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There
is no doubt that the reefs around Ras Mohammed are spectacular
and perfect studios for the keen underwater photographer.
There is a tendency to treat all sites further north as barren
by comparison and not worth pointing your lens in their direction.
Having spent two weeks in Eilat, I am sure underwater photographers
are missing out and driving past some very productive dive
sites.
I
must emphasise that it is underwater photographers who should
consider Eilat for we are content to settle on small outcrops
teeming with macro life and let our compositional imagination
run amok. It is these small coral outcrops which abound around
Eilat and which are dived from the shore as easily as falling
off a luxurious dive boat. They don't look exciting when you
first approach them but, on closer inspection, they are an
oasis for marine life and for your camera. Most of them are
very shallow, being no deeper than 40 feet with the majority
being even shallower, so your diving time is virtually unlimited.
The
most famous and possibly largest outcrop must be Moses Rock
which is buoyed and even has underwater arrows to make sure
you don't get lost. The life around this area is abundant
and tame - being used to divers and cameras for over three
decades. Perhaps the only drawback is the constant visits
of glass bottomed boats showing non-diving tourists the beauty
of the underwater world. These boats care not for the safety
of others so keep one eye and one ear open if you are near
the surface.
Elsewhere,
there are outcrops almost wherever you go within a few yards
of the shore - the most popular being The Lighthouse and Taba.
They vary from hour to hour so you will be assured of a constant
change and a multitude of subjects. Wait for a night dive
and you will be rewarded with an incredible change in subjects
as the nocturnal creatures emerge from their coral hideaways.
The
most useful lenses for likonos users would be the likonos
close-up outfit or Oceanic CU 001 with either the 35 mm or
28 mm lens. Extension tube subjects are abundant for all ratios
from 1:3 right through to 2:1. For those with cameras in housings,
the 50mm macro lens may never be prised off your lens mount.
The versatility of this lens will capture all but the largest
subjects.
For
diver shots, the outcrops are small and good angles must be
carefully chosen. There are times when the 90 degree lenses
are a little too wide, but they are ideal for marine life
foreground, diver mid-water and sunburst background.
For
the underwater photographer who doesn't perform very well
on organised diving trips, Eilat is perfect. Hire a car, hire
your tanks and off you go. Your time is your own and your
results should be limited only by your efforts. There can
be no better way to concentrate on your hobby / sport. Team
up with a like minded buddy and you will be safe, productive
and not too much out of pocket.
Eilat
is a modern town with all the associated facilities. Accomodation
is available to suit all pockets and there are several diving
centres who will hire cylinders and other equipment - the
most well known are Lucky Divers at the Noriah Hotel in the
centre of town and Aquasport and Red Sea Divers based next
to the Caravan Hotel just south of Eilat.
Colour
print films can be processed for around £6.00 for 30
exposures in just over 2 hours, so it is an ideal way of checking
your equipment is functioning before ploughing on. E6 is not
so quick unfortunately, as it has to go to Tel Aviv and back
and takes 10 days! Film is not much dearer than UK prices
so if you run out, as you may well do, there is a good well
stocked camera shop.
These
facilities have established Eilat as a good resort for the
underwater photographer. So don't drive through it or fly
over it. Get down and look for it, Its there there and its
there for the taking. |
