philsokol 1 Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) Greetings all, I just returned from Dr. Alex's photo workshop in the Egyptian Red Sea. What a fantastic trip! The timing couldn't have been better as the political situation over the last few months has had the happy effect of keeping people away - we often had some dive sites completely to ourselves! Those who have dived this area know what a complete zoo some sites can be with sometimes a dozen (or more) boats rafted together with divers out of Sharm el Sheik. The trip was arranged to spend the first half diving the Thistlegorm, a British supply ship sunk by the Germans in 1941 and possibly the northern Red Sea's most famous wreck. Spending three days on the wreck gave us lots of time to scope out the most photogenic artifacts, return to improve our images and even plan out some shots with off-camera strobes. "Ellie's bike" "Julian's truck" The stern The balance of the trip was on the best reefs in Ras Mohammend and Tiran. Alex made sure we were there at the right time to get the site's best shot and we went back to a couple sites repeatedly in order to photograph them at their best. Anenome City Yolanda Reef Jackson Reef The group was primarily British (go figure) with a smattering of other Europeans and me, the token Yank. Everyone on the trip were fantastic diving and photography companions, cooperative and generous with their knowledge. It was pretty common to come into the salon and see a dozen laptops open, everyone looking over each other's shoulder sharing shooting and processing techniques and offering constructive critiques and advice. The good Doctor gave several talks on a whole variety of subjects from lighting and composition to how to get the signature image and made sure to spend time one-on-one with everyone. The crew let us dive our way ( ) and gave us the freedom to explore the sites on our own, a huge departure in an area that can sometimes have pretty rigid rules. In short, everything you could ever want from a workshop. Very special thanks to Alex, the Whirlwind crew, and all the other participants for an absolutely fantastic trip! I'm already looking forward to next year! Phil More pics at http://www.philsokol.com/Underwater/Red-Sea-0511 Edited June 1, 2011 by philsokol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimmeineche 0 Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) Hi Phil! Fantastic images! I love the backlight effect on the Motorcycle picture and the B/W-image taken at the stearn! whish I had been there......! :-) Best regards from: Kim Meineche http://www.3dphotography.dk Greetings all, I just returned from Dr. Alex's photo workshop in the Egyptian Red Sea. What a fantastic trip! The timing couldn't have been better as the political situation over the last few months has had the happy effect of keeping people away - we often had some dive sites completely to ourselves! Those who have dived this area know what a complete zoo some sites can be with sometimes a dozen (or more) boats rafted together with divers out of Sharm el Sheik. The trip was arranged to spend the first half diving the Thistlegorm, a British supply ship sunk by the Germans in 1941 and possibly the northern Red Sea's most famous wreck. Spending three days on the wreck gave us lots of time to scope out the most photogenic artifacts, return to improve our images and even plan out some shots with off-camera strobes. Edited June 1, 2011 by Kimmeineche Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyBarker 6 Posted June 1, 2011 HI Phil, Great great images but I must ask were is the Turtle, also reading your thread I take it you may be looking to do the same trip next year?? It was a great trip as it always is, as Alex uses the same boat & the same crew, its great to have the freedom to dive our way, when the dive guides tell you that we were the best ever group of divers/ photographers he has come across, we must have been doing something right` Safe Diving, Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted June 1, 2011 Hey Andy, Yep, Julian and I are already planning on next year's trip! That does mean you'll have to put up with me again As for the turtle, you always gotta hold a little back from the forums! (but he is on my site) Great traveling with you and like I said, looking forward to next year! Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted June 2, 2011 As Andy says - some obvious ones missing Phil! I can't believe you didn't show one of "Phil's motorbike" or indeed "Damian's truck"! Understand your desire to keep the turtle a little underexposed for now. At least I can say "I was there". Glad you enjoyed the workshop - I really think it was one of the best I have run - for the attitude on board, the quality of the diving and images produced. Hope you are enjoying staying on European time this week! Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted June 2, 2011 It's so good to see the New World in the old one! I have to say that after seeing those images, Phil, I'm agog to see the mysterious (presumably by now famous, as well) turtle shot! Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
