Scubashooters net e mag issue n29 jul 2017

ISSUE

N°29 J U L 2017

An interview with...

Alex Mustard Introducing Underwater Photograpy Masterclass

by Isabella Maffei

Travels

by Francesco Turano

Marine biology

by R. E. Haldorsen

Review

Contest

The Strait of Messina and Costa Viola Isotta Housing

by Simon Lorenz

Discovering the Angel of the sea

Divers for Africa: the winners

Dear Friends, you should know us by now; those who have been following Scubashooters.net since the beginning should remember my promise of an endeavor to always bring new experiences, new contents and new activities inside our network.

Since the startup of the Scubashooters group on Facebook back in 2012, the fanpage was created right afterwards, followed by the website, the monthly contest, the e-magazine, Deepvisions, Instagram community and finally the Deepblu coorganized festival.

About the festival I can anticipate we are already organizing a new edition and in a few weeks you will receive more details.

About news and improvements with this month’s issue you will notice some changes inside our magazine.

They are mainly graphic rewamps and they have been thought to improve your experience while reading our magazine dear readers.

After almost five years from my first promise I’m ready to make another one for even more activities and opportunities for you, dear friends, all you have to do is just keep on following us.

Thank you.

Marino Palla Owner and Founder Scubashooters Network

Cover image by: Alex Mustard

CONTENTS July 2017 3

EDITORIAL by Marino Palla

8 AN INTERVIEW WITH...

Alex Mustard

by Isabella Maffei

18 TRAVELS The Strait of Messina and Costa Viola

by Francesco Turano 34 40 44 50 58

MONTHLY CONTEST “Black and white”: the winners REEF ID: jellyfish WORKSHOP: at Anilao Photo Academy with Henry Jager REVIEW: arms - all the same all different by Pierpaolo Peluso REVIEW: Isotta Pro Housing by Simon Lorenz

72 MARINE BIOLOGY Angel of the sea

by Rune Edwin Aldorsen

80 86

DAN EUROPE: 6 Tips for safe Dive Safari and Liveaboard PHOTO CONTEST “Divers for Africa”: the winners

NEXT ISSUE Preview PORTFOLIO: Jerome Kim

TRAVELS: “Ice Experience” by Ivana Orlovic REVIEW: bubble scuba Torch CONTESTS: UWP Marathon MONTHLY CONTEST “Half&half”: the winners

E ditor : F abio S trazzi V erein S cubashooters 8952 S chlieren - S witzerland 38668878 G raphic design and supervising : S ilvia B ogni L ayout : S ilvia B ogni , E lisa F urlani C ontributors : C hiara S crigner

In Lembeh with David and Cristina Do you like traveling and diving? Do you have a passion for marine biology and under water photography? Then join David Salvatori and Maria Cristina Di Palma on their trip to the Lembeh Strait, in Indonesia, the undisputed realm of biodiversit y in the Indo-Pacific area!

Save the date for next Februar y 2018, in the beautiful location of the Dabirahe resor t, with special conditions and benefits reser ved exclusively to the members of this group! Sea, diving, professionalism, passion, fun: a "must do" experience!

info: david@ilmaresonoio.com

AN INTERVIEW WITH...

Alex Mustard Dr. Alex Mustard does not need to be presented; his well-known fame precedes him. What deserves to be introduced with plenty is its beautiful underwater photography manual. From the simple and straightforward arrangement, accompanied by undoubtedly beautiful photos, it is a real manual, worthy of that definition.

Arguments are dealt with logically, with extreme clarity and dynamically and directly. Many handy examples complement every aspect of the photo you are dealing with, as one should expect from a photographer who speaks to other photographers.

Apparently, the manual seems to be directed to novices, but reading carefully you realize that at the right time, a little suggestion can make it convenient even to the most experienced photographer. From June 2017, the “Kindle” edition is now available!

1- What has triggered in you the desire to write a book of the photographic technique for underwater photography?

I have published over 500 articles on underwater photography, and I probably teach more photographers on workshops than anyone else.

So I don’t think that it is a surprise to say that I have been asked to write a book on underwater photography much time over the years.

In fact, I had already contributed to nine different books on the techniques of underwater photography.

But I decided now was the time to write my Book because digital cameras are now technologically mature and universally used.

For much of the last ten years, underwater photography discussions were stuck comparing film and digital. Now we can just return to talking about photography.

Underwater Photography Masterclass is a book about photography; it is not a book about cameras.

Underwater Photography Masterclass is not a book which says there is one way to take underwater photos. It gives the reader option, shows them many techniques to express themselves artistically as a photographer.

Finally, I have taught hundreds of photographers over the last 15 years.

Teaching a subject makes sure you develop a thorough understanding.

It also shows you what advice and techniques are most useful. And that is what is in this book.

2- Have you been inspired by anyone in particular?

As a photographer, I have been inspired by the work of hundreds of other photographers. And I am continually inspired.

I am always open for photographic inspiration and I am proud to have real friendships with some of the world’s best underwater and wildlife photographers.

That said, I love looking at photos and I am inspired not only by the big names but by any photographer who tries to produce original work.

Throughout the book, I refer readers to photographers whose work I find inspirational.

As a teacher of photography, my inspiration comes from the founders of The British Society of Underwater Photographers, Colin Doeg and Peter Scoones. They founded a society that was based on openness and sharing of ideas, techniques, and information.

Anyone who knows me will relate that have that same honesty about my photography – sharing exactly how I make my images. I have always regarded us as a community of underwater photographers and I enjoying being part of that community exchanging what we learn.

This is certainly a book that does not hold anything back.

3- What is your purpose? What do you hope an underwater photographer gains from your book?

The theme of the book is LIGHT, not megapixels, not Canon versus Nikon, not macro or wide angle. Lighting is the key to all photography, and this book aims to help photographers get to know light underwater, learn how to control it and how to master it.

So I hope that photographers first come away from the book with a proper reverence for light, also, to slowly learning to use all the specific techniques that are given in the pages.

4- Who is the kind of photographer who has dedicated?

The book is aimed at the enthusiastic underwater photographer.

There are many books written assuming you know nothing about underwater photography.

