All You Ever Wanted to Know About Cephalopods
September's Presentation by Dr. James Wood of the National Resource Center for Cephalopods
By Dennis Deavenport

Ceph-a-lo-pod,  n.  Any of various mollusks of the class Cephelopoda, such as cuttlefish, squid, nautilus, or octopus, having a beaked head, an internal shell in some species, and prehensile tentacles.

We are privileged to have James Wood, the CephBase Project manager at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, as our special invited speaker for August.  Dr. Wood, one of the country's foremost experts on cephalods, is also an accomplished underwater photographer and his talk will be liberally illustrated with video and still images taken during his studies.  His program will focus on many aspects of these most fascinating of creatures with special attention to their complex and peculiar behavior patterns.

For those of us who are understandably fascinated by these intelligent and beautiful denizens of the world's oceans, this will be a "must see" experience.

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Cephalopods from previous column

If you are interested in learning more about cephalopods, check out Dr. Wood's personal web page; it contains an amazing amount of information and numerous illustrations.  It will be time well spent.

As usual the meeting will be at the Bayland Community Center starting at 7:00 PM.  A map and directions are at the end of this newsletter.

2nd Place Novice - Drew Trent ©2002

President's Message

All 19 participating HUPS members made it home in one piece.  Unfortunately the same can’t be said for all the cameras.  It’s water vs. o-rings and sometimes the water wins.  If Bad things come in threes let’s hope that Leonard is done with camera problems.

Scuba Club Cozumel took great care of our group.  We had the large boat, Dive Cat, all to ourselves.  The boat is very wide and stable and the camera table huge.  Even with all the camera gear the 19 of us had plenty of room.  The resort is really set up for diving.  I would recommend it to anyone heading to Cozumel.

This was my 10th trip to Cozumel and I can honestly say I have never seen better diving.  You name it, we saw it.  Numerous sea horses, turtles, sharks, fishes, corals and inverts were photographed.  I saw and photographed several species of fish and inverts I have never seen before.  The Scuba Club guides did a great job of critter spotting.  The relatively new wreck was a fun dive.  In a few years this former Mexican Navy minesweeper will be awesome.  I am amazed that with all the divers the reefs are holding up so well.  I guess the strong Yucatan current really contributes to the health of the reef.

We had a special visit from Burt Jones and Maurine Shimlock.  They were in Cozumel to celebrate Burt’s birthday and stopped by our hotel to say hello.  It was nice to see them and hear of their latest adventures.

I want to thank Jack Allyn and Dennis Deavenport for acting as trip coordinators.  They worked hard to ensure things went smoothly.  A big thanks to Ken Knezick and Island Dreams Travel (http://www.divetrip.com) for handling arrangements for our group at a reduced price.  Ken also gave members of our group matching Island Dreams t-shirts and boy did we look good in them.

If you want to hear and see more about the trip the September meeting will consist of a show from Shootout images and the slide judging from the Shootout.  Should be lots of fun.  Shootout 2004?  Cozumel or beyond?  Let us know where you want to go.

David

Easy Steps to Digital Underwater Photography
By Dennis Deavenport

As we learned from James Wiseman in last month’s program, it’s a brave new digital world out there and some of the technology is starting to trickle down into the deep blue waters where we love to dive.  For those that are thinking about jumping in and buying a digital UW system, this was an essential presentation.  Not only did he have cameras, housings and strobes to show to the group but he also gave us a condensed course on the many advantages and the few disadvantages offered by this exciting new technology.  From the number of new faces in the audience, it is obvious that interest in digital technology gaining momentum rapidly.

Although James is a relative newcomer to HUPS, it was obvious from the outset of his talk that we were in good, competent hands.  Among the many advantages that came out in his talk, one of the most compelling reasons to switch to digital is the ability to get "instant feedback" on how well or how badly your shots are turning out.  With a simple push of a button or two, you get to see the results of what you just captured.  Was it bad composition or bad setup?  No problem, just erase it and make adjustments.  He also pointed out that most digital cameras and housings are extremely compact compared with film housings.  Perhaps as important as anything he presented was his review of the current state of the art and where it will be going in the next several years.

Sprinkled throughout his presentation were many examples of images taken by James with his Coolpix 990 that effectively illustrated the points he was covering.  Whether considering making the move to digital or not, everyone in attendance came away with a much better perspective on this newly emerging technology.  Where it will go in the future is anyone’s guess but James’ talk made several points very clearly: it’s already here, it’s getting better, and it won’t be going away.

For those wanting to learn more about digital UW technology, log onto James web site: http://www.reefpix.org or read his monthly column in the newsletter.  [James' monthly column started last month; read the first installment, "Why Go Digital?" here and the second, "Getting Started in Underwater Digital Photography" below.]

Itty Bitty

The topic for the August slide contest is Itty Bitty.  If you have some favorite slides of itty bitty subjects bring ‘em on in.  As always we will have both advanced and novice divisions and each contestant can enter up to three slides.  You can’t win if you don’t enter.

