getting more experience in NYC

i recently bought a rig and took a class in how to use it in miami. i have to say its probably the most fun ive ever had with a camera...my dillemma is how do i practice getting better if i live in a place like nyc? the only dive spots seem to be in pretty murky cold water off of long island and i would need to invest in a dry suit (something ive never tried before) is there anyone else on here who can offer advice on how to practice? is coldwater diving for photography particularly difficult? will the murkiness affect my experience? anything i can do to increase my bottom time?

ill attach one of the photos i took on my first dive with my camera/5th dive ever, sorry for the awful quality hopefully ill get better with time

Do you want to practice photography or photography while diving. One of the most useful things you can do is take a topside photo class, particularly one where you HAVE to present pictures every week. That will help you with your eye and with getting really really familiar with your camera. If you want to then transfer some of these skills, use a pool to help you get really familiar with your housing and how to work it underwater. There are lots of interesting dive sites near NYC, some in the ocean some in local quarries and lakes. Go to a Sea Gypsies meeting (Clancy's on 2nd between 51 and 52nd) on the 2nd Wed and book some trips with them.

The drysuit thing is not too big a deal but get comfortable diving in cold water before you try the camera.

Bill

Definitely shoot as much as you can. Personally I don;t dive or shoot locally, because I'm not into the murky stuff, but many people swear by the wrecks and the potential there.

Besides actually shooting, come to meetings from the New York Underwater Photo Society. It's a great group of people. We meet the first Tues of every month. www.NYUPS.org

Hope to see you there

i recently bought a rig and took a class in how to use it in miami. i have to say its probably the most fun ive ever had with a camera...my dillemma is how do i practice getting better if i live in a place like nyc? the only dive spots seem to be in pretty murky cold water off of long island and i would need to invest in a

Living in NY, I feel your pain

Some things we are considering are Dutch Springs (about 1-1/2 drive or so and when weather is good okay visibility) and the Thousand Islands/St Lawrence Area (about 6 hours, ish and really not bad drive very open road.) There is also Lake George. None are the same as clear/warm water diving, but are starting to look more appealing to me in llight of the fact I could not get out on a trip in the last 5 months due to various things.

You are going to need to be warmer and need different suits than Miami, but at least it is a chance to get into the water and play around. There are also wrecks off of NJ and things off of L.I. But as mentioned, get used to the near gear and gloves before playing with photo things. I made that mistake the first (and only) time I went off the coast of NJ.

And as Jason mentioned New York Underwater Photo Society is fun get together. I had been meaning to go for quite awhile, but due to scheduling had not been able to make it, but have been able to make a couple of meetings recently.

thanks for the advice ill check out some of the wrecks here in a drysuit sans-camera til i get my bearings. im looking to to just get better with my digital camera technique, ive used 35 mm manual cameras with some great results but ive never seen a digital camera as anything more than a point and shoot snapshot tool. and ill definately be taking a class in digital photography next semester...good suggestion!

i recently bought a rig and took a class in how to use it in miami. i have to say its probably the most fun ive ever had with a camera...my dillemma is how do i practice getting better if i live in a place like nyc? the only dive spots seem to be in pretty murky cold water off of long island and i would need to invest in a dry suit (something ive never tried before) is there anyone else on here who can offer advice on how to practice? is coldwater diving for photography particularly difficult? will the murkiness affect my experience? anything i can do to increase my bottom time?

 

ill attach one of the photos i took on my first dive with my camera/5th dive ever, sorry for the awful quality hopefully ill get better with time

Well...have you considered moving to a warmer climate? Don't let a job or school get in the way :-)

Bob

NYC isn't a bad launching pad ... On a Saturday, you can leave NYC on a 9AM flight and be in the water diving in Grand Cayman at 2:30 in the afternoon.

If you have access to a pool that allows scuba, buy some plastic toys and use as peactice subjects.

If you have access to a pool that allows scuba, buy some plastic toys and use as peactice subjects.

thats something id like to try doing, im just not sure how ill go about taking care of my air while down there. i have a pony bottle and that wouldnt last long, i was even thinking of making some sort of makeshift breathing tube that i could put outside the pool while i was down under...what a complicated hobby :/

thats something id like to try doing, im just not sure how ill go about taking care of my air while down there. i have a pony bottle and that wouldnt last long, i was even thinking of making some sort of makeshift breathing tube that i could put outside the pool while i was down under...what a complicated hobby :/

The folks at Pan Aqua on 10th Avenue in Manhattan can help you get setup with pool time and tanks, etc ... and I also think have a relationship with a photo instructor - although I don't know who it is ...