This book is different and it is why it is called Masterclass. It is not about the absolute basics and it aims to expand all photographers knowledge and abilities.

Many of the world’s best underwater photographers have now seen copies and everyone has told me that they learned something – I learned plenty when writing it. All that said, this isn’t a technical book, it is drafted in a straightforward style.

In fact, you don’t even need to be a photographer yet to read it. But it is a detailed book, telling you exactly how to make shots and how to avoid the common mistakes that every makes. This is one of the anonymous reviews on Amazon, which sums it up “I can genuinely say it is full of really useful practical “how to” tips. Importantly, it is not full of hard to understand technical language and is very easy to read. Highly recommend it.”

5- The book format is very original. Why did you make this choice?

I have more than 30 books on underwater photography on my bookshelf, so I wanted to do something that stood out.

My aim was always to write a book, which people would want to read whatever books they already had on the subject. I planned the book very carefully to be different.

Its structure means that each new page is a new topic, making it easy to pick up on a dive trip. The topics are covered concisely, so you can refer to them between dives and learn a technique to try on the next dive. You don’t have to remember where you read something valuable because the book is divided into techniques, so the advice you are after is easy to find.

What has pleased me is that people are doing exactly this – I get lots of emails from people who have found the book so valuable on their travels.

And finally from June the “Kindle” edition is available!

6- How is it structured?

The book is divided into ten chapters. The first section is the Introduction.

The second deals with you the underwater photographer, explaining how to approach the underwater world to produce the best images. The third is about photographic equipment, but not about any specific brands or models, but the factors that do equipment work well underwater.

The fourth is Controlling light, giving you the tools to take any underwa-

ter photograph by controlling both the quantity and quality of light in your photos. Five deals with the specific techniques of wide angle photography and six deals with the specific techniques of macro photography.

The next concerns available light underwater, how to understand, predict and exploit light conditions, both in ambient light images and in balanced light photos. Eight concerns more advanced wide angle techniques and nine more advanced macro techniques. The final chapter brings it all together, explaining how to choose the best methods for the subject and story of your images, giving examples with some of the traditional underwater subjects.

7- Do you think the technique is crucial to get a great shot?

Yes, I am sure we all do.

The underwater world is one of the hardest places to take images, and if you do not use proper technique then you will not produce high-quality images.

This is a book of techniques. However, photography is about more than technique.

It is also about your vision as a photographer, the ideas you bring to show subjects in original compositions and eye-catching ways.

8- How then to combine passion, emotion, and knowledge of the photographic gesture?

I think it is best to answer this with a quote from the book! “There has never been a more exciting time to be an underwater photographer... we have incredibly reliable and capable cameras to capture the images of our dreams. We are limited only by our imagination. All this makes ideas the most precious commodity.”

And these ideas come from our passion for our subjects and the emotions we feel underwater and want to portray in our images. It is crucial to open our minds and hearts as photographers. But we still need the technical skills to do this.

Another quote from the introduction is: “Just as Michelangelo needed to master the chisel before carving a marble block into David, underwater photographers need to learn photo techniques, particularly lighting, to express themselves artistically truly.”

9- What was the message you want them to be impressed by essential teaching?

My approach to teaching is to explain exactly how to get the shot, but I also want you to understand why. Why those settings and those strobe positions are crucial to producing exactly that style of lighting.

But also why that lighting technique will work with that subject,

why that lens is the right one for that shot, why we want to use the light differently for color and black and white images.

In short, I hope that Underwater Photography Masterclass gets people better underwater photographs, but just as important I hope it makes people better, more knowledgeable underwater photographers!

10- Just for fun: so that why our readers should buy your book?* Our baby was born in June, and I need the income!

An interview with... is a new project by Isabella Maffei

Leo3 Plus

Leo3

Leo3 Wi

MAKE IT EASY

Leo3 Smart

TRAVELS The Strait of Messina and Costa Viola

Words and Pictures

by Francesco Turano

The waters of the Strait of Messina, a meeting point between Ionian and Tyrrhenian Sea, with the nearby waters of the Costa Viola, a stretch of Calabrian coast so called for the dark color of its deep sea, represent a corner of the Mediterranean particularly rich in life and colors .

The strong tidal currents are the perennial engine feeding these waters: continuous streams of large water masses, alternately flowing from south to north and vice versa (the upstream current and downstream current) carry a disproportionately large amount of tiny animals to larval stage (plankton). A micro fauna forming the basis of the food chain, nourishment for many species living in the liquid element.

This constant supply of nutrients allows fish and invertebrates to reproduce and survive, in a way occurring unlikely in other places. Currents also continually clean up water from many polluting factors, though

they cannot overcome the devastating pressure exerted by man with invasive systems and types of fishing at all in balance with the delicate ecosystem of this rich sea. However, this is not the space to discuss the real health problems of our sea, which is in any case among the

cleanest in Italy. Instead, it is preferable to know how much wealth is hidden underwater, under the blue surface of that sea we watch every day from our window, and only a few lucky ones have the pleasure of watching directly underwater. Let’s try to dive into the waves and sink into the blue, accompanied by a “touristic” guide out of the ordinary, and suddenly we’ll find ourselves surrounded by a multitude of extraordinary life forms, in quantities and concentrations that, on dry land, we are not used to seeing. Our dive guide will first explain that we need to focus not that little, just to be able to look at one thing at a time without confusing us.

Starting, for example, from invertebrates, i.e. all those animals that live in close contact with the bottom or at the mercy of waves and currents, and that color the rocks and sands of the seabed of the Strait and the Costa Viola.

Among these, the coelenterates (sea anemones, stony and cup corals, for instance), have such showy and spectacular shapes and colors that they do not fear any comparison with a colorful tropical environment. This is the case of the forest of yellow and red gorgonians (Paramuricea clavata) of Scylla’s seabed, unparalleled throughout the Mediterranean.

Gorgonians that create, by adhering to the rocks of the bottom, a real “wood”: an environment suitable for hosting multiple other species of coelenterates, echinoderms, crustaceans, tunicates, sponges and, last but not least, fishes. The rare echinoderm Astrospartus mediterraneus is present on the sea fans of Scylla, at depths ranging between -35 and -55 meters.

