Jump Settings For Blue Water Video
By Sy Harris
It is important to always think about your camera and what settings it’s in before jumping into the water. Below is a setting checklist you should follow before and at the beginning of every dive. It should be the mantra you chant each time you enter the water. If your camera is set to these specifications you will be ready to capture great footage in almost every situation."
Jump Settings For Blue Water Video
Friday, 29 August 2008
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Strobes for digital cameras
Strobes for digital cameras
by Ikelite
Strobes for many of the new digital cameras must fulfill requirements that are different than what has been required for film cameras.
Some of the digital cameras require a small initial preflash before the standard flash, allowing the camera to gain exposure information. The camera may not provide the best results without this preflash. The two flashes happen almost instantaneously. Most strobes for film cameras can not produce this rapid flash sequence."
Strobes for digital cameras
by Ikelite
Strobes for many of the new digital cameras must fulfill requirements that are different than what has been required for film cameras.
Some of the digital cameras require a small initial preflash before the standard flash, allowing the camera to gain exposure information. The camera may not provide the best results without this preflash. The two flashes happen almost instantaneously. Most strobes for film cameras can not produce this rapid flash sequence."
Strobes for digital cameras
Monday, 25 August 2008
OceanNEnvironment
OceanNEnvironment only undertake projects that yield measurable goals and objectives.
Our positional statements are:
-
The single MOST important reason why coral reefs are dying is that there are too many people on this planet. We believe that if the focuses of our conservation efforts are directed to benefit the local people, like feeding them, or providing them with resources to benefit from the eco - tourism, the reef will save itself. - If long-term conservation is to take place - it is dependent on our capacity to persuade local people that they will be ‘better off’ protecting the natural system than degrading it, by creation of markets for goods and services in an environmentally manner.
- If local people gain from sustainable use of the coral reef through tourism, they will protect this asset and may even invest future resources into it. Marine parks and reserves cannot survive without the support of the local people.
- We believe that understanding, appreciation and love begets preservation and protection people can only protect and preserve what they love therefore it is important that they have affinity and connection to the environment. In this aspect OceanNEnvironment actively support marine research and educational programs with financial grants
What is High Definition Video? or What is HDV?
Backscatter
What is High Definition Video? or What is HDV?
By Sy Harris
When choosing an HDV camera you’ll notice the HDV format comes in a variety of resolutions, scan modes and frame rates. Understanding what these designations mean however, can be very confusing. For instance, the Sony FX1 shoots in 1080i or 1920x1080 60i, where the JVC GR1 shoots in 720p or 1280x720 24p. Both are considered HDV, but how are they different? What is 720p? What is 60i?
To be considered HD, video must follow certain criteria. It must have a 16:9 aspect ratio, varying frame rates, and resolutions of 1080 or 720 horizontal lines. The chart below breaks down these constraints and will show you the main variations of the HDV format."
Read the whole article:
What is High Definition Video? or What is HDV?
What is High Definition Video? or What is HDV?
By Sy Harris
When choosing an HDV camera you’ll notice the HDV format comes in a variety of resolutions, scan modes and frame rates. Understanding what these designations mean however, can be very confusing. For instance, the Sony FX1 shoots in 1080i or 1920x1080 60i, where the JVC GR1 shoots in 720p or 1280x720 24p. Both are considered HDV, but how are they different? What is 720p? What is 60i?
To be considered HD, video must follow certain criteria. It must have a 16:9 aspect ratio, varying frame rates, and resolutions of 1080 or 720 horizontal lines. The chart below breaks down these constraints and will show you the main variations of the HDV format."
Read the whole article:
What is High Definition Video? or What is HDV?
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Making the Jump: Going Digital Photo
Backscatter
Making the Jump: Going Digital Photo
By Brad Brown
Since the day I reviewed the first slides produced using my Nikonos V seven years ago I have asked myself 'Why are so many of my images rubbish?' I can't blame the camera. The Nikonos V is capable of producing magnificent images. I've concluded rather that the problem lies with my inability to use the camera to its fullest potential.
The learning curve is steep. I made my greatest jump up this curve during a week of diving in on the island of Sipadan. The resort photo pro processed E6 several times a day. I was able to apply what I learned reviewing my slides within hours of exposure. Consequently my rubbish heap shrank as my relative quantity of keepers grew. When the digital SLR became an option I saw the potential right away. The prospects of
1) instant image review
2) never running out of film
3) autofocus
made the switch from the Nikonos alluring.
