Maria Munn

I've finally recovered from the Go Diving Show which was held at the NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, Uk last weekend and what an incredible show it was. From showcasing diving equipment, holiday destinations, marine conservation and of course underwater photography over a 10,000 square metre area, there really was something to inspire everyone. Underwater Photographer of the Year is celebrating 60 years and had 30 of it's winning images on display from the entrance and throughout the show to inspire visitors as well as a packed audience to view them on the stage on Saturday afternoon. Here is Saeed Rashid introducing some of the images. Winning Image - Catherine Holme's "Kaleidoscope of Colour" - Brand New Category "Coral Reefs" Runner-Up - Jenny Stock's "Gardens of the Caribbean Reef Shark" There was also a dedicated Photo - Inspiration Stage with a wide variety of underwater photography talks to inspire. The hugely talented Jenny Stock concentrated on the "Creativity and Ethics of Photo Manipulation," Simon Rogerson, Editor of SCUBA Magazine shared secrets with the audience of "Photographing Big Animals" and Ellen Cuylaerts enthralled with tales of her past trips and the important of being a DAN member. There were a wide variety of underwater photography specialists exhibiting, some for the first time. DIVEVOLK were popular and stole the hearts of many visitors, with Louis and Kai from DIVEVOLK HQ in China flying in especially to demonstrate their award-winning innovative touchscreen smartphone underwater housings and accessories. Who else is in love with their new "Dreamy Pink" model? It was great to see Sea & Sea again, who had a variety of strobes on show for both compacts and d-SLRS. Orcatorch were also exhibiting, sharing a stand with Sea & Sea. They were demonstrating their popular D710 Best-Selling Dive Light which delivers 3000 lumens of light in 5 different colour options. Which one is your favourite? The ever popular Dr Alex Tattersall of Underwater Visions/Nauticam UK had his usual stand which he shared with Light Balance who are also retailers for DIVEVOLK. The popular team of Anne & Phil Metcalfe from Alphamarine Photography were there and Nemo Photo had their first stand at the show. Nemo Photo are the main distributors for Ikelite as well as offering Marelux and Go Pro products. I'm still buzzing from the show, with the 8 hour drive there and back, it was totally worth it. A huge well done to Mark and Penney Evans, all the Go Diving Team and of course the Exhibitors for creating such a brilliant atmosphere. I'm sad at having to wait a whole year to go back. Who's joining me?

Meet Stuart from Atlantis Berlin Wassersport & Mee(h)r who talks us through Divevolk's new Trigger Release which can be added onto their housings to make starting and stopping video recording much easier to help reduce video shake, as well as of course capturing images. Huge thanks to the Atlantis Team for their help. https://www.facebook.com/reel/959890282752812

Without a doubt the Olympus TG Tough range have revolutionised the world of underwater photography for both snorkelers and divers in recent years, making incredible results achievable for the beginner as well as giving a vast variety of options to expand creativity. But with so many options for accessory lenses and makes available, what should you be looking for if you want to start adding a creative wider angle to your images. This festive period I was super busy helping answer some of the popular questions that I see on other forums so I've put this together in the hope that it might help someone else too. So let’s start as a snorkeller. Is a housing really needed? Personally I’d always suggest one, even if it’s just to have that extra security measure and of course remember that you will need one to add on extra wide angle lenses at a later date. Not only have I seen them flood in the water for no apparent reason but it’s all too easy in the excitement of getting in the water to accidentally not close the battery door or overlook a tiny pesky hair trapped in the seal. When you’re travelling to unique, once in a lifetime destinations, it’s always better to be safe. Then there’s the option for snorkelers to add on an Olympus FCON-TO2 (which is also waterproof) directly to the Olympus TG range via an adaptor, CLA-TO1, with just one easy click. This will give you a wider field-of-view than the camera’s own 25 mm one and is great if you are using the camera above water too for wide landscape images. It’s great for small reef scenes, but for larger subjects such as this seal above, a wider field-of-view is needed to fit more of it in. It also struggles with above and below shots. But if you use an Ikelite Housing with a dome port for your Olympus TG, you can simply just pop the camera and the FCON-TO2 lens into the housing, giving it a much wider field of view so you CAN capture much wider scenes, achieve split-level shots too and create a perfect snells window effect when framing a subject above you. The Pros are:- the edges of the image are sharp and there’s no vignetting the system stays light (just over 1 lb for the whole unit) compared to adding on a wide-angle lens directly to the front of a different housing which can make the housing tip forwards and downwards, even with a tray to help balance it. The Drawbacks are: keep an eye out for black corners to your image as the dome shade may interfere with the overall result and if this happens, simply remove it. Did you know that with this set-up you can actually zoom through the lens to achieve sharp close-up images too? Check out Ikelite’s website or direct link here to see how it performs underwater: https://www.ikelite.com/products/dome-port-for-olympus-fcon-t02-lens-and-adapter-kit?pr_prod_strat=pinned&pr_rec_id=ec369bea4&pr_rec_pid=3943133118533&pr_ref_pid=11527790933&pr_seq=uniform So let’s look at other wide-angle lens choices. A super popular choice with many starting out is Backscatter’s M52 Air Lens or AOI’s Underwater 0.75x Wide-Angle Air Lens (weighing 