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Inside Scuba Issue #17

Inside Scuba Issue #17

Byron Conroy, Andy Deitsch & Martin Broen
September 22, 2024

Welcome to Issue #17 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to the 17th issue of Inside Scuba! We’re thrilled to bring you another edition packed with exciting content for divers and underwater enthusiasts alike. In this issue, we’re honored to feature a special guest article from Martin Broen, a cave explorer and underwater photographer, who just released his new book Light in the Underworld. His captivating story dives deep into Mexico’s largest cave systems, revealing the beauty and mystery hidden beneath the Yucatan Peninsula. Alongside that, we explore mixed gas diving, share tips on mastering sunball photography, and shine the spotlight on talented videographer Jacob Guy. Let’s dive in!

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What’s happening in this edition?

Exploring the Depths: Cave Diving in Mexico's Underworld
Dive News
Mixed Gas Diving, Nitrox and Trimix: The Benefits, Drawbacks and Myths Explained
Harnessing Light: Mastering Sunballs, Sunrays, and Sunbursts in Underwater Photography
Instagram Spotlight
Summary

The following article was written by guest author Martin Broen. Martin Broen is a Technical Diver and Cave Explorer passionate about capturing and sharing the beauty of this planet. Originally from Argentina and currently based in New York, Martin works in Design and Innovation, allowing him to combine his everyday work on sustainability with his passion for nature and underwater photography. He has won numerous photography awards, including Underwater Photographer of the Year, the Monovisions Black and White Photo of the Year and DPG (Dive Photo Guide) Masters Black and White category three years in a row.

Exploring the Depths: Cave Diving in Mexico's Underworld

An Underwater Photographer’s Journey into the World’s Largest Cave Systems by Martin Broen

People say that we are born in the wrong era to be an explorer; too late to explore new lands, and too early to explore new planets. However, in the northern part of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula lies the world’s longest underwater cave systems, a true playground for cave explorers, much of which remains largely unexplored.

Like many of you, I thought that this was just diving among wet rocks, that there’s not much to see, and that they are all the same. And nothing could be further from the truth. Over the last several years, I have been spending most of my vacations there, and after photographing over 280 cenotes so far, I’m still amazed at how they keep on surprising me with their different features, beauty and hidden secrets.

You can start by experiencing the Cenote caverns, where you don’t need more than an open water or deep open water certification. In them you will never be more than 60 linear meters (197 feet) to the surface and safety, and can get a feeling of the cave formations, light effects, haloclines and hydrogen sulfide clouds (yes clouds!). The classic Cenotes to start will include Dos Ojos, Car Wash (as open water) or Angelita, El Pit (as deeper dives, around 30 to 35m). The operators will provide you the lights and the only required skill is buoyancy control.

Pristine speleothems and a massive column highlighted by the perfect visibility of the filtered water

Underwater Photo Contest Roundup

Rafael Fernandez Caballero’s winning shot of a Bryde’s whale about to gulp down a bait ball in Baja California Sur, Mexico

Oceanographic magazine announced the 2024 winners of their annual photo competition. Here they are:

The Ocean Photographer of the Year winner is Rafael Fernandez Caballero for his shot of a Bryde’s whale about to gulp down a bait ball.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year goes to Manuel Castellanos Raboso for his shot of a mahi-mahi catching a fish amidst a feeding frenzy.

Fine Art Photographer of the Year goes to Henley Spiers for his slow shutter speed shot of devil rays feeding at night in Baja California.

Adventure Photographer of the Year was won by Tobias Friedrich for his shot of a scuba diver in front of a massive wreck in the Bahamas.

Conservation (Hope) Photographer of the Year winner goes to Shane Gross for his photo of a green turtle being released.

Young Photographer of the Year goes to Jacob Guy for his shot of an algae octopus lit with ultraviolet light.

Ocean Portfolio Award winner goes to Shane Gross.

Mixed Gas Diving, Nitrox and Trimix: The Benefits, Drawbacks and Myths Explained

When we first learn to dive, it's natural to become fascinated by depth—a primal urge to explore the unknown. But looking back at my early deep dives, I realize how risky they were. I was diving on air, constantly pushing limits without fully understanding the dangers. There’s an old saying: the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know. This article aims to shed light on mixed gas diving—any gas blend beyond standard air. For most divers, Nitrox certification is as far as they go in the world of mixed gases, but trimix opens up an entirely new realm to explore. Before deciding if it's right for you, it’s crucial to understand both options.

Nitrox enhances safety by reducing nitrogen absorption, but it doesn't allow for deeper diving. In fact, Nitrox limits your maximum depth due to the increased risk of oxygen toxicity at greater depths. For deep diving, trimix—a blend of oxygen, nitrogen, and helium—is the preferred gas. While trimix enables deeper dives by lowering the oxygen content, it also leads to longer decompression times. That's why it's often used in combination with various Nitrox mixes, with divers switching gases throughout the dive profile to manage decompression and optimize safety.

In this article, we’ll explore Nitrox and Trimix, diving into the benefits, differences, and training for each. This will help you make informed decisions about your dive progression and explore new depths safely.

Photo Tip of the Week - Harnessing Light: Mastering Sunballs, Sunrays, and Sunbursts in Underwater Photography

Among the most coveted shots in underwater photography is the sunball—a radiant burst of sunlight captured from beneath the surface, where beams of light pierce the water column, creating dramatic contrasts between light and shadow. Perfecting sunball photography requires a strong grasp of light behavior underwater, composition, and technical precision.

Time and time again when I am on a boat with other divers discussing and sharing photos, it’s the sunball shots that cause people to gasp and ask how it was done. They are dramatic and powerful images that resonate with all divers as they tell the story of tropical warm seas much more than many other wide angle photos. They are images that take us back to the nostalgic thoughts we have about tropical diving.

This guide delves into the nuanced techniques for capturing sunballs, with insights from my time working on trying to perfect the technique in multiple locations and conditions all over the world. Whether you’re an experienced underwater photographer or looking to hone your sunball technique, mastering these steps will elevate your underwater portfolio.

A turtle in perfect sunball conditions, shallow, calm surface and bright sun

Summary

As always, we hope this issue of Inside Scuba leaves you inspired to explore new depths, whether that’s mastering sunball photography or learning about the intricacies of mixed gas diving. We want to extend a special thanks to Martin Broen for his incredible contribution to this month’s edition. Don’t forget to check out his new book, Light in the Underworld. Until next time, keep diving, stay safe, and continue to expand your underwater horizons.

Andy & Byron

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