Shannon Conway is 44 years old and lives in Fremantle, Western Australia www.underwaterphotography.com.au  

"Many thanks to everyone at BSoUP you have all been an inspiration to me. Giving approval to my images has motivated me to persist when I’m struggling to get that image I desire.

I would especially like to thank Martin and Sylvia Edge for their friendship, motivation and wisdom. Thank you Alex Mustard for making the long trip over to Australia, I’m sure you agree there is such a diversity of marine life outside the Barrier Reef."

Image 1: My wife Amanda with schooling Jacks at the Liberty Wreck Tulamben Bali, October 2007. Nikon D2x, 10.5 Fisheye, Twin Inons. F7.1 @ 1/100

This image took the best part of two dives to take much to the displeasure of my very cooperative model and the not so cooperative Jacks.

A simple looking shot but as I found out not so simple to execute, reminds me of the schooling Barracuda at Barracuda Point Sipadan which still holds great memories.

Image 2: Leafy Seadragon – Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, November 2007. Nikon D2x, 60mm Macro Twin Inons F13 @ 1/250

The Leafy Seadragon what a majestic creature. Alex and I spent in excess of 8 hours in the water with these creatures it’s just a wonderful experience. Many thanks to Carey at www.seaoptics.com for his guidance and advice.

Image 3  Gorgonia Fan and Diver – Turtle Cave, Palau, June 2007. Nikon D2x, 10.5 Fisheye, Twin Inons. F8 @ 1/100

An idea I have tried in a few caves with open tops using a Gorgonia Fan and positioning the diver in the blue. This was very difficult to light and Amanda my model looked at her reflection into the dome port to position herself in the perfect position so she did not merge into the wall of the cave.

Image 4 Boxer Crab – Sereya Beach, Bali, October 2007, Nikon D2x, 105mm Macro, Twin Inons. F22 @ 1/125

This crab is something I have wanted photograph for many years but have never had the opportunity until staying at Scuba Sereya Tulemben. We had to wait until evening as these little critters tend to get eaten during the day. The upward angle proved quit difficult with the enormous D2x, I made a small hollow in the black volcanic sand so I could get the base of my housing below the level.

Image 5 Sea Lion portrait – Kangaroo Island, South Australia, November 2007.  Nikon D2x, 12-24 @16mm, Twin Inons. F11 @ 1/100

This cheeky monkey was playing to the camera. The fun of the seals takes your mind off the fact we were diving in Great White Shark feeding grounds whilst taking pictures of their food.

Image 6 Weedy Sea dragon (male) carrying eggs – Sydney, November 2007, Nikon D2x, 12-24 @17mm, Twin Inons. F9 @ 1/30

Many thanks to Jayne Jenkins for guiding us to these wonderful creatures; I am still recovering from the swim. The Weedy Seadragons can be found all around the southern temperate waters of Australia but as you can see are extremely well camouflaged amongst the sea weed. I have only managed to ever find two off the Western Australian coast and was amazed when Jayne guided us what seemed like a kilometer off one of Sydney’s main beaches straight to four. This particular dragon is carrying eggs and has apparently dragged its tail threw algae which then grows on the eggs to camouflage them from predators.