philsokol 1 Posted June 2, 2011 I didn't mean to omit anything, just hoping others from the trip will share their images! Still, I'll add a couple more. The holds are packed with row upon row of motorcycles and several different kinds of trucks. As Alex alluded, many of the artifacts acquired nicknames to differentiate them from the others based upon a distinguishing feature or the person who "discovered" a particularly photogenic composition. After seeing each other's shots during the day, we'd pull up a map of the wreck and point out the particular feature so that others could give them a try. There was the "Bubbling Bike" so named because it would often be immersed in a stream of bubbles after divers had explored the hold below, "Julian's Truck", a composition he discovered on a previous trip, etc. With the help of our dive guide Yasser, Damien found an angle on a particular truck. After seeing the image, he and Julian planned to photograph it again with an off camera strobe in the cab. I tagged along "Damien's Truck" While in a narrow part of one hold, I came across a couple motorcycles that still had their head lamps "Phil's Bikes" It really was the atmosphere of cooperation and sharing that made it possible for everyone to come away with great images, an atmosphere fostered by our illustrious group leader Special thanks to David and Debbie for their patience while I unconsciously monopolized the stern for this one: Again, thanks to Alex and all on board for a fantastic trip! Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newmediasoup2 0 Posted June 3, 2011 Greetings all, I just returned from Dr. Alex's photo workshop in the Egyptian Red Sea. What a fantastic trip! The timing couldn't have been better as the political situation over the last few months has had the happy effect of keeping people away - we often had some dive sites completely to ourselves! Those who have dived this area know what a complete zoo some sites can be with sometimes a dozen (or more) boats rafted together with divers out of Sharm el Sheik. The trip was arranged to spend the first half diving the Thistlegorm, a British supply ship sunk by the Germans in 1941 and possibly the northern Red Sea's most famous wreck. Spending three days on the wreck gave us lots of time to scope out the most photogenic artifacts, return to improve our images and even plan out some shots with off-camera strobes. "Ellie's bike" "Julian's truck" The stern The balance of the trip was on the best reefs in Ras Mohammend and Tiran. Alex made sure we were there at the right time to get the site's best shot and we went back to a couple sites repeatedly in order to photograph them at their best. Anenome City Yolanda Reef Jackson Reef The group was primarily British (go figure) with a smattering of other Europeans and me, the token Yank. Everyone on the trip were fantastic diving and photography companions, cooperative and generous with their knowledge. It was pretty common to come into the salon and see a dozen laptops open, everyone looking over each other's shoulder sharing shooting and processing techniques and offering constructive critiques and advice. The good Doctor gave several talks on a whole variety of subjects from lighting and composition to how to get the signature image and made sure to spend time one-on-one with everyone. The crew let us dive our way ( ) and gave us the freedom to explore the sites on our own, a huge departure in an area that can sometimes have pretty rigid rules. In short, everything you could ever want from a workshop. Very special thanks to Alex, the Whirlwind crew, and all the other participants for an absolutely fantastic trip! I'm already looking forward to next year! Phil More pics at http://www.philsokol.com/Underwater/Red-Sea-0511 Just fantastic, Phil! Sounds like a phenomenal trip! Cheers! Jen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigeye Bubblefish 7 Posted June 4, 2011 Hi to All, Phil, Andy, I can only second what you have just said about this workshop with Alex. It was simply amazing. I loved the great spirit of this trip and the generous cooperation between all photographers and the dedication of Alex. I have the feeling that I have learned more in UW photography during these 6 days with Alex and all the folks on board than during the past 2 years. I warmly recommend anyone willing to improve his UW photo skills to join this trip !!! I'll be there