It is a very special type of brittlestar, who lives attached to a sea fan’s branch in more or less stable position. Its arms are long and thin, equipped with countless appendices. During the day, the animal is curled up on itself, while at night it rolls out its long arms to catch plankton.

And what about the beautiful “bouquet of white flowers� adorning some sea fans? In fact, they are tunicates or sea squirts (Clavelina lepadiformis), primitive animals living by filtering water.

Their colonies, consisting of a multiplicity of individuals, enrich the environment with a further note of color.

Scattered here and there, big coelenterates rise from the bottom in which they live embedded: they are ceriantharians, or tube-dwelling anemones, invertebrates hidden inside a tube halfburied in the sediment of which only the apical part with the fleshy crown and colored tentacles is visible.

They are large animals for being coelenterates, and even the size

achieved in these waters is an exception: the specimens that live on the seabed north of the Strait are probably secular. The tube-dwelling anemone may in fact live as long and more than a human being. And in our sea, this possibility is not remote, given the ideal conditions for their lives.

The lords of the sea, the fishes, are very well represented by groupers, breams, snappers, damselfishes, greater amberjacks and the beautiful but seasonal Zeus Faber (John Dory), visible mainly between January and April, when the temperature is about 14°C. Like the John Dory, monkfish (Lophius piscatorius) is found around in the same periods and the same places.

These fishes are very easy to approach but very difficult to detect, because of their camouflage. In any case, they represent an exceptional encounter for the diver, as they are quite willing to pose for photographs, as well as having a completely peculiar shape, unique in the world of fishes.

In addition, night diving on the seemingly insignificant sandy bottoms of the central and southern coast of the Strait, might give surprises that border on the unbelievable.

A dense populations of invertebrates and small fishes comes out committed to predation: mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, all moving animated by a feeding frenzy that sometimes leads them to ignore even the dazzling light the diver, in order to observe or photograph, is forced, alas, to use!

An exciting show, a natural circus that the sea gives us even only a few meters deep. A fish that, for example, we can observe in nature only in these waters, it is the small spine trumpet fish (Macroramphosus scolopax).

Accustomed to living beneath the 100 meters deep, finds here the ideal habitat to live and reproduce even at a few meters. In the seabed facing the Greek walls, on the Reggio’s promenade, dancing clouds of thousands of these fish move, swimming upside down, trying to avoid the lighthouse’s light that illuminates them.

It happened to me only recently, after thousands of hours spent underwater, to look at two specimens during the coupling, just 50 cm deep.

I had run out of film and could do anything but observe them.

I would probably be the first to photograph such a scene.

Nevertheless, in this sea I had the good fortune to photograph unique fishes that elsewhere are not in the reach of a man diving with a scuba gear.

Like the funny Angular roughshark (local name pig shark), a small shark that frequents the rocks running parallel to Lazaro’s waterfront at depths ranging between -40 and -80 meters.

Or even the rare pufferfish, found by chance only once.

Even fishes never seen before, coming from the Red Sea through the Suez Channel on the seabed of Reggio Calabria.

It is the case of Stephanolepsis diaspros, a Monacanthidae I photographed both in its juvenile form and in the adult stage (three sightings).

Although it does not seem true, precisely in those waters, where often locals discharge waste of all kinds (see the mouth of Calopinace creek, Annunziata and others) and where the beach is reduced to a large dustbin, live and reproduce in a privileged condition a wide community

of Mediterranean fishes and invertebrates, which are here in excess and with an unusual concentration per square meter of seabed.

To protect this sea is necessary, first of all, to know it. Surely, this few lines can be used just to “shake waters�, as many are not even aware of possessing such a heritage.

Suffice to think that an underwater natural park in the Strait could become an immense source of income for those who, even today, are still unemployed.

It would be enough to turn it into a true marine park, despite the road to achieving that goal is not among the easiest.

Returning to our sea, I would like to conclude by highlighting the amazing variety found on our seabeds, both in terms of their conformation and of the existing flora and fauna, from south to north.

From the bottoms of sand and mud, alternating with bare rock with large slopes and submerged cliffs of the southern boundary (Leucopetra promontorium), we switch to detritus with plantations of Caulerpa racemosa and Cymodocea nodosa (small green plants that create a sort of lawn on sandy bottoms) in the Pellaro S. Gregorio area.

The situation in Reggio and Archi is more or less similar, where detritus of different types are prevailing, with artificial reefs that led to the birth of true oases of life.

Everything changes dramatically proceeding towards Catona, where the detritus is transformed into fine and white sand similar to that of the Maldives islands, and so it remains up to Villa San Giovanni, where we begin to find extensive rock plateaus and exceptional visibility.

The remarkable water transparency is clearly due to currents.

Their violence makes this area unsuitable for recreational diving, almost always very dangerous.

Then we arrive to Cannitello and hence to the cliffs of Costa Viola.

The current, in moments of stagnation, allows us to enjoy pleasant dives to discover the fabulous underwater rocks, with the possibility to meet also the great Laminaria, ocean plants that find here the same conditions as in the Atlantic.

Proceeding toward the northern boundary of the Strait (Scylla), the submerged rocks form majestic shoals, true underwater mountains, decorated by the shining colors of coelenterates.

An underwater paradise, that of the Strait, not just on the coast of Calabria (which I described) but also on those of Sicily, although the coast between Taormina and Punta Faro is generally shallower and less varied.

Puerto Galera - Oriental Mindoro - Philippines

Share your passion for diving wishlist exploring the magical underwater world of Puerto Galera.

This fabulous destination offers the perfect mix of diving and culture, hiding surprises for even the most expert of divers in its unique biodiversity and colourful marine creatures.

An ideal destination for macro photographers.

www.fishermenscove.com

.

+63 917 533 2985

.

info@fishermenscove.com

MONTHLY CONTEST Black and White

1st

Ifj Lorinc Ferenc Wins a MASK by

2nd

Michael Gallagher Wins a CLAMP by

3rd Ifj Lorinc Ferenc Wins a VOUCHER by

REEF ID Jellyfish To Pee or Not to Pee, that is the Jellyfish question.

Before I go into the fascinating facts about Jellyfish, I figured I’d answer the most important Jellyfish question of all.

