Welcome to Issue #22 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to Issue #22 of Inside Scuba! We spent a few days in Las Vegas at the DEMA show last week. It was great to catch up with friends, make new friends and hear about the latest products. We interviewed a number of people and will have those articles coming out over the next few issues. This week’s edition dives deep into critical safety concerns in liveaboard diving. We also have tips on shark photography, a review of the Olympus TG7 system, and the dive community's latest news and competitions. This issue has something for everyone.

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What’s happening in this edition?

• Is Liveaboard Diving Safe? Addressing Rising Concerns and Risks
• Dive News
• Mastering Shark Photography: Techniques, Styles, and Pro Tips to Elevate Your Shark Photography
• OM System TG7 with Backscatter Mini Flash 2 Review
• Instagram Spotlight
• Summary

Is Liveaboard Diving Safe? Addressing Rising Concerns and Risks

Almost all of the exceptional diving I have done in the last 10 years has been done by liveaboard. These vessels, which serve as floating dive resorts, provide divers with access to remote and pristine dive sites that land-based operations cannot reach. They have long been the gold standard of diving, a meeting point for the most seasoned divers to explore new destinations and reach places that are almost impossible to reach any other way. There really is no better way to dive; your every whim is taken care of and the chance to dive 5 times a day with little effort in some of the most pristine parts of the world is hard to beat for any experienced diver.

However, in recent years, the number of accidents involving liveaboard dive boats has raised concerns about safety in this segment of the dive industry. This article explores the history of liveaboard diving, its appeal, the accidents that have occurred, the impact on diver confidence, potential solutions, and the consequences of failing to address these safety issues.

At the time of writing this, a devastating incident on the Red Sea is currently unfolding. Four people have been found dead inside the vessel that sunk, another 7 are still missing and the hunt continues. Tweny-eight were rescued on the morning of the event, and 5 were found inside…

Read more…

In each issue of our newsletter, we will curate some top dive news from around the world. Links to each of the original articles are available.

Photo Tip of the Week - Mastering Shark Photography: Techniques, Styles, and Pro Tips to Elevate Your Shark Photography

Among the most sought-after subjects for underwater photographers are sharks—magnificent creatures that exude power, grace, and mystery. Capturing sharks in their natural habitat presents unique challenges however photographing sharks can lead to some of the most rewarding and awe-inspiring shots imaginable.

For experienced divers, encountering sharks is often a thrilling highlight of underwater adventures. While some locations, like the Maldives, are particularly well-suited for wild shark encounters, capturing high-quality photographs typically requires more than just luck. In most cases, achieving those striking shark shots involves the use of bait or chum to attract them closer. Without these techniques, it’s rare to get the kind of close, dynamic passes needed for truly exceptional shark photography, no matter where you dive.

Shark feeding, while effective for attracting sharks and creating photographic opportunities, comes with its share of controversies. For a detailed look at both the positive and negative impacts, we recommend revisiting one of our earlier deep-dive articles on the subject. That said, if capturing truly remarkable shark images is your goal, it’s important to acknowledge that participating in shark feeding, in some form, is often a necessary part of the process.

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OM System TG7 with Backscatter Mini Flash 2 Review

Over the past nine months in Inside Scuba, we’ve explored a wide range of topics in underwater photography, but I wanted to dedicate an article specifically for budget-conscious photographers. With this in mind, I reached out to the team at Backscatter to borrow a compact camera setup for an upcoming trip to the Bahamas. They generously sent me a full demo package: the OM System TG7, Backscatter Mini Flash 2, and OS-1 Snoot Underwater Photo Package, which you can view here. They also included an extra Mini Flash 2, a Backscatter M52 81° Air Lens, and a Backscatter M52 120° Wide Angle Lens, along with upgraded arms and clamps instead of the standard flex arms. The conveniently included M52 120° Wide Angle Lens mount which was attached to the top of the tray, allowed me to securely store the lens when I wasn’t using it, adding to the setup’s flexibility underwater. If you plan to take any wide-angle photos, I would recommend getting either the 81° Air Lens or the 120° Wide Angle Lens (you don’t really need both) and if your budget allows, a second strobe.

The first thing to notice about this system is its portability: the entire setup fits into a case measuring just 15" x 9" x 11" (38 x 23 x 28 cm), making it compact enough to carry anywhere and small enough to fit under an airplane seat.

Since I hadn’t previously shot with a compact system underwater, I was excited to see how the TG7 would perform—especially considering that the entire setup with all the bells and whistles costs less than my camera body (a Nikon D850). To prepare for my trip, I watched a few instructional videos on Backscatter’s website, which provided insights on configuring the camera and strobes both on the boat and during the dive. The “on-the-boat” settings were mostly handled using the TG7’s custom settings (C1 and C2), which were configured for wide-angle and macro shooting modes. This setup allowed me to quickly switch between styles mid-dive, which proved invaluable on several occasions.

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This week’s Instagram Spotlight features Christine Dorrity who is a photographer from San Diego, California. Growing up so close to the coast gave her a love for the ocean. After getting scuba certified in 2019, Christine began diving all around the world. During COVID lockdowns she decided to buy her first camera, an Olympus TG 6, to bring the beauty of the ocean to those who could not see it themselves. Thus began her passion for photography and eventually upgraded her camera to a Sony A7rV in 2023. Her work has won awards and been featured in news outlets and magazines. She is dedicated to supporting conservation efforts and is an expedition reporter for Bleu World, a non-profit organization based on Catalina Island, California focused on kelp forest monitoring.

Summary

Thank you for joining us for another packed issue of Inside Scuba! As we navigate the joys and challenges of diving, it’s our mission to bring you stories, insights, and resources that inspire your underwater adventures. From photography tips to travel destinations and safety discussions, we’re here to connect the dive community. Until next time, happy bubbles!

Andy & Byron