I made the decision to buy a Canon 20D and a Subal C20 housing. Since my purchase I have been able to build upon my Nikonos experience while benefiting from those advantages a digital SLR affords. The principles are the same. Only the medium and the methods are different.
My rubbish heap is now a virtual trashcan on my Mac's desktop."
Read the whole article: Making the Jump: Going Digital Photo
Making the Jump: Going Digital Photo
By Brad Brown
Since the day I reviewed the first slides produced using my Nikonos V seven years ago I have asked myself 'Why are so many of my images rubbish?' I can't blame the camera. The Nikonos V is capable of producing magnificent images. I've concluded rather that the problem lies with my inability to use the camera to its fullest potential.
The learning curve is steep. I made my greatest jump up this curve during a week of diving in on the island of Sipadan. The resort photo pro processed E6 several times a day. I was able to apply what I learned reviewing my slides within hours of exposure. Consequently my rubbish heap shrank as my relative quantity of keepers grew. When the digital SLR became an option I saw the potential right away. The prospects of
1) instant image review
2) never running out of film
3) autofocus
made the switch from the Nikonos alluring.
I made the decision to buy a Canon 20D and a Subal C20 housing. Since my purchase I have been able to build upon my Nikonos experience while benefiting from those advantages a digital SLR affords. The principles are the same. Only the medium and the methods are different.
My rubbish heap is now a virtual trashcan on my Mac's desktop."
Read the whole article: Making the Jump: Going Digital Photo
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Saturday, 16 August 2008
New Product Release :YS-250PRO
Our new YS flagship model for professionals is fast and powerful
with broad coverage: guide number 32, beam angle 105°.
YS-250PRO(Black)
* Contact a SEA&SEA authorized dealer for the price of the product.
---------------------------------
Main Features of the YS-250PRO Strobe:
●Guide Number (land, ISO 100/m): 32
●Recycle time: approx. 1.8 sec.
●Circular arc tube with the beam angle 105°×105°.
●LED target light located in the center of the reflector.
●Manual flash exposure control in 12 increments.
●READY lamp and TTL lamp with electronic sounds for confirmation.
●Depth rating: 60m/200ft
●Exclusive rechargeable Ni-MH battery for YS-250PRO with the optimum efficiency.
The YS-250PRO is designed for demanding professionals, packed with revolutionary new features to meet the challenges of digital photography. A large circular arc tube emits a powerful flash at guide number 32 (its value on land, ISO 100/m) when power is set to FULL. It provides incremental manual flash power adjustment in 12 steps for graduations of light.
The YS-250PRO is lightning fast: it recycles in 1.8 seconds. Its high-capacity Ni-MH battery, designed exclusively for the strobe, stores enough power when fully charged for 200 full flashes. A high-luminosity white LED target light in the center of the strobe shows precisely where the strobe is pointed, and a ready lamp and a TTL confirmation lamp on each side of the strobe indicate when the strobe is charged and when it has been controlled by the camera’s TTL. An audible signal sounds when the lamps light so you can concentrate on your subject in the viewfinder.
The YS-250PRO includes other sophisticated features such as three fiber-optic cable sockets (2 of them with slave sensor), pre-flash cancellation that handles up to two pre-flashes from a camera.
The YS-250PRO: at home in the water day or night, satisfying your demands for the best possible images.
Cuba helps the Hawksbill
Cuba has thrown a lifeline to the Caribbean’s endangered and critically endangered marine turtles with a ministerial resolution ending all harvesting of marine turtles.
Such a resolution, ending Cuba’s long standing harvest of 500 critically endangered hawksbill turtles a year, has been sought by conservationists for more than a decade. It will benefit turtles hatching on beaches throughout the Caribbean and coming regularly to feed in Cuban waters.
Like marine turtles worldwide, the Caribbean’s endangered green and loggerhead turtles are threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, egg collection, entanglement in fishing gear, climate change, and pollution. Hawksbill turtles are also threatened by hunting for tortoise shell and suffered global population declines of 80 per cent over the last century.
“This far-sighted decision represents an outstanding outcome for Cuba, for the wider Caribbean, and for conservation,” said Dr. Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF International’s Species Programme.