Will it help if someone urinates on my Jellyfish sting?

The answer to this is NO, this is not a helpful activity.

Hopefully this article saves a few individuals from a potentially embarrassing situation.

Jellyfish sting by shooting poison darts, nematocysts, into their prey or an unsuspecting diver. These darts are generally located on their tentacles but are also found on the bell of some species.

Any change in salt balance to the mechanism a Jellyfish uses to sting, cnidocytes, causes it to fire. Given that, rinsing in fresh water and yes, urinating on a sting makes things worse… unless, you pee saltwater.

A remedy that does do a reasonably good job of relieving pain is vinegar. It does this by rendering the stinging darts inactive.

In addition to the above process that takes a mere 1/1,000,000 of a second to happen, there are many more fascinating facts about Jellyfish.

A Jellyfish’s body is roughly 95% water and is mostly made up of a jelly like substance called mesoglea.

They can be found in all of earth’s oceans and even in some freshwater lakes. Variants of their species have been in our oceans for over 500 million years. Today, there are over 10,000 species of Jellyfish. The largest of the species, the Lions mane jellyfish, Cyanea capillata, can reach over 30 meters long. At this length, it is longer than a blue whale.

They prey upon fish and plankton that they capture in their tentacles.

Although their stinging abilities are a fantastic defense mechanism, they are still prey to thicker skinned predators including Sea turtles, Sharks and Sunfish. Some species of Nudibranch actually eat the tentacles of Jellyfish and retain the stinging capabilities of them to be used as their own protection.

This willingness to eat Jellyfish by other predators can actually be dangerous to them for other reasons.

Plastic bags are often mistaken by predators for Jellyfish. More than 100,000 animals die every year after ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic bags.

With its unique defense mechanisms and staying power, it’s no wonder scientists have looked to the Jellyfish for answers. The stinging cells of Jellyfish may one day model the way injections are made and fluorescent proteins taken from glowing jellyfish are now one of the most important tools in medicine, used in everything from brain mapping to disease research.

Most jellyfish have a relatively short life span that ranges from a few days to less than a year. Some of the more minuscule species only live for a few hours. Oddly enough, some Jellyfish have “immortal” properties. It can be argued that the immortal Jellyfish, Turritopsis dohrnii, ages backwards. When a crisis like starvation presents itself, the Jellyfish’s cells transform to their earliest form and become ready to grow again another day.

Should you come across a Jellyfish, observe, appreciate and be careful.

And if you get stung, remember, not to pee is the answer.

Words John Fifer

Seaside Resort in Mabini, Batangas, Philippines next to the famous Anilao Pier. 6 AC rooms with attached bathrooms and 5 fan rooms with shared bathrooms.

“My home away from home”

“Diver’s dream home”

“A place not to be missed.

A person u ought to know...” https://www.facebook.com/anilaophotohotel Watsapp: +6016 246 0606 To call: +63918 5955 554

A journey in and around Capodacqua - Pictures and text by David Salvatori Publisher Punta Campanella Diving

Reflections from the past “Reflections from the Past” is a photographic journey in the heart of Tirino valley in Italy, ending in the crystal clear waters of the Capodacqua lake, at the culmination of a journey in which the places visited by the author stimulated fascination and personal reflections.

“Reflections from the Past” is an obvious line that connects all the photographic work, those of reflections of the images on the separate surfaces of water and air.

In the end, Reflection is an instrument “of reflection”, a mirror to past fears and troubles, for which the exploration of Capodacqua and its surrounding areas is a “journey” whose powers of suggestion become encapsulated and processed in a symbolic way to represent an experience of personal growth of the author.

The final goal is the achievement of a positive thought, peaceful, calm and as clear as the lake’s water; the communion with water being the road to rescue, the map to discovery of what is true and real in life.

www.reflectionsfromthepast.com

www.facebook.com/ReflectionsFromThePastTheBook

A WORKSHOP WITH...

Anilao Photo Academy Henry Jager 11-15 August 2017 Would you like to shoot quality underwater shots for your holiday album? Impress your friends at home? Succeed with a fantastic presentation at your dive club? Gather many likes on Facebook? Shoot professional quality images for entry in underwater photo competitions?

Or do you even plan exhibitions?

This workshop at the Anilao Photo Academy will teach you what you need to know.

Based on the skill oft he participants, the content will be adjusted just to fit the personal needs oft he aspiring underwater photographers.

Every level of photographer is very welcome.

Theory Discussing our pictures will be the main source for theory work. Nevertheless, the first three evenings contain a small block of theory where we learn about composition, point of view, different light situation, strobes positioning and technical aspects.

Diving and taking pictures Just in front of the Photo Academy, we find beautiful dive spots offering world famous macro diving. During 12 dives we spend practicing the theory we learned. We will challenge our skills with tasks like ÂŤcreative

light», «upwards angle», «super macro» and «monochrome».

Depending on the average skill of the class and the weather situation, topics are subject to changes.

It is a relaxed Workshop. Participants are welcome to influence the content by their needs.

Clinic

In the evening we enjoy the beautiful scenery Anilao Photo Academy is offering and talking about pictures and learnings. Day by day, we will follow our improvements and learn more about our fantastic passion: underwater photography!

About the Teacher Henry Jager is a passionate underwater and wildlife photographer with an incredible sense for an unexpected view on the subjects. In 2013, he added experimental photography (high speed, liquid art, drops, underwater painting and more) to his portfolio.

His photography is appreciated around the globe. Besides the DIWA Award 2016, three gold medals, two from the Trierenberger Supercircuit, the world’s biggest fotosalon and one from the underwater photography contest at UWP, Henry’s pictures have been awarded by National Geographic, Ocean Geographic, The Open, and many more.

Henry publishes in travel magazines as well as on scuba diving related webpages and blogs. He writes about travel destinations, photo courses and special photo techniques.

The 4 Days Workshop - 11/15 August 2017 The workshop is held at the Photo Academy in Anilao Philippines from 11 to 15 August 2017.

The program Fri 11 - 3 dives Sat 12 - 3 dives Sun 13 - 3 dives Mon 14 - 3 dives Tues 15 - Check out day

Rates Double occupancy USD 800 - Single occupancy USD 990 The rate will include: full board, 3 dives each day, marine park fee, boat, super divemaster, all meals, drinking water, coffee, tea, cookies, fruits.

