Debbie Mensay

I spent my summers as a kid living in the swimming pool, so getting certified to dive was a natural progression.  Jim and I were certified in 1989 while living in Colorado, and diving proved a great excuse for escaping the cold and snow.

Since I’ve always loved land-based photography, taking a camera underwater was also a natural progression.  I started with point and shoots but got tired of all the fish-butt shots due to the shutter delay.  When Canon came out with the first DSLR Rebel, I was hooked.

I’m currently shooting a Canon 7D in an Aquatica housing with dual Ikelite DS-125 strobes.  I mostly shoot macro using a Canon 100 mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.  On the rare occasions that I shoot wide angle, I use a Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens behind a 4” mini-dome.

Above water, we love to shoot big wildlife, like bears in Alaska or big cats in Africa.  For that I use a Canon EF 200-400mm f/4 L IS USM lens or a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens.