Introductions (original thread, now closed)

[manatee19 5]

Hi,

 

I've been lurking for quite a while and posting sometimes.

 

Live in Canada, Montreal to be accurate. Started diving in 1974... do the math and it will tell you I started with a Nikonos II and a bulb flash...

 

Been through most everything but Nik IV which was only an expensive door stopper. Owned a total of 8 Aquatica housings, starting with the AII all the way to the A90 and finally the D100.

 

Strobe-wise, after the bulb flash wich did not see much use, went to Subsea MK150 (still the best light according to my taste), YS-200, Ike's MS50 and SS200 and SS125!

 

Too many lenses to mention.

 

Enough boring hardware talk.

 

U/W photo is a lifelong passion that got me and best half to great places, met a lot of friends and enjoy very much as a couple.

 

Other Canucks might recognize the Diver columnist and those who attend some dive shows may have seen our multi-image (slide or digital) productions.

 

Nothing much to add but cheers for the Wetpixel gang which is a great resource for information and entertainment.

 

Best regards,

 

Michel Gilbert

 

PS : Why did I pick "manatee19"? Did a lot of sirenian pictures and use this nickname whenever I need to register on the net... easier on my memory.

[james 0]

Hi gents and welcome to Wetpixel.

 

I lived out in Berkeley for 6 years while I was going to school and am quite familiar w/ the Cordell Banks NMS. I'd be delighted to see some pix if you have any Keith.

 

Michel: sames goes for the Manatee photos. And it's great to have another journalist here. I'm sure you write fair and impartial articles about digital photography, unlike some/most others...lol. But the conversion is happening slowly but surely!

 

Cheers

James

[manatee19 5]

Hi Eric,

 

My articles on digital are not fair... they are biased TOWARD digital!!!!

 

My view is that digital will do for u/w photography the same thing that the Nikonos did two decades ago.

 

Getting the exposure right with film cameras (using slide film) was a bit harder for the beginners whereas digital, with its wide latitude, helps a lot in this respect.

 

The "instant gratification" aspect will help a lot too since one can readily see his/her errors.

 

Obviously, digital technology is a work in progress but at 6Mp, the average consumer has more than enough power, not to mention the 11-14Mp.

 

Was at Aquatica a few days ago (20 minutes from home) and saw the first Kodak DCS Pro14n housing.

 

Same size as the D100/S2. Promises to be a great product.

 

 

It is an expensive proposal for those who are mortgaging their houses to get the most stuff...:-)) but we are living at a great time to take underwatre images.

 

Happy bubbles everyone,

 

Michel

[kcf955 1]

Hello James,

 

I do have some slides but all of the good ones I gave to the expedition leader and asked him to make dupes which never happened. I was not so smart back then. Anyway, as soon as I can borrow a friends film scanner, I plan on scanning more of my slides.

 

Keith

[Gilligan 0]

Aloha,

I'm new to the forum. I am retired and live in Maui, Hawaii. I am an avid kayak diver and have been involved in amateur underwater photography for a little over three years now. I have a personal website that I use for my underwater photos, some "how to's" of kayak diving and miscellaneous topics.

Looking forward to interacting on the site.

[kdietz 0]

Welcome Gilligan......I've enjoyed your daily posts on the other boards.....I hope that I can do what you are doing someday

 

My hat's off to you :wink:

 

Karl

[Leslie 0]

Hi -- After following the various wetpixel posts I've come to realize that I'm fairly unique among the correspondents although many of the lurkers might fit into the same category. I'm a lover of all things marine, especially inverts, and a frustrated would-be diver & UW photographer who long ago decided staying topside was the healthiest thing to do. (Did I just become a second-class citizen for admitting that?) The best way I have of connecting with the undersea world is by servers like wetpixel & UW photo sites. Wetpixel is a big source of enjoyment for me & a resource as well -- great pictures that are visually stunning, photographic tips that help my own photography, on-line identifications, and links to useful sites -- plus a heck of a lot of good people.

 

Much of my field work is in the eastern Pacific, Caribbean & Fiji. As a marine biologist/taxonomist/museum person I work closely on site with divers who collect samples that I photograph, process, and id. Often our survey teams have way too much gear to carry guide books with us. Many of the people I've corresponded with through this board have been very generous in letting me download their images to my laptop to use in the field or for research. Right now I'm collecting Indo-Pacific images in preparation for 5 weeks in Fiji. So here's to Wetpixel - long may it prosper!

