Photo Tips San Diego Underwater Photographic Society
Photo Tips
San Diego Underwater Photographic Society
| Monthly Photo Tip by
Deeanne Edwards It Pays to be Prepared Some of you may recall an announcement I made at the last meeting, on behalf of a friend of a friend, about a trip to the Solomon Islands on the Bilikiki that was available for a good deal to anyone that could leave a week later. Not only was it a great deal, but it included an Underwater Photo Seminar by renowned photographer Chris Newbert. Two days later, with my husband's blessing, I decided to take the trip. I've been on a few excursions to far-reaching dive destinations and I usually plan the trip months ahead and take weeks to pack. Afterall, these trips involve a lot of dive gear and photo equipment, including backups that aren't available on remote islands. For this one, I had only four days! Needless to say, it was a hectic four days. However, one thing I didn't need to worry about was that all my gear, both diving and photographic, was in good working order. My regulator maintenance was current and my wetsuit fit. Because I had been on the club trips in July and August, I knew all my photo equipment was working fine and I had everything I needed. So except for buying film, batteries, and a few personal things, I was prepared to go. (The only thing I had to borrow was a second strobe because I had sent my SB103 in to be replaced due to Nikon's recall. Thanks Randy!) I didn't have to call Chet Tussey in a panic because I just remembered I never got around to getting that thingamajig on my housing fixed that broke months before. Or drive to LA to get my passport renewed. |
Or drive to Point Loma Camera to ask Leon if those impossible-to-get
Nikonos dual cords happen to be in stock. So the moral of my Photo Tip
is BE PREPARED to leave on a once-in-a-lifetime trip at the last
minute. Clean your gear right when you get back from a trip. Replace parts
you need as soon as you need them. Get repairs or annual maintenance done
right when they need it, not just before that next trip. You never
know when an opportunity might arise that you just can't pass up. Having
your equipment ready to go alleviates alot of last minute, unnecessary
coronary distress. This gives you that extra needed time to consider important
details like how many little bottles of shampoo you think you'll go through
in two weeks and to buy the latest issue of People to read in the
airport or the 13 hour plane trip.
As far as the trip went, IT WAS FABULOUS! The Bilikiki is a great boat; well run, good food, great crew. The diving in the Solomon Islands delivers some of the best underwater bio-diversity on the planet. All of the guests were really keen on finding unusual creatures so I saw and photographed many animals for the first time. But the highlight of the trip would have to be our hosts, Chris Newbert and Birgitte Wilms. Not only are they the nicest people on earth, but they were also extremely helpful. Chris presented his famous 6 day Underwater Photo Seminar (this is the last season) and I came away with a wealth of knowledge on the technical aspects of macro and wide angle photography. Aside from the formal seminar sessions, he would drop whatever he was doing to answer a question, adjust mechanical parts, rebuild strobe arms, and anything else photographic that came up. So needless to say, I am very happy I took advantage of this last-minute, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Your questions and comments are welcomed. |