“Cuba is to be commended for the example it has set in intelligent decision-making informed by science and the long term best interests of its people”.
The phase out of the marine turtle fishery in Cuba is the result of a joint effort by the Cuban Ministry of Fisheries and WWF, with financial support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
“This decision reflects the political will of the Cuban government to join the call of the international community to adopt measures that guarantee the conservation of marine turtles”, declared Dr. Elisa Garcia, Director of Fishing Regulations at the Ministry of Fisheries of Cuba.
The two remaining fishing communities used to harvest marine turtles in Cuba are being provided with funds and technical assistance to help them implement specifically developed sustainable economic alternatives, modernize their fishing fleets, re-train their inhabitants and engage them in hawksbill turtle protection activities.
The WWF/CIDA grant of over $400,000 also supports the Ministry's Centre for Fisheries Research to become a regional hub for marine turtle conservation and research, capitalizing on decades of experience by leading Cuban scientists. It will also strengthen the Office for Fisheries Inspection (the Cuban Fisheries law enforcement group) to ensure compliance with the ban.
Recent research has shown that the Hawksbill’s preference for feeding on sponges means it plays a significant but until recently unappreciated role in the continued health of coral reefs, by opening up new feeding opportunities for some varieties of reef fish.
Contacts :
Michael Bliemsrieder
Regional Director for Cuba
and the Greater Antilles
WWF-Canada
35 O'Connor St., Suite 304
Ottawa, ON K1P 5M4, Canada
Direct: (613) 232 8706
Fax: (613) 232 4181
Email: mbliemsrieder@wwfcanada.org
Jose L. Gerhartz
Field Manager for Cuba
WWF-Canada, Havana Field Office
Miramar Trade Centre
Edificio Santiago de Cuba, Oficina 203
5ta Ave. y 78, Miramar, Playa
La Habana, CUBA
Tel: (53-7) 204 9016
Email: jgerhartz@wwfcanada.org
http://www.panda.org/index.cfm?uNewsID=122340
Such a resolution, ending Cuba’s long standing harvest of 500 critically endangered hawksbill turtles a year, has been sought by conservationists for more than a decade. It will benefit turtles hatching on beaches throughout the Caribbean and coming regularly to feed in Cuban waters.
Like marine turtles worldwide, the Caribbean’s endangered green and loggerhead turtles are threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, egg collection, entanglement in fishing gear, climate change, and pollution. Hawksbill turtles are also threatened by hunting for tortoise shell and suffered global population declines of 80 per cent over the last century.
“This far-sighted decision represents an outstanding outcome for Cuba, for the wider Caribbean, and for conservation,” said Dr. Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF International’s Species Programme.
“Cuba is to be commended for the example it has set in intelligent decision-making informed by science and the long term best interests of its people”.
The phase out of the marine turtle fishery in Cuba is the result of a joint effort by the Cuban Ministry of Fisheries and WWF, with financial support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
“This decision reflects the political will of the Cuban government to join the call of the international community to adopt measures that guarantee the conservation of marine turtles”, declared Dr. Elisa Garcia, Director of Fishing Regulations at the Ministry of Fisheries of Cuba.
The two remaining fishing communities used to harvest marine turtles in Cuba are being provided with funds and technical assistance to help them implement specifically developed sustainable economic alternatives, modernize their fishing fleets, re-train their inhabitants and engage them in hawksbill turtle protection activities.
The WWF/CIDA grant of over $400,000 also supports the Ministry's Centre for Fisheries Research to become a regional hub for marine turtle conservation and research, capitalizing on decades of experience by leading Cuban scientists. It will also strengthen the Office for Fisheries Inspection (the Cuban Fisheries law enforcement group) to ensure compliance with the ban.
Recent research has shown that the Hawksbill’s preference for feeding on sponges means it plays a significant but until recently unappreciated role in the continued health of coral reefs, by opening up new feeding opportunities for some varieties of reef fish.
