View Full Version : UW Photographers get together
Sorry to start another thread on this but I thought a poll to decide the best date for most folk was in order.
Just to recap. The intention is just to get a bunch of amateur UW happy snappers together for a couple of dives to compare notes on UW photography, kit and technique without worrying about your buddy hanging about hating you more with each breath as you take the 15th photo of the same bit of kelp. Don't expect any lectures from leading lights of the world of UW photography. If we can rustle up a few laptops we can share tips on the finer points of photoshop in the pub afterwards and generally critique our photos.
Again I was thinking of a couple of days with different themes. "Shallow and light" and "Deep and dark". Also spreading them across East and West coasts to keep it fair.
"Shallow and light" seems to be the obvious place to start off and St Abbs couldn't be a better location.
So I'll throw up the dates that I know I'm available. This is multiple choice so please stick down every date you cam manage and we'll take it from there.
23rd myself and Peter are already intending on being at St. Abbs out on a boat, but could still meet up and compare!!
If my head is back from APD I'll be there....
I can make either of the last two weekends on the poll. I'll bring my slow laptop so someone can show me some editing tricks. This one is my 1st attempt - took ages but I think it looks a bit fake. Any suggestions?
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa228/grw850/before.jpg
Before
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa228/grw850/after.jpg
After
Good good. It's shaping up nicely. Shog, can you make either of the Oct dates?
dive granny
23-08-07, 22:03
I'm no expert but I think the second pic looks sharper, but then my eyesight isn't that wonderful.
Hello.
I think we have a winner. Sun 7th Oct it is then. I'm going to post it Digigreen as well see if we can't intice some more folk.
I was thinking about arranging to reserve some space at the Anchor Inn, probably the darts room, but that might limit us a bit depending on the weather and how much diving / faffing about we want to do. I'd there'll be space for us somewhere I'd imagine.
What about a time to meet. I've could convince myself to be there for 10am. Does that suit you all?
Hello charlie, Ding, Scuba Steve, Scuba-Doh!, shmeeg
Are you all still available for a wee get together?
I'm starting to get a bit nervous about relying on getting in off the shore at St Abbs, I've been blown out the last 2 times I've been. Do you fancy taking the boat?
Chris and PeterM are booked on a boat if I remember correctly. I'll PM them and see if we can find space.
Sunday the 7th of October is good for me, but do you want to chance St Abbs, what about The Slates ?
What wrong with A-Frames, loadsa space for cars, and bit and bobs to photo.
Errr that's a long way for your to come :D
Scuba-Doh!
24-09-07, 19:24
Hello charlie, Ding, Scuba Steve, Scuba-Doh!, shmeeg
Are you all still available for a wee get together?
I'm starting to get a bit nervous about relying on getting in off the shore at St Abbs, I've been blown out the last 2 times I've been. Do you fancy taking the boat?
Chris and PeterM are booked on a boat if I remember correctly. I'll PM them and see if we can find space.
Sorry regthing, I'll see what I can do about coming along, can't be certain at this point in time. I'm up for whatever (within reason).
Not booked on the boat on 7th, might consider coming down for a shore dive though, will see what Peter is up to!!
Should be able to get an idea if St Abbs is possible from the weather forecast during the preceding week.
Slates would be a good alternative site due to sheltered location & good viz.
A-Frames is good for life when undisturbed but if anyone with questionable buoyancy has been in: forget it. :eek:
Should be able to get an idea if St Abbs is possible from the weather forecast during the preceding week.
Slates would be a good alternative site due to sheltered location & good viz.
A-Frames is good for life when undisturbed but if anyone with questionable buoyancy has been in: forget it. :eek:
Words of wisdom from Charlie there. Lets play it by ear.
Never dived the slates, keeping fingers crossed for St Abbs. Have also asked Dan to join us to try out his new Besea that he has purhcased!
Just checked out the tides for St Abbs
HW 1321 :D
Just need to keep an eye on the weather. Does anyone have the number for the harbour master so I can check with him in the morning. I'm happy to phone round any last minute changes. Drop me a PM with your phone number if your coming.
Also, do any of you not have Photoshop?
Scott, I was just going to post the tide, looks good for a dive either side, probably Broad Craig or big green carr then Cathedral or the other way round.
Dont think you will need the harbour masters number, simply keep an eye on the weather, there is a webcam too http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/webplay/webcams/stabbs.shtml?image=skye
Metcheck forecast looks good http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?zipcode=Eyemouth&day=6
No swell forecast http://magicseaweed.com/UK-Ireland-MSW-Surf-Charts/1/
I have photoshop (and can bring on CD (with codes)) it is currently installed on my desktop but I can obviously only bring my laptop. Someone will need to bring a multicard reader, I can borrow one from work if need be!
