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Here is my latest Video Trip Report about diving in Fiji's Rainbow Reef.If you enjoyed the video, please LIKE it and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel for more exciting travel videos! Underwater Video Equipment used: Camera: Sony camcorder PXW Z90 Housing: Gates AX700 / Z90 with Gates GP34A Wide Angle Port and internal UR Pro Red Filter Video Lights: Keldan Video 8X 11000 Lumen, CRI 92 (5400K) Keldan Ambient Filter M1 (10-20m) for 4X/8X Camera Settings: 4K, 30 FPS Picture Profile: PP10;Gamma: HLG2; Color Mode: BT2020 Drone: DJI Mavic 3 Above water camera: iPhone 13 Max Pro

Spent a week on the Nai'a and another 8 days at Qamea Resort near Taveuni. Shot the Nikon D850 in a Nauticam housing. I used the Sigma 15mm FE, Nikon 17-35 behind a Zen 170mm dome, as well as the Nikon 105mm VR macro. I'm still working on a TR, will post when it's available. But here's a few shots to whet your appetite. Underwater Album on Flickr

Tigers, bull sharks, nurse sharks and lemons, black tip and grey reef sharks! Meet the superstars of the world famous ‘Cathedral’ in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji. Your 5 night/6 day tour gives you quality time in the water, up close and personal with these magnificent animals, plus you’ll explore some of the best soft coral diving the ocean has to offer. Not only will you experience some of the best shark encounters imaginable, you’ll receive a program of expert tuition designed to take your photography to the next level of technique and creativity. This is your chance to shoot alongside Canon Master Darren Jew and gain personal insights into the creative processes that goes into capturing his award-winning images. A mix of structured workshop sessions and supervised lab time will be led by Darren each afternoon and will ensure you make the most of the images you capture. Your Sharks Underwater – Beqa Lagoon tour price includes: • Expert photography guidance, tuition and education • Group transfers Nadi-Pacific Harbour-Nadi • Group boat transfer to our island resort from Pacific Harbour • 5 nights twin or double share per bedroom in our 2 bedroom apartments - • 4 guests per apartment with large living space, air conditioning, private bathroom with separate toilet. • All Meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day • 4 days diving/ 9 dives, as per itinerary • Exclusive use of dive boat for our group • Free House Reef diving and snorkelling at any time • Nitrox Dive Package. If you are not Nitrox Certified an SSI Nitrox course is available at the dive shop on day of arrival, at extra cost) • Mask/snorkel/fins/wetsuit/BCD/reg set hire as required • Workshop and supervised Creative Lab time • Personalised photography tuition • Wi-fi (one device per person) Full Itinerary here: http://whalesunderwater.com/sharks-underwater/ Contact Darren Jew for further information: darren@darrenjew.com

Hello Everyone ! This is not a Dive Trip as it is open all year round, but I though it was the best place to mention it as it is a heaven for underwater photographers. The Awakening Shark Dive runs from Barefoot Kuata Resort on a small island in the Yasawas, Fiji. It was created with sustainability and conservation as inseparable from any diving activity. The latest available scientific recommendations and experience from dive site around the world were collected to create a dive that is good for the sharks, for the reef, and for local communities. Extensive briefings allows you to learn more about sharks before you jump in the clear water offshore Yasawas islands. The dive has been setup to be easy for beginners and in fact, you can join us on our isolated island even if you never dived before, learn in a few day and jump in with the sharks. No deep-water, no current, helpful staff, so it feels as easy as any simple reef dive - but don't be fooled, it's a blast for experienced divers too ! The Dive is Photographer friendly and always try to give the best spots and angle for photographers. The dive can also be booked exclusive for one of few person, allowing more freedom and unique angles to see the sharks. There are also multiple dive sites around the resort, from shore dive in Marine Protected Area (including night dives) to deeper sea mounts, caves and tunnels, walls or simply nice and easy shallow coral reefs. You can also decide to spend the rest of your day at our pools, bar, or hiking the mountains of the islands ! In the water ? Massive well-educated bull shark swimming in front of you in a totally safe experience. We often hear "it's the best thing I've done in my life !" Find more with this presentation video : https://youtu.be/B2R_bQxaEr8 Here is the website : http://www.thebarefootcollection.com/diving/awakening-shark-dive.htm Or email : sharkdive@thebarefootcollection.com And a few photos from the dive : Contact sharkdive@thebarefootcollection.com for more information, booking, special groups or any other question !

Hi, I recently took this image of a sickle fin lemon shark in Fiji but would love to know the ID of the yellow and black striped fish accompanying it. Does anyone have a clue? I've done extensive google image searches and looked it heaps of fish ID charts but no conclusive joy. I think it might be a yellow striped sea bream? but I can't confirm, any help appreciated. Cheers Matt

Bula Jack! Just a quick note to say thanks for organising this trip. We had a really good time and I think you selected a great dive location, some of the best diving we have done. Also wanted to say thanks for your pointers on WA photography, strobe positioning and sound advice in general, I could see an improvement in my shots towards the end of the trip. We also enjoyed the group's company and hope that we will see some of them in Melbourne one day. Hope we get another chance to dive with you in the future! Few shots.... Thanks again! Cheers, John

Join Us for a Photo Expedition to Taveuni, Fiji Oct 11-20, 2012 Optical Ocean Sales has organized a great trip to Fiji next October! This all-inclusive trip lead by owner Jack Connick, is going to the Garden Island of Taveuni for some awesome diving. Specially oriented to photographers, and arranged by Reef & Rainforests Travel Agency, everything is included; airfare from Los Angeles, 7 nights Ocean View rooms (double occupancy), 3 meals a day, 3 boat dives a day, tanks, weights and refreshments, as well as unlimited shore diving, use of kayaks and more! Download our flyer here. Taveuni is known as the 'Garden Island of Fiji' located 7 kilometres off of Vanua Levu. It is well known for it's flora and fauna and is a popular destination for many travelers. Numerous divesites lie just minutes away. Fiji is the soft coral capital of the world and coral in multicolored hues cover many walls and divesites. Fed by the nutrient-rich waters that flow through the Somosomo Straits, Taveuni's Rainbow Reef is home to one of the world's greatest displays of soft coral. 20 spectacular dive sites are nearby (between 10-20 minutes from the Dive Center), they have three 30-foot dive vessels that will whisk you away to the famous dive sites. Nitrox is also available. Great White Wall - Fiji’s most famous dive with an impressive wall 200 ft long and 150 ft deep. A tunnel in the reef leads to a breathtaking drop-off and a wall covered in stunning white soft coral. Annie's Bommie - A large coral head covered in soft coral of every color. With the current flowing, this site is aglow like an underwater Christmas tree and the density of the fish life has to be seen to be believed. Depth 15-70 ft. Cabbage Patch - A large patch of cabbage coral covers over 50ft is home to a variety of sea creatures. Depth 30-60 ft. Fish Factory - The place where fish are born - a vibrant dive site suitable for beginners up to advanced divers, with depths ranging from 32-128 ft and visibility 65-120 ft. Good for snorkeling too! The Ledge - Depth ranging from 25-130 ft which has a ledge at 45ft all around the reef with a variety of soft coral. The Zoo - With the right tides, this site is the place to see the South Pacific’s bigger marine creatures - schooling barracuda, white tip reef and bronze whaler sharks and, on those special days, eagle or manta rays. Depth 30-300 ft Nightly slide shows with photo help available, but this is not a class - lets learn from each other! Total cost is only $3750, all-inclusive from LA. A 3-Day extension for $650 is available. Non-divers are welcome at $3350. Call 800-359-1295 or email us today!