Said Sue 'I started diving, reluctantly, in 1999 to fulfil a rash
promise to our younger son that I would learn with him when he turned
12, as Martyn had when our older son was old enough to learn.
We did our PADI Open Water in Sharm el Sheikh, and to date I
have only dived in warm water, although there was a one-off dive in
the Med that was only about 16 deg, but never again'.
Since then Sue and Martyn have travelled first as a family and
then on our own to Menorca, the Carribean, the Maldives, Indonesia,
Micronesia and Papua New Guinea with our diving kit. 'As an
antidote to boredom while Martyn took his thousands of shots, I
bought a compact camera and housing with the idea of taking video,
which I enjoyed but found the editing somewhat tedious.
Eventually in June 2012 I had my first trip with my Sony, which
has brought me to winning this competition. Having been on many
Martin Edge trips and living with Martyn and his enthusiasm and
expertise, I had a head start with underwater photography - the
theory at least - and have enjoyed learning a new skill'.

BSoUP Chairman Joss Wollf presenting the DIVER Trophy to Sue Guess
Sue's images
Mating octopus (unfortunately the mate is out of shot) taken in
the Red Sea on the Barge June 2014. Sony NEX5N 30mm macro lens, 1/125
f14. His relaxed state allowed me to take far more shots than
an octopus will usually permit before moving on, which helped me to
take this one.
Split shot also in the Red Sea June 14, this time at Ras Kati.
Same camera, E2.8/16 wide angle lens, 1/60 f18. Towards
the end of the trip and feeling like a snorkel rather than a dive,
the shallow reef at Ras Kati and Whirlwind moored up for the night
gave a very good opportunity to try taking a split shot, to prove to
the sceptics that it can be done with a very small dome.
Nemos taken in North Sulawesi Sept 13. This time with Martyn's
Nikon D800 105 lens, 1/320 f22. I had a flood in my housing so
had to use which ever camera and lens he didn't want! Probably
essential subject matter for this portfolio.
Wreck taken on Tubbataha reef the Philippines May 14. Back
to the Sony with wide angle lens, 1/160 f13. I'm not usually a
wreck fan, but this one was very decayed and so gave some interesting
shapes against the light the shallow water. After many years of
modelling for Martyn, he was happy to swim into my shot and be on the
receiving end of my gesticulations.
Colman shrimps taken in Lembeh Sept 13. Before the flood, so
with my Sony with standard 18-55 lens, 1/125 f22. The urchins
were at about 25m and the Colman shrimps seemed to be on every one,
so there was plenty of choice to find them well positioned for the
shot.
Dusk shot also at Tubbataha reef, in the shallows, in May 14. Sony
again, wide angle lens, 1/125 f9. I found the dramatic coral
formation first and then waited for the sun to drop to the optimum
height to give the rays without burning out.
All images were taken using Nauticam housings.
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