In last month’s column, I talked about some reasons to give underwater digital photography a try.  This month, I’d like to cover what it takes to get started as a digital shooter – whether you have an existing film setup, or are trying underwater photography for the first time.  Obviously, I won’t be able to cover every system out there, so I will focus on two popular cameras and available housings.  Finally, I will wrap up this column with a cost estimate for an entry-level system.

TTL vs Manual: The first thing you will need to decide is whether you need TTL flash metering for your setup.  If you are an experienced film shooter, and you are comfortable using a strobe in manual to achieve proper exposure, then you may not need TTL.  If you are new to underwater photography, then I would recommend a system that can perform TTL.  This way, you will have one less thing to worry about underwater, you will get a higher proportion of "good" shots, and you can always opt to shoot your strobe(s) in manual later.  The reason I bring up this point is that there are only a limited number of digital cameras that can do TTL flash underwater.  This brings us to the next choice – the camera.

Camera: A three megapixel digital camera is the best way to get started.  The Olympus 3040 and the Nikon Coolpix 995 are both good choices and fall between $400 and $500.  The shots from these two cameras have high enough resolution to print nice looking 8x10’s.  The difference between the two is that the Nikon can focus down to 3/4 of an inch for macro and also has a socket to attach a TTL external flash.

Housing: Olympus actually makes a housing for the 3040 called the PT-010.  This housing is made of clear polycarbonate and can accommodate the 3030, 3040, and 4040 cameras.  It is only depth rated to 100 feet, and it does not accommodate a TTL sync cord, but it comes at a very low price.  This is where the "TTL vs Manual" strobe decision becomes important.  With the PT series of housings, you are limited to using a slave strobe or a strobe with a TTL slave sensor to "mimic" the camera’s internal flash.  An additional tray and arm is necessary to the PT housing with a strobe.  Ikelite also makes a housing for the Olympus line of cameras that is more robust and comes with a try and handles.

There are currently two housing choices for the Coolpix 995, one by Ikelite and one by Aquatica.  The latter is an aluminum housing, and positions the camera’s LCD screen at a 45 degree angle, otherwise they have the same functionality.  Both of these housings have a bulkhead for connecting a TTL sync cord.  In keeping with my HUPS June presentation my suggestion is to buy the least expensive housing that provides the functions you want - it will probably only be good for two years.

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Getting Started from previous column

Existing Equipment - Strobes: If you already have a Nikon or one of the Ikelite TTL Substrobes, then you will probably want to get the Coolpix camera – the Olympus camera will not be easy to use with your existing equipment.  If you are starting from scratch and need to purchase a strobe, the Olympus camera will be the more economical way to go, since the housing is cheaper.  Two popular strobes for use with the Olympus cameras are the Sea and Sea YS90 DX or the Ikelite DS-125.  Both of these strobes will also work well with the Coolpix.

Memory Cards: No matter which camera you choose, you will need at least one memory card.  A 128 Megabyte Smartmedia (for Olympus) or Compact Flash (for the Nikon) card will cost between 50 and 80 dollars.  A card this size can hold roughly 80 full resolution pictures.  Compact flash comes in sizes up to 1 gigabyte while the Smartmedia is currently limited in size to 128 megabytes.

Cost Estimate: For this column, costs are based on prices from some of the larger mail-order companies and are rounded off to the nearest $50 or so.

Coolpix: Camera Housing Strobe Sync Cord Memory Total:	$500 $750 $450 $60 $50 $1,810
Olympus: Camera Housing Strobe Memory Total:	$500 $250 $450 $50 $1,250

Whatever system you choose, entry level digital photography will be a new and exciting challenge.  If you feel like it’s time for a change and you want to learn something new, then you can’t go wrong with either the Olympus or the Nikon setup.

James Wiseman ©2002

HUPS Group Meets the BAD Guys
By Drew Trent

On a recent humid evening at a mosquito infested levee dock, a group of enthusiastic HUPS members loaded an arsenal of underwater camera gear aboard the MV Spree.

Led by Jesse Cancelmo and his delightful sister Tina, the spirited Joe and Lynn Nicklo, Pat Miller, Jan Roush, Kimberly Williams and Drew Trent were prepared for a weekend of Stetson Bank and Flower Gardens diving, exploring photo opportunities with Chuck Boyd and his BAD (Bay Area Divers) boys and girls.

Dive gear was rapidly deployed and tested, air and nitrox pumped and camera systems prepared.  The photo table was inundated with housings large and small, cast, Plexiglas, wide and macro with a handful on Nikonos systems tossed in for good measure.  Strobe arms like octopus limbs intertwined the film and digital weaponry.

The weather forecast was optimistic and during the short briefing the Spree slipped her lines leaving only a few stray mosquitoes to deal with.

The first day of diving was typical of most Flower Garden trips with moderate seas and winds, sunny skies and the venerable surface current present.  Visibility was in the 70’ range with the usual critters to be found on, under, and hidden deep in coral homes.

During the night dive, Kim Williams, equipped with a 10W HID dive light turned night into day at one after another hidey-holes as she searched for hidden treasures.  In her case, the pot at the end of the rainbow was her first-ever puffer fish...and as the fish swam to and fro in front of her light she could be heard talking excitedly to her new friend.  For the highly experienced and well traveled diver/photographer it was not an unusual meeting.  But to Kim, her trip was made!

Day Two brought new surprises.  Drew’s mind was clouded with doubts as he loaded his 17mm equipped Canon noting that the other HUPS Team Members set up for 60mm and greater.  Doubts were cast aside after an arduous pull to the seabed and a beautiful manta blew by a few short feet away.  The manta ray frolicked with the divers for the duration with numerous opportunities to capture her unique image.

A flurry ensued topside prior to the second dive as several wide angle lenses were mounted in anticipation of further manta experiences but alas, our friend had departed for a lesser known seamount somewhere over the horizon.

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HUPS Meets BAD from previous column

An oil rig dive at W&T 389 rounded out the diving and photo opportunities with an abundance of soft corals and hydroids dancing in the mild but ever-present current.  The current made for superb visibility at the 70’ level, with the majesty of the steel structure visible on all points.

Did I mention the tiny green frogfish had returned to his den?  Jesse and Joe will have some unique images to share, but Drew’s 17mm did our little buddy no justice.

We had a great adventure, experienced super hospitality from Capt. Randy, Frank and Melanie, and enjoyed a well-organized weekend.  Diving with the HUPS group was fun, with many common interests leading to future adventures and expeditions.

And the BAD guys??  Chuck and his group were very accommodating and eager to please, from feeding the troops, filling tanks to divemastering...  BAD was good, and everyone would do it again!

Call for Rig Diving Slides
By Leonard Cichowski

As a SCUBA diving geologist, I have been asked to make a presentation to The Association of Lease and Title Analysts ( ALTA) on September 17, 2002, at the Petroleum Club, Downtown Houston.  The program will focus on the habitats created by drilling platforms in the Gulf Of Mexico.  The title of the presentation will be "Oil and Water Do Mix."  My immediate thought in accepting this situation was that this would be a great venue to showcase the members of H.U.P.S.

I would like to do this presentation in the name of H.U.P.S.  In order to do that, I would like to collect as many Underwater slides taken by the membership in and around drilling platforms.  I would like fish, invertebrates, mammals...including divers, scenics or any other thing you would like to show.  Include surface shots of diving operations at a rig, fishing, dolphins jumping, sunsets and shrimp boats, etc.

These photos must be taken in the Gulf of Mexico around drilling rigs.  Whale sharks, Mantas and hammerheads and such, are also welcome since they are pelagics that swim among the various platforms.  How about Video?  A 15-minute edited video to music would be fantastic.  The Bio that will show up in the ALTA newsletter will have my credential as well as well as those of HUPS.  There will be a credit slide with the names of all contributing photographers.  I will have HUPS literature, membership forms and newsletters present at the ALTA sign in desk.

I will accept slides at the August and September meeting.  Slides will be returned at the October meeting.  I can be reached at lcichowski@srcx.com or gdivareef@aol.com.

Photo Contest Winners
July 2002 - Stars

Novice:
1st	Gary Merritt
2nd Tie	Bonnie McKenna, Andrew Perry, Drew Trent
3rd	Due to technical difficulties 3rd place to be published next month
Advanced:
1st Tie	Dennis Deavenport, David Lenderman
2nd	Jackie Reid
3rd	Due to technical difficulties 3rd place to be published next month

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.

The Novice category is for those that meet the following criteria:

• Photography is a hobby.
• Have never taken best of show or 1st - 3rd in national or international photographic competitions.
• Have not been a HUPS Photographer of the Year.
  

UpComing Meetings and Events

August 5, 2002 - HUPS meeting
Dr. James Wood - All About Cephalopods

September 9, 2002 - HUPS Meeting
Cozumel Shootout Show and Judging

October 5, 2002 - Trashfest

October 7, 2002 - HUPS meeting
Drew Trent - British Virgin Islands

November 4, 2002 - HUPS meeting
TBA

December 2, 2002 - HUPS meeting
Annual Christmas Party

NCUPS Contest Alert

The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society is announcing its 38th Annual International Underwater-Photographic Competition, "SEA 2002" and the "Bob Commer Award: Image of Excellence in Underwater Photography."  Entries are being accepted for SEA 2002, an amateur contest, which includes five print, slide, and video categories at three skill levels.  Also being accepted are entries for the Bob Commer Award, which is open to anyone including professional photographers.  The deadline for entries is September 13, 2002.

SEA 2002 is one of the oldest contests for underwater photographers.  Last year's competition received entries not only within the 50 states of the U.S., but five countries internationally.  This year our goal is to expand throughout even more countries.  Pass the word along to your friends, clubs, and dive partners.  Entry forms, rules, information and a sponsor list are available on our web site at http://www.ncups.org, or please contact: Mike Covolo, Director of SEA 2002 at uwphotodiver@netscape.net.

The Houston Underwater Photographic Society (HUPS) meets the first Monday of every month at 7:00PM at the Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonet, near Hillcroft.

Social time begins at 7:00PM for members and visitors to get acquainted. Visitors are always welcome to join us. So, stop by and see what we are all about!