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This
week has definitely been the most amazing experience
of my life, leading the first ever underwater photographic
trip especially designed for divers with compact cameras
thanks to Emperor Divers.
Setting off with a dive
club from London in February to join our beautiful
Gold Fleet Liveaboard with Emperor Divers on M/Y Majesty
was to be the beginning of a new era for divers with
digital compact cameras thanks to Ocean Visions. Added
to that was that on giving a presentation to the club
two days before leaving, twelve divers of the group
of 20 signed up for PADI's Brand New Digital Underwater
Photography Speciality Course! This was to be the
first trip of it's kind not just in the UK but in
the world.
Sailing out of Hurghada
we were on a week's liveaboard taking in famous wrecks
such as the 'Thistlegorm' and 'Rosalie Moller' as
well as the beautiful reefs of Ras Mohammed and other
breathtaking dive sites in the Northern Red Sea. A
perfect combination to learn about different techniques
with their digital pocket rockets and to try out the
various accessories on board, such as wide angle lens,
filters and strobes to maximise these stunning photographic
opportunities.
The atmosphere was electric and from giving a presentation
the first evening on board the 'Majesty' on tips
I have used during my three years of using these
cameras, the group's enthusiasm and interest in
the PADI Underwater Digital Photographic Speciality
Course was outstanding. And so were the results!
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On the third evening
after arriving at the Thistlegorm, a special
evening slideshow to music was given in the
salon on the TV Screen. The group couldn't believe
the results after three days, these digital
compact cameras really can give great results.
Beautiful coral pictures of the reefs at Ras
Mohammed to incredible wreck shots of the Giannis
D. And still there was more to come.
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Each member
of the group, ecstatic from the results of
these cameras, came up to me, dive after dive
after dive, showing me again and again, great
shots that they were achieving. Every evening
they were downloaded onto a new and unique
concept in photographic trips, an onboard
digital lab to give the guests instanteous
feedback and tips and tricks to improve their
shots the following day using the range of
accessories that were on board. It was an
incredible feeling of euphoria that overcame
me watching each buddy team during the week
trying out different techniques and seeing
their confidence grow as well as the pleasure
that they got from their cameras.
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At the end of
the week, each guest sat down with me and chose
their favourite shot and learnt how to download,
store and use Photoshop to enhance their different
shots. And the results didn't just blow them
away, but myself as well. These compact cameras
really can give the excellent results that I
always believed they could.
To sum it up, a
mindblowing, spectacular week was had by everyone
who participated in PADI's Brand New Course
in Underwater Digital Photography that will
certainly lead the way for a new era in making
great pictures a reality for divers with compact
cameras.
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A special thank you goes
to all the Emperor Staff and Cameras Underwater for
their help and support in putting together this unique
project. The next trips with Emperor are from the
15th - 22nd June/22nd - 29th June which are taking
us to the beautiful reefs and cave systems of Fury
Shoals and Elphinstone, as well as wrecks, with great
chances of encountering dolphins and turtles.
Emperor have also added
a new date from 24th November to 1st December which
will give us a great chance to encounter the famous
Oceanic White Tip Reef Sharks at Elphinstone.
These trips will be a
fantastic opportunity to bring home some incredible
images and we hope to see you there.
Testimonials
"From one Instructor to another
this was special to see, full of passion, fun and
a joy to watch. Very high skill level! Love on ya!"
Kevin Egan, PADI Instructor,
Group Leader, Orca Dive Club, London
"A fantastic course taught with
passion and enthusiasm. Even being advised on how
to get the camera working has improved my pictures
beyond recognition. Added to top class service from
Emperor Divers for a brilliant week."
Steve Jones, Recovery
Diver, Metropolitan Police
"Fantastic, over and above the
call of duty."
Jimmy Thurston
"Really great course, personal
attention more than needed. Brilliant."
Clare Mullen
"What a fab course, it really
made it a great liveaboard. The personal touch was
much appreciated. Maria worked over and above the
call of duty. The on-board digital photo lab is also
an excellent idea, so rewarding to see your own average
photos enhanced and adjusted before your very eyes
into works of art! Thanks for everything Maria."
Karen Mitchell
"A very worthwhile course that
appealed to digital photographers of all levels. Maria's
knowledge and experience inspired us all, and being
able to see and edit our photos on her laptop was
a great bonus. Thanks Maria, you deserve to go far."
Sue Searle
"Thanks for all of your enthusiasm
and attention throughout the course which I have benefited
tremendously from. You have an ability to put forward
fairly complex ideas into a form that I found easy
to comprehend. I'm sure you and this course will find
great success in the coming seasons. Good luck and
thanks."
Peter Bernard
"Maria you are a star, attention
to detail is unbelievable, you've simplified the book
100 times over with the added personal touch! Many
thanks."
Tara McCloskey
"Thanks for all your help, your
time, your hospitality, and your great effort. Had
a fabidesy time. Would love to come back in the future
for the next level. Lots of thanks."
Benji Smith
"Thank you Maria. Very enjoyable
and interesting course and enthusiastically put across.
Excellent!"
Martin Smith
"It has been great having had
tips and hints from yourself. I think a lot of what
you have done and find you very inspirational. Your
attitude towards teaching and life is so positive
and wish you all the best in the future. Keep it up,
your work is sensational."
Ross Dimmock
click here to access the guest
gallery
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