Top 5 Underwater Photography Tips

Now many of us like to take our cameras and housings on dives to take photos of all the wonderful things we see.  We see a variety of different systems, from little compact point and shoot cameras to large SLR systems with multiple strobes.  No matter what you have, here are 5 top tips for photographers as suggested by Tree, our former in-house photographer.

Before you even touch the camera...Buoyancy

Before we're even looking at the camera, buoyancy control is the number one thing you will need to master.  If your buoyancy is off, you will have a hard time getting the camera to stay where you want it to be pointing.

Solution: practice buoyancy control in shallow water with your camera e.g. taking pictures of fixed objects from various distances without touching the bottom, holding the camera as still as possible.  Examine your results afterwards to see what improved and what didn't.  If your buoyancy needs more work than that, we offer the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy specialty, where you spend two dives REALLY fine-tuning your buoyancy control.

Camera Controls

If you are using anything more powerful than the most basic point and shoot, one of the first things to master is your camera controls.  For different types of photo, you will undoubtedly be switching between modes on the camera - using different settings.  Ideally, you should be able to switch between the modes that you use blindfolded.  Why?  Imagine this: you have just been taking a macro shot of a very small pederson cleaner shrimp, when you back away from the reef and turn around, you are faced with a spotted eagle ray cruising by...Better be quick on those settings!

Understanding Exposure: White Balance and strobes

Colour at depth.  You may remember the colour comparison exercise from your PADI Advanced Open Water deep dive - you lose colour with depth.  That's why many people's underwater photos have that blue/green cast…White balance is your solution!  The other way to overcome this problem is of course to use strobes, but that isn't always an option (depending on your camera/luggage allowance/budget).  At the very least, having the option to set custom white balance on your camera is a MUST if you're intending to capture the best of our reef.

Understanding Exposure: Depth of Field and ISO

Having a basic understanding of some photographic principles will help you get the most out of your shots, rather than just leaving your camera fully automatic.  The PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course that we offer teaches you some of the theory behind some of these concepts.  When you understand those, you will start to take photos on different settings - and you will start to get results.  Digital cameras actually record all this information (EXIF data) so you can actually check what settings you used to take the photo.  Essential for knowing what works and what doesn't

And finally...Practice!

Take photos, take more photos and take more photos again!  Keep taking photos, and you will start getting some serious results!!

Destroyer of Conch is watching YOU!

Half Moon Bay Weather Report

Hot and humid, with a hint of a breeze.

Recent Sightings

Seahorse @ Dixies

Leopard Flatworm @ El Aquario (Deep)

Pea (Post-larval trunkfish) @ Overheat Reef (and various other places)

4 Spotted Eagle Rays together!!! @ Seaquest (Deep)

PS: Join the blog if you are reading this page!

Where's my manners?

As with any activity that involves other people there's always an element of etiquette in diving, whether it's on the boat or underwater, that is one of the things that sets apart the experienced diver from the novice.  Some of these things are not exactly written in stone (and by "stone" I mean the PADI Open Water manual!), but rather things you learn from experience by expanding your scuba diving experience.

Here are 5 top tips that will enhance your diving experience here at Coconut Tree Divers!  Can YOU come up with any more?  Leave us a comment!

Island time and the boat schedule

We may be on a Caribbean island where the pace definitely isn't as hectic as elsewhere, but there's one thing that operates like clockwork: our boat schedule.  It's designed for you guys to get the most out of your dives, but it only really works if we leave on time!  Give yourself plenty of time to grab your free coffee, get your equipment set up without feeling rushed - it only makes for a better, more relaxed dive.

Where's my fins??

We keep our groups small, so you're not gonna be crowded underwater, but you are sharing the boat with other divers.  Try to keep your equipment spread to a minimum, that way you also know where all your stuff is.  You wouldn't want to miss jumping in with your snorkel gear when we have dolphins swimming with our boat just because you can't find your mask!

Soap in the bucket

For those of you that like snapping shots during your dive, we have a fresh water bucket for you to store your camera between dives.  The most important thing with the bucket is to make sure that the water stays fresh - we don't want any chemicals or anti-fog agents in the bucket.  The reason is that those chemicals can compromise the o-rings in the camera housings.  If you are going to rinse your mask on the boat, we provide a scoop so you can scoop the water out away from the bucket.

Brief me!

