gengiant

I like what the artist did! It looks so much better than similar-style Photoshop "conversions". I also think that Alex is on to something. I personally find that those of you pros that seem to visualize potential images more as art objects tend to come up with much more stunning images than those of us (like myself) that simply try to have the image accurately reflect what we see. IMO it's that ability to visualize what an image might become that can set the photgraphic "artist" apart from the crowd. Holger

Well said, Ivan! GG

I would think that the ongoing destruction of our oceans is much more due to the "Tragedy of the Commons" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons than due to individual spearfishermen (and women) looking to put food on their own plate. With that said, however, I would agree with Lndr that well-intentioned conservation/preservation laws often fail due to lack of enforcement. We see a lot of that here in California. Our 'governator' (Arnold) touts his environmental record by supporting expansion of no-take (and sometimes 'no-access') marine preserves, yet at the same time he reduces the budget of the Department of Fish & Game to the point where we have very few wardens (as a percentage of the area they are in charge of patroling). To boot, the wardens are probably the least-paid game wardens in the entire Country! It's a joke to think that they are effectively controlling poaching! Thankfully, it's rarely spearfishermen anymore that are the poachers. Our biggest issues are abalone and the live-fish industry in near-shore waters (less than 180' deep). Back to the POTW... I would like to know if Esteban or anyone else would condemn the photographer covering the Japanese whaling fleet on their current hunt in order to expose their riddiculous practices? Or conversely, is there a chance that one might say that "Wow! What amazing (and disgusting) pictures! I had no idea what was truly going on on this whaling "expeditions!" GG

While I personally looked at the 2 referenced images through the eyes of an underwater photographer (and as such, appreciated the skill it took to create these images), I appreciate the open-mindedness of the moderators in allowing these images to stay in the POTW competion. As was already pointed out, the pictures do not show harrassment of wildlife (even though the probable intent is obvious). I believe that as underwater photographers we tend to be more ocean conservation minded than the general diving population, Esteban Tores' point of view being a perfect example of this. Many of the members on this forum go out of their way to educate the public on the beauty of the ocean realm and what everyone can do to help protect it. Pictures can speak volumes! But it is also the context they are presented in, which frames the story. The POTW contest rules are pretty straight-forward. If you don't like or appreciate a picture - don't vote for it! GG

All, Thanks for the input! I think I'll start shopping for some non-standard mats and frames. What truly drove this issue home for me was a recent comment by my wife. She had seen one of my recent landscape images (shot in vertical format) and realy liked it. It contained some minor foreground element to set the depth, a long and winding dirt road through a beautifu valley, and then some golden aspen in all their fall beauty in the background, offset by a perfect, dark blue sky. When I had it printed in a 5:4 ratio there was no way to fit all of the elements that made this image work. Of course, she didn't much care for the cropped print. What also irks me is that office supply stores will sell "pro"-labeled photo print paper, yet it measures 8.5"x11". Laughable! I do hope I can find what I need on-line... Holger

Hi all, How do you all deal with standard print sizes (8"x10", 11x14, 16x20, etc.) - or do you? It seems that I've been shooting with the intent to frame my image as perfectly as I can in camera, only to then find that I need to crop the image to be able to print it to "standard" size, thus often loosing parts of the composition that I find to be critical to the overall impact of the image. I suppose one could make allowances for that in the initial composition when framing the image before the shot. If not, do any of you regularly print to non-standard dimensions? Thanks for the advice! Holger

So from what you guys are saying I'd basically be s.o.l. with the Computrecker II as my carry-on for the leg between PR and Bonaire? By the sound of it I may be better off travelling with a standard hard-sided suitcase looking carry-on for the camera and housing gear, wrapping it in whatever protective material space allows for and then carrying my laptop in hand. Not sure I like this idea, but then again, I may not have any real options. )~; Thanks for the additional input! GG

Tim, The water is clear and warm. Need I say more? The critters, coral, wrecks, and piers are icing on the cake! (~; At this point in time I am going through a serious case of Spring fever. Thankfully, I'll be diving Monterey this coming weekend, even though predicted conditions are marginal at best. And then there is the 48 degree water... Bonaire can't get here soon enough!!! (~; GG