20 grams underwater/160 gms on land) which give an 81 degree angle of coverage, sharp corners, is light and easily screws into a 52 mm threaded mount. It works perfectly to restore the camera’s topside field-of-view underwater and at the same time will restore your image’s colour, sharpness and clarity by reducing the water column, therefore allowing you to get closer to your subject. It has an Anti-Reflection Coating too. You can also zoom through this lens to take full advantage of the TG’s Microscope Mode. An extra super useful touch is that you can attach the lens to your housing via a lanyard (a very thoughtful touch which is included with your purchase) which will keep your lens safe when you are underwater. It’s a great lens for turtles, large fish like groupers, divers and small reefscapes. I loved using this lens when I had the chance to photograph blue sharks off the coast of Cornwall with my Olympus TG-6 It produced detailed results as you can see here, but I really needed a wider field-of-view to be able to capture the whole body of the shark to be able to have a sharp result throughout the image. So do you really need to go any wider and why? For all those cave, wreck and super wide reefscape scenes with or without a modelling diver, this is where a wider angled wet lens really shines to capture both dramatic and creative images. There are a few makes to choose from such as Kraken, Weefine, INON, AOI and of course Backscatter! Let’s look firstly at Backscatter’s M52 120 degree Wide Angle Lens Backscatter have done a sterling job to design and innovate wide-angle lenses especially designed for the Olympus TG series and this lens is fabulous for those dreaming of capturing those captivating wider angled scenes. Like the Air Lens, it delivers sharp corners, there’s no vignetting (where little black areas appear in the corners of your image), has an Anti-Reflection Coating and you can zoom through the lens for those all important close-up shots, making it perfect for capturing Close Focus Wide Angle Images. Want to go Ultra Wide to capture even more of those wreck, pier or scenic cave shots? Weefine has designed a super wide conversion lens (depth rated to 60 ms) which offers an incredible 150 degrees at 24 mm and easily screws into an Olympus TG housing’s 52 mm thread mount. It also comes with an adaptor for 67 mm thread mounts. Just be careful as the weight of the lens is heavier than the others (690 gms in the air/255 gms underwater). It has a multi-layer BBAR coating for anti-reflection and optical clarity. It has an optical grade polycarbonate dome which is easy to repair if needed. Again you can zoom through this lens if needed. A super wide lens is incredible useful for close-focus wide angle images, allowing me to get much closer to my subject and with the use of just one strobe placed over the middle of my housing, I could illuminate the above subject. Kraken has also its own KRL-02 52 mm Wide Wet Lens which offers a 145 degree at 24 mm. It has also been designed with a 52 mm thread, also has a multi-layer BBAR coating for anti-reflection and optical clarity purposes. It also has the capability to zoom through the lens for a tighter frame. Just be aware that vignetting (black edges to the corners of your image) may still occur with different housings and lens combinations. If you notice this, just simply zoom slightly until the effect disappears. So there you have it, an introduction to the wonderful world of wide-angle creativity. Wide-angle has been my calling in the world of underwater photography and there's nothing more that excites me than creating a unique scene which captures guests' attention and creates a conversation to encourage them to explore our underwater world too. Warm Seas, Maria

There's absolutely no doubt that smartphones are an incredible, cost-effective way to get started in underwater photography. There’s nothing more exciting than being able to view and upload your images to social media as soon as you finish your dive, on a safety-stop or even whilst snorkelling . Did I say started? Let me take that back, as it is so easy to get addicted to using one, that you may just want to ditch your usual camera in favour of it. Of course there are advantages and disadvantages of choosing a smartphone over a camera, but for ease-of-use and for a complete beginner, they are a total game changer. So with so many different housings available for your phone, so I thought I’d share some views on two of the most popular housings Divevolk versus Sealife. I’ll cover other popular housings like those made by Kraken and Oceanic soon. Sealife SportDiver Ultra Smartphone Housing - Depth Rating 40 metres/130 ft - $349 Both compact and sturdy (ideal for where I am in the UK), this housing is how I fell in love with shooting with my own iPhone and has been voted as Scubalab Tester’s Choice for 2024. The SportDiver Ultra housing is a heavy duty housing (808 grams) and is made of polycarbonate, stainless steel, aluminium and optical grade glass. It will take all iPhones from iPhone 8 through to 15 Pro Max as well as most Android models. Just made sure that you review the Sportdiver compatibility and fit guide. It has it’s own SportDiver App which connects to your phone through Bluetooth Low Energy 5 wireless technology, using the phone camera’s technology which is native to each camera. The housing itself is powered by two AAA batteries which last over 50 hours of continuous use. It is almost neutrally buoyant and Sealife also make a Gear Retractor which is a stainless steel snap clip which attaches to your BCD to keep it extra safe when it’s not in use. Let’s look at what the Sport Diver housing offers:- It has a generous shutter button at the top of the housing and four easy-to-use buttons on the back, making access to the different settings easy to use, especially when you are shooting in colder water with gloves. It has the ability to change the ISO, Exposure Value, White Balance, Adjust Zoom, Tint, Lens Selection plus the ability to shoot in both JPEG and RAW, making it ideal