I think you have my number from a previous trip, if not let me know and I will PM you it, I can probably cover PeterM too!
Looking forward to it!
Scuba-Doh!
01-10-07, 15:13
Someone will need to bring a multicard reader, I can borrow one from work if need be!
If I'm going (down with cold atm, wuss) I'll see about "borrowing" my girlfriends multicard reader. It's a little on the old side and will only accept Memory Sticks, Secure Digital / MultiMedia Card, Compact Flash and Smart Media.
My laptop ain't the best (300Mhz if I recall) but I'll blow the dust off it and see if it'll do some basic photoshopping/gimping (erm, not too sure that's the right term :o ).
Hope to see you all there (health permitting).
I've also got a multi-card reader so should try to bring it & my laptop. :cool:
It's going to be like PC world in the Anchor :D
I've got a multi-card reader on my laptop as well so we should be covered.
I downloaded Photoshop CS3 the other night (and it updates from the web :D ) which anyone is free to have a copy of. Got the latest Camera RAW plugin for it as well.
Don't have your number Chris but I have Peters. I'm sure one of you will answer it ;)
What sort of weather should we be keeping an eye out for? I'm guessing Westerlies. What about swell?
What sort of weather should we be keeping an eye out for? I'm guessing Westerlies. What about swell?
westerlies would be fine: we don't want the wind to come from north or east or if it has to then to be light :cool:
at the moment, the conditions look favourable but we should have a safer idea on Wed/Thu
Forgot this was happening this Sunday, what time are we meeting ? St Abbs gets very busy so i'd suggest we get down there for around 8am - 9am if you want to get parked.
St Abbs starts to get quiet this time of year, 9-10 should be OK
I have a disk with some Adobe stuff on, will bring copies for anyone who wishes to ..ahem sample...then remove of course
Acrobat, Illustrator, publisher and photoshop
Scuba-Doh!
02-10-07, 00:31
St Abbs starts to get quiet this time of year, 9-10 should be OK
On that note, how early must a weigian leave to get to St Abbs for 9? I'm thinking 7am which is cool for me but I've never been.
How weegie are you? Centre of Glasgow I would say 2-2.5hrs, or as a guidance it is about 1hr-1hr15mins from the end of the M8. If you have a GPS, plug in 55.898657,-2.129481 for the coordinates (these are straight from google maps)
Scuba-Doh!
02-10-07, 11:02
How weegie are you? Centre of Glasgow I would say 2-2.5hrs, or as a guidance it is about 1hr-1hr15mins from the end of the M8. If you have a GPS, plug in 55.898657,-2.129481 for the coordinates (these are straight from google maps)
West Eng Weegie, so I'll give it at least 2.5hrs. Might see about borrowing a SatNav for the trip, thanks for the coords.
West Eng Weegie, so I'll give it at least 2.5hrs. Might see about borrowing a SatNav for the trip, thanks for the coords.
Mark, I'm coming from Greenock. I could pick you up on the way. I'd expect to do it in <2.5hours from Greenock. I'll PM you.
St Abbs starts to get quiet this time of year, 9-10 should be OK
I think 9-10 should be OK. I want to get some sleep on Sat night :D
How does this sound for a plan?
A wee spot of breko in the cafe and a general natter about taking pics, get a longish dive in. Spot of lunch and general critique of the first round of pics. Try and be ready for the 2nd dive around HW. Then off to the Anchor Inn for a beer and a bit of a play with the days pics.
Scott, Up for most of that, I dont do the eating establishments there for various reasons and will probably want to head off sharpish as I want to catch the rugby, but sounds good!
Shog: the two of us are travelling through from West Lothian, you want to hook up??
What is the full list of attendees?
What is the full list of attendees?
Pass :rolleyes:
A few of us anyway.
So far:
Me
Scuba-Doh!
PeterM
Chris
Shog69
Charlie
I know Claire can't make it.
A few more put their name down but not heard from them.
3 others from my club should be joining us. I'll also have 2 of my kids with me so won't probably be lingering around for too much post-diving analysis I'm afraid. :rolleyes:
Should be a great day out: very much looking forward to it. :)
Scott......
I had so much wanted to get to this but the journey from Fife across the bridge at the moment is nothing short of a nightmare. Plus the fact I'm trying to complete some training with 3 trainees....so regrettably I won't be able to make it. :o :o
Hopefully there will be another time as I would really love to learn more about how to liven up my pics in Photoshop.
Dave
Scuba-Doh!
03-10-07, 18:17
dj_diver, I believe the original intent was to have a west-coast get together too so you may still get the chance. Failing that you can try to convince us of a Fife trip ;)
Don't think my new wing will be here in time but i will be there anyway. Hope the weather holds out as it's crap today.
