"My Best Shots"

Ten of HUPS finest will be digging through their collections of slides from dive trips from all over the world to come up with 5-6 of their favorite shots for the February 4 program.  Each presenter will give as much information as they can remember about how the shots were created.  As a bonus, each presenter has been asked to give us some background on when they took the shots and a few highlights about the dive trip.

Perhaps the most important and fascinating part will be to find out just what it is about these images that makes them special to each presenter.  This will be a unique opportunity to take a peek into the minds of others to see how the creative processes come together to make something special.  The audience is encouraged to ask questions during the presentation.

The show will have something to offer to everyone.  You can certainly expect to see beautiful photographs but more importantly, expect to learn some valuable lessons in the art of underwater photography.

As usual our meeting starts at 7:00 PM.  A map and directions are at the end of this newsletter.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1	My Best Shots, Teacher's Table
2	President's Message, Congrats Bureks and Zingula, 2002 HUPS Shootout, SEASPACE 2002
3	January Meeting Recap, Problems with Irradiating Mail
4	Trip Report PNG
5	HUPS Photographer of the Year Rule Change, Shutter Lag in Digital Cameras, New Digital UW Photo Book
6	Monthly Contest Winners, Photo Contest Rules, Upcoming Photo Contests & Meetings

New Feature for Monthly Meetings - Teacher’s Table

Starting with the February meeting we will be offering a new feature.  The feature is called "Teacher’s Table."  Basically we will have a table manned by an accomplished HUPS member(s) who will be available to give advice.  Advice on what you ask?  On anything related to underwater photography.  Considering a new lens but not sure what to get... ask for the teacher’s opinion.  Don’t know what type of film to take on your dive trip... ask the teacher.  Backscatter problems, black water instead of blue water backgrounds in your wide angle shots, new piece of gear you can’t figure out... ask the teacher.  The "teachers" will be equipped with a light box and loupe to review slides.  So if you have some images that you aren’t completely satisfied with the teacher can offer hints to improve them.  Bring your slides and questions to the meeting and speak with this month's teachers Frank and Joyce Burek.  After years of shooting with Ikelite housings Frank and Joyce currently shoot with Nikon N90S cameras in Nexus housings.  They also have lots of experience with the good ol’ Nikonos V.  In acquiring the 80,000 (not a typo) images in their portfolio they have accumulated a vast knowledge of the do’s and don’ts of underwater photography.  Let them teach you a thing or two.  Frank and Joyce will be available to answer questions/view slides before the meeting and during the break.

1st Place Novice - Sue Watson ©2002

President's Message

Well now that I am the president I was told that I could write this column on any subject I want.  So I have decided to write about bicycles.  You may be asking yourself what bicycles have to do with HUPS.  Well, running HUPS is a lot like riding a bike.  Many members think that the officers and board decide the direction in which HUPS goes.  In reality the officers and board are the hands that turn the handlebars to steer in the direction the brain tell us to go.  You, the members, are the brain.  It is the membership that has the responsibility to decide the direction of the club.  If you want more technical presentations, more travel presentations, more club trips or whatever it is your job to tell the hands (officers and board) to steer in that direction.  Without information from the brain the hands have no idea where to go.

Dennis is hot at work setting up programs for the year.  He would love input form the members on topics of interest.  I encourage all members to discuss what they want out of HUPS with officers or board members.

So we got the brain to tell us where to go and the hands to steer but who pedals?  Again this is the job of the members.  Almost everything HUPS does happens because of the work of the membership.  Monthly programs, the monthly contest, our SEASPACE booth, the Christmas Party it all happens because the membership makes it happen.  We need everyone to get involved and help pedal the bike so the hands can steer to get us where you want to go.  My point here is that it’s your club so get involved and we will all have fun riding.

David
><)))">

Congrats to the Bureks and Dick Zingula

Joyce & Frank Burek and Dick Zingula have several photos in the new third edition of Paul Humann’s Reef Fish Identification book for the Caribbean.  This book is a must have for any underwater photographer’s library.  Actually it is a set of three books covering fish, corals and invertebrates of the Caribbean.  If you don’t have the set run down to your local dive shop and pick it up.  The Burek’s photos in the book include those of Little Tunny, Remora and Greenband Wrasse.  All three were taken at the Flower Gardens.  Dick’s photo in the book is of a Spottedfin Tonguefish that was taken where else but Cayos Cochinos.  Keep up the good work.

If you know of a HUPS member that recently won a contest or was published please forward to suewatson@mail.ev1.net.  Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.

HUPS Cozumel Shootout for 2002 !!!

We are trying to put together a HUPS Shootout in Cozumel in late July of 2002.  It will be similar to the Shootout in May of 2000.  We will travel as a group to secure the best rates.  We will be in Cozumel for 3-4 nights.  At this point the details are not quite hammered out.  We hope to have the dates nailed down by the February meeting or soon thereafter.  Right now we need to get a very rough head count to determine who is interested in participating.  If you think you would like to attend please contact David Lenderman at underh2o@mail.ev1.net.  We will also have a sign-up sheet at the February meeting.