 

Cheers, Leslie

website: http://www.nhm.org/research/annelida/index.html

http://www.nhm.org/guana/bvi-invt/home.htm

[SharkyUAE 0]

Hi all,

 

After a two and half year absence of diving I returned to the sea again as my 12 yr old daughter completed her Junior Open Water.

 

Also realising that my F3 adn F801 in their respective housing would soon become obselete I recently updated to a D70 in a Sea&Sea housing.

 

Now I need to make time for my diving as much as my other major hobby (4x4 dune driving) despite a busy schedule which includes frequent flying.

 

Looking forward to useful tips to help me on digital photos

 

Cheers

[apete 1]

I now have a business interest in Epoque products. /Anders

[Paraizo 0]

Hi all, my name is Frederico.

I am from portugal and am an university student. I am in brasil at the moment and finally am taking pics underwater... I love diving and i´m eager to pursue a career in it. (money? who cares about money? LOL)

...

[waja 0]

Hello all,

I'm hoping that this forum will help me to move from 35mm to Digital Underwater Photography. A few years ago, I decided that once 8M Pixel DSLR cameras were more or less affordable, I would switch/add one to my list of items that I would have, but probably never fully master.

I plan on getting the Canon EOS 20D and the things needed for macro photography. If things work out as plan, I will sign on for a Cathy Church (Digital) SuperCourse for 2005. (I did this in 2003 (35mm) and it was an awesome experience!)

I would like to hear from anyone that is using an EOS camera for underwater photography or plans on using the EOS 20D. eTTL and SLR are new to me, so feel free to point me in the right direction.

 

Lastly, I am now a full member of the 'where the hell are my reading glasses' crowd. I can no longer see the damn numbers on my Nikonos V Camera as my arms do not stretch to that length. Can someone in this crowd tell me what they are doing to be able to continue taking pictures? Braille is not an option.

 

Thanks,

Rick Levesque

Aquashot II to Motormarine II to Nikonos V to Canon EOS (20D)?

Homepage - http://pages.sbcglobal.net/waja (Underwater photo attempts)

[kjnmermaid 0]

My name is Kerry Nickols and I am a marine scientist in Southern California. This past year I had a scholarship through the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society which, among many other things, provided me an opportunity to try my hand at image making. It has become a way for me to convey my passion for the underwater world and my determination to promote education and conservation of the marine environment. I am currently shooting stills with a Nikon D100 in a Light and Motion Housing, and video with a Sony PC120 in a Light and Motion Housing.

I'm looking forward to being a member of wetpixel.

[MikeVeitch 0]

Welcome Kerry, sounds like a great scholarship if you can afford all that underwater gear.

I recall instant noodles and retiring from skiing due to lack of funds in University, and i had a job!

 

Color me jealous

[kjnmermaid 0]

Actually, the scholarship I had is independent from University, I graduated a couple of years ago. This scholarship is for individuals who have completed university and are interested in the underwater realm, but know where their career path lies. More information may be found at www.owuscholarship.org It's an incredible program, and Light and Motion is a sponsor. However, my ND100, not a scholarship expense, and my credit card company owns more of it than I do!

[pummkin 0]

I'm Pamela from sunny Malaysia & besides teaching BSAC & PADI, I'm also the honorary secretary of the Malaysian Sport Diving Association & the Project Director of Reefball Asia. I've been diving for 12 years & taking underwater shots for less than 4 years with various cameras & housings. I get to assist in commercial & non-commercial scientific expeditions as their dive leader & research assistant. Would love to get involved in any way to spread awareness about marine conservation. This site is amazing! I just wish I had more time to read every single post!

[mwagner1 0]

Hello all,

 

My name is Mark and I live in Austin, Texas. I am a dedicated Nikon shooter who loves to shoot wildlife and especially birds.

 

I am waiting for the new Nikon D2X to come out, as well as the Subal ND2 housing (if it indeed works with the D2X). When I get my gear, I am looking forward to moving some of my above ground efforts to underwater photography!!!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark in Austin

[kdietz 0]

Welcome from another Texan.......

 

Karl

[christof 0]

hello

 

i'm christof. i have been lurking for a couple of months. i have picked up lots of useful information from you guys and marvelled at some sublime shots. thx

 

i started diving just over a year ago, so a real newbie. i enjoy taking photos on land so naturally transferred my limited skills underneath the water using a friends cheapie.

