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Inside Scuba Issue #18

Inside Scuba Issue #18

Byron Conroy & Andy Deitsch
October 06, 2024

Welcome to Issue #18 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to the 18th issue of Inside Scuba! In this edition, we're diving deep into both the beauty and the challenges of our oceans. From discussing the escalating issue of plastic pollution beneath the waves to offering expert tips for incorporating models into your underwater photography, we've packed this issue with insights that will inspire and inform your next dive. Whether you're an avid diver, photographer, or marine conservationist, there's something here for you. Don't forget to check out the review of Chamber Divers by Rachel Lance, and our Instagram Spotlight featuring Sage Ono, a rising star in underwater photography. Let’s dive in!

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What’s happening in this edition?

The Plastic Menace Beneath the Waves: A Diver’s Perspective on Ocean Pollution
Dive News
Using Models in Underwater Photography: A Comprehensive Guide
Unlocking the Depths: A Review of Chamber Divers by Rachel Lance
Instagram Spotlight
Summary

The Plastic Menace Beneath the Waves: A Diver’s Perspective on Ocean Pollution

Image by Freepik

As divers, we experience the underwater world in ways that many others only dream about. We get to glide through a realm where time slows down, where alien creatures move in graceful slow-motion, and where the health of the oceans can be felt with every breath we take through our regulators. But recently, something else has come into view: a less beautiful, far more troubling element creeping into our dives—plastic. The oceans, which were once pristine and teeming with life, are now increasingly filled with human-made debris. For many of us who love and respect the seas, this feels personal. We, as divers, have a duty to speak up.

The Current State of Our Oceans

Plastic waste in the ocean is no longer an emerging threat; it’s a full-blown crisis. It is estimated that over 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the ocean every year. The “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” a swirling mass of plastic debris between Hawaii and California, is now nearly three times the size of France. It’s not just in the open seas, either. Dive sites all over the world are being impacted by this plastic invasion—from the majestic coral reefs in Southeast Asia to the cold waters of the Arctic.

Plastic is everywhere. Single-use items like plastic bottles, straws, bags, and packaging materials are floating on the ocean surface, while microplastics—tiny particles of plastic less than five millimeters in length—are making their way into marine organisms at all levels of the food chain.

Siena International Photo Awards

On Saturday, September 28th, 2024 the Siena Awards held their annual awards ceremony in the beautiful city of Siena, Italy. The winner of the Underwater Life category was a shot called “Whale Milk”. While on a dive, Karim Ilya encountered a rare and captivating scene. He was photographing an unusual phenomenon: a cloud of milk suspended in the water, left behind by a humpback whale calf. As he prepared to ascend for air, he noticed the calf emerging in the background. Holding his breath a little longer, Karim quickly captured a few shots, preserving this fleeting and extraordinary moment.

First Place, Underwater Life: “Whale Milk” by Karim Iliya

Kirsty Andrews from Bristol in the UK was awarded “Remarkable Art” for her gorgeous shot of a curious grey seal in the Farne Islands. The shot is made even more special with the golden dappled light in the background.

Remarkable Art, Underwater Life: “Grey Seal Hello” by Kirsty Andrews

Martin Broen who’s photography we have highlighted in several issues of this newsletter received an honorable mention in the Animals in their Environment category for his shot of a blue crab at the entrance to a cenote in the Yucatan, Mexico.

Honorable Mention, Animals in their Environment: “Blue Crab” by Martin Broen

To view all of the winning images, check out the gallery on the Siena Awards website.

Photo Tip of the Week - Using Models in Underwater Photography: A Comprehensive Guide

Underwater photography opens up a fascinating view of the marine world, and while capturing marine life is thrilling, incorporating human models into your shots can elevate the narrative by adding a dynamic, relatable element that resonates with viewers. Models can bring scale, emotion, and storytelling to underwater images, making them more captivating. However, working with models underwater requires a specific set of skills and knowledge to achieve the best results. This guide provides an in-depth look at how to effectively use models in underwater photography, covering everything from planning and communication to posing and lighting.

Using models can take your images to a whole new level, the human touch making them more emotive and expressing scale

1. Pre-Dive Planning and Communication

Effective communication is crucial when working with models underwater, especially since verbal communication becomes impossible during the dive. Before even entering the water, thorough planning is essential to ensure both the photographer and the model are on the same page.

a. Conceptualize the Shoot

Start by developing a clear concept or vision for the shoot. Whether you're aiming for a wreck scene or a reef composition, having a defined theme will help guide the entire process. Discuss the idea with your model in detail, including the desired poses, movements, and, most importantly, where the model should look. A shot where the diver looks directly at the camera rarely works; instead, the diver should focus on the subject of the photo, as this is where you want to draw the viewer's eye. If the model doesn't engage with the subject, neither will your viewer.

Unlocking the Depths: A Review of Chamber Divers by Rachel Lance

In her second book, Chamber Divers, Rachel Lance delivers a gripping historical account that delves into the largely untold story of the development of decompression science during World War II. The narrative is woven around J.B.S. Haldane, a pivotal figure in the history of diving physiology, and his eccentric team of scientists, who risked their lives to uncover the limits of human survival underwater. In a unique blend of scientific exploration and wartime history, Lance captures the monumental achievements of Haldane and his colleagues, while highlighting the human element behind these groundbreaking discoveries.

During a recent interview with Divers Ready, Lance explained that much of the information in her book was previously classified, making this the first time many of these stories are being told in such detail. The research process, she notes, was painstaking and required scouring archives in both London and Edinburgh. While unable to visit Edinburgh during the pandemic, Lance worked remotely with archivists to gather crucial documents. Her dedication to uncovering the truth mirrors the same perseverance of the scientists she writes about, whose personal notes and records she pieced together to form a coherent and dramatic narrative.

Caisson workers constructing the Brooklyn Bridge, circa 1888. Photo: Penguin Random House

One of the standout elements of Chamber Divers is the humanization of its subjects. Rather than focusing solely on the scientific breakthroughs, Lance emphasizes the personalities and struggles of Haldane’s team. She provides readers with glimpses into their personal lives, capturing the complex emotions and pressures they faced as they worked tirelessly under the constant threat of bombings during the London Blitz. Lance explains that these scientists weren't merely solving theoretical problems; they were engaged in a literal race against time, not unlike the efforts of Alan Turing’s code-breaking team at Bletchley Park. The difference, as Lance humorously points out, is that while Turing’s team worked with computers, Haldane and his colleagues often used their own bodies in their experiments, pushing themselves to extreme depths and sometimes dangerous limits to better understand the effects of decompression and oxygen toxicity.

Summary

As we close this issue of Inside Scuba, we hope you feel inspired to take action in protecting our oceans and elevating your underwater photography skills. From the stark reality of plastic pollution to the creative possibilities of using models in your shots, we’ve touched on the many ways divers can make a difference and capture the magic beneath the surface. Remember to share this newsletter with fellow ocean lovers, and stay tuned for more exciting content in our next issue! Happy diving!

Andy & Byron

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