philsokol 1 Posted May 24, 2009 Hi everyone, I just got back from 12 days in Rajah Ampat on the Ondina. This was a Deb Fugitt charter focused on photos and video, so the best part was if we liked a site and didn't have to move, it was "open deck", allowing us to dive pretty much as much as our computers would allow. The route was Sorong to Lembeh via Halmahera. "The Passage", a narrow gap between two islands "Airboret", a village jetty with a giant school of bait fish, juvenile batfish, hunting trevally, and great critters Colorful and lush reefs were everywhere (this one's Kaleidoscope) Bantai Sago, a small island in the open strait - if you are patient, they will come! And Lembeh is, well...Lembeh! Great group, great crew, great trip! The rest of the pics are at http://gallery.me.com/philsokol/100158 Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Williams 0 Posted May 24, 2009 Outstanding images Phil! The wide angle work in your gallery is really breathtaking. Congrats partner. How did the rig hold up? Welcome home, Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted May 24, 2009 (edited) Thanks guys! Steve, the rig worked great. I did have a small leak on the last day, last dive in Lembeh, so I missed the shot of the zebra crab in the fire urchin as well as the tiger shrimps (those guys are small!), but a little hair dryer action and things are working well again Phil Edited May 25, 2009 by philsokol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen Colquitt 0 Posted May 25, 2009 That is some impresive photography! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mshohman 0 Posted May 25, 2009 Wow, that is one fine gallery! Sounds like you had a great trip!! I concur with the others, the wide-angle stuff is really, really awesome! Thanks fo sharing, Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sgietler 1 Posted May 25, 2009 great work Phil, I love the sweetlips, razorfish and catfish shots among many others. Sounds like a great trip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted May 25, 2009 Great stuff! It sounds like a lot of travelling, Halmahera to Lembeh... I think that I like the frogfish and the sunbursts best, but the rock window shots are pretty cool, too. Where were they taken? Reminds me of Boo. Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks again for the compliments! You're good, Tim - the window shots are Jamur Boo! Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cal 5 Posted May 27, 2009 Brilliant shots! That firsts ones a knock out Cal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted May 27, 2009 Sounds and looks like you had a great trip Phil. Some beautiful images. As Cal said the first one is amazing. All the best Stew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted May 27, 2009 Great stuff Phil. Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puffin 0 Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) Loved your wideangle shots. Really superb. Must have been a stunning trip. Thanks for sharing Puffin Edited May 27, 2009 by puffin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCmermaid 0 Posted May 27, 2009 Phil, it's your fault I'm now late for work. I was just going to take a quick look at a few of the pics in your gallery but got totally drawn in. They are incredible! I couldn't get enough and looked at every single one. I fully expected to enjoy the WA as that is my preference to shoot and I was not disappointed, but the macro work really surprised me and I thought there were some truly creative shots. Well done and I look forward to your So Africa images! Karen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatdiver 0 Posted May 27, 2009 Great Shoot!!!! Thanks your sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yahsemtough 0 Posted May 27, 2009 Very nice work Phil. Cheers Todd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
randapex 0 Posted May 27, 2009 Those Batfish in the bait shots are really cool. Great gallery. Rand Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertEagle 2 Posted May 27, 2009 Oh, how good that gallery was. I'm jealous. More, please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davichin 18 Posted May 28, 2009 Congratulations Phil! This is one of those galleries that make me want to jump in the water right now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmyates 3 Posted May 28, 2009 Wow, Phil! Great stuff, both macro and wide angle! That's the same route I did with Deb last year, so I can imagine first hand all the great subjects you had, but I am REALLY impressed with how many of them you managed to capture so well in that gallery! Superb, just superb! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted May 28, 2009 Wow, thanks for all the wonderful compliments! And thanks to Deb for a great trip! Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TN DIVER 0 Posted May 30, 2009 Hi everyone, I just got back from 12 days in Rajah Ampat on the Ondina. This was a Deb Fugitt charter focused on photos and video, so the best part was if we liked a site and didn't have to move, it was "open deck", allowing us to dive pretty much as much as our computers would allow. The route was Sorong to Lembeh via Halmahera. "The Passage", a narrow gap between two islands "Airboret", a village jetty with a giant school of bait fish, juvenile batfish, hunting trevally, and great critters Colorful and lush reefs were everywhere (this one's Kaleidoscope) Bantai Sago, a small island in the open strait - if you are patient, they will come! And Lembeh is, well...Lembeh! Great group, great crew, great trip! The rest of the pics are at http://gallery.me.com/philsokol/100158 Phil Great Images !!!!!!!! Nice job!!!!!! www.thebigpicturelibrary.com/stevenanderson Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vetdiver 8 Posted June 15, 2009 Gorgeous. Guess I know who'll be kicking butt in the remaining 2009 SDUPS monthly comps!!! Phil, it will be an honor to have my hiney punted by those images. Look forward to seeing you soon! Allison Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snaphappy 0 Posted June 22, 2009 Amazing composition here...esp. that first one. Thanks for sharing your outstanding work! Robyn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
