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	SEPTEMBER 2005

James Wiseman and his Seacam Housing Versus the Tiger Sharks

I think the one thing that everyone that totes a scuba tank and underwater camera wants to eventually do is experience the thrill of diving with sharks. Now, I think we all have pretty much been capturing images with a Nurse Shark or Reef Shark here and there, but who among us has really had the opportunity or guts for that matter, to jump in with a bunch of Tigers and Bulls? Well class, it is our own James Wiseman. James and some of his closest friends spent some time alone with them March 27-April 4 in the waters of the Bahamas. James has some great stories and images from the trip to share at our September 12th meeting.

James is a deepwater engineer by profession and is obsessed with digital underwater photography. James has been a HUPS member since 2002 and he is one of our few members that is "all digital all the time." He is an administrator of the underwater digital photography website http://www.wetpixel.com.

I encourage you not to miss this meeting or you will miss out on "Baby Cakes" and "Sharon Stone," just two of the sharks that made up a total Shark Count of 34+ tigers, 4 great hammerheads, 2 bulls, 18+ lemons, 20+ reefs, and 1 nurse shark. Not bad for a week in the Bahamas.

James was recently married to his lovely bride Sarah and I want to thank both of them in advance for taking time out of their newlywed schedule to put together and share his shark experience with us. For more examples of James’ work check out his website http://www.reefpix.org. Don't be late as we will start promptly at 7:00 pm. As always the meeting will be at the Bayland Community Center on Bissonet. A map can be found on the back page of this newsletter. See you there.

Chuck

He didn't start with film, his first camera was a digital Nikon Coolpix 990. James has given a number of presentations at HUPS meetings in the past, about digital topics, as well as his dive experiences in California and they are always interesting and generate some great group discussion (and laughter). He now shoots with a Seacam housed Canon 1D Mk II and two Ikelite SubStrobes 200 strobes. James is always a great source of information and is one of the most knowledgeable digital gurus in our club.

August Meeting Recap -
Thanks Vickie

Last month's meeting was very informative and brought us some amazing images from Sipadan. Thanks to Vickie Coker for her great presentation! For those of you who have not been to Sipidan, it would be worth adding to your trip list. The waters off of Sipadan and Mabul are so full of life and offer some spectacular photo ops for us all. Vickie presented some valuable information on the Sipadan Water Village as well. They cater to photographers, and the divemasters know what is under every nook and cranny in the area. Vickie's presentation was truly very informative and something every diver should plan to experience. Thanks Vickie for the great images from Sipadan. An amazing place that has been on my list a long time but now will be prioritized.

President's Message
A Preview for 2006

Next year will bring some changes for HUPS. I'll try to talk about them a little bit.

Slide and Digital Contests:
Next year, we will be breaking the Digital Contest into Novice and Advanced categories. It's time that we do this considering how rapidly our members seem to be switching over to digital equipment. Although we already announced this earlier in the year, it bears restating. So, just how will we determine who belongs to which group? It's really not that difficult. Anyone that is already an advanced photographer in the Slide category will stay advanced in Digital. We think that this is only fair since taking high-quality images is more dependent on knowing how to stalk subjects and composing images than on the type of equipment being used. In addition, anyone that wants to compete in the advanced digital division is free to do just by asking. The objective is to be as fair as we can and give everyone a chance to compete at the appropriate skill level.

We have also decided to combine advanced and novice entries in a single contest if we don't have at least 3 people entering in both groups. For instance, if we have 4 people entering in novice slides and only 2 in advanced, all of the images will be judged together. The points for each entry will still be divided up correctly according to division so at the end of the year, novices will be rated only against novices and advanced against advanced. This is not really a new thing. It has been done in the past without any problems. The reason for doing this is to help streamline our meetings a bit. As you probably already know, we normally run right up to the 9 pm deadline at meetings and every second counts.

Trips and Workshops:
We're still in the midst of working out the details but the board approved two dive-related activities for 2006.

The first will be a HUPS trip to Kunkungan Bay Resort (KBR) on Lembeh strait (Sulewesi, Indonesia). As currently planned, the trip dates will be April 13-23, 2006, and will it will run about $3000 per person. The trip is one that is already being planned and run by Island Dreams which means that it will be a quality product. If enough people sign up, the trip may be designated as a HUPS Shootout. Other HUPS incentives that are being discussed are workshops at KBR that will focus on helping us develop our UW photography skills. We may also be announcing a new trip coordinator soon. However, there are still a few details to work out on this. Stay tuned for more details.

HUPS will also be running a digital workshop to the Flower Gardens next year. This is an activity that several people have asked about over the past 6 months, most specifically, James Wiseman. James will be working out the details over the next couple of months on this outing. I'm sure that as we have come to expect from James, it will be very well thought out and rewarding to all who attend. Again, stay tuned.

SEASPACE 2007:
SEASPACE 2007? Yes, that's correct. . . 2007. A decision has been made to move SEASPACE to earlier in the spring. The transition year, 2006, will not have a SEASPACE convention. The move is being made to avoid some of the conflicts that always occur early in the summer and to position it at a better time for people making their vacation plans. This will have a significant impact on us since SEASPACE has been an excellent vehicle for promoting HUPS to the diving community and one of our prime ways for signing up new members. It is also lots of fun.

This is just a taste of what to expect next year. We still plan to schedule outstanding programs during the monthly meeting and workshops to help you with your underwater photography skills will also be part of the schedule.

In the meantime, don't forget to come to the September meeting which will be on the 2nd Monday (Septemter 12th) due to the Labor Day holiday. Come see James Wiseman's show on the sharks of Tiger Beach. It will be memorable.

Dennis

Check It Out on the Web

So, are you looking for a little motivation? Want to get some new photographic ideas? Well this month we feature the web site of one on the leading figures in iunderwater photography. Check out http://www.daviddoubilet.com/. As you can see, this is the website of David Doubilet. We have all seen his work in National Geographic and in his books. Take a look at the site to maybe feel humbled and to find some inspiration for that up coming trip.

If you have a web site that would be of interest to HUPS members, e-mail it to David Lenderman at underh2o@mail.ev1.net.

Quick Tip

For the underwater photographer proper weighting is a must. Not only the correct amount of weight but the correct placement is extremely important. Try moving some weight to the back of your B.C. near your tank or maybe up higher toward your shoulders. The placement of these weights can have a huge impact in your in water positioning (referred to as trim). Experiment a little to see what works for you.

The September/October issue of Alert Diver (the DAN magazine) has a good article on weight belt problems. It discusses several alternatives to the standard weight belt. HUPS member Joe Nicklo’s company Think Tank Technologies is even mentioned in the References and Resources.

Travel Tip

So you are headed to the other side of the world for that monster dive trip. Some phone numbers that could come in handy include: number for the nearest American Embassy, the DAN diving emergency number, your airlines’ number at the airport at your destination and your credit card company’s phone numbers. Keep in mind that toll free 800 numbers usually do not work outside the USA. Get the non-800 numbers before you leave home.

If you have a tip to share with other HUPS members please send it to David Lenderman underh2o@mail.ev1.net.

Upcoming Monthly Photo Topics Each month we will have digital and slide contests. See the complete contest rules. See contest winners.	September 2005 - Critters that live in the sand and/or muck	November 2005 - Scorpio - Scorpionfish, stonefish, and lionfish exclusively
	October 2005 - Sponges, tunicates, anemones - look them up in a book	December 2005 - Best of HUPS contest

Monthly Contest Results

August 2005 – Back to School
Digital
1st Tie	Ken Knezick, Mary Lou Reid, Steve Smith
2nd Tie	Mary Lou Reid, Steve Smith
3rd Tie	James Wiseman x3
Slides Novice
1st	Dennis Vernon
2nd	John Ringrose
3rd Tie	John Ringrose, Dennis Vernon
Slides Advanced
1st	David Lenderman
2nd	David Lenderman
3rd	Joe Nicklo
July 2005 - Red White and/or Blue
Digital
1st	Ken Knezick
2nd	Jackie Reid
3rd	Mary Lou Reid

September - Critters in the Sand/Muck

This month our contest topic is "Critters that live in the sand or muck." So go dig through those slides or digital files to find the best shots ya gots. You can’t win if you don’t enter.

At monthly meetings we will have both slide and digital contests. Entries for the slide contest should be brought to the meeting. Entries for the digital contest should be emailed to photocontest@hups.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. This mailbox is reserved for entries only. If you have a question regarding the digital contest e-mail Dennis Deavenport or James Wiseman. Complete contest rules can be found here. If you do not follow the rules for digital entries your images will not be judged.

Photographer of the Year

The end of the year is fast approaching. Our race for photographer of the year in each category will be a tight one this year. Will Ken Knezick win Digital Photographer of the Year for the third time or maybe it will be James Wiseman, or what about digital newcomers Mary Lou Reid and Jackie Reid? The last few months will decide who walks away with the trophy.

With the new novice digital category opening up for 2006 everyone will have a shot. For an example, just look at Steve Smith who placed two images in the August contest. If you plan to be in the running for 2006 take a look at the rules for HUPS photographer of the Year. The Photographer of the Year rules can be found along with tons of other information on the HUPS web site.

HUPS Membership Survey

In an attempt to better serve our members we would appreciate some feedback. The HUPS board and officers need to hear what you want out of HUPS. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey below and bring it to the next meeting.

General
For underwater photography do you shoot film or digital or both? _________
If you shoot digital do you use a dslr or a compact digital camera? _________

Workshops
How many workshops would you like HUPS to offer per year?________
Please list the five topics you would most like to see covered in a workshop:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Would you be interested in an in-water (swimming pool) workshop? _______

Meetings
Please complete the sentences below:
At HUPS meetings I would like to spend more time ________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
At HUPS meetings I would like to spend less time _________________________
_________________________________________________________________.
Do you prefer programs on Caribbean or Indo-Pacific destinations?___________
What suggestions do you have for program topics in 2006? _________________
__________________________________________________________________

Newsletter
Do you receive the newsletter via email or US Mail? _______________
Do you receive the newsletter reliably every month? ______________________
What type of articles would you like to see more of in the newsletter?_________
_________________________________________________________________

Sand, Rubble and Algae

So what do these thing have in common? If you answer they are areas surrounding coral reefs you would be correct. If you answered that they are often overlooked prime photo areas around a coral reef you would be even more correct. Many divers skip right over the areas of sand, coral rubble and algae just to get to the next coral reef area. This is a mistake. There are numerous critters hiding in these areas that can make great photos.

Next time you are swimming over the sand to get to the coral slow down and take a look. Often you can find critters hiding in the sand. Things like flounder, stingrays, crabs, sand dollars, live shells and other creatures make the sand their home. Many of these critters only venture out of the sand after dark.

Coral rubble areas are the areas filled with broken bits of coral adjacent to the reef. Several sought after photo subjects can be found here. Octopus often make their dens in the cracks and crevices of the rubble. Scorpionfish often do their best to blend in with the broken coral. Jawfish also prefer the environment created by the broken bits of coral. These small fish stick their heads out of their rubble surrounded holes looking for bits of food to float by. An image sought after by most underwater photographers is the shot of a jawfish incubating eggs in its mouth.

The algae patches are another neglected area. I am talking about the large underwater fields of algae. Divers rarely search for critters in these areas. That’s too bad. The algae patches are an area to find many critters not so common on the reef proper. Pipefish and seahorses are just a couple prized photosubject that prefer the algae patches to reef area. The algae also offers shelter to juveniles of many fish species.

So, next time you are on a dive don’t rush across the sand flat or coral rubble or algae field. Slow down and search those little prizes to be found everywhere. Even better, plan a dive to specifically cover one of the underutilized areas. You will be glad you did.

Calling All Writers

The HUPS newsletter is always looking for articles. If you have anything you would like to share send it to underh2o@mail.ev1.net. We welcome trip reports, equipment reviews, photo tips, suggestion of underwater photography related websites, just about anything that would interest your fellow underwater photographers. We can’t have a successful newsletter without contribution from YOU.

Important Dates Put them on your calendar	September 12, 2005 HUPS Meeting - James Wiseman - Sharks of the Bahamas	October 3, 2005 HUPS Meeting - David Lenderman - Textures of the Reef & Optimizing Negative Space
Important Dates Put them on your calendar	November 7, 2005 HUPS Meeting	December 5, 2005 Special HUPS Holiday Party

2005 HUPS Officers and Committee Directors

President	Dennis Deavenport	e-mail
Vice President	Chuck Jensen	e-mail
Secretary	Tammy Allyn	e-mail
Treasurer	Henry Ragland	e-mail
Board of Directors	Jack Allyn	e-mail
	Frank Burek	e-mail
	Leonard Cichowski	e-mail
	Yvonne Jensen	e-mail
	Ken Knezick	e-mail
	Paul Levy	e-mail
	Terry Moore	e-mail
	Joe Nicklo	e-mail
	Dennis Vernon	e-mail
	James Wiseman	e-mail
Membership/Promotions	Yvonne Jensen	e-mail
Photo Contest	Paul Levy	e-mail
Newsletter	David Lenderman	e-mail
TGCC Representatives	Frank Burek	e-mail
	Debbie Mensay	e-mail
Webmaster	Pat Miller	e-mail

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!

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