Monday, February 14th, 2011

Update from Sea Shepherd in the Southern Ocean

Sea Shepherd’s most recent update from Operation No Compromise in the Southern Ocean, seems to show that they have had a great deal of success in preventing the Japanese whaling fleet from hunting over this season. The conservationists are trailing the Japanese factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, and it has now left the area that they have designated as their official whaling grounds. This means that the harpoon ships effectively have nowhere to land their catch, rendering them ineffective.

It would seem that the 2011 whaling season has been disastrous for the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean.

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Fantasea launches 3D housing and camera package

Fantasea has announced the release of a package containing the Fujifilm FinePix REAL 3D W3 camera and the RecSea WHF-3D W3 polycarbonate housing. The housing was released at DEMA last year, and has a depth rating of 40m, and a fiber optic mounting port. The Fujifilm FinePix W3 features 10 megapixel resolution and is capable of shooting both conventional and 3D stills and video.

The housing and camera package will be available in two to four weeks time at a price of $1099.95.

Monday, February 14th, 2011

333 productions releases trailer of “Shark Culture”

Joe Remeiro’s 333 Productions has recently uploaded the trailer for their latest shark-themed production, entitled “Shark Culture”, on YouTube. The production is listed as being available for educational, non-profit use. The trailer features an oceanic white tip “speed drawing” sequence that transitions into live-action footage. Also of note is the appearance of one of Guadalupe’s most recognized great white sharks, Cal Ripfin (aka Shredder).

“Shark Culture” is set to premiere on February 19, 2011.

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Nauticam releases pictures of housing for Panasonic DMC-LX5

Pictures of the new Nauticam housing for the Panasonic DMC-LX5 compact camera have surfaced, indicating that is will be released imminently. Details are as yet unclear, although a price of $965 is already being quoted. It is also suggested that Nauticam will release a housing for the Panasonic GH2 soon, and one for the Olympus PEN E-PL2 in April. When full details are released, they will be published here so check back soon.

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Our World Underwater hosts photojournalism workshop

The Our World Underwater show, held from 18 to 20 February, is fast approaching. Held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL, it is the Midwest’s largest consumer dive show with nearly 300 exhibit booths and 10,000 or more attendees.

On Saturday 19 February at 1.45pm, photojournalist Jett Britnell will be presenting a seminar on British Colombian Diving entitled “Where the Wild Things are – Queen Charlotte Strait’s Ocean Frontier” and on the following Sunday morning at 8am, will conduct a 4 hour workshop on “Diving Photojournalism - How To Get Published in Scuba Magazines.”

In additions, there is a full schedule of seminars and workshops during the show, as well as a film festival and the announcement of the winners of the Our World Underwater Photo Competition.

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

Washington shark fin ban: Urgent help needed

Sharksavers reports that earlier this week, the Washington state legislature introduced a bill to ban the shark fin trade. This bill prohibits the possession of trade in shark fins, similar to the groundbreaking Hawaii law. A pdf of the text of SB 5688 can be seen here.The legislation is moving with lightning speed. A public hearing is scheduled for this coming Monday, Feb 14, 1:30pm PST in the Natural Committee Resources Hearing Room

If you live in Washington and can appear in person to provide testimony, please do. No matter where you live, your emailed testimony can make a great difference in encouraging the senators to act in favor of this bill. If you click through there is a template email and a list of addresses to send it to.

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Late Availability: Wetpixel Alaska June 2011

The Wetpixel Alaska Expedition, running from 11-23 June this year has a few spaces left for late bookings. The charter is on-board the Nautilus Swell, as she journeys from Juneau to Sitka, and photographic subject will include: Amazing Alaskan topside scenery, underwater kelp forests, white plume anemone forests, Steller’s sea lions, rockfish, anemones, crabs, shrimp, amphipods, ratfish, and much more. Reef walls are nearly 100% covered in bright orange, red and yellow invertebrates!

If you are interested, please consult the Wetpixel Expeditions page and contact the trip leader, Jason Bradley. Only two spots remain!

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Fantastic trivia: Adobe Photoshop was nearly Nikon Photoshop

PetaPixel reports that in 1988 at the MacWorld tradeshow Thomas and John Knoll approached Nikon and offered them the rights to an image editing program they had developed. This program was called Photoshop. Apparently, despite support in Nikon US and Europe, the Japanese leadership took a pass, allowing Adobe to get the program in September.

Apparently, Nikon weren’t alone in not recognizing its potential. Kodak and several other industry giants were also approached and decide against it.

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Equinox announces housing for Canon 5D Mk II

Equinox has announced the release of a housing for the Canon 5D Mk II camera. Somewhat of a departure from the company’s line of video specific housings, this reflects the popularity of the camera for video rather than stills use. The housing is designed around the use of a 16-35mm lens, although other lenses can be accommodated by special request and it provides access to shutter release, menu button, menu select/scroll and play controls. It also features Equinox’s ballast release handles, which allow the user to make the housing positively buoyant if some contingency demands it.

The housing is available now at a price of $1599.

Friday, February 11th, 2011

PhotoZone at London Dive Show

A new feature of the London International Dive Show (LIDS) this year will be the PhotoZone. This will incorporate the stands of camera and accessory suppliers, alongside the organizations like the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP). In addition, there will be a series of free 45-minute sessions in the new Photo Zone presentation area in the main hall. Speakers include Saeed Rashid, talking about Photoshop, Alex Tattersall on macro photography and Paul “Duxy” Duxfield on video editing; among others. Lastly, there will be a collection of underwater prints taken by BSoUP members on display.

LIDS is to be held on 26 and 27 March at the ExCel, London.

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