G11 and diving trip to Egypt.

Hello

I go to dive Hurghada 16-23.October. Before I go I like to ask that maybe someone have good points what I need to know before.

I have next equipments:

G11

Canon original housing

Fantasea BigEye

Fantasea red filter

One Sea&Sea YS-110a strobe

I am new this underwater photo and maybe someone can tell me what to I need to know or avoid.

Is there any point to take this one strobe or leave it to home?

Also I have red MagicFilter my last dive trip. Is there any point to use this filter together Fantasea BigEye?

Best Regards

Aigar

Hi Aigar!

Well You have a nice little camera there (and accessories), wich can produce really good images.

Saddly You have very little time to get familiar with the UW photo basics (if You haven't done it so far).

If You have time before You'r trip, You could consider trying out You'r setup in a pool. I did so when I got my G9, and it helped me a lot before my Marsa Alam trip a year ago. Right settings, flash positioning, composition etc. etc.

When shooting try to avoid so called birds eye view of You'r subject and try to get down to eye level. Then get really close to You'r subjects. When You are close, get even closer. I quess these are the most common guidlines. I'm sure a lot of folks could add tons of suggestions to the list.

And drop by You'r local bookstore and see if Yuo can get a copy of Martin Edge's "Underwater Photographer IV edition". You can read it on You'r flight and probably get a lot of good tips and tricks from there.

Happy snapping!!

Cheers

Karel

Aigar,

There is a lot we don't know about your experience. But I echo the recommendationn for Martin Edges book. Plus the following

1. Use the camera a lot on land use MANUAL exposure control and critise your pictures.

2. Then put it in the box and use it again on land (not for pictures just to get the feel of the controls).

3. Yes I would take the strobe but make sure it works with the camera and what it is doing TTL or manual.

4. In particular with the strobe only use it to light something within 1 metre of your camera the rest of the scene will be natural light adjust exposure first.

5. Get close then closer.

Enjoy your holiday.

Tim Digger

Hello Karel

Thank you for you answer.

Yeah this bird eye is good advise. I used this mistake my first two trips when I used my old Ixus It was time when I just buyed camera and went to dive. In this moment I dont have any idea what is underwater photography. I dont know how many pictures I made but when I was back to home and see this pictures, I understand that I made only some crap pictures. First trip I had only totally blue pictures. But this first trips was like poison. I "waked up" and started to read forums and so on. My next trip I used Magic Filter and I was happy because pictures was more beautiful. Of course not like you PRO-s, but at least something.

Here is some my pictures.

http://aixlands.planet.ee/Sukeldumiste_paremik/album/

This second trip, at least I received some colors but I still made this bird eye mistake and I think this time I didnt even know that I do somthing wrong. After home, and still reading forums and learnind, I understand this mistake.

Yes I already buyed Martin Edge III book. But unfortunally I havent finished reading this

One question, what I cant figure out is:

Is someone have tryed to use this Fantasea BigEye and Magic Filter together? Maybe there is some complication what I might know.

Unfortunally I think its not possible to use Fantasea red filter and BigEye together. Maybe its best to use only manual white balance and strobe and not use Magic Filter same time?

Thank You

Maybe its best to use only manual white balance and strobe and not use Magic Filter same time?

Alternative is to shoot RAW and do the WB in Your computer.

Magic filters are for available light shooting.

Cheers

Karel

I there some ideas do I need to use longer arm what possible to my one strobe? I have several arm details and I can make complete strobe arm longer and shorter.

In this moment I have total arm lenght 37 cm + strobe. But I can make this 44 cm or 47 cm. Is this important?

Thank you

I there some ideas do I need to use longer arm what possible to my one strobe? I have several arm details and I can make complete strobe arm longer and shorter.

In this moment I have total arm lenght 37 cm + strobe. But I can make this 44 cm or 47 cm. Is this important?

 

Thank you

37 should do just fine. Then again some people like theyr arms really long...

Try to use the search link of this forum and You should be able to find answers to most of You'r questions.

Heres a post of strobe arm lengths.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Karel