Sunday, August 21st, 2011

Announcing the Wetpixel Rinse Tank

Wetpixel’s reviews are amongst the most highly respected in the industry, but there are many things you cannot learn about underwater imaging equipment during a short loan for a review. The Rinse Tank is a new Wetpixel feature that aims to broaden our coverage of imaging equipment in a more blog-type style than that of formal reviews. This new series of articles will follow the equipment that Wetpixel staff are shooting with and get their insights about it.

The format will provide a detailed look at how various products perform in the field, often during very intensive use. We’ll cover the things that work well and those that cause niggles or major problems with our kit. It will also be a little bit of a “behind-the-scenes” insight into the preparation and constant evolution that serious shooters make with their gear. Lastly, the Rinse Tank will offer a chance to pass on tips on technique, maintenance and to talk about smaller items that would never justify a full review. We hope you enjoy them.

Sunday, August 21st, 2011

5-year old boy swims with whale shark

I’ve just returned from the Wetpixel Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Expedition 2011, which was incredible, as expected. We had 12 participants this year, including a 5-year old boy named Kieran Liu, whose first moments in the ocean involved swimming madly after a large, feeding whale shark. Continue reading for a video of Kieran’s whale shark experience!

Saturday, August 20th, 2011

Sea Save launches Cocos trip auction

The Sea Save Foundation has announced that it is selling 10 places on an upcoming 13 day Cocos Island live-aboard by auction. The winning bidders will enjoy high adrenaline diving with walls of hammerhead sharks, white tips, black tips, silky and whale sharks aboard the Sea Hunter.

All funds raised in the auction will support Sea Save’s ocean conservation efforts. The auction has started already and will end on 25 August and bids for the trip start at $850.

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Human pathogen causes Elkhorn coral disease

Human pathogens have been shown to be responsible for the decline in the endangered Caribbean Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata). In an article published in the Public Library of Science ONE journal, researchers from Rollins College in Florida and the University of Georgia have shown a correlation between the incidence of white pox disease (acroporid serratiosis) on the coral and the pathogen Serratia marcescens.

The team then pinpointed the source of this pathogen as coming from human sewage.

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Underwater fashion shoot in the Red Sea

The Mail has published a story on a underwater fashion shoot in the Red Sea, during which nearly $50,000 (£30,000) worth of designer wedding gowns were featured.

Israeli underwater photographer Sharon Rainis spent three days on the shoot, with “a crew of 15 models, photographers, videographers, safety divers, logistics managers, lighting assistants and air providers working from 5.30am and midnight every day to capture the perfect shot.” (Image by Sharon Rainis/HotSpot Media).

Friday, August 19th, 2011

GoPro HERO footage from 100 meters

Video of Alon Rivkind’s attempt on the Israeli free diving record has been published on Vimeo. All the underwater footage was shot on GoPro HERO POV cams, with one in a UK-Germany housing providing a unique view of the descent to 100 meters, having been attached to the sled on which Alon descended.

Surface footage was with a Canon 7D.

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

Field update from Wetpixel whale sharks expedition

Wetpixel Publisher Eric Cheng is currently at Isla Mujeres, Mexico with the Wetpixel whale shark trip and he has posted a trip update from the field onto his journal. The first three days of the trip have produced some amazing whale shark action, with hundreds of the creatures being seen by the group. He says:

“They were so dense that they were forced to feed in layers, and we saw as many sharks ascending and descending as we did on the surface of the ocean (very rare). Our guides were totally excited, saying that the ocean was infestado with whale sharks.”

Eric has been shooting stills with a Canon 7D, and video with a GoPro HERO 3D.

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Manatees get the Mustard treatment

A series of images of Florida’s manatees taken by Wetpixel Associate Editor Alex Mustard have been published in the UK daily newspaper The Telegraph. In the article, he is quoted as saying:

“Manatees live life at a slow pace, so when you swim with them you are forced to chill down to their speed,” explained the 36-year-old from Hampshire. “They’re just floating about in a sort of zen state. Then, when they come up to you and want you to scratch them, it is so exciting you get a real connection.”

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Rugged Coolpix may be a modern Nikonos

Nikon Rumors has postulated that the forthcoming rugged Coolpix, due for release at the end of August, may be a modern successor for the Nikonos series of underwater film cameras. In an interview last January, Mr. Tetsuro Goto (Director of Laboratory R&D at Nikon Japan) said:

“Personally I think the Nikonos reborn in the future.”

It is rumored that the new camera will have a depth rating of 33 feet (10 meters) and excellent low-light abilities.

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Announcing the Monterey Shootout 2011

The 2011 Monterey Shootout has been announced. Running from September 9 through 11, the event will feature a film festival, educational seminars, demo gear for use, DUI DOG rally and a photo and video competition.

Wetpixel publisher Eric Cheng and Canon Explorer of Light Stephen Frink are listed among the speakers listed for the shootout’s seminars. The competition is a 32 hour shootout with video and still entries being accepted from beginner, intermediate and advanced shooters.

Articles