Exploring Jardines de la Reina with Ocean Geographic

Recently I wrote an article on my amazing experience diving with Ocean Geographic in Gardens of the Queen and it was published at Uwpmag.com (Underwater Photography Magazine). Check it out! (click each section to enlarge text):

Drysuit Diving in Malta

One of the first steps in preparing for an underwater expedition next summer in the Arctic is getting acquainted with a type of exposure suit that will keep me warm and dry in one of the most extreme places on the planet.  Having only been scuba diving in warm, tropical destinations I've only ever needed a wetsuit.  So I wasn't sure what to expect when it comes to drysuits.  But I do know that if I want to dive in the Arctic, getting drysuit certified is obligatory.

Arriving in Malta for Easter weekend, I made my way over to the dive shop, Divewise, in St. Julian's Bay.  I spent some time diving with them back in September and felt confident that I'd be in the best hands on the island.  Viv and Jacques (the dog) are quite welcoming and quickly get things sorted for the course.  I'm given a new Otter dry suit to try on and while getting my head through the latex seal was much more difficult than I anticipated, I like the look and feel of the red and black suit.   I slightly feel like an astronaut; especially after I learn that the zipper on the suit traces its roots back to the space program's need for a water/airtight seal.  I've certainly never seen a similar zipper anywhere before.

As I took my first steps into the chilly 16C Mediterranean Sea, I quickly realized the importance of the undergarments I had on below the shell of my dry suit.  Ultimately these undergarments are where the warmth comes from as the shell itself simply keeps the water out.   Adding air to the suit will also provide necessary insulation between your body and the cold water.

*Freeze frame from GoPro Hero3+ with Backscatter Flip 3.1 Filter

Diving with Whale Sharks

This was a bucket list item of mine for a while so when I finally got the chance to jump into the water with this gentle giant in the Maldives, I was beside myself.  Trying ridiculously hard to keep up with this baby whale shark was a beyond my abilities.  However as you can see from this image my fellow diver was certainly keeping pace with him.  I clearly need to hit the gym! The experience was brief but the incredible memory is everlasting.  I definitely need to get back in the water with some whale sharks again soon.

  

Step Aside Modesty

A recent shot of mine from Gardens of the Queen in Cuba was awarded "Image of Edition" in the latest edition of Ocean Geographic.  It is really a huge honour to have won this award and even more so that it was presented by Ocean Geographic (which in case I hadn't mentioned is my favorite magazine)! Silky Sharks are classified as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN and as their numbers are diminishing worldwide, it was such a privilege to be able to dive with dozens of these brown sweeties.  It was definitely the highlight of my time in Cuba and having this image selected feels really great.  Thank you, OG!  

A wise inVESTment!

On a recent trip I decided to wear a photography vest to the airport as a precaution against carry-on limitations.  And honestly, I couldn't be happier with how it worked out.  All too often I check in for a flight without being asked to weigh my carry-on case which is usually filled with sensible items.  But then when I arrive at the gate I get raised eyebrows from the flight attendants and next thing I know I am being directed to a scale to weigh my bag.

Chasing Crocodiles

Up until recently I’ll admit photographing saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitat was not high on my list of shots to get. At least not face to face in the water. But that’s exactly what I set out to do with five other crazy divers one calm February morning in Jardines de la Reina (Gardens of the Queen). Our adrenaline was already pumping as we had just finished up our first dive of the trip with two dozen Caribbean reef sharks. It was an incredible way to start off the trip so our spirits were high as we were heading back to the main boat for some coffee. Through the noise of the boat engine and water breaking we heard our expedition leader, Michael Aw, shout Niño (pronounced neen-yo) in a suggestive tone to our guide Noel Lopez. Unless you have been to Jardines, the word Niño means nothing to you but for me Nino had meant a few restless nights alone in the dark with my wild imagination. I knew we would meet some saltwater crocodiles on our trip, I knew I would be getting in the water and photographing them, but I hadn’t realized just how quickly it would happen. The fact that the time had finally arrived was a bit unsettling.

Why YOU Should Dive with Sharks

Sometimes people ask me what it’s like to dive with sharks and why I choose to do so.  “Aren’t you afraid of them?”, is a common question or maybe just another way of saying “You’re an idiot!”.  Of course I understand where this feeling comes from as not very long ago I was the one asking the same thing.  I really enjoy answering these sorts of questions because I hope that through my little stories others will be encouraged to let go of their fears and see sharks in a different light. 

I’ve come to realize that giving in to your fears can be very limiting. Certainly a healthy dose of it can be handy from time to time but letting it control you is a mistake far too many people make. People always say that when you set aside your fears you are capable of accomplishing anything. You see, there were so many things that I had always wanted to do but my worries kept holding me back.  It took far too long for me to realize I was missing out on so many amazing experiences because I kept getting in the way of myself.  In the beginning of my diving days I constantly worried about sharks. Having never had any close encounters with them I really couldn’t justify it. So what did I do? I went looking for sharks, of course!