Contacts :
Michael Bliemsrieder
Regional Director for Cuba
and the Greater Antilles
WWF-Canada
35 O'Connor St., Suite 304
Ottawa, ON K1P 5M4, Canada
Direct:
Fax: (613) 232 4181
Email: mbliemsrieder@wwfcanada.org
Jose L. Gerhartz
Field Manager for Cuba
WWF-Canada, Havana Field Office
Miramar Trade Centre
Edificio Santiago de Cuba, Oficina 203
5ta Ave. y 78, Miramar, Playa
La Habana, CUBA
Tel:
Email: jgerhartz@wwfcanada.org
http://www.panda.org/index.cfm?uNewsID=122340
Found: The clearest ocean waters on Earth - earth - 29 June 2007 - New Scientist Environment
Tedetti says the ocean waters, which the researchers sampled using these canisters, were "almost violet" (Image: Joséphine Ras)Enlarge Satellite images reveal the chlorophyll-poor patch of water in the south-east Pacific (in purple) (Image: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, ORBIMAGE)Enlarge As clear as the clearest lakes on the planet, salty as ocean waters, and roughly the size of the Mediterranean – this, say researchers, is the clearest and most lifeless patch of ocean in the world. And it is in the middle of the Pacific.
"Satellite images that track the amount of chlorophyll in ocean waters suggested that this was one of the most life-poor systems on Earth," explains Patrick Raimbault of the University of the Mediterranean, in Marseille, France (see image, right).
In October 2004, Raimbault and colleagues set out to study the remarkable patch of ocean water on a three month cruise – called BIOSOPE – that left from Tahiti in French Polynesia, passed by Easter Island and ended on the Chilean coast. Along the way, they sampled the water's chemistry, physics and biology.
Marc Tedetti, also from the University of the Mediterranean, was on the expedition to investigate the water's clarity. He was struck by the colour of the water, which he describes as closer to violet than to blue (see image, right).
Found: The clearest ocean waters on Earth - earth - 29 June 2007 - New Scientist Environment
Friday, 15 August 2008
Going Green Scuba Diving Tips
great article on great site. Recommend going over there and seeing some more... Stuart
Going Green Travel Going Green Scuba Diving Tips
With the environmental impact of overfishing, dying reefs, heavy metals from industrial pollution, kelp deforestation, and the havoc wreaked by invasive marine species our thoughts turn to the sea. Specifically, we wanted to offer some ways we can enjoy the benefits of scuba diving in the world’s oceans without leaving any further footprints on this most wonderful of natural resources.
Here are our top tips for “going green” scuba diving:
CARBON OFFSET FOR YOUR AIR FLIGHT
Since there’s no way to travel by plane in a “green” way - the only solution is to offset the carbon emissions caused by your flight. Many companies offer ways to do just that. One we especially like is called Carbon Fund. They offer ways to offset all your carbon emissions from all the different things you do in life (driving your vehicle, electricity for your home, energy used to produce the food you eat - as well as the carbon footprint you create through air travel). The next time you plan a dive trip, contact Carbon Fund to offset your Co2. Your contribution is tax deductible and, best of all, you’ll feel great knowing you’re doing your part to leave small footprints on the planet.
CHOOSE GREEN ACCOMMODATIONS
As most of you know, some resorts and hotels do better at being “green” than others. Some think if they have a policy where they don’t necessarily wash your towels every day that they are a “green” resort. We’re certainly happy for any changes resorts and hotels make to help the environment, they’ll have to do more than that to be considered “going green” in our view.
Look for resorts that grow some or all of their own food in an organic garden. This reduces carbon emissions through a reduction in transportation.
Special attention should be paid to resorts and hotels that create some or all of their own energy — ask if they create solar energy or if they have a wind turbine or water wheel.
Ask about the light bulbs — replacing standard bulbs with compact florescent is an inexpensive way resorts and hotels can reduce their energy footprint and begin to go green.
How do they handle their water consumption? Reducing the amount of laundry they wash is great, but it’s only a start. Look for biodegradable soaps and see if they’re recycling their gray water to care for landscaping or vegetable gardens.
Do they recycle and reduce their trash? How do they handle plastic bottles and aluminum cans? Do they use consumable glasses and pitchers in rooms that will wind up in a landfill or do they utilize re-usable items?
CHOOSE A GREEN DIVE OPERATOR
Choose local operators who emphasize sustainable dive practices and adhere to a “green” code of conduct. Do your research before you book your trip. The Green Fins program in Thailand is a great example of what to look for. They have a specific code of conduct they require all their affiliated dive operators to adhere to. If every dive operator in the world instituted the same guidelines, we would be well on our way to preserving our ocean’s reef systems.
