New Member from Okinawa

Hi folks,

I'm a physician stationed with the Marines on Okinawa (Japan). I have been diving since 1982, but started photography here two years ago with a Sony Cybershot. Having gone through two of those I am now using an Oly 8080, with Ikelite housing and DS-125. I'm thinking of more light soon... I dive virtually every weekend (only Saturday a.m.'s or the wife and kids don't appreciate the absence), and look forward to learning and sharing on this site. It will be difficult to hold back all my questions until I have had a chance to really read through all the forums! Here are some shots from my last couple dives, to give you an idea how beginner-ish I am. I'm looking forward to the criticism (constructive I hope... ha ha).

Cheers,

Dean

I started my UW photography obsession on Okinawa in the early 80s. Loved the diving there. As I didn't have much experience I didn't realize how good the diving was. The best spots were as good as anywhere. Are the reefs still in good shape or have they been plowed under?

The reefs are still very nice, and the weather is capricious as always (we're about to get hit by the same typhoon that mucked up the water all weekend ). Interestingly, Sunabe seawall and Kadena Steps, two of the most frequented sites becuase of their proximity and ease of entry, have the best soft coral. My favorite sites are Onna and Toiletbowl in the north, and Channel Crevices in the south. The reefs are relatively dead compared to the outer islands, but the diving is still pretty great. I'm told that there were many more Cowries and other shellfish in the 80's. The Crown-of-Thorns is our current biggest menace (next to mankind, of course).

NOTE: for those who are unfamiliar with Okinawa, it is an island in the Ryuku chain that extends south from the Japanese main islands, arcing all the way down to Taiwan. The island is about 70 miles from N to S, but very narrow -- only about 2-3 miles wide at some points. The island is entirely coral in its origins, despite its location in the "ring of fire". There is a barrier reef practically surrounding it, and many potential dive sites inaccessible without a boat, which is problematic as boats are not so common here.