Why You Should Use a Fisheye Lens for Wide Angle
Jun 03
I shoot with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 in a Nauticam E-M1 Mark II housing, and whenever I am shooting wide angle I use the Olympus 8mm f/1.8 fisheye lens. I run into a lot of people who either don’t use a fisheye lens at all, or who think it is a specialty lens that you only use for big things like mantas, whale sharks or humpbacks. Yes, fisheye lenses are definitely the best for giant subjects...
Diving Silfra with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Mar 09
In January I had a chance to take the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera and PT-EP14 housing out for a spin while on vacation in Iceland. We were diving Silfra, famed for its extremely clear water. This dive falls on many must do lists, and I would highly recommend it, just not in the dead of winter! It was about 17° Fahrenheit (-8° Celsius) outside, making the 40°F (5° C) feel really...
10 Days in the Galapagos with the Aquatica A7RII
Aug 08
Diving in the Galapagos isn’t for the faint of heart. From the heart pounding surge and currents at Wolf and Darwin, to the chilly waters around the main islands, like Isabela, the Galapagos can really test a diver’s skill. Knowing that I was headed for the adventure of a lifetime, and what could be my most challenging diving to date, I wanted to make sure I had the right tools for the...
Diving Socorro with the Sony A7R II
May 16
The sense of being out in the middle of nowhere is strong during the crossing to the Archipelago Revillagigedos, also known as the Socorro Island. It takes 24-30 hours of motoring to reach this small island chain, but the wait is well worth it. Consisting of four islands, three of which are close enough to each other that you can dive them in one expedition, this area is well known for its big...
Aquatica A7R II Housing Photos
Feb 01
At the end of last year I had the opportunity to take a demo of the Aquatica A7R II housing out for a test. Overall I was very happy with the performance, and had a blast diving with a couple of friends. The housing performed beautifully, allowing me to enjoy the dive and shoot some images without feeling like I was constantly fussing with the new gear. As with all Aquatica housings, the ports...
SoCal Shootout: Story Behind the Shot, Ben Hofilena
Nov 04
Wide angle compositions are often the hardest to nail perfectly. During the SoCal Shootout participants have to do just that. There is very little editing allowed, so getting correct lighting, exposure and above all, that striking composition is key. Ben Hofilena succeeded with his first place image in our open wide angle category. While he claims just a lucky shot, he at least knew the most...
SoCal Shootout: Story Behind the Shot – Brook Peterson, Best in Show
Oct 14
This year’s Best in Show was won by Brook Peterson with this excellent image of a young sea lion cruising through the water. Congrats Brook! Read on to learn more about this image. Title: Young Sea Lion at Play Location Captured: Sea Lion Rookery at Santa Barbara Island Camera / Housing: Nikon D810 with Sigma 15mm Lens in Sea & Sea Housing Strobes / Lights: Dual Sea & Sea YS-D1...
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