We try to tailor our dives so that divers with similar experience levels are matched up to hit the best dive sites for your level as a diver (more information on our daily dive schedule can be found here).  If you are a more experienced diver, we don't believe in "babysitting" you, but if you are a little unsure of your self we will make sure that you are more closely supervised.  The main thing is that all that kind of information is always given in our thorough pre-dive briefings - make sure you pay attention  It's all about your safety (safety first!) and your enjoyment.  We want you to get what you want out of your dives!

THIS is a Marine Park

After all, you're here to dive, so we want you to enjoy it.  Follow the dive plan, get to know your dive buddy (we will always supply you with one, no worries about travelling alone!), and follow the marine park protocols.  Take only pictures, leave only bubbles, touch only with your eyes!  If we're looking at the more macro aspects of the reef (ie something really really small and really really cool!) be nice, and point it out to the person coming up behind you, we want all of you to see it!

And finally....

ENJOY YOUR DIVE!!!

Half Moon Bay Weather Report

Hot, but thankfully with some breeze.

Recent Sightings

A collection of flamingo tongues @ Blue Channel

Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter....and Join the Blog!

Like, Follow, Join (Facebook, Twitter, Blog)

As you can no doubt see, we have launched our new website, which also has a direct link to this blog (which is being gradually improved as you read).  The whole site was redesigned from scratch and all the content has been updated to reflect what is actually going on, as well as all the standards and prices for all our PADI Courses and DSAT Tec Courses.  Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.

In other social media, you can find us on Twitter (@CoconuTreeDiver) where Marco will keep you updated on everything from the day's dives to the progress of the West End Road Project!  Our Facebook page (Coconut Tree Divers & Go Pro Caribbean) has also grown enormously - this is where we post our photos and videos from dives regularly.  If you are reading this post join the blog, we need more followers!  Reviews on TripAdvisor have also played a huge part in helping us improve our shop.   If you haven't already, write us a review (we don't want West End Divers to catch up!) and tell the world what you liked best about diving with Coconut Tree Divers.

Shop News

Wetsuits and fins have been reorganised in anticipation of a stock take.

If you've done your PADI Advanced Open Water with us, it's likely that you've swam through our hula-hoops (or attempted to!) for swimthrough/efficient fin kick training.  Well now, Tree has built us a beautiful new PVC ring for our PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy dives.

Monty has just started a DSAT Trimix course with former DMTs Toby and Katy (Air Sucks, Trimix Rocks!).

Recent Sightings

Pipehorse @ Blue Channel

Spotted Eagle Rays @ Gibson Bight

Spotted Eagle Rays @ Lighthouse Reef

Leopard Flatworm @ Half Moon Bay Wall

Hammerhead @ Texas

Gaudy Clown Crab @ Gibson Bight

Half Moon Bay Weather Report

Seriously hot, seriously humid.  Night Rain.

Dive Gear, Review, Puppy Weight

If you have been diving, or thought about diving, you will presumably at least have thought about dive equipment.  At first, it can seem a bit daunting to think about investing getting ALL your own equipment.  But after all is said and done, the PADI videos don't lie (remember your Open Water Course), you really are more likely to dive more if you have your own equipment.

Most people might not choose to get "everything" at once. Maybe a mask (it's not much fun if your mask doesn't fit properly) to start with, perhaps a pair of fins - maybe even a dive computer (easy to travel with).  There certainly are a lot of options out there, which could also seem confusing at times, and there are a lot of different things to think about when deciding exactly what equipment to get.  Magazines, reviews, online forums, local dive shop, online dive retailers, dive instructors and of course actually trying the equipment for yourself are all different sources that can help you find what you need-slash-want on every budget.  The big question is, how can you trust the reliability of some of those sources?  Have they actually tested the equipment beyond taking it out in the pool for a few laps?

Our sister blog, Dive Gear Review, is dedicated to providing such advice.  We are reviewing equipment that we use on a daily and regular basis, and giving honest feedback based on literally thousands of hours in the water.  The 700+ dives and confined water dives that we do in a year put our equipment through some serious use, so we are always looking for something that will last the distance.  Being on a remote tropical island with limited on-site retail options is also a factor; we also want equipment that can be serviced easily and at a reasonable cost.  So if you're thinking about it, check out Dive Gear Review.  And lastly, don't let anyone talk you into buying something that isn't right for YOU.

In other news: in addition to the standard lead blocks (lbs or kg) we provide you with for your weight belt/integrated BCD system, we now also offer weights in "puppy" increments (changes week to week).      

Chucky's new friend Boomer (currently interviewing for Rescue Victim)

In the many things that were brought around the birthday party, captains Carl and Fred are now sporting these awesome Captain's hats - thank you to Daniel Magine from Chicago.

