Galapagos... Yippee!

[Andrew]

Just looking for some advice as Indonesia is now firmly on the calender for next year when my baby can take Malaria tablets.

The good news is that I have now got a pass to book my wife and I to go to Galapagos later this year for a weeks liveaboard and have been told to just book it! Now I have found a couple of boats with availability in Oct/November but am just wanting to find out if anyone recommends one above another and why?

So far on the short list is the Aggressor boats and Sky Dancer, should I be looking at any others or is one of these better than another? I see there is one called Eco Explorer but cannot find much information on that one or availability.

Thanks again,
Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Just looking for some advice as Indonesia is now firmly on the calender for next year when my baby can take Malaria tablets.

The good news is that I have now got a pass to book my wife and I to go to Galapagos later this year for a weeks liveaboard and have been told to just book it! Now I have found a couple of boats with availability in Oct/November but am just wanting to find out if anyone recommends one above another and why?

So far on the short list is the Aggressor boats and Sky Dancer, should I be looking at any others or is one of these better than another? I see there is one called Eco Explorer but cannot find much information on that one or availability.

Thanks again,
Andrew

Congratulation! It is always great to have something to wait in your diving list.

It seems that this autum our site will be oveloaded with Galapagos pictures:D

Jukka

[tarczy]

The good news is that I have now got a pass to book my wife and I to go to Galapagos later this year for a weeks liveaboard and have been told to just book it! Now I have found a couple of boats with availability in Oct/November but am just wanting to find out if anyone recommends one above another and why?

So far on the short list is the Aggressor boats and Sky Dancer, should I be looking at any others or is one of these better than another? I see there is one called Eco Explorer but cannot find much information on that one or availability.



Andrew-

The last time I researched boats operating in the Galapagos, Eco Explorer was operating more as an Eco tourism boat, where they combined limited diving with lots of land tours on the various different islands. A friend of mine went on the boat a few years ago and said it was just "OK."

I've been on one other boat in the Galapagos, other than the Aggressor. I don't even know if The Mistral is still operating, but suffice it to say, you should stay away from this boat.

I've heard the Peter Hughes Sky Dancer boat is "OK," but you should really work to get on board one of the Aggressor boats. From my perspective, the Aggressor boats operating in the Galapagos are absolutely top-of-the-line. Yes, you pay a little bit more, but in the end, you definitely get what you pay for! The little bit of extra added cost is well worth it in the end.

Hope you have a great time!

Mark

[Ken Hawk]

Surly you ain't taking the young one are you?

[Andrew]

Thanks Mark, we are seriously looking at the Aggressor as they have space for us in November but it is good to hear about the Eco Explorer as we can take that off the list. The Aggressor looks like a solid outfit but there is very few up to date reviews online. I havent come across anything on the Mistral (apart from your review a few years ago!) so guess it is not still running.

Has anyone stayed in Galapagos on land either side? We are thinking of spending a few more days there afterwards to do a couple of land treks or a few days of day boat or shore diving?

No Ken, we are leaving the little one behind with my mother in law (I feel sorry for him already...!) :D

Andrew

[Jonathan Bird]

November is the end of the season. October would be a better bet for the big stuff. November is probably OK too, but getting into December, the weather is warming and the hammerheads get thinner. By January I wouldn't even think of going to the Galapagos.

I second Mark's recommendation on Aggressor. I am by no means one of those people that just goes with the big names, but in the Galapagos, there is a lot of politics. Aggressor consistently has a valid permit, they have great boats, and they have excellent crews. The Galapagos Aggressors are very well run and safe. They ain't cheap, but I went the cheap route once and learned my lesson on that.

I can't rate Peter Hughes' boat because I have never been on it, but I have heard good things and they are the other operation that consistently has a permit.

Jonathan

[tarczy]

Has anyone stayed in Galapagos on land either side? We are thinking of spending a few more days there afterwards to do a couple of land treks or a few days of day boat or shore diving?


Andrew


Andrew-

At one time, a Client of mine owned the Royal Palm Hotel Galapagos (http://www.royalpalmgalapagos.com/). It is, by far, the best hotel in the Galapagos. I sent another Client of mine to stay at the Royal Palm and he came back just raving about the hotel. It's a five-star resort, so it's going to be a little pricey, but if you're only staying for a few days, it'll be well worth it.

We can't wait for your trip report!.

P.S. The resort never did very well, primarily because the eco tourist types seem to always be on a tight budget. In light of these tough economic times, I'll just bet you can negotiate a huge discount off the standard published rate. Let us know how you do.

[Andrew]

OK... the time is getting nearer for my trip (and even closer for some of you guys)...

I am just starting to think about what kit to take and especially lenses. Top side I am sorted but underwater is it all BIG stuff or is it worth packing my small macro (60mm) and port or will it just travel out there and back with not seeing any sign of the water? :confused:

Thanks
Andrew

[sorvju-f]

OK... the time is getting nearer for my trip (and even closer for some of you guys)...

I am just starting to think about what kit to take and especially lenses. Top side I am sorted but underwater is it all BIG stuff or is it worth packing my small macro (60mm) and port or will it just travel out there and back with not seeing any sign of the water? :confused:

Thanks
Andrew

My lens collection will be:

UW

Wide angle 7-14 mm.

Fisheye with 1,4 teleconverter.

50 mm macro.

Topside plus