5 Day forecast for Eyemouth (http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3651)
Wind is swinging :(
I don't think St Abbs is going to be okay for sunday, the forecast is not good. How about The Slates ?
Easterly winds for sunday is not great for St Abbs so i would suggest we make alternative plans.:(
Easterly winds for sunday is not great for St Abbs so i would suggest we make alternative plans.:(
That's Monday the Smirnoff is making you look at :rolleyes:
Southerlies for Sunday but Westerlies up untill then. 5 day forecast is a bit ropey at best.
swell forecast for Sunday is still OK according to Magic Seaweed (http://magicseaweed.com/)...
http://staff.stir.ac.uk/charles.mcgurk/diving/forum/stabbs%20swell071007.gif
let's wait until later before making a final decision
5 Day forecast for Eyemouth (http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=3651)
Wind is swinging :(
its only 5mph!!!
Its now turned to be a 8mph SW and a bright and sunny day, should be good conditions for pictures!!
yeah, very light seas are currently forecast for the Berwickshire coast so see you at StAbbs on Sun :)
Nice posting number Scott....666 :D
Can't go now as we have family stuff to do. :mad:
Can't go now as we have family stuff to do. :mad:
That's a bugger.
I might be bringing my family :D
Well that was my plan ie My Family which is really just me and Lindsay, but she wants to go to visit her Mum n Dad today, stay there the night and then Head for The Slates. SWMBO :D
St Abbs webcam (http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/webplay/webcams/stabbs.shtml)
Coldingham Bay webcam (http://www.stvedas.co.uk/surfcam.htm)
We're looking at 3-5 foot swell at St Abbs tomorrow according to Magic Seaweed.
What do you think, Scott & Chris etc.?
Should be fine, I am heading down with family and meeting Peter and his daughter there. Worst comes to worst, head into seagull rock at High tide
I'm don't know the area well enough but it sounds acceptable.
Eyemouth is meant to be accessible at high tide of there is a bit of a chop.
Hope you're all charging your batteries ;)
Morning all.
St Abbs webcam (http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/webplay/webcams/stabbs.shtml) looks good. Some small waves coming in but looking pretty flat at the moment. :D
Looks like Chris, PeterM, Charlie and co, possibly Ding and myself.
See you all there.
Enjoy your dives, head for Green Ends Gulley if it turns.
Come on guys......
Desperate for some info on the day went.....especially seeing as I couldn't get there!!
Post those pics! :D :D :D
Just got back. Bit of a poor show unfortunetly.
Chris had to cancel as he was bunged up this morning. Peter came but wasn't taking pics. No sign of Ding. So it was really only me, Charlie and a bunch from his club.
Still got a good couple of dives and a fair few photo's. I was playing with a few setting and trying ambiant light shots. Not got them on the PC yet but I'll get a quick look tonight. Need a bath first :D
And a big thanks to SUSAC for taking me gently ;)
cheers, Scott :D
was good fun: a couple of great dives in good conditions :)
glad that you survived diving with gus :eek:
looking forward to seeing your photos: my camera case is still being rinsed in freshwater: I'll have a look later; I'm knackered now :o
Scuba-Doh!
07-10-07, 22:16
Sorry I couldn't make it, looking forward to the photos.
Would have loved to be there but had to clean a house. (long story) maybe next time.
pity you didn't make it, Ding :o
Hello.
Here are some of the pics that turned out ok
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/anemone.jpg
Anemone. This has only been cropped.
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/2wrasse.jpg
Ballen Wrasse. Fair bit of colour correction. (might need a bit more work). Chuffed that the 2nd one popped its head in :D
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/wrasse.jpg
Another Ballen Wrasse. Fair bit of colour correction.
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/purplestarfish.jpg
Purple Starfish. No editing on this pic.
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/anemone_scene.jpg
Anemone scene. Image has been brightened up and a bit of colour correction.
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/gus.jpg
Our guide Gus. Got us to Cathedral rock and back in one piece. Cropped and slight colour correction. Shot in ambient light.
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/shug.jpg
Shug. The gimp of the threesome ;) :D. Cropped and slight colour colour correction. Shot in ambient light.
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/stabbs.jpg
What you missed ;) :rolleyes: :D
nice!
Your photography is coming on leaps and bounds.
Really hacked off I couldnt make it, although I am still feeling crap with blocked sinuses and blocked nose and ears and general manflu symptoms, also we got beat at Rugby :(
Dissappointing turnout!! Conditions did look good though, not many more trips to St Abbs left this year!
Well Scott....looks like you had a great time.
The pictures look fabulous! Like the anemone scene particularly.
Still wish I'd been able to make it.....hopefully next time. ;)
Dave
Nice pictures Scott. None myself as you know, but we had a nice short dive along to seagul rock. There seemed to be a good number of fish around as well.