Thanks Rand! I should have been a little clearer as to the weight restriction. As per AA's web site the 40# limit applies to carry-ons. The checked in luggage is still listed as 2 pieces with a weight limit of 50# ea. Both carry-ons and checked in baggage has the usual size restrictions. GG

As the topic description states, we'll be flying to Bonaire in about 6 weeks. Being keenly aware of the liabilities associated with flying via Puerto Rico, I am interested in carrying as much photogear as possible onto the plane. So I briefly reviewed AA's luggage restrictions and found the following on their web site: FAA security measures limit customers on all AA flights to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. They list a camera, laptop computers and other items as personal items. So here's my question as to people's real-world experience with carry-on luggage. I have a Lowepro Computrekker II that I carry my camera, lenses and various other photo gear in, typically not including the underwater housing, ports, strobes, ect. My laptop would travel in the backpack. Based on this backback being rather large (even though it should easily fit into the overhead compartment or possibly even beneath the seat in front of me - though that may be tight), I am thinking that AA will count this backpack as my one and only allowable carry-on (plus the laptop). Has anyone experienced otherwise, ie have any of you been able to take a photo backpack (maybe smaller than the Computrekker II) in addition to a laptop and a 'standard' carry-on? What I am thinking is that I may actually be better off carrying on a standard wheeled carry-on in addition to my laptop rather than the backback as I can probably fit more overall camera gear such as my housing and ports plus camera and lenses into a standard carry-on than the backpack. Of course, there also is the 40# weight limit... Thanks for the feedback! GG

Thanks all for your wonderful recommendations! I have printed out this entire thread and will share it with our group. I am counting the days until our trip! Bonaire - here we come!!!

Corby, I am pretty new at over/unders, having just gotten my Nikkor 10.5 mm fisheye and the new Sea & Sea glass dome. But from my first few experiments I can tell you what doesn't work! (~; Using autofocus without using focus lock will tend to have the camera focus on the droplets on the outside of your dome port. It is absolutely amazing that the lens will focus this close - it does. One way to get around this is either using the focus lock and locking the focus after focusing on your fins or maybe your outstretched hand. Alternatively, the D200 has a dynamic focus control that allows the user to move the point of focus to whatever area he/she chooses. This seems to work as well. Also, make sure that you are using an f-stop of at least f8 to ensure great depth of field. Lastly, shoot in RAW mode so that in post-processing you can make a composite of two raw conversions from the same image - one exposed/adjusted for the underwater scene, one for the above water scene. Then, using a simple mask, 'paint out' the half of the composite that wasn't targeted with the adjustment. Voila - perfectly exposed images above and below water without the use of split filters. (~; GG

Martin and all, Thanks so much for your input! Nice trip report, Martin! Lots of very helpfull input, for sure. I have printed out your responses and will add them to my log book for reference, once there. I am furthermore hoping that others will weigh in as well. Advice such as to bring sturdy dive booties will help us get the most out of this trip. Thanks! GG

Hi all, I am slowly getting ready for a trip to Bonaire at the end of April. Yes, I am quite aware of the potential "hazards" lurking at the Puerto Rico airport. What I am interested in having you comment on, however, is Bonaire itself. We will be staying at Buddy Dive. What dive sites, in your opinion are must-dives? What lens should I be set up with for each of these must-dives? FYI, I am shooting a D200 in SEa & Sea housing with an asortment of lenses and ports... Thanks for your help!!! GG

Chris Simmons eluded to a Beach Dive photo contest that often features very poor visibility, ie. lots of "stuff" in the water, etc. I have allways been amazed that those photographers that "have got it" consistently shoot amazing pictures, no matter what. It's not that the "grab-shooter" won't be able to generate a good image in decent conditions, shooting upwards of 200 shots. But poor conditions limit the off-chance that such shooting will generate a contest winner. Sure, technical photography skills are imperative in such situation. But again, the digital age has allowed even the rank amateur to "play". A good friend of mine got into photography about a year ago. She can't afford a DSLR and thus is shooting a little A70 (I think). She consistently amazes me with the images she creates. And it is certainly not her equipment or even thorough understanding of "the cows". I can't wait to see what she does when she is no longer limited by her camera's limitations. She's definitely got "the eye". GG