CAPTAINS Carl and Fred

Half Moon Bay Weather Report:

Hot and bright.  Add more heat.

Recent Sightings:

Lettuce Sea Slugs @ The Bite

Free-Swimming Green Moray Eels @ Overheat Reef

Hawksbill Turtle with a hunchback@ Sea Quest

Hot In Half Moon Bay

In the aftermath of the dive shop anniversary, it can happen that things slow down a bit in the shop….Not this year!  Every morning this week has seen our two boats - Potlicker and Wish U Were Here - go out for two tank dives.  Potlicker has been filled with about 60 to 80% return customers.  Wish U Were Here is operating on a separate schedule to accommodate a group of 9 ski patrollers and kayak guides from Colorado, on their "spring escape".

Some of the return customers, Kevin and Frances Bugbee, a couple from Boston who come to Coconut Tree on a yearly basis brought an interesting display item for the shop.  It turns out that we were featured in a "things to do in Boston" publication called The Improper Bostonian…Not that we are in Boston or the North East, but we are definitely a "thing to do".  If you saw us featured, leave a comment!

Things to do (but not in Boston)

On another note, Coconut Tree and the Roatan Tec Team welcome a group of Tec divers and Instructors from Utila Dive Center, who have planned an epic Tec dive to 400ft scheduled for tomorrow afternoon - check our Coconut Tree Divers and Go Pro Caribbean Facebook Page for photos and details to follow.

Half Moon Bay Weather Report:

More.  Sweat.

Recent Sightings:

Octopus @ Hole In The Wall

Pipehorse @ Blue Channel

Many many Juvenile Spotted Drum @ all over the Northern Marine Park

The Adventures of Chucky

Those of you who have done a Rescue Diver course with us in the last few years will be familiar with "Chucky".  For those of you who haven't taken that step (yet) Chucky, originally from Kazakhstan, washed up on the beach at Half Moon Bay during Hurricane Wilma in 2005.  Lost and alone, he was rescued by the Coconut Tree Divers crew.  Far away from home (and broke), PJ took pity on him and gave him a job as an assistant on the Rescue Diver course.  He isn't actually very good at it i.e. gets lost repeatedly, only to be found again somewhere on the reef by a succession of different rescue students.  Given all this, some people are surprised that PJ actually still lets him dive with us...

After 4 years, he has settled in quite well (he even started getting some of his own equipment - mask and weight belt).  These days, after work, he can be found enjoying his favourite drink at The Bar at Coconut Tree Restaurant with the rest of the crew.

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Half Moon Bay Weather Report: when are we getting A/C on the dock?

Recent Sightings: 

Seahorse @ Jolly Roger

Freeswimming Green Moray Eel @ Overheat Reef

Black Spotted Nudibranch @ Pillar Coral

10th Birthday Party

As every year, April 20th saw the return of "The Birthday Party" (4/20).  This year, as always, was a huge success.  It was especially special as it was the 10th anniversary...one whole decade of Coconut Tree Divers.

Our boats have been quite full  with many divers and courses for the last two weeks.  With all the visitors being enthusiastic divers, we had both boats going out most mornings, and some afternoons as well.  After the party we hit a spell of bad weather, which forced us to the South Side for a few days (a rarity in April), but we are now back on our usual schedule - two boats again this afternoon!

We would like to thank everyone who came to the party and made it the occasion that it was, especially to those of you that came from various far-flung corners of the world.  The combination of a bright sunny day, calm seas, a mountain of floaty toys, 20 gallons of punch, 700 cans of beer, 70 pounds of shrimp, steak and chicken cooking all afternoon, two pinatas, beer frisbee really made for quite some party!

Particular thanks to Ron and Alex from Baltimore for bringing the CTD 10th Anniversary custom t-shirts and sunglasses, Daniel and Gina from Chicago for the wristbands, Keith Woods and Gay for preparing all the delicious food (steak and shrimp!), Lou and Tina for setting up the sound system, and Marco and the beer kitty for the addition of the birthday banner.  Last and most of all, thank you from all of us to PJ, Gay (and Mr Vincent Bush of the Coconut Tree complex) for making all this possible.

For those of you that were not able to make it (this year) - here are some highlights!

Time Flies When You're Having Rum

4/20 Merchandise on display!

Can you find your floaty?

Happy Birthday

The people who made it all happen

How many times can YOU count to 10?

Sunset