Palau and its current...is it photography compatible??

I would like anyone who has been to Palau and actually shots photos there to give me advice on Palau u/w photography opportunities and tactics. How many dives are "zero shot" dives due to current? When you're hooked to the reef, are the wait for the object to come to you opportunities there? Are there lots of "quiet macro" locations too? HELP!

I worked there for 3 years as a photo pro aboard the Aggressor.

I did 3 dives a day with camera in hand. I had camera with me unless it was the first dive or the first big current dive of the week. In my experience most photographers didn't have too many problems.

NOt all dives are strong current dives, just a few of the corner dives. On the corner dives you use a hook to attach to rocks and then you have both hands free for photos. Sharks like the same current so often get within 3 feet. Not to mention schools of jacks, snappers, and barracuda. And of course the big Wrasses who stick their nose in your face. All that just at Blue Corner. Bring your camera every time, if the dive guide says the current is too strong then you have the option of leaving it on skiff rather than not having it if current is mild.

Plenty of easy diving too. Walls and coral gardens, often interspersed throughout the week. Night dives as well. Bringing macro is never a problem as there is good macro on every dive.

Are you on a liveaboard or landbased?

How many dives do you have?

How many dives do you have with a camera?

Are you comfortable with camera and have good buoyancy?

If so then carrying your camera on every dive is not a problem unless it is some sort of huge full moon current, then sometimes best to leave it on the boat. But that is only at Blue Corner, New Drop Off, and Pelelieu Corner, shouldn't be a problem anywhere else

Tactics: Face into the current on a wall if you want to take photo of soft coral etc. You can easily hold position with one finger on a rock or bare patch, but look before you stick out your hand! Don't crush the sponges etc.

If you try to face with the current your feet will just flip over your head...funny for everyone else.

Your response is much appreciated. We were thinking a combo of 1 week on a live-aboard, and week land based.

I am very comfortable with my camera equipment and my buoyancy control is excellent.

Based on your reply, I am re-assured it will be no problem.

By the way, where are you now?? Still working in the dive biz? Have you given Tahiti a go? How does it compare to Palau?

Thnaks again.

That is a great way to go. I think you will find that liveaboard life out there is fantastic. Only a 5 min or less trip to the dive site as opposed to 50 mins with the day boats. Definitely bring your macro set up. When i worked there i would list all the dive sites and times for the day and then put lens recommendations for each site. SOme fantastic night diving for sure.

Also, when you are on land be sure to go with Sam;s Tours, they are the best guides. They also have a Kayak day trip that is hugely educational and great photo ops too. Don' t miss that.

And...maybe try to get a tour to some of the WWII stuff, more great photo ops. Visit www.travelinlightimages.com for some more well rounded Palau photos.

And of course, don' t miss the small plane charter over the Rock Islands.

Sure beats the Caribbean i can tell you.

As for Tahiti. Just finished working there for 2 years in the Tuamotus. Fantastic place, great shark action, huge currents, (faster than Palau) Lots of big stuff like dolphins, sharks, mantas, eagles, schooling fish etc

but can be somewhat hit and miss. I've had some of my best dives there but also some not so great.

Definitely go if you get a chance though.

I am currently in Vancouver. Taking a sabbatical for a bit to try to get my photography sales going but will be back in the Pacific by October. Not sure where.

Take a look at my web if you have time

Cheers

That is a great way to go.  I think you will find that liveaboard life out there is fantastic.  Only a 5 min or less trip to the dive site as opposed to 50 mins with the day boats.  Definitely bring your macro set up.  When i worked there i would list all the dive sites and times for the day and then put lens recommendations for each site.  SOme fantastic night diving for sure.  

Also, when you are on land be sure to go with Sam;s Tours, they are the best guides.  They also have a Kayak day trip that is hugely educational and great photo ops too.  Don' t miss that.

And...maybe try to get a tour to some of the WWII stuff, more great photo ops.  Visit www.travelinlightimages.com for some more well rounded Palau photos.

And of course, don' t miss the small plane charter over the Rock Islands.

Sure beats the Caribbean i can tell you.

 

As for Tahiti.  Just finished working there for 2 years in the Tuamotus.  Fantastic place, great shark action, huge currents, (faster than Palau)  Lots of big stuff like dolphins, sharks, mantas, eagles, schooling fish etc

but can be somewhat hit and miss.  I've had some of my best dives there but also some not so great.

Definitely go if you get a chance though.

 

I am currently in Vancouver.  Taking a sabbatical for a bit to try to get my photography sales going but will be back in the Pacific by October.  Not sure where.

 

Take a look at my web if you have time

Cheers

I never had a problem shooting in the current. The current varied from dive to dive and often within the dive.

Definitely need wide angle and macro. Mostly wide angle, but plenty of macro opportunity.

Palau gallery:

http://www.allenhost.com/gallery/album57

There is a point at which really strong currents make shooting macro impossible. If the current is strong enough that you need to brace yourself, you may have problems handling a housing and strobes with one hand, and there is also the risk of damaging marine life. I try not to shoot macro if the current is too strong for me to maintain a steady position by finning alone.

If the current is truly strong enough to make a reef hook necessary, you may encounter problems handling your camera rig and it's extra drag. You definitely want to have some way to clip your rig on to a D-ring in case it's not possible to deploy the reef hook (or to unhook) with one hand.

But there are still great w/a opportunities even when the current is really ripping. The great visibility conditions in Palau makes for great "drive-by" w/a shooting on drift dives. Peleliu Express can be a fantastic high-speed high-vis drift. Just don't forget your SMB (sausage). If you miss your pick-up at the end of that dive, the next stop is the Philippines.