It excludes: soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and transfers.

Book now at www.anilaophotoacademy.net anilaophotoacademy@gmail.com For best flights check: www.singaporeair.com

Photo Academy - The Resort Photo Academy is a newly opend resort, run by the renowned photographer Tim Ho. He put all his love to hosting and photography into this marvel which became a very inspiring place for underwater arts.

Photographers Paradise Though the facility is NOT a luxury resort, it is only 5 steps from the sea and has everything you will need as an underwater photographer.

Top underwater dive spotters, photography assistants, boatmen who are trained to handle cameras, staff who know how to manage cameras, 24 hour staff on duty for security and service assistance, easy access to the dive boats, camera wash tubs, blow drying air guns, a dehumidified dry-ROOM, camera work stations in common areas AND in rooms, lots of power points and fast wifi in every corner of the property.

Food served is a mix between home cooked asian and western cuisine, scheduled on a “set weekly menu�.

Any specific dietary request needs to be advised upon booking.

Rooms are air conditioned with attached hot / cold shower bathrooms and may have 1 king size bed OR 2 single beds.

Each room has no less than 10 power sockets and work tables for no less than 2 DSLR camera set-ups.

The resort has cable tv available in the common lounge area and has projector screen, big tv for movies or presentation purposes.

The workshop is a cooperation between Anilao Photo Academy: www.anilaophotoacademy.net Scubashooters: www.scubashooters.net Henry Jager: www.conartix-photo.ch

REVIEW Arms: all the same, all different

Words and Pictures Pierpaolo Peluso

Arms: all the same, but in fact all different From the passion of a young man for diving and photography, owner of a precision mechanics workshop, come the arms that professionals are appreciating in their simple idea. The brilliant idea is in the clamp-spheres coupling.

We usually see the spheres with an O-ring in the middle, or clamps with the O-ring inserted inside; these two systems try to give a certain relationship between tightening and fluidity in movement.

The problem is that a rubbery surface tends to yield if stressed frequently. Moreover, we must not forget the operating temperature of these seals: at changing weather conditions at the place of diving, we will always have different results but never optimal.

During his workshops, Adriano Penco often uses to say that if you want to “paint with light� you need fluid movement and reliability of tightening. Furthermore, the reliability of the arm system is vital when, diving in frozen waters, you wear big gloves that take away your sense of touch, as testified by Sergio Riccardo in his Arctic expedition using SML_SUB arms.

How did Alessandro Miari to make this possible?

Simple: a lot of experience in the high-performance hydraulic industrial motor engineering.

This allowed achieving details precise to the penny. Moreover, this system naturally occurs in animal joints since millions of years and is therefore a fully tested system, which includes mobile and sliding parts.

Let’s get into detail: positioned inside the anodized aluminum clamp there are disks of black Delrin which, according to the desired clamping, make the movements fluids or rigid depending on the need but providing exceptional sealing, unlike all those arms which, using rubber, lose fluidity, causing confusion in the tightening (too much or too little).

The body of the arm is composed of a pre-anodized extruded aluminum tube: thanks to the mechanical characteristics of this material, and to the internal air volume, the arm is very light in water.

The fastening system of the sphere to the arm consists of a thread on both sides (tube and ball) with one internal O-ring, all clamped by a permanent thread-blocker and a proper tightening torque: this allows to not having to search around for the glue while you travel because the sphere has decided to abandon the rest of the arm.

Recently, the SML_SUB has designed and created for his arms a modular system of floating stabilizers that, at first glance, leave the photographer perplexed, like everything that is unknown.

They consist of an aluminum tube and two caps of plastic material, and are mounted by hooking some double C, that are perfectly suited, first to the arms and then to the floats: an interlocking system that allows you to change the floats when changing lenses in less than 10 seconds.

The innovation lies in being able to rotate the float around the arm so to tilt the camera without forcing on the wrists.

When you change the settings for shooting from macro to wide angle, or vice versa, it is possible choosing to change the buoyancy thrust and the ideal position as needed: whether keeping the camera parallel or having a positive or negative tilt of 45° or more.

From 1992 Diving & S.P.A

Nature

&

Archeology.

The magic of

’

men s art and

’

nature s art

in a wonderful place to be discovered

Via Miliscola, 163 80078 Pozzuoli (NA) - Italia Cell.: +39 3292155239 - tel./fax: +39 081 853 1563 from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m.- (monday we’re close) Email: info@centrosubcampiflegrei.it Web site: www.centrosubcampiflegrei.it

REVIEW Isotta Pro Housing In the last few years a new housing brand could be seen popping up on social media for underwater photography. Literally popping up in fact, as this new housing brand uses the signal color red for its housings.

Isotta has been growing in popularity in Europe due to a great mix of functionality and competitive price. It is favored by its advocates for easy handling, long lasting quality, accessory flexibility and its compatibility with Sea&Sea ports and Inon viewfinders. Famous photographers like 2013 World Champion of Underwater Photography David Barrio swear by the Italian made brand.

Isotta is not a new in the underwater world. Isotta is the new brand name for Isotecnic, the historic Italian underwater video housing manufacturer founded 1980 in Verona, Italy.

Since 2007 the new generation in the Isotta family has taken over and focusses on compact and DSLR aluminum housings.

First impressions: About a year ago I switched to Isotta housing for my D7100 after having used various housing brands in the past.

Starting with an affordable yet frustrating Ikelite experience, I later

used fantastic Sea&Sea and Nauticam housings, but always found the high prices for housing and accessories difficult to justify.

Could Isotta be the right intermediate solution, the right mix between quality and price? And is it fit for professional usage?

The first thing that one notices is the red color.

While this is not relevant to underwater photography it does look pretty and stand out in those diver group photos. The red powderanodized finishing is still shining after around 200 dives and only has some minor scratches at the bottom.

The housing is built compact around the camera and does not take away much space.

The resulting negative buoyancy requires float arms that Isotta also offers in various sizes and forms.

With two rubber wide feet the housing stands solid when placed on the floor, which is an asset on boats and set up tables.

Even with full set of arms, strobes and diopters Isotta stands solid as a rock. In pool photographys session I have also placed it on the bottom of the pool.

The Handling: The handles are ergonomically formed and comfortable to hold, even after 6 hour long pool sessions my wrists do not tire.

The solid plastic handles have holes to allow attachment of lanyards or other accessories.

On the top of each handle there are adapters allowing the photographer to chose from a range of ball joints in different angles and directions, optimizing the set up to their exact needs. A recent introduction is the double ball joint.

This one allowed me to add video lights to my set up.

The housing also comes with an optional bracket that connects the two handles.

Pro photographers will appreciate the potential placement of up to 6 additional ball joints for a variety of video lights and strobes.

It also simplifies handling the camera above water, handing it into the water and managing the camera underwater.

The controls: Main controls are laid out similar to button placements on the camera. All buttons are laser engraved with functionality icons which is a permanent solution poorly solved by other housing brands with stickers that will come off eventually.

The button press is solid, and in over 200 dives I have not had a failed button press.

The long trigger lever works sensitively and accurately underwater, even in trickier situations with big animals around me I had good control of focus and triggering the shot.

Alternatively, using the AEL button for focusing is also facilitated with a long sensitive lever.

For the video record button there is another lever, so if video is the focus then the controls are used in a different way.

My medium sized hands can easily keep both index finger on trigger and thumb on focus, while reaching the big knobs for aperture and shutter speed.

For those with smaller hands smaller handles with less distance to the housing can be ordered.

After a few dives one can handle this camera blindly, knowing exactly where every dial and button is.

The housing comes with fully set up with two optical light cable ports (Sea&Sea) and two electrical sync sockets with Nikonos or S6 connectors. This gives photographers flexibility for their choice of strobe setup. GeneralIy I prefer sync cords but I also tested the optical ports and both work smoothly.

The Inside: The opening of the housing reveals one of its best features – the easiest opening mechanism of all underwater camera housings.

A single opening knob, allows the housing to be opened with one hand while standing upright, most housings need to be placed on the front to open, creating instability.

The knob is turned with one hand and the back housing will slightly pop open. Due to a clever mechanism it will then stay in that position until removed.

The housing can even be opened while standing up, as it requires only one hand to remove the back plate. On long pool sessions I sometimes need to exchange battery or SD cards and the opening method is easy to use even with wet hands.

Removing the back plate reveals something else: ports and back housing have double O-rings (Image) and the back plate is inserted into the housing rather than a flat connection.

These two features provide extra security against leaks as two O-rings are harder to overcome by hair or sand.

The camera is slid in with a lockable tray, but Isotta makes use of the chrome strap rings on the camera to further stabilize the camera in the housing.

The front port opening is a classic bayonet mount, that is compatible with Sea&Sea ports. My existing Sea&Sea macro and super domes work perfectly.

The inside reveals a clean and simple set up, all levers and gears are installed in a functional way. There are no elaborate double spring controls like in other housings, so also fewer parts that could break.

All parts are removable with regular Allen keys, making self repair is possible anywhere. Isotta also has a humidity detector with a standard battery. A vacuum system by Isotta is not available, but can be purchased from a third party like FITplus and fitted on the second sync socket.

Compatibility: Isotta features a wide variety of well crafted ports, domes and extension rings. Aside from being compatible with Sea&Sea ports there are adapters for Seacam, Subal, Hugyfot and others, allowing Photographers to switch brands more easily.

The viewfinder unit is compatible with INON magnification viewfinders and requires no adapter.

It only takes 2 minutes and no tools to swap the standard viewfinder, allowing an easy change according to your needs, e.g.

I only use the 45 degree viewfinder when shooting macro.

Accessories: As any brand Isotta has a wide array of accessories.

Arms, ball joints, strobe mounts and clamps are standard, but many specific solutions have been created based on feedback of pro photographers.

All standard arms are based on a 25mm diameter aluminum tube, which is triple sealed to avoid the famous cocktail shaker problematic. The range from 4.5cm to 50cm for super wide angle, and provide a little bit of positive buoyancy.

The Verdict: Having used the housing in open water and in the pool I can conclude it is a solid and functional housing that also looks great.

Solid footing and comfortable handling ergonomics make it easy to use and the simple one-hand opening mechanism beats other solutions.

Personally I like the extra security of the double o-ring and compatibility to Sea&Sea and Inon.

The controls are easy and intuitive to use, and do not seem to wear off over 200 dives. Moreover, photographers will be attracted by the fact that the Isotta is priced 20-40% lower than most aluminum housings, including electronic bulkheads.

The range of specialized accessories allows photographers to adjust their set to their needs, and if something is missing Isotta might develop it based on solid feedback.

So, if you are using the camera professionally or as a semi-pro hobbyist the Isotta is a great option, and won’t break the bank.

Words and pictures: Simon Lorenz

KUDA LAUT BOUTIQUE DIVE RESORT – SILADEN

TheKudaLautBoutiqueDiveResortopenedits gates in July 2017. It is located on the idyllic Siladen - the smallest of the islands in the Bunaken National Park.

It consists of • 8COTTAGES(2GardenFamilyCottageswith 2 separate rooms, 4 Beach View Cottages and 2 Beach Villas directly at the beach) • 4 SUPERIOR ROOMS Our DIVE CENTER is a central element of the new resort. It is equipped with a large drying room with separate individual booths for your diveequipmentandwithanAIR-CONDITIONED PHOTO ROOM tostoreandprepareyourphoto or video equipment.

On the upper floor of the dive center there is an open-air classroom for seminars and trainings or for showing your underwater pictures of the day to your friends.

More info and contacts: http://bit.ly/2vtQF8q

MARINE BIOLOGY Angel of the Sea

Words and Pictures Rune Edvin Haldorsen

If you should happen to cross 60o north a day in March and the wind is blowing towards land, you can sometimes see small, transparent creatures swimming near the surface with their tiny wings.

This creature could then be a sea angel or naked sea butterfly (Clione limacine).

Not too many people know they have seen them, but they are living in massive numbers in in the Arctic Ocean and cold regions of the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. Divers also miss them because they are small, pelagic and they will normally swim shallower than the safety stop.

