Learning Digital Photo
Hello,
From your vast photography experiences, what recommendations would you have on photography literature and/or videos available for an underwater digital photographer? I am having great difficulty in understanding and using the external flash with my digital camera setup. I have an Olympus C-4040 Zoom in an Olympus camera housing with a Sea & Sea YS 25DX strobe.

With a digital camera, I can shoot images, review, correct, save or delete while diving. My schedule does not allow me time to attend an underwater photography course, so I want to attempt to learn on the fly.

Thanks,
Larry Johnson

Larry,
I just stepped into digital myself (see this month’s “From the Publisher” so I am sympathetic. The best (and possibly only) book that I know of is called “Digital Imaging for the Underwater Photographer” by Jack and Sue Drafahl (Amherst Media, www.amherstmedia.com). Also, because the field is changing so rapidly, read dive and photo magazines and keep in touch on the web. I also suggest you contact Sea & Sea regarding your strobe. They will be very helpful. Good luck!

Dale Sheckler
Editor

Comments on Good Instruction and Bad
CDN:
This is written concerning the Letter to the Editor entitled “Good Instruction and Bad” in the March 2003, Vol. 20, No. 3 of “California Diving News.” I had mixed feelings when I read the letter. At first, I was mad because there are still instructors and dive shops that will certify anyone for anything, as soon as the check clears. Then, I cheered because I know Mike Brandow both as a friend and fellow professional.

The Crutchfields should have been advised to complain to the dive shop where they got their instruction and to the training agency that provided their certification. There are to many certified, yet untrained, divers out there. This happens when students do not receive the instruction that is the minimum acceptable from a professional. Price should not be the determining factor. The letter states “we got what we paid for.” I don’t think they did. I am sure that they paid for a course that would train them and certify them as scuba divers. I don’t think they attended a course in order to receive certification cards, so they could buy there own equipment.

Instructors, dive shops and certifying agencies who do not require that an individual successfully complete their training before they are certified should not be allowed to continue to “teach, sell or certify.” The diving public doesn’t need them and the true diving professionals don’t want them.

As a final comment, I am sending a copy of this to Mike Brandow, and I hope he is able to get in touch with the Crutchfields.

Martin Naaktgeboren
via email

Likes New Format
Dale,
On my way over to the Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup, I picked up a copy of the “new and improved” March 2003 CDN. I think the addition of color photos may even inspire people to get out and dive more often. The magazine format makes it easier to handle as well. Congratulations on the new look!

Mary-Lou Quinn
Lost Patrol Dive Club

We'd like to hear from you! Email us at mail@saintbrendan.com, fax 310-792-2336 or write P.O. Box 11231, Torrance, CA 90510. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of letters received we cannot published all submitted. Please try to submit your letters in a timely matter. Deadline is the 5th of the month preceding the issue month. Please limit your letters to more than 200 words. Long letters are subject to editing.