against his existing Sea&Sea YS250 strobes. In addition, Wetpixel Associate Editor, Alex Mustard has been testing them in the Red Sea, and we will be posting his results shortly….
Adam Leaders of AdLe Photo describes two shoots he undertook recently with model Julia Pretzel on a wall and a wreck in the Gulf of Thailand. The pair describe the challenges of setting up and creating images like these, particularly compounded by the depth and environmental conditions. The images are stunning!
Mike Bartick of Saltwater Photo provides a beautifully illustrated article about the mysterious and iconic blanket octopus. These open ocean creatures sometimes reach 2 meters in length. Mike describes their biology and lifecycle before recounting his own encounters and photographic experiences with these remarkable creatures.