SEASPACE 2002 is Coming!  Volunteers Needed!

SEASPACE 2002 is coming, and it's Saturday and Sunday June 8 & 9, 2002, at the Reliant Arena.  We need your lovely, large prints to display.  And we need to start lining up volunteers to work the booth.  We also need help setting up on Friday, June 7, at 4:00 pm, and tearing down on Sunday at 4:00 pm.  Pat Miller is going to organize the HUPS booth this year with Dennis Deavenport's kind advice.  There will be a sign-up sheet at the next HUPS meeting, or you can contact Pat directly to arrange your time in the booth.

2nd Place Advanced - Dick Zingula ©2002

Gulf Diving at It's Finest - On a Roll with Joyce, Frank, Gary and Joe

By Dennis Deavenport

We all live close to the Gulf of Mexico but not everyone realizes just how good the diving can be just south of our familiar coastline.  Thanks to Joyce & Frank Burek, Gary Merritt and Joe Nicklo, HUPS members at the January meeting were able to see just how fascinating and diverse the diving can be off shore in the northern Gulf.

Joyce started the show with a medley of beautiful slides that she and Frank have accumulated over many dives on the Flower Gardens and a lesser known location, Geyer Bank.  Although somewhat similar to Stetson Bank, Geyer offers its own unique character for divers lucky enough to get down to this oddly-shaped bump in the Gulf waters.  Not only were we treated to shots of the reef and its denizens but we also heard some of the historical significance and unique nature of these protected dive locations.  If you have never dived here or if it's been awhile since you have, this part of the show certainly gives us all good reason to get down there and enjoy them.

Gary Merritt, a veteran of many dives in the northern Gulf, gave a fascinating presentation on Stetson Bank.  Aside from the great shots he presented, Gary's knowledge of the location and its critters made this part of the show memorable.

After hearing about the "dive from hell" story given by Joe Nicklo on his trip to Sonnier Bank with Jesse Cancelmo, you might wonder why anyone in their right mind would go there.  In all fairness, Jesse really didn't have any control over the boat that sank at the dock or the rail-huggin' weather on the way to Sonnier.  As you can imagine, Joe had us all rolling and holding our sides with his interpretation of the events surrounding this memorable trip.  The amazing thing is that in spite of everything, he still came back with some great stuff to show the group.

Thanks to the whole group for a night well spent.  Great job!

Check it Out on the Web

Check out http://www.uwpmag.com for an online underwater photography magazine.  You can download it as a pdf file.  It discusses products, technique and destinations.

If you have a favorite website that you would like to share with the group email it to suewatson@mail.ev1.net.

Before sending your slides, negatives, or CDs to any federal government office, contact the recipient and make delivery arrangements before sending.  For non-governmental deliveries, it is safer (for your materials) to send them via FedEx, UPS, or other carriers.

Bring ‘em if You Can Find ‘em February’s Photo Competition subject is "Camouflage."  Pick out your three best slides and bring them to the meeting.  Don’t put them down just anywhere.  They may be so well camouflaged that you won’t find them again.

NEW GUINEA-You will also need a VISA and although you can obtain the VISA when you arrive, if you have the time, get it in advance.  It can be obtained directly from the Papua New Guinea Embassy 202-745-3680.  Call them for details.  If you have an interest in seeing the HIGHLANDS area of New Guinea talk with your travel agent and check out the Internet.

continued top of next column

New Guinea continued from previous column

We checked our bags all the way to Hoskins.  We did have to collect our bags when we arrived in Port Moresby to go through customs, however, because they were checked all the way to Hoskins we saved time in not having to re-check them at the ticket counter.  On our return flight from Hoskins airport we checked our bags all the way to Cairns so we didn’t see them again until we arrived in Cairns.  We had no problems with being charged for excess baggage.  We were able to store a couple of bags at the hotel where we were staying in Cairns and when we flew over from Cairns.

FEBRINA-We were met at the Hoskins Airport by the staff of the Febrina who quickly collected our luggage and we were on our way to Walindi Plantation where the boat is docked.  There was a quick transfer of our luggage and we were off for our diving adventure.

This was Jackie’s fourth trip on the Febrina and my third.  We love diving on this boat.  All diving is done right off the back of the boat.  No transferring in and out of an inflatable.  The accommodations are very comfortable.  You can check out their website for more details about the boat.  There is a photo of the boat with the room layout.  The food must have been good because I think Jackie and I have both added a few extra pounds.

The first few days of our diving was in the Witu group of Islands, Lama Shoals (Crack-A-Fat Reef), Dicky’s Place (we met Dickey), Fathers, and then back to Kimbe Bay, which is my favorite area.  Night dives were available every night except for one when we needed to travel.

