Welcome to Issue #37 of Inside Scuba

Welcome to Issue #37 of Inside Scuba. In this edition, we’re diving into the dark with a special blackwater photography article by guest author Gabriel Jensen, who shares practical, experience-driven techniques for capturing life in the open ocean at night. You’ll also find a breakdown of macro diopters to help you choose the right close-up lens for your underwater photography, a look at the enduring appeal of Shadow Divers, and a roundup of current dive news from around the world

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What’s happening in this edition?

• Deep Dive into Blackwater: Practical Techniques for the Dark
• Dive News
• Underwater Photography Diopters Explained: Which Macro Lens Is Right for You?
• Shadow Divers: A Must-Read Scuba Diving Book About Wreck Discovery and Obsession
• Video Highlight
• Summary

Deep Dive into Blackwater: Practical Techniques for the Dark

By Gabriel Jensen

I don’t consider myself a blackwater expert, but I’ve spent dozens of nights floating in the Gulf Stream studying the people who I consider to be the best in the world. Over time, I’ve collected their tips, habits, and small tricks that separate the divers who return with amazing photos from the divers who drift around, seeing very little. Here, we will bring together some lesser-talked-about shooting strategies that work, night after night, so that you can return with the best possible photos after your evening spent outdoors.

The Basics

I am assuming a few baseline personal skills and items every blackwater diver should have before going for a drift in the open ocean. Given the huge number of gear articles and the tendency to oversell how much gear you need, I'm only going to go over the absolute basics to be a comfortable and confident diver on your drift, even if you aren't taking pictures. Every diver should have:

• Excellent buoyancy control: You will be scuba diving at night over hundreds or thousands of feet of water. Consider redundant buoyancy or proper weighing techniques to prevent a one-way trip to the midnight zone should your BC fail. 

• Narrow beam light: At least one narrow beam torch 1000+ lumens for searching for subjects, it should be capable of about 90 to 120 minutes of battery life, 15-degree or narrower beam will help cut down on glare from marine snow.

• Focus light: At least one focus light, any power, with white light and red light functions. Many animals react to either white or red light, and many operators prefer divers to use red lights to signal on the surface for pickup. 

• A hood: Similar to bloodworms on a reef, amphipods will swarm a light that's been left on too long. These amphipods will bite any bare skin if given the chance. Additionally, sometimes the water is thick with siphonophores and jellies that sting, a hood means the free botox is concentrated on your lips instead of stuck in your hair. 

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.

Underwater Photography Diopters Explained: Which Macro Lens Is Right for You?

In underwater photography, one rule reigns supreme: the closer you can get to your subject, the better your image will be. This isn’t just an artistic suggestion, it’s rooted in the physics of light and water. Water is a dense and unruly medium for photography. It absorbs contrast, robs clarity, and scatters light in every direction. The more water between your camera and your subject, the more your image quality suffers. That’s where diopters come into play. These seemingly simple magnifying lenses, when paired with macro lenses enable underwater photographers to unlock a world of incredible detail. From the eye of a shrimp to the spiraling pattern of a nudibranch’s rhinophore, diopters allow images that were previously thought impossible.

But as with all photographic tools, not all diopters are created equal. Some are gentle and forgiving, giving new macro shooters a taste of super macro. Others are specialized, delivering extreme magnification but demanding near-perfect technique in return. To choose the right diopter, a photographer must understand how these lenses work, what trade-offs they introduce, and how to manage the challenges they bring, particularly in terms of depth of field and lighting. This article will walk you through those elements and explore several of the most popular models on the market today, including the Kraken +6, Nauticam SMC-1, Nauticam SMC-2, and Nauticam MFO. Each has its strengths and limitations. By the time you reach the end, you’ll know which one suits your setup, your diving style, and the type of images you want to create.

Read more…

Shadow Divers: A Must-Read Scuba Diving Book About Wreck Discovery and Obsession

Few scuba diving books have captured the imagination of both divers and non-divers quite like Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson. This is not a new book, but it’s definitely one worth reading—and one that belongs on any scuba diver’s bookshelf. I first read Shadow Divers during COVID lockdown and re-read it again recently. The gripping narrative recounts the true story of two American wreck divers who discovered a mysterious German U-boat lying 230 feet (70m) below the surface off the coast of New Jersey in the early 1990s—and then spent years unraveling the mystery of its identity. Blending technical diving, maritime history, and human drama, Shadow Divers has become a modern classic in diving literature.

Character Portrait: Rivals Turned Comrades

At the heart of Shadow Divers are two men: John Chatterton and Richie Kohler. Chatterton, a decorated Vietnam medic turned meticulous deep diver, is methodical and cautious. Kohler, a brash member of a tight-knit wreck diving crew with ties to the East Coast's "cowboy" diving culture, initially clashes with Chatterton. But as the story progresses and their shared quest deepens, the two forge a powerful partnership.

Together, they lead a multi-year investigation to identify the sub, risking their lives repeatedly on hazardous dives beyond recreational limits. As they sift through debris, recover artifacts, and pursue long-forgotten naval records, their bond strengthens, and their respect for each other—and for the crew of the lost submarine—grows.

Read more…

"Bone Shark Island" captured global attention with a stunning look at St Helena’s whale sharks—locally called “bone sharks.” This six-minute documentary, produced with the St Helena National Trust, has been named joint winner in the Environmental category at the 2025 Houston Underwater Film Festival. The film explores the island’s remarkable connection to these gentle giants, showcasing one of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth. Check it out below:

Summary

Thanks for diving into another issue of Inside Scuba. If you've found this edition insightful or inspiring, we’d love it if you shared it with fellow divers and underwater photographers. Whether you're drifting through the Gulf Stream at night or fine-tuning your macro rig, we hope this newsletter helps you get more out of every dive. Until next time—stay curious, stay safe, and keep exploring.

Andy & Byron