August 4th Presentation – Ken Knezick
Comparing Film vs. Digital

By Dennis Deavenport

Digital is making rapid inroads into the world of photography, both topside and underwater.  But shooting film still has some marked advantages.  Which system is best for you?  Join HUPS in August as founding member Ken Knezick discusses this very interesting and timely topic.  Slides and digital images will be screened side by side, as we explore the relative merits of these competing formats.  As is typical of Ken's presentations, audience input and Q&A will be encouraged, all served with a generous helping of humor.  The evening will conclude with the premiere of a new presentation including both film and digitally captured images.  For examples of Ken’s images check out the photo galleries at http://www.divetrip.com/.

HUPS, like most of the civilized world, is being rapidly pushed in the direction of digital imaging.  For new members and long-term members that are embarking on this new voyage, it is obviously a trip that should be taken with full knowledge of what to expect.  Like the old mapmakers used to say when forced to confront the unknown, "Here be serpents!"  This is a good analogy, I think.  If you don’t go on this trip fully prepared, you can easily get bitten.  Ken Knezick’s amazing traveling circus promises to help fill in the blank areas on the digital map and kill the snakes.

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Film vs. Digital from previous column

For those that are considering jumping in and making an expensive commitment involving cameras, housings, strobes, and all of the associated software and hardware, Ken’s presentation will be one that you can’t afford to miss.  As we have come to expect, be prepared to be educated and entertained.  See you at the August 4th meeting.

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.

Film or digital capture? Come to August meeting and findout. Photo by Ken Knezick ©2003

HUPS Shootout 2004

A HUPS Shootout is in the works for summer 2004.  Most likely destination is Bonaire.  Some newer members may be asking, "What’s a Shootout?"  Basically it’s a club trip where we dive a lot, shoot a lot, laugh a lot and have a little contest afterwards.  Leonard Cichowski is working with Ken Knezick to figure out the details.  We plan to have a sign up sheet at the August meeting to get a very rough idea of number if participants.

President's Message

This passion we have for underwater photography causes us to do lots of silly things.  We spend thousands of dollars on gear we use only a few times a year.  We spend hours sitting in cramped airplane seats traveling to the other side of the planet.  We sometimes shoot a whole role of film on the same subject trying to create that perfect shot.  One of the silliest things we sometimes do is to become so obsessed with getting the shot that we don’t enjoy our underwater experience.

The manta ray swims by and we are so busy fumbling with aperture and focus settings that we miss out on the experience.  The only thing worse than not getting the shot is not getting to enjoy the experience.  Most divers would be thrilled just to see a manta, but we are not happy unless we get the shot.

I am not going to tell you to dive without a camera, that would be nuts, but on your next dive take the time to smell the uh, mantas (or roses).  Remember that we are very lucky to be able to experience the underwater world.  We should enjoy every minute whether we get the shot with the camera or only with our memory.  When you see that special subject or scene take your eye off the viewfinder for a minute and really let it all soak in.  This way if you later discover your sync cord is malfunctioning you will still have the shot in your mind.

See Ya August 4th,
David
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Wanted: Photo Contest Chairperson

Afer three years Paul Levy has decided to retire from the role of Monthly Contest Chairperson.  Paul has done a great job dealing with our temperamental slide projector and scoring machine.  We appreciate all his hard work.

The Contest Chairperson is responsible for running the monthly contest.  The position involves bringing equipment to meetings, setting up projector and judging machine, documenting scores and announcing winners.

No experience required. As with all HUPS positions we offer on the job training.  We have several members available to help get the new Contest Chairperson up to speed.  This is the perfect chance to get more involved and get to know fellow HUPS members.

If you are interested in this opportunity contact David Lenderman or Dennis Deavenport.

Joyce and Frank Burek... Thanks for All the Fish
July’s Program – Indonesia, Our Way

By Dennis Deavenport

Douglas Adams’ fourth and final book in "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe" series was named, "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish."  Well, Indonesia is hardly the entire universe but for those that have been there and seen it, it seems to be a pretty significant part of creation when it comes to "All the Fish."  Joyce and Frank have spent many trips traveling to various locations in this wet and wonderful part of the world and have come back with amazing images above and below the water.  It was with great awe that I sat and allowed their presentation to wash over me one image at a time, fully synchronized to the music.  What a great way to start a new month!

The "Burek’s Guide to Bali" was a fun way to get the evening started.  A beautiful island presented beautifully is the way I would describe this part of the show.  From exotic temples to rice terraces marching vertically up green hillsides and pictures showing the Balinese way of life, it was obvious that we were in good hands.

However, the real show starts just an inch below sea level where Frank and Joyce live a significant part of their life.  Their approach to their craft is best characterized as dedication to purpose.  If they are in the water, then they have cameras in their hands and a full roll of film waiting to be exposed.  Four and five dives a day is the norm... a pace that puts most of us to shame.  The results of their talent and dedication were on full display at the July meeting.  The word must have gotten out to the membership to expect something special since almost 60 members and guests showed up.  It’s safe to say that we all ended up much better for the experience.

Joyce and Frank, thanks for all the fish.

May 1st Place Advanced – Ken Knezick ©2003

Monthly Contest Winners
May 2003 – "Red, White and/or Blue"

July 2003 – Macro

Digital
1st	James Wiseman
2nd	Ken Knezick
3rd	Jean Himes
Slide - Novice
1st	Lee Mixon
2nd	Sue Watson
3rd Tie	Lee Mixon, John Ringrose, Sue Watson
Slide - Advanced
1st Tie	Ken Knezick, Jackie Reid
2nd Tie	Dennis Deavenport, Ken Knezick
3rd Tie	Ken Knezick, David Lenderman, Kathy Ringrose

May 2nd Place Novice – Sue Watson ©2003

UpComing Meetings and Events

August 4, 2003 – HUPS Meeting
Ken Knezick – Digital vs. Film for UW Photography

September 8, 2003 – HUPS Meeting
Brian Tulloch – Panama: Pacific, Caribbean and In-Between

October 6, 2003 – HUPS Meeting
Ned Shimizu - Southern Japan

November 3, 2003 – HUPS Meeting
Komodo

Newsletter space permitting we offer free classified ads for HUPS members.  If you have something to sell email a short ad to suewatson@mail.ev1.net.

Eeewww it’s Slimy!

This month's contest topic is eels.  If you have some favorite images of these slimy, wiggly critters bring them to the August meeting.  For complete contest rules check out the HUPS web site.  As always you can’t win if you don’t enter.

Quick Tip

If you are using a bunch of rechargeable AA batteries this tip is for you.  It is a good idea to mark your batteries as a set.  For example, if your strobe takes four AA batteries, label each set of four as A, B, C or 1, 2, 3, etc.  This way these sets of four batteries are always being charged and drained together.  They are the same age.  So when one starts to go bad it’s most likely time to recycle the set.  Labeling them will also help you remember which batteries need to be replaced when you get home from a long dive trip.

HUC Looking for Female Impersonators

Whoops -- that’s a typo.  Title should read “HUC Looking for Female Presenters."  The Houston Underwater Club was seeking some female divers to give presentations at their monthly meetings.  When Sue Watson was asked to give the program for the August 15th meeting she thought this was the perfect opportunity to highlight all the female photographers in HUPS.  Sue is gathering images to be assembled into a music synced slide show.  If you want to contribute please bring 10 – 20 of your favorite slides to the August HUPS meeting.  If one of our "digital dames" wants to assemble a digital show to compliment the slide show that would be great!  Any volunteers?  Contact Sue Watson.

Who’s Been Where and Who’s Going There?

HUPS is trying to put together a member trip database.  This would be a database that members could utilize to determine what fellow members have been to a particular dive destination.  This would allow members to speak to those who have previously been to a destination.  This is a great way to tap into the knowledge and experience of our membership.  The database will be very simple.  It will list destinations and members names that have been there.  Of course participation in the database will be voluntary.

To get this database started we are missing only one thing.  We need a member to take charge of the project.  This member will be responsible for developing a format for data submission and assembling the data in a useable format (i.e., Excel spreadsheet).  As always HUPS officers and board members are available to lend a hand.  This is another great opportunity to become more involved in HUPS and get to know your fellow HUPSters.

Contact David Lenderman or any HUPS officer.

Check It Out on the Web

Another good site for underwater digital fans is http://www.digitaldiver.net/.  Their motto is, "Film?  We don’t need no stinkin’ film."

Thanks to Lee Mixon for submitting this month’s website.  If you have a site of interest to HUPS members please send it to Sue Watson.

Digital Workshop Huge Success
By Joe Nicklo

If you missed the first HUPS workshop, it is unfortunate, because Dennis Deavenport did a spectacular job of teaching 25 members (3 new members who joined just to attend the workshop) how to "Enhance Digital Images with the Computer."  Dennis once told me he was a good teacher and he certainly proved it.  He is not a good teacher, he is a "great teacher."  As usual, Dennis showed up well prepared with a lesson plan that would dazzle a seasoned college professor.

Dennis began with a Power Point presentation and gradually made the transition to a seven-course session on using Photoshop and other similar software.  We had two multimedia projectors working throughout the workshop with Dennis bouncing from one the other to show the effects of applied techniques.  At the end of four and one-half hours, I had to turn Dennis' switch to the "off" mode otherwise we might have all been there until midnight.

We had projectors and screens, we had laptops and desk tops, we had electrical cords and power strips, and we had monitors.  At the beginning I wasn't sure we could provide all the essentials necessary to accommodate the demand.  I personally can say that after four and one-half hours my brain turned to mush.  I want to thank the proctors (assistants) Jack Andrews and Lynn Nicklo who assisted those attendees having problems.  In my estimation the proctors were invaluable throughout the workshop.  A personal thank you goes to John Anderson who provided the wonderful workshop space and Henry Ragland for providing a multimedia projector on the spur of the moment.

Perhaps, if enough interest exists, we can convince Dennis to do the workshop again.  Dennis, I thank you, the attendees thank you and HUPS thanks you.

Dennis in action at Digital Workshop

This month’s column will be geared toward beginning underwater digital photographers – as more and more are joining the hobby every day.  After making over 100 dives with various digital camera setups, I’ve made just about every mistake in the book.  Hopefully I can unashamedly share them with you in hopes that you won’t have to repeat them.

Fogging Up.  When cold materials - especially glass or metal - are brought into a humid environment, water will condense, causing fogging and "sweating."  What this means practically is that if you bring your camera and housing from an air-conditioned boat galley out onto the camera table, both the camera lens and the housing lens port are going to fog up.  In this situation, a little silica gel-pack won’t cut it.  Keep your housing and camera at "outside" temperature before putting the camera into the housing.  If your setup fogs up on deck, crack open the housing and leave it in the sun for a few minutes to cook off the water vapor.

Battery Management.  Running out of batteries on a dive is just as preventable as running out of air.  Know how long your batteries are going to last and plan accordingly.  Buy three or four sets - it’s better to swap out your batteries between dives than it is to run out of juice on your second dive while trying to "stretch" your batteries.  If you run out of juice, you WILL see a whale shark.  If you are traveling abroad, buy a universal voltage charger and plug adapters.  This kind of charger can be plugged directly into any outlet anywhere in the world.  Bring a small backup charger (it’s only $20) just in case.

Be Careful with Your Lens Port.  If you scratch your lens port, you will really regret it.  Some small consumer cameras INSIST on focusing on the scratches, which can be very frustrating.  When your camera is out of the water, put a cover over the lens port.  Improvise – "beer cuzies," rubber caps, etc., can all be cut to fit.  Be very careful leaving your housing in the rinse bucket, as it can get scratched very easily in there as the boat rocks and it rubs up against other people’s gear.

Maintenance.  Always soak your setup in fresh water after a dive trip.  If salt dries on your setup, the abrasive crystals can scratch the housing and damage the camera controls.  This rule is especially important for metal housings.  Always check your o-rings before every dive.  Try and close the housing in a clean dry location if one is available.

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Top Mistakes from previous column

Control your Buoyancy.  If you’ve never dived with a camera before, try to practice your buoyancy in a pool with the camera before your first trip.  Practice holding still in the water with your camera held in both hands.  Work out a way to clip off or tuck in all of your gauges and hoses so that you can get in close for macro shots without damaging the reef.  Nothing will upset other divers more than a novice photographer bashing into the reef to get "the shot."

Be Selective.  Don’t be afraid to take a lot of shots underwater – there’s no better way to learn.  But only keep (and show-off) the "keepers."  Some shots can be improved using Photoshop or another program, but many can not.  Examine the exposure information for the shot and see how it can be improved next time.

"Blown-Out" Pictures.  Consumer digicams rarely go over F10.  This means that is very easy to overexpose when using a flash.  Learn what a guide number is and use them to set your flash power.  If your shots are over or underexposed, look at the shot on the camera’s LCD and adjust the flash power accordingly.  If necessary, move the flash back a bit – it should always be behind the front of the lens.

Get Close.  If you are using only the camera’s internal flash, don’t try to shoot anything that is greater than a foot away.  If you’re not close, or if you don’t use a strobe, accept the fact that your photos are going to be blue.  Also, remember, you can’t use a computer to make red where there isn’t any.  Use an underwater strobe to get good reds in your shots.  If you try to add it in later, the computer will add red everywhere and the water in your photos will turn purple.

Shoot Upwards.  If you shoot down onto your subject, your background will be ugly and distracting rocks.  Try to get down on the same level as your subject – this brings the viewer into eye contact with the subject, resulting in a much more interesting shot.  If you shoot on the level, or slightly upwards, you will also be able to get a pleasing blue-water background in your shots.

Shoot at the Highest Quality.  Memory cards are cheap, so always shoot at the highest resolution and lowest JPEG compression (most cameras call this "fine" or High Quality).  You never know when you might get a "wall-hanger" shot and if you shot it at 800 x 600 pixels, you aren’t going to be able to make a nice print.

Don’t Ever Overwrite Your Original Pictures.  The first thing you should do when you get home is make a copy of all of your un-altered shots.  Save it to your hard disk or a CD-RW.  Put those away somewhere safe.  Later when you are correcting color and cropping, make sure you are working on a copy, and not the originals.  It’s easy to hit "save" by accident, and you don’t want to overwrite your original and have it lost forever.

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!