Scuba-Doh!
08-10-07, 10:28
Really hacked off I couldnt make it, although I am still feeling crap with blocked sinuses and blocked nose and ears and general manflu symptoms
Same here plus an almighty hangover from Friday night's work night out at the dogs :o .
Maybe we should learn to walk before we run, a little trip to Loch Long for a photographers meet-up?
Maybe we should learn to walk before we run, a little trip to Loch Long for a photographers meet-up?
Cheers all.
And stop apologising :p :D
Loch long sounds good. To be honest the slates would be better. Excellent viz, lots of life and not much silt to be kicked up when you're spending ages over one shot.
Nice easy site as well with plenty of parking.
Maybe we should learn to walk before we run, a little trip to Loch Long for a photographers meet-up?
What do you mean by this statement Scuba-Doh, I am confused?? I regularly dive at St Abbs with Camera and so do others on the site, not sure what you are getting at?
Scuba-Doh!
08-10-07, 13:09
What do you mean by this statement Scuba-Doh, I am confused?? I regularly dive at St Abbs with Camera and so do others on the site, not sure what you are getting at?
Sorry Chris, I was referring to getting everyone in the same place. I'm sure there have been previous CA meet-ups but perhaps the photographers one should be a little closer to home to ensure a better turn-out.
Sorry Chris, I was referring to getting everyone in the same place. I'm sure there have been previous CA meet-ups but perhaps the photographers one should be a little closer to home to ensure a better turn-out.
It's only closer to home of you're coming from the west :rolleyes:
Give me that shovel :D
Scuba-Doh!
08-10-07, 15:39
It's only closer to home of you're coming from the west :rolleyes:
Give me that shovel :D
True, true.
Hello.
Here are some of the pics that turned out ok
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/anemone_scene.jpg
Anemone scene. Image has been brightened up and a bit of colour correction.
http://www.regthing.co.uk/images/stabbs071007/shug.jpg
Shug. The gimp of the threesome ;) :D. Cropped and slight colour colour correction. Shot in ambient light.
excellent photos, Scott :)
much better than mine which are mostly mince. :o
a couple of minor points: the "anemone scene" depicts dead men's fingers (http://www.seaslug.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=D10240) (a soft coral) & it's not Shug who was the gimp in the photo but Bastien :eek: :cool:
Scuba-Doh!
08-10-07, 22:00
On a somewhat related point I managed to come in second on Yorkshire Diver's September Photo Competition :D
http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/underwater-video-photography/61975-september-photo-competition-vote-now.html
Wonder how many CA'ers reside at YD also, I can see stew for one. Anyhoo, if your interested I've set up this months photo competition, get your entries in ;)
http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/underwater-video-photography/62269-october-photo-competition.html
excellent photos, Scott :)
much better than mine which are mostly mince. :o
a couple of minor points: the "anemone scene" depicts dead men's fingers (http://www.seaslug.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=D10240) (a soft coral) & it's not Shug who was the gimp in the photo but Bastien :eek: :cool:
I knew that :o Note to self. Don't post late :D
My apologies to Bastien. I'm not good with names :(
On a somewhat related point I managed to come in second on Yorkshire Diver's September Photo Competition :D
http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/underwater-video-photography/61975-september-photo-competition-vote-now.html
Wonder how many CA'ers reside at YD also, I can see stew for one. Anyhoo, if your interested I've set up this months photo competition, get your entries in ;)
http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/underwater-video-photography/62269-october-photo-competition.html
Well done Mark! Nice pic.
I'm signed up on YD but to be honest it pisses me off most of the time. Might send in a pic mind you :D
not quite in regthing's league but I've uploaded my photos from yesterday here (http://staff.stir.ac.uk/charles.mcgurk/diving/susac071007/index.html) :rolleyes:
http://staff.stir.ac.uk/charles.mcgurk/diving/susac071007/photo4.jpg
colourful anemone
http://staff.stir.ac.uk/charles.mcgurk/diving/susac071007/photo15.jpg
ballan wrasse purges clouds of sea urchin viscera through its opercula :eek:
That anemone is amazing. The colours a detail are sweet.
And I look like a fat gun slinger in one of your pics :D
cheers Scott :cool:
you look like you mean business in the photo :p
Scuba-Doh!
09-10-07, 07:19
Astounding anemone photo Charlie! I've not yet seen any that colourful and you've done a grand job capturing it on ccd.
Yeah, Anemone is nicely framed Charlie!
Astounding anemone photo Charlie! I've not yet seen any that colourful and you've done a grand job capturing it on ccd.
Yeah, Anemone is nicely framed Charlie!
cheers guys :)
slight colour touch up in Photoshop :rolleyes:
dive granny
09-10-07, 23:26
Gorgeous pic Charlie. The anemone is stunning.