Most of the time the visibility was very good especially at those sites where we wanted to do wide-angle photography.  The reefs have a large variety of fish, hard and soft corals and huge beautiful red fans and whips.  Highlights of the trip included two shark feeds, swirling jacks and barracuda.  HUPS members Chuck and Anne Roberts were also on the trip and Chuck had the find of the trip -- two blue ring octopus.  Unfortunately everyone was out of film or had the wrong lens on the camera.  It was really special just to get to see them.  Again, the Febrina website http://www.febrina.com is an excellent resource for specific information about the different reefs and other information about what to expect on the boat.

The STAFF of the Febrina are the best.  They are always eager to make sure you are comfortable and having a good time.  We can’t wait to return.  If we can answer any questions for you please give us a call.

Thanks to the Reids for sending in the above trip report.  If you have a trip report or anything you would like to share in the newsletter please email it to suewatson@mail.ev1.net.

1. Monthly HUPS Photo Contest
   Actual points scored for each slide; three judges each score from 1 to 9.  Points earned will be 3-27 for each slide.  Each member may submit 3 slides each month for each category (all months have only one category except December which has two).  For the months of January through November, the actual scored points on all entries will be accumulated.  December is not included, as it is a separate contest.

2. Other Underwater Photo Contest (see note below)

   Place	Points
   For entering	3
   1st Place	9
   2nd Place	6
   3rd Place	3

   Note: With the exception of the monthly HUPS photo contest, it is the responsibility of the photographer (entrant) to provide documentation of participation in item #2 to the HUPS Photo Contest Chairperson(s).
   

An article entitled "Digital cameras don’t always deliver smiles" in the January 21 edition of USA Today discussed the problem of shutter lag found in digital cameras.  It seems that underwater photographers aren’t the only ones complaining about this weakness of current digital cameras.  The shutter lag issue is one of the biggest complaints of new users of digital cameras.  The measured lag times mentioned ranged from 1.1 to about 0.6 seconds.  The camera requires the extra time to confirm focus, white balance and exposure.  It is likely that manufacturers will be addressing the problem in upcoming models.

New Book on Underwater Digital Photography

"Digital Imaging for the Underwater Photographer" by Jack and Sue Drafahl is a 224-page book written to help the underwater photographer transition from film to digital.  It includes information on both converting your current film images to digital format and shooting digital underwater.  This book discusses how to digitally refine, correct, and enhance underwater photographs.  It details the equipment necessary for digital imaging for underwater photography, and includes a discussion on the essentials of scanning.  Jack and Sue Drafahl have published more than 500 articles.  There is extensive information on Adobe Photoshop, and how it can be used to edit underwater pictures.  This book also investigates the ethics of photo manipulation and discusses the future of underwater photography.

Novice:
1st	Sue Watson
2nd	Drew Trent
3rd	Sue Watson
Advanced:
1st	Jackie Reid
2nd	David Lenderman, Dick Zingula
3rd	Jackie Reid

HUPS Monthly Photo Contest Rules

1. Photographs must have been taken underwater, with the exception of the "Marine Surface Slides," a category which will be announced periodically.
2. The photographs must be the work of the photographer named on the slide.  The photographer does not have to be present at the monthly meeting to enter their slide.
3. No aquarium, pool, or over/under shots.
4. Photographs with divers touching or stressing marine life will not be judged.
5. Entries that have won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, in previous HUPS contests, or any major competition are ineligible.  The only exception being the Best of HUPS night at the December meeting.
6. Slides will be disqualified if in the opinion of the Photo Contest Chairman and monthly judge, the slides do not meet the monthly subject matter, or do not meet one of the aforementioned rules.
7. All contest judging will be performed by a judge selected by the HUPS Photo Judge Coordinator, except nights when it is announced that the general membership will judge.  In these instances the Photo Contest Chairman will tabulate all ballots.
8. If a member wishes to question the results of a contest, they must submit their complaint in contest to the Photo Contest Chairman or any club officer.  The complaint must include: complainant's name, questionable slide, nature of complaint (indicating rule broken), proof behind complaint.
9. The Board of Directors will review the complaint, and if they find merit, they may disqualify the slide.

June 8 & 9, 2002 - SEASPACE 2002

Happy Valentine's Day!

For those of you who have not yet renewed your membership please fill out the form below and bring it to the next meeting or mail it to Jean Himes.

Houston Underwater Photographic Society Membership Application Name: ____________________________________________ Street Address: __________________________________ __________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ State: _______________ Zip Code: _________________ Home Phone: ______________________________________ Work Phone: ______________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________ Would you like to receive your newsletter via email? Yes or No Dues (check one):   _____Individual ($30)  _____Family ($35) - after January 1, 2002