 

however, i soon decided that before dedicating more time and money to this endeavour that it would be a good idea to become a good diver first. i do not want to destroy the marvellous environment that i am trying to capture. i have heard so many horror stories about photographers who are just bad divers that i definitely do not want become one of them.

 

i have a D70 with the kit lens. i bought the Sigma 15mm FE yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.

 

i head back up to continue my DM with a school on the Similans tomorrow. i will not be buying a housing until i have completed the course.

 

if it all works out i hope to buy an Ikelite housing, 70-180 Macro and a single strobe, to start off with, unless advised otherwise. this hobby is soooo expensive!

 

looking forward to the time when i can contribute more. for now i'll just keep reading.

[james 0]

Hi Christof - just so you don't make a mistake, the 70-180 lens is not compatible w/ the Ikelite housing.

 

Welcome to Wetpixel - it's great to have folks from y our part of the world.

 

Cheers

James

[octopus 0]

Greetings

 

I figured it was only polite to introduce myself as a new member. My name is Libby and I am a research scientist by day...have to pay for dive gear etc. somehow! :wink: I have been lurking for a bit to gather some information, but joined when I found I could actually answer a question..and I needed to post one of my own [it is elsewhere in the forums].

 

I have moved into UW photography as a way of sharing the beauty of the UW world...and to answer all the 'what do you see down there?" questions.

 

Looking forward to learning more from these forums!

 

Libby

 

PS I picked octopus as they are one of my favorite underwater critters!

[christof 0]

Thanks for that James

 

Looks like i am going to have get the 60 or 105 macro then, unless they're not compatible either. I really do not want to fork out thousands of $s for an aluminium casing.

 

I obviously need to research more!

[cloustalot 0]

Hello

 

Didn't realize this was here or I would have introduced myself awhile back. My name is Christa and I live in Spring, TX. I've been a DM for 2 years - been diving for 10. I've been taking pictures for longer than that, but only recently (1 year ago) starting shooting underwater - and have had to start learning everything all over again! I love underwater photography - and have been shoving my new website in front of anyone who will look at it.. :wink:

 

I've been learning alot from the "pros" around here and look forward to learning more!

 

James - I'll see you at the HUPS meeting (you weren't there last time so I couldn't introduce myself). Look forward to meeting you!

[james 0]

Too cool - another Texan! I've been working offshore the last couple of months, so I have missed a bunch of the HUPS meetings. Fortunately, I could still send in my digital contest entries and I even won one contest while I was offshore! lol.

 

Did you go to Seaspace this year? What did you think? Did you go to the Wetpixel seminar? :-)

 

I looked at your gallery and I see that you were on the trip where they found the dead sharks at Stetson. Bummer! My fiance works for the FGB and they seemed to be of the opinion that they were "catch, kill, release" by sportfishermen, and not shrimping bycatch. What do you think?

 

Looking fwd to meeting another wetpixel member.

 

Cheers

James

[lovells19 0]

Intro

 

hi hi,

 

Im from singapore, been diving for only 2yrs, 1yr of UW photography, still at the bottom of the learning curve.

 

hoping to move on the DSLR soon, if my year end bonus allows.

 

looking forward to learn more from you guys

[Johann 0]

Hi,

 

my name is Johan and I´m from South Sweden. I have been a member here a while but didn´t know about this introduction forum.

I have been diving since I was 13 or 14 and I am now 18 years old. The ocean, diving, fish, animals and photographing is my passion I also play guitar, mostly blues. Soon I will finish school (in summer) and I´m now thinking of what I should do the rest of my life, I would like to work with something that involves the ocean and diving. I am thinking of moving somewhere south to a more tropical sea and study marinebilologi or maybe I will take some years off and work before I continue study. In school now I am working on a one year project that will be about underwaterphotography. I have been in Egypt twice and dived and in mars I will travel to the Philippines on a whaleshark safari and then I will go to Malapascua. This will finish my project. It will be my fisrt trip alone. when I was in Egypt my father and sister also came along, they also dive.

I hope I will get a chance to dive with alot of you people here and meet you. If anyone have a available temporary job somewhere that involves my interests talk to me I am willing to take It. I would love to travel the world to get there and I would work for only experience and fun and for something to live on

 

Cheers Johan N