Fig 1. A Sea Angel with heart of gold and horns like a devil

The snail is up to 40 mm in size, but normally smaller.

They are living in the whole North Atlantic Ocean, Artic Ocean and the North Pacific, but you will only see them near the coastline in the winter and early spring when the water is cold and the wind is blowing towards land. In such conditions, they are following the current towards land.

The easiest place to take some photos of them will be in a small bay or harbor where there is less current.

Figure 2. Inner part of the Oslo Fjord at winter time.

The sea angel approach the coast when the water temperature is quite cold.

A dry suit with reasonable insulation is required. At this time the water temperature is about 0° C.

They are approaching shallow waters in the evening / nigh and you might get the possibility to take some nice photos with mirror effect in the surface.

Figure 3. Searching for the small sea angel is both painful and facinating

The Sea Angel is a predator,mainly feeding on smaller sea butterflies like Limacina retroversa and Limacina helicina.

When the sea angel catch their prey, it looks like they are turning the whole stomack inside out to catch them.

The thing happening is in fact small tentacles from the head region.

When caught, the sea angle sucks the prey out of its shell.

The Sea Angel is a sequential hermaphrodite,which means the young species are males and the older species are females.

Figure 4. The sea angel will quite often have hitchikers attached to the body. The small ampiphods are nice photo models.

Figure 5. In wintertime, when the wind is giving a current towards land, lots divers are entering the icy water to watch the small, beautiful creatures.

Figure 6. A nice winter day in the harbor.

A perfect place to look for sea angels

FACTS Lathin name: Clione limacina Family: Gymnosomata Maximum size: 40 mm Distribution: Arctic Ocean and cold regions of the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans Food: Smaller sea butterflies (Thecosomata), like

Limacina retroversa and Limacina helicina.

Specialities: Hemaphrodite. Young species are males.

Older are females.

Figure 7. First sea angel spotted at four meters depth

Explore Cape Town’s top dive sites

Macro Life

Kelp Forests

Beautiful Reefs

Nudibranchs

www.indigoscuba.com

info@indigoscuba.com

+27 (0)83 268 1851

Crystal Blue R

Dedicated to Underwater P • • • • • • • •

Nitrox 32 Chef Prepared Meals On-Sight Photo Pro Camera Room Workshops Highly Skilled Spotters 4:1 boat loads Rental Gear

Con Mike@Dive

saltwaterphot

Resort~Anilao

Photographers Worldwide

ntact eCBR.com

to@live.com

DAN EUROPE 6 Tips for safe Dive Safari and Liveaboard Liveaboard dive safaris are particularly popular among divers planning their holidays.

You live on the ocean and you can devote the entire day to your favorite activity: pure relaxation and adventure!

What sounds like total freedom to you though, may represent annoyance or discomfort to others. To avoid turning your dream vacation into a bad memory, we have compiled a few tips and tricks specially addressed to those who have never undertaken a dive safari or liveaboard cruise before.

Medical considerations As in any dive holiday, it is important to be in good health. Remember that a doctor may not be on board, so you better prevent problems in the first place.?Make sure you have no dental problems and have all required vaccinations, personal prescription drugs, remedies for seasickness, diarrhea, constipation, colds and ear problems. Also consider your specific limitations (disabilities, diseases, allergies, etc.) which could get worse once on board.

It is always good to have a current Medical examination for diving fitness according to requirements of diving organizations or respecting the requirements of the diving and hyperbaric medicine societies.

In case a medical emergency should arise, there are some other element implied. The boat could be far away from shore: location of the emergency and time (night) might influence any possible evacuation.

So be aware that there might be delays in getting you to a proper medical facility. Also keep in mind these kind of evacuations are normally costly and it is recommended to carry a good dive (and health or travel) insurance with you, together with emergency telephone numbers.

Dive training & experience Complete dive training is important, and having extensive diving experience is of great advantage too. In most cases beginner training on board is not possible. Also, you can only focus on any new issues onboard, once the fundamental diving problems are mastered. This includes proper buoyancy control, drift diving, diving next to steep walls as well as wreck diving and night diving.

Dive materials and spares Your dive equipment should be in perfect working condition, have the correct fit, and you should be familar with it. But it is always possible something breaks, so you better be prepared for some minor hiccups. Bringing along replacement parts is highly recommended, since in the case of malfunction or failure nothing can be purchased on site – You are in the middle of the ocean!

Just consider bringing with you: • Mask or Fin straps Spare mouth piece • Small spare lamp O-rings • DIN/INT adapter Blind plugs HD, MD Tool kit • Carabiner Cable ties

Choosing the right wetsuit Generally this depends from the destination. Just remember that, especially during long dives, water can deprive your body of a high amount of thermal energy, even if it’s relatively warm.

This is all the more important as on liveaboard cruises there are several dives per day.

At the beginning of the day, as the first dive starts, the water temperature might feel warm and comfortable, but this will change after some dives throughout the day. Stepping into your wet and cold neoprene suit when getting ready for the night dive will feel anything but comfortable.

A good idea may be taking along your thicker suit in winter or spring, especially when diving in sites such as the Red Sea. Also remember that even a slight scratch from a coral heals very poorly in sea water and that nettle threads on the skin are painful.

A thin wetsuit that also covers arms and legs can help prevent this. While snorkeling, it will also protect you against sunburn.

What about the boat/dive centre?

You want to make sure the centre and boat chosen can guarantee you a nice and safe holiday.

Liveaboard dive safari boats should have: • optimised space • fixation points for dive equipment, especially for tanks a large dive platform at the stern (entry and exit point)

Before booking, get detailed information about • Boat’s name and size • Cabin outfitting (e.g. double story bunks or single beds, air conditioning, shared toilets/showers or individual toilet/shower in each cabin, in-cabin space) • Fresh water tank / additional desalination system • 24-hour power supply / generators, charging options for flashlights, torches, lamps, etc. Tank size and material (aluminum tanks are lighter and require more lead), secured/lashed valve connections (DIN, INT) • Max number of dives per day, possibility to do night dives, limitations regarding dives (duration, depth, residual pressure etc.)

• • • • • • • • •

Space available in the salon, on the deck and on the platform Possibility to do accompanied dives on request Is the compressor on the deck (noise nuisance) or under the deck?

