scubamarli

I was working on some shots from Salt Pier, Bonaire. I didn't like the distortion on the pilings. The Lens profile default over-corrected. I pulled back on the distortion slider and that seems to do the trick. Unless there are obvious parallels in the photo, I would leave the lens profile off in this case. Cheers, Marli

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Well said, Walt.

Cool! Thanks, Leslie.

Thanks, Brian. That's what I thought, but there are no resources on this area. I wish that I'd noticed them when I was taking the photo, so I could have taken a better shot. Cheers, Marli

I apologize in advance for the poor quality. While editing a photo, I noticed what appear to be snails, bubble shells, or nudibranchs. They are small, and I was shooting a 60mm lens for a change, so the resolution is crummy. I am just curious to see if anyone recognizes these critters with the characteristic blue spots. This was taken in the northern Sea of Cortez. Cheers, Marli

Perhaps there are some gobies with cirri. One other thing which is more obvious, (unless they are in a hole!) is the continuous dorsal fin, except in the cases of triplefins, and Ecsenius sp. that have a double lobed dorsal fin. Marli

Yup, upon looking closer, it's doing the same thing for me, with my old D200 and the older version Sigma 15mm FE. I just won't use it. Cheers, Marli

Exactly, and more eloquently stated than I could have done.

It's a blenny of some sort; these guys are really difficult to I.D. without seeing the whole body. I can't find a match in my references. Cheers, Marli

Also, Adobe usually uses only the most recent version of a lens for the profile. I don't notice softness when applying the correction, but sometimes I prefer the look without. Cheers, Marli

A manta has cephalic lobes (the rolled things at the head end), while a mobula does not. Cheers, Marli

They had no trouble replying when my luggage went missing lately (luckily it was found a week later, so no claim needed). As well, no problem sending out a renewal notice six weeks in advance. I am going to be checking into another option in Canada. Stay tuned for details if it pans out.

The oring maintenance really depends; I have been doing a lot of shore diving on Bonaire, and the fine sand that gets in around the oring is an issue. I have to remove and clean it every time that I open the housing. There are those that say don't fix what isn't broken and those that err on the sdie of caution. I tend to go with the latter notion. Have fun with your new system

This should be moved to the Insurance thread.

I have looked everywhere, but cannot find a photo of this pretty sea squirt from Lembeh. Anyone recognize it? Cheers, Marli

Look for community a.k.a. publically operated spaces, such as Community Theatre lobbies, Libraries, Coummunity Arts Council galleries. Often they have a call for entries around this time of the year for next year's shows. Years ago, our Photo Society held a show in a Community Art Gallery Space. You have to have verything ready to hang; they have no money for framing. Usually a plain black frame with white matt for everything is your best route. Good luck! Regards, Marli

Nope, they are tunicates. The cowries are grazing on something: perhaps the soft coral. Cheers, Marli

Actually a hot shower isn't a big deal, as everyone will be in drysuits. Aside from a cold face, a hot shower on deck is not a big deal, and a waste of precious water that you would want once out of the drysuit, in the privacy of your cabin. What some wonderful friends did on their private boat stuck out for me: upon coming up the ladder, there was a stainless mug of hot chocolate put in my hand. That was sweet. Also steel 100's were a nice touch on a long gone BC liveaboard. It meant I could drop 8 pounds of lead. Also, a great idea from Mike Lever, now in Mexico, hang a closet shoe organizer in each cabin. Perfect for glasses, sunscreen, phone, etc. It was a brilliant and cheap idea that I share around the world but no one listens. All liveaboards should try it. Your guests will thank you. Plus drawers to put things in. Perhaps that's a girl thing, but it is appreciated. Also build the bunks or beds with room underneath to store bags and photo gear/maintenance stuff. I am one that does not use the camera table. I like to maintain my photo gear in private silence, without air hoses and dripping hair spewing water into my housing. You may want to contact Rocio del Mar to see how this can work. Best set up for a cabin I have seen for a while. Cheers, Marli

As for the second, I think this may a night shot, so the usual colouring may be faded. If it was a bit stronger, it matches the three stripe whiptail: Pentapodus trivittatus. Here's a link to a prior thread: Wetpixel Critter ID Cheers, Marli

If you are starting out, I would recommend buying used, but research what equipment you are looking for. Wetpixel is a great place to start. When I went to an SLR, way back in film days, I bought everything used. Years later, I still use two of the lenses. There are often entire rigs up for sale on Wetpixel, especially when a new camera model comes out. You might want to look out for someone that is an active participant rather than a first time poster, as people will know who it is. You can also buy used from some of the Underwater Photo dealers, but you will pay more. Cheers, Marli

Pretty sure that the first one is a Variable fang blenny. Marli

Thanks! I wasn't thinking. This seems a bit obvious now. I'll chalk it up to a blond moment. Cheers, Marli

Enough space in the cabins that you don't conk your head on the ceiling if you are unlucky enough to get top bunk. Better yet, no bunks. For BC waters, someone that really knows how to read the water. It is crucial. Good luck with your venture; this area has lost a lot of operators, so welcome! Marli

All this time, the website has remained up. It does not look good. Dixie is now doing home staging, according to Linked in. A check of her website says: "For more information, please call Dixie Lehrmitt at 502-639-6582" I am not one to want to publish personal info, but as a customer of DEPP for as long as they have existed, I am not amused, as I feel I have had a false sense of security when I have contributed thousands of dollars to their coffers. You might want to contact the Attorney General's office in Kentucky. Regards, and good luck, Marli