next year. As Andy and Alex said... where is the turtle ;-) Few shots taken during the trip. 1. Thistlegorm 2. Stern of the Thistlegorm 3. Hold n° 2, Thistlegorm 4. Turtle on Jackson Reef 5. Matins surgeonfishes on Ras Umm Sid 6. Coral garden on Shark Reef 7. Soft coral 8. Big truck in hold n°1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigeye Bubblefish 7 Posted June 4, 2011 (edited) 9. Platax schooling 10. BSA motorbikes, hold n°2, Thistlegorm 11. Porcupine fish on Yolanda Reef 12. Sof corals 13. Sunset on Sharm El Sheik The complete series is available on my Flickr account or on Fluidr Many thanks to everyone on board for making this trip an amazing experience. Damien Edited June 4, 2011 by Bigeye Bubblefish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyBarker 6 Posted June 4, 2011 Hi Damien, Great images the stern shot is just brilliant very well done. Its amazing the amount of information you learn between fellow photographers then thiers the expert advice of Alex. I love these trips as you also get to meet great people & make new friends. Till next time , Safe Diving, Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Tattersall 90 Posted June 5, 2011 Looks like a great trip! Some excellent shots there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy_deitsch 17 Posted June 12, 2011 I'm a little late in responding but I agree with everything Phil, Andy and Damien have said. It was a fantastic trip and I learned so much in such a short time. What I found to be really valuable was how open everyone on the trip was. The time in between dives when everyone shared tips was really outstanding and a big help for me. Alex, I've signed up for the first week of your Grand Cayman trip in January so I'm already looking forward to that! Here are some of my pics. The rest are all on flickr. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted June 12, 2011 I have the feeling that I have learned more in UW photography during these 6 days with Alex and all the folks on board than during the past 2 years. 8. Big truck in hold n°1 Two things, Damien! First a big thank you to you for the all the knowledge and enthusiasm you shared with all on board. And second that is Damien's truck - not a "Big truck"! A fabulous selection of images. Alex p.s. I know I am 100% biased, but I see a lot of photo workshops out there - but I honestly feel that the group produced a set of images on this one that are truly outstanding. I'm a little late in responding but I agree with everything Phil, Andy and Damien have said. It was a fantastic trip and I learned so much in such a short time. What I found to be really valuable was how open everyone on the trip was. The time in between dives when everyone shared tips was really outstanding and a big help for me. Fantastic shots Andy - and you should tell people that this was your first time shooting wide angle - which for me makes the quality of images you produced almost hard to believe. Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigeye Bubblefish 7 Posted June 16, 2011 (edited) Thank you Alex !!! You really helped me during that week to improve my technic. Too bad that you were not onboard while I was diving and shooting in California last weekend... different conditions, different problems. I would have loved to send you a long, long list of questions. To andy... we almost forgot that you were shooting WA for the very first time. Your images command respect !!! Edited June 16, 2011 by Bigeye Bubblefish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Douglas 16 Posted August 18, 2011 Just fantastic, Phil! Sounds like a phenomenal trip! Cheers! Jen Love the motorcycle shot. Perfect angle and lighting. Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted August 18, 2011 Should add that Damien's pictures from the workshop were also in the UK newspapers: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-20...ng-hotspot.html Alex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted August 19, 2011 That's a great article: Damien's images are very, very impressive; it's just embarrassing that I'm typing this whilst wearing my "Hated by the Daily Mail" T-shirt*! Tim * Think of the Daily Mail as a low-brow Wall Street Journal, aimed at Homer Simpson, and me as a New York Times reader... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigeye Bubblefish 7 Posted August 20, 2011 (edited) Thank you Alex for posting the link, and Thank you Tim for your nice words about the images. Do not feel embarrassed, the Daily Mail is the Daily Mail The article was also in the The Sun which is another UK Tabloid !!! http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/...ikes-cargo.html Damien Edited August 20, 2011 by Bigeye Bubblefish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