USE ETHICAL DIVE PRACTICES YOURSELF
You already know what to do — so just commit that you’re going to do it. Don’t ever litter the ocean with your junk. No water bottles, plastic cups, wrappers, film canisters, or anything. Make sure you secure all your trash on the boat so it doesn’t blow into the water. If you see any junk in the water during your dive, remove it and throw it away properly. You’ll be creating some good karma for yourself.
Never remove anything from the ocean - period. Take your camera and get pictures of everything that looks cool, but never be tempted to take it with you. First, you’ll be contributing to the destruction of the earth’s reefs and, second, you’ll likely get caught at some point and could end up in real hot water with the local authorities. It’s not worth it. Let your camera “take” photos of whatever you find interesting in the water. Never violate this ethic.
Be careful when splashing around in shallower water. Make sure you stay near the top of the water and never, ever, kick your fins into the delicate reef coral or other marine life. Don’t be a bull in a china shop. Leave the reef the same way you found it — the way the diver before you left it for you.
Okay, that’s it. Get out there and enjoy your next scuba trip knowing that your travel dollars are voting for sustainable travel choices. The more people vote with their dollars — the quicker we’ll see changes in the way the travel industry addresses environmental travel issues.
Going Green Travel » Leaving small footprints in our big world. » Going Green Scuba Diving TipsWednesday, 13 August 2008
Waitabu Marine Park Blog
Calling Fish Geeks.......
Thought you may be interested - lots of us have had trouble identifying the Tomato Anemone fish in Fiji, and it has just been identified as a new species, plus the new wrasse ID'd a couple of years ago is described.
See link
Fiji Amphiprion and Cirrhilabrus new species…mainly by DNA data
Cheers,
Helen
Helen Sykes
The Great Fiji Butterflyfish Count
2 - 8 November 2008
e: info@fijibutterflyfishcount.com
http://www.fijibutterflyfishcount.com
www.fijibutterflyfishcount.blogspot.com
marine ecology consulting
===================================================
Gerald R. Allen, Joshua Drew and Les Kaufman: Amphiprion barberi, a new species of anemonefish (Pomacentridae) from Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, pp. 105-114
Abstract
Amphiprion melanopus, underwater photograph of adult, about 75.0 mm SL, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, 3 m depth. Photo by G. R. Allen.
Amphiprion barberi, a new species of anemonefish fish, is described from 46 specimens, 16.3-85.8 mm SL, collected at depths of 2-10 m from coral reefs of Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. It is closely allied to A. melanopus, which is widely distributed in the western Pacific. The two species exhibit significant colour-pattern differences, including a mainly reddish orange body in A. barberi and dark brown or blackish body in A. melanopus. Adults of the new species also possess fewer spinules (11-19 versus 19-26) in the upper-opercular series than A. melanopus. Genetic data presented here confirms the separation of these species. (PDF)
Cirrhilabrus beauperryi, a new wrasse
Gerald R. Allen, Joshua Drew and Paul Barber: Cirrhilabrus beauperryi, a new wrasse (Pisces: Labridae) from Melanesia, pp. 129-140
Abstract
Underwater photograph of terminal phase (male) Cirrhilabrus beauperryi in courtship display, approximately 115 mm TL, 15 m depth, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Photo by G. R. Allen.
Terminal-phase individuals of C. beauperryi are generally purplish grading to blue ventrally and greenish or yellowish brown dorsally with a broad purple stripe along the basal half of the otherwise pale yellow dorsal fin. In contrast, terminal-phase C. punctatus are generally reddish brown to dark grey on the upper two-thirds of the head and body and abruptly white below with broad black stripes along the base of mainly red dorsal and anal fins. They also differ noticeably with respect to the colouration on the base of the pectoral fins: in C. beauperryi it is mainly violet with a narrow, inconspicuous purple bar; that of C. punctatus is prominently marked with a broad black bar.
The pectoral-base marking is also useful for distinguishing initial-phase fish. The terminal phase of C. beauperryi also exhibits a unique median head profile characterised by a rounded forehead and concave interorbital region.
DNA analysis reveals the two species are genetically distinct. (PDF)
Aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology
Scuba Diving Fiji
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)