if heavy editing is your passion afterwards. Video stabilisation is also available on certain phone models. It is equipped with dual Leak Alarms which include a moisture alarm and a vacuum pressure alarm, alerting the user with on-screen warnings. This alarm will even notify you on the surface if it detects even a drop of water in it and trust me, you will definitely hear it! It also as a Vacuum System with a pump to create more security for your system. It has a very sturdy build which is suited for more challenging conditions. It also has a sturdy holding spring and rubber grip tabs which securely hold the smartphone in place and add shock-protection. Automatically comes with a removable red filter (with a safety tether) to restore natural colours in tropical water and a sturdy travel case so you can get started immediately. Both magenta and yellow filters are also available. Interior fogging and condensation are prevented by using “Moisture Muncher” capsules. Looking to get creative? A 52 & 67 mm thread adapter is available for both macro and wide angle lenses. At present there is just one wide angle dome lens available (which is positively buoyant and has a safety lanyard) increasing the phone len’s field-of-view by 40%. The housing features seven 1/4-20 tripod mounts to mount any light or light tray with standard tripod threads such as Sealife’s range of Sea Dragon underwater photo/video lights. Your phone can be taken out from the back door to charge. The Playback Mode shows full size photos and videos with a vertical thumbnail strip, making it easy to locate your images. Files are also saved automatically to your phone’s camera roll. The downsides are: It needs to be used with the Sealife App for it to work, so all of the functions aren’t accessible such as the highest quality video setting available in newer iPhones. Some of your phone settings may not be available through the App, so it’s important to check both the App and Play store for SportDiver App updates. A manual vacuum pump (included in the set-up) is needed. You can read more about all the different options available via Sealife's website here:- https://www.sealife-cameras.com/product/sportdiver-ultra-smartphone-housing/ DIVEVOLK - Seatouch 4 MAX - Depth Rating 60 metres/196 feet - $239 It’s safe to say that Divevolk have taken the smartphone underwater photography market by storm by introducing the first ever fully integrated touch screen which makes all of your favourite apps and functions easily accessible underwater at an affordable price as well as offering the widest range of add-on lenses. Trust me, you’ll be spoilt for choice as to which one to start with! You can even communicate with your dive buddy underwater via writing apps, make an emergency call at the surface if needed as well as record GPS co-ordinates. You can even have your own Fish ID Guide with you whilst you’re diving, making identification an absolute breeze. The Divevolk housing is much lighter (375 gms), made of plastic and stainless steel, supporting any smartphone. Simply pop your phone in a customised adapter and slide it into the housing through a narrow opening and close the housing door which has a built-in compression ring. You’re then all good to go. So let’s look at what it offers the user:- All functions are easily accessible via the touchscreen, even with wetsuit gloves. And yes, the touchscreen is tougher than it looks with a special 3-layer sealing gasket to keep the housing secure. For those colder water temperatures, this innovative company have even invented a special finger cot to pop on over your drysuit glove. It may not have a vacuum pump but it does have a pressure balance system to keep it safe from leaks. If film making is your passion, this housing is the only one to give you a choice to shoot at the highest resolution that your phone can offer. It can also be used as an external monitor for your d-SLR or Mirrorless camera. It has developed a wi-fi transmitter which can be placed in-between your housing and your phone where the signal is transferred. Divevolk is the only manufacturer to offer this option. Incredible underwater content can easily be achieved using the variety of add-on lenses which Divevolk offer. From both red and magenta filters to a 15 + close-up lens, plus both wide angle and dome lens options make this an unbeatable system to get started with and grow your creativity. The downsides are: Take added care to protect the membrane when travelling. If you are using a tray with two handles, be aware that you will need to remove the housing from the tray first before being able to remove your phone from it’s side door. Alternatively you can purchase Divevolk’s own tray which allows it to swivel and you can then remove it easily. DIVEVOLK Platinum - Depth Rating 262 ft/80 metres - $399 This recently launched housing has been specifically built for newer and thicker smartphones and has a much more sturdy finish. It has the following upgrades:- It is made of aluminium alloy which makes the casing more resistant to corrosion. It also makes it look very stylish. An upgraded sealing system, making the housing feel more resistant to leaks. The touchscreen is easier to operate with gloves and offers a smoother response than previous models. It comes with an integrated expansion clamp which attaches directly to the case with 1/4 inch threaded holes at the bottom. For more information on Divevolk, visit their website here:- https://www.divevolkdiving.com/en-gb/collections/seatouch-4-max-kit Finally, don’t forget to utilise a wireless charger if possible to reduce the risk of moisture entering your housing. Regardless of which one you choose, you sure are guaranteed a whole new underwater photography world opening up in front of you. I’ve absolutely loved shooting with my phone the past couple of years for ease-of-use and the simplicity and how I can create my content for social media in a nano-second after getting out of the water. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, experiences and seeing your images 🙂 Maria