Can it aspirate “bad air” such as exhaust gases from the boat’s engine or the kitchen? Is Nitrox filling possible?

Is the deck skid-proof, also in wet conditions?

Are there any hand-railings to hold on to on the boat?

Are there spare parts or extra diving equipment available on board?

Are first aid and oxygen materials available and stored in a weather, water and shake proof mode?

Does the boat carry safety equipment such as inflatable life rafts or boats, fire detectors, fire extinguishers, radio, radar and GPS?

When you got an answer to all of the above questions, and you made sure your dive safari trip is well prepared, don’t forget to bring along your photo or video camera, and capture unforgettable moments.

We hope we provided you with some helpful pieces of advice, and wish you beautiful adventures, wherever you go!

Advantages of a liveaboard dive safari • Pure and simple diving without the need of hauling around heavy equipment Unspoiled, exclusive dive spots.

• Sharing your favourite leisure activity with a group of like-minded people.

Challenges • Living in a confined space with a number of strangers of different nationalities, having the most diverse habits and interests. Not everybody is made for it.

• Possibility to encounter long-lasting storms • Water scarcity (check out our More water, less bubbles campaign)

www.daneurope.org/home

The travel does not consist of searching new lands but having new eyes, it must broaden our horizons without prejudices stimulating our curiosity to meet new people and visit new places

Unique travel experiences which are able to make you happy

www.vahineviaggi.it

PHOTO CONTEST Divers for Africa For 2017, the Divers for Africa - Photo Contest presented itself to its competitors with the absolute novelty of a single Category: the Underwater World Portfolio.

The Portfolios, each consisting of three images significant of the underwater world flora and fauna, were topic free and without limitation as to the lenses used, so that photographers could present their best expression with any technique, including backlighting, artistic / fashion shooting, wrecks, double exposure and mixed in / out in the maximum 1/2 frame ratio.

There were four categories divided into two Sections.

Advanced photographers: Rookie photographers:

1) Reflex / Mirrorless Category 1) Reflex / Mirrorless Category 2) Compact Cameras Category 2) Compact Cameras Category Thanks to the sponsorship of the City of Cesenatico and the direct involvement of the Nemo Diving Group Cesenatico, the awards ceremony took place on Saturday, 22 April 2017, at the local Maritime Museum which, directly overlooking the magnificent setting of the Leonardo Da Vinci’s harbor, was very appreciated by the participants.

During the event, after the greeting of the Deputy Mayor, Prof. Attilio Rinaldi went on stage with a careful and detailed analysis of the biodiversity in the northwestern Adriatic. Following, Adriano Occhi presented an extremely topical issue: In digital photography, when and why it is necessary to perform a proper post-production, while Enzo Cicognani and Pietro Formis have instead captured the attention with their images.

The first one with his unpublished video named “The Four Kings”, the second proposing and commenting on pictures taken in front of his house in the Liguria Sea. Virtually, photographic dives at zero Km starting from the shore. Also interesting were the amphibians’ images taken in fresh water of inland brooklets of the same territory.

Ph. Paolo Bausani

WHO ARE THE DIVERS FOR AFRICA For those who still do not know the activities of the association “Divers for Africa”, we remember how all of their initiatives, including the Photo Contest, are always aimed at maintaining the active relationship of collaboration reached between the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the S. Orsola Hospital in Bologna and the St. Francis Hospital of Ifakara in Tanzania.

Active since 2005 and uninterruptedly for six years, the Divers for Africa contribute to “the development of laparoscopic surgery” at the St. Francis Hospital of Ifakara in Tanzania.

Why laparoscopy? Because, besides being a minimally invasive surgical practice, in a hostile environment such as Africa, laparoscopy has the advantage of reducing post-operative complications from septicemia.

That’s why one of DfA’s medical teams of surgeons and anesthetists, together with the direct cooperation of S.Orsola Hospital, is always equipped to move to work directly in the field as well as to organize refresher courses and master classes with Tanzanian colleagues.

THE WINNERS

ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHERS

Reflex / Mirrorless Category

ROOKIE PHOTOGRAPHERS

1°place Bausani Paolo 2°place Tripodi Domenico 3°place Iannello Salvatore

1°place Baldassarre Antonio 2°place Baldassarre Antonio 3°place Pastore Federico

Compact Cameras Category

Compact Cameras Category

1°place Salzedo Virginia 2°place Fantin Marco 3°place Cerbai Stefano

1° place Durante Marina 2° place Ferraù Pietro 3°place Romor Mario

Reflex / Mirrorless Category

Ph. Antonio Baldassarre

Ph. Paolo Bausani

Ph. Marina Durante

Ph. Marina Durante

Ph. Virginia Salzedo

Ph. Virginia Salzedo

AEROTECNICA COLTRI

ALLOWS TO INVEST IN FULL AUTONOMY

MCH-6 SR HP PORTABLE COMPRESSOR DRIVEN BY CHARGIN RATE FILLING TIME CYLINDER 10 L 0-200 bar WORKING PRESSURE NET POWER DIMENSIONS DRY WEIGHT NOISE POWER LEVEL FILTRATION INTERSTAGE COOLER AND AFTERCOOLER

SUBARU PETROL ENGINE 100 L/min - 6 m3/h 20 min 200 - 225 - 300 - 330 bar 6,5 HP HEIGHT 35 cm, WIDTH 78 cm DEPTH 32 cm 37 Kg 100,5 dB (LWA) ACTIVATED CARBON AND MOLECULAR SIEVE CARTRIDGE STAINLESS STEEL

AEROTECNICA COLTRI® S.p.A.

via dei Colli Storici 177 25010 San Martino della Battaglia Brescia - ITALY Tel: +39.030.99.103.01 +39.030.99.102.97 Fax: +39.030.99.10.283 www.aerotecnicacoltri.it

FOLLOW ME

Located in the center of the Gulf of Kvarner - Croatia, our diving center is in the ideal location for countless different dive sites.

Three wrecks, colorful walls and ideal sites for macrophotography.

We offer the opportunity to dive for every level.

From our beach, with our boat... ...come with us and enjoy your dive!

www.diving-marcopolo.com