Pix from Dorset, UK

I don't dive at home in the UK. It is far too cold and murky for that. But since I finally managed to take my weekend two days late today (damn work) - I thought I'd break the habit of a lifetime and head to my nearest bit of ocean, well the English Channel, for a snorkel! Visited Kimmerage Bay and Durde Door in Dorset (south coast of the UK).

We've had quite a bit of rain over the last few days (it's England after all) and the Viz was horrible. At worst the Viz was less than 2ft (I couldn't see my dome port at arms length) and at best was a generous 10ft (I could see my fins), which was OK to be honest. Plus the low viz was good for sun rays! And having invested in a new neoprene vest, my intended wetsuit for Bali kept me surprisingly warm!

I am not used to these conditions, so excuse my first fumblings. And there was no way I was going to chicken out and shoot macro, especially considering I had persuaded (with the help of some alcohol ) two girls to come with me. So it was the old Mustard one two of the D2x and 10.5mm FE!

Note how despite using the 10.5mm you can't see below the waist. Cayman is rather nicer in this respect!

So enough excuses. Here are my favourites from this morning:

http://www.amustard.com/dorset/

Alex

Considering the conditions, the Magic Filter gave you some impressive results...amazing color for dark water

Karl

Karl, I don't think he used the magic filter on these. I don't think the topside, surface and slit level shots are possible with the filter, they would be too red, right? Alex, am I wrong?

Spot on Luiz.

The main reason for not using the Magic is it is too much for split levels. The Magic is best below 2m, but is OK right to the surface. Also the Magic is a blue water, rather than murky green, can't see a thing, water! Personally I don't think filters are much use in murky temperate waters because you tend not to have a lot of light to play with at the start.

Alex

Oh, meant to ask what people think of the D2x digital sunbursts? Alex

The sunburst shots are very nice. As a matter of fact all of the shots look good. I'll have to give that a try this weekend if the weather is clear.

The sunbursts are awesome. I ordered a 10.5 last week, and if I get it in time I will try it next week in Bermuda. I will try to get some sunbursts too.

Luiz

Sunbursts were awesome.....great shots, especially in green water!

I tip my hat to you, Alex. These are amazing especially given the cr*p conditions. Congrats!

Thanks guys.

Funnily enough the people who have liked the images the most have been the girls - surprising really considering how unflattering the wetsuits were! But they were just amazed by how nice they look considering how poor it was UW today.

Alex

hhhh cold water=no bikinis....boooooo!

thats why i moved!

Good effort to brave the chill

M

Popped back in the British Sea again today and had another go at sunbursts. Needed an off centre shot for a layout. Strangely this is one of the first times I have had good conditions to shoot sunbursts since getting the D2X (its only taken 10,000 UW pix!). But I am certainly pleased that it is producing the goods.

Alex

Hi Alex

Welcome to the real world! Anytime you are up in N. Wales we will show you more sites (we have a spare room).

It's the murky water Alex - sunbursts are much better in California too.

Looking good!

Cheers

James

a generous 10ft (I could see my fins)

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btw screw the sunbursts Alex .. those split levels are stunning ... you dont often see cliffs in the background and such a nice sky in England

It's the murky water Alex - sunbursts are much better in California too.

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and as for the bikinis .. Alex you should know by now models should be proffessional and wear what the photographer chooses. Even if they are two girls you got drunk down the pub .. they do look kinda familiar actually .. vaigue recollections from my ventures with you in southampton .. but only very vaigue.

ps .. what you using to make the flash gallery .. i have looked at a few but haven't settled on one to use yet .. but will be nice with my revamped website coming up soon.

Hey Giles,

I certainly think that the murk helps the sunbursts. But most important is the calm and wind free sea conditions. Its always a bit windy in Cayman and Red Sea where I do most of my diving. The smooth surface diffracts and focuses the rays nicely and the murk helps define them.

Attached is my favourite shot from today. I like this one as I wanted to created a abstract, slightly angelic effect. I think that this one is pretty cool.

The flash gallery is generated in Photoshop CS2 - just one of the automatic Web Galleries. Its my favourite at the moment.

Alex

p.s. I'm impressed you can recollect anything of your visit to Southampton!

Now thats a nice sun burst...you sure thats UK water? Looks blue and flat! still no bikinis...sigh....

That 'angelic' shot almost looks like it has some pull zoom on it .. but i doubt that would work too well underwater .. not that i have ever tried .. but anyway .. you know what i mean .. kinda like the millenium falcon going into hyperspace ..

I have updated the gallery to include my pix from yesterday too. Sorry that there are more than 30 - the girls wanted to see more of them.

http://www.amustard.com/dorset/

Taking pictures in the UK seems like cheating. Normally I have to pack my bags, get on a plane, go diving and it is usually 2 weeks before I have any new images! Yesterday I went snorkelling in the morning and was back by lunch in time for the cricket! It is so wierd to have new images without going on a plane!

I certainly could get used to this convenience. Although I can't remember looking forward to going diving as much as I am lokking forward to going to Bali.

Alex

Like that last one Alex, you guys must be having an outstanding summer weather wise. Enjoy while you can!

Have a great time in Bali as well, bringing a model?!