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PHOTO
TECHNIQUE
Wreck
Photography. Precise and structured, Ken offered an evening
of worldly advice. Food for thought, a (another) chance 'to
look at some of Ken's old wreck shots', and the promise of
some new ones. An evening of careful direction and equally
credible images, tuition, or maybe realisation, of the opportunities
wrecks provide and guidelines on obtaining those silhouettes
and sunbursts, divers and marine life.
What
sort of shot do you want? How are you going to light it? Full
flash, balanced light, ambient? What do you want the focal
point of the image to be? Foreground, wreck structure, diver?
And with endless questions of my own arising, Ken took us
through images illustrating his teachings (and introducing
his family).
The
scope on wrecks is endless - pick a lens, any lens, and you'll
find you're able to use it, from macro to ultra wide. Practice
your skills with close focus wide angle, obtain dramatic lines
with a fish eye. Capture the mood remembering you may have
to meter several times, and bracket for best results) Try
using a tripod - hand holding for 1/15th or longer probably
won't give you the shot you're looking for.
But
whatever images you have in mind, remember wrecks can be deep
and dangerous places. Research the site, explore and take
note of photo opportunities, sun position etc. Monitor the
depth at bow and stern and carefully plan your dive. And above
all, always fly the Wflag ? your insurance company will be
happy (happier) to pay out!
FOCUS
ON
June's
FOCUS ON attracted 16 entries for the wide angle competition,
and what lacked in quantity was hugely outweighed by quality.
Vibrant and creative images offered in the form of hammerheads
and jellyfish, reflections and silhouettes. Testimony to aspiration.
In 4 th place with 29 points - Ewan Shearer. In 3rd place
with 33 points - Ewan Shearer - with a brilliant display of
shoaling red fish in deep blue. In 2nd place with 47 points
- Ken Sullivan - with his dramatic Galapagos hammerhead shot.
And in 1st place with 52 points - Ken Sullivan - with an atmospheric
shot of shoaling fish against Town Pier, Bonaire. Congratulations
you two!
MAIN
EVENT
There
must have been a few of us who left June's meeting with a
little envy following the Tony White Experience - a man who
after 25 years as a Navy photographer, found the lack of room
for creativity, too much. A move to commercial and industrial
photography did little to fuel his inspiration, proving only
to resent 'meeting other people's needs.' Even 12 years as
production manager failed to offer the challenge and interest
sought. Quite the contrary. Tony decided, having 'done the
full course', to 'jack it all in.'
In
St. Lucia sometime later, Tony borrowed a friends MMII and
saw photography in a new light. This was a different world
with new challenges, setting the ultimatum, 'do something
with this or give it all up.' Three years on, he's never looked
back. 'It wasn't easy and still isn't.' He later told me.
'The dif ference now is, I like my work.'
Early
research into camera systems and numerous letters to the various
dive mags, Tony worked hard to get off the ground. Intent
on diving unusual places and photographing unusual creatures,
he made a start with the leafy sea dragon. But, striking though
the shots were, they proved too strong for the competition
entered, securing him only 5th place.
More
research, dive destinations and more vibrant punchy images,
Tony admitted enjoying the whole experience. But he made his
mistakes too - P.N.G was very expensive... 'I expected to
see all the unusual life.' He left disappointed. In Yucatan
too, Tony discovered he was there at the wrong time of year,
and the boat broke down.
But
the demand for the unusual fired him on and after 14 months
of self-employment he headed for Indonesia and built himself
an admirable library. 'Commercialism kicked in too,' he explained
and told of supplying the greeting card market with his images.
And
on went the photography, favouring the 105mm and the +4 dioptre,
images from the micro world graced the screen. 'I've pushed
macro as far as possible. 2001 is going to be wide angle year.'
But whatever he shoots and wherever he shoots it, Tony has
obvious flair and enthusiasm for underwater photography. 'Iwant
to experiment, to see what works. If it works on land, does
it work underwater?' It certainly seems to - remember the
leafy sea dragon? It's been in numerous articles and adorns
many a front cover and web site, despite only obtaining 5th.
And the greeting cards? Thousands being sold, a deal going
down with Volvo and so on. But it's not all about commerce
as Tony closes, 'Retain what you enjoy about photography.
If you like what you're showing, you've won!'
Another
brilliant evening! Thank you all.
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