Sunset House

My brothers and sisters in-law sponsored me for a terrific half-day underwater photo course at Sunset House. The instructor worked with me closely on llighting and exposure techniques that had been eluding me.
For my birthday, my brother and sister in-laws bought me a 4 hour underwater photo course at Cathy Church's photography center located at the Sunset House. In fact, Sunset House was the first dive vacation I took back in the early 1980's. Jan 28, 2012 1:48 PM : Grand Cayman
1 For my birthday, my brother and sister in-laws bought me a 4 hour underwater photo course at Cathy Church's photography center located at the Sunset House. In fact, Sunset House was the first dive vacation I took back in the early 1980's.
First was 2 hours of classroom review, going over areas of lighting and exposure control that I wanted to concentrate on. Jan 28, 2012 1:47 PM : Grand Cayman
2 First was 2 hours of classroom review, going over areas of lighting and exposure control that I wanted to concentrate on.
The resort and dive operation is located on ironshore. Diving is on the shallow reef that's just a giant stride in and ladders to climb back out. Jan 28, 2012 1:19 PM : Grand Cayman
3 The resort and dive operation is located on ironshore. Diving is on the shallow reef that's just a giant stride in and ladders to climb back out.
The Sunset House reef and dive boats Jan 28, 2012 1:18 PM : Grand Cayman
4 The Sunset House reef and dive boats
My Bar at Sunset House is quite the hangout for divers and happy hour for the bankers since it is close to downtown Georgetown Jan 28, 2012 1:20 PM : Grand Cayman
5 My Bar at Sunset House is quite the hangout for divers and happy hour for the bankers since it is close to downtown Georgetown
This Spinyhead Blenny poking it's head out of a coral head was so small (less than 1 cm) that I could barely make it out with my old eyes. It took lots of concentration and steadiness to focus on the right thing. Jan 28, 2012 11:28 AM : Diving, Grand Cayman
6 This Spinyhead Blenny poking it's head out of a coral head was so small (less than 1 cm) that I could barely make it out with my old eyes. It took lots of concentration and steadiness to focus on the right thing.
We worked on modifying exposure control and strobe positioning to darken the ambient light (blue water background) and increase the contribution of the strobes against the fans and tube sponges. Jan 28, 2012 11:34 AM : Diving, Grand Cayman
7 We worked on modifying exposure control and strobe positioning to darken the ambient light (blue water background) and increase the contribution of the strobes against the fans and tube sponges.
Positioning strobes to the sides to create more texture on the surfaces of the yellow tube sponges than is possible by lighting straight-on. Also, it greatly reduces the backscatter from silt in the water. Jan 28, 2012 11:41 AM : Diving, Grand Cayman
8 Positioning strobes to the sides to create more texture on the surfaces of the yellow tube sponges than is possible by lighting straight-on. Also, it greatly reduces the backscatter from silt in the water.
Lighting the squirrelfish from behind to illuminate the fins and add interest. I must say, also quite a challenge to get the eyes as the focus point for the camera. Jan 28, 2012 11:47 AM : Diving, Grand Cayman
9 Lighting the squirrelfish from behind to illuminate the fins and add interest. I must say, also quite a challenge to get the eyes as the focus point for the camera.
Slightly different strobe positioning, lighting from the side and behind highlights the translucence of the squirrelfish's body and especially the mouth. Jan 28, 2012 11:50 AM : Diving, Grand Cayman
10 Slightly different strobe positioning, lighting from the side and behind highlights the translucence of the squirrelfish's body and especially the mouth.
Lighting a rather ordinary coral head from below, with the sun in the background, adds interest and drama. Jan 28, 2012 11:58 AM : Diving, Grand Cayman
11 Lighting a rather ordinary coral head from below, with the sun in the background, adds interest and drama.
Macro closeup of Christmas Tree Worms with lighting from the side and behind really lights them up. Jan 28, 2012 12:05 PM : Diving, Grand Cayman
12 Macro closeup of Christmas Tree Worms with lighting from the side and behind really lights them up.
Same Christmas Tree Worms, same lighting from behind, this time from farther away to get the rope sponges and the sun highlights in the photo to add drama. Jan 28, 2012 12:05 PM : Diving, Grand Cayman
13 Same Christmas Tree Worms, same lighting from behind, this time from farther away to get the rope sponges and the sun highlights in the photo to add drama.
Closeup of a Flamingo Tongue Snail on a gorgonian. The challenge here was to get the focus on the right element while things are waving in the current. Jan 28, 2012 12:09 PM : Diving, Grand Cayman
14 Closeup of a Flamingo Tongue Snail on a gorgonian. The challenge here was to get the focus on the right element while things are waving in the current.
At the end of the day, I walked away with improved skills, some great photos, and a tacky certificate Jan 28, 2012 1:40 PM
15 At the end of the day, I walked away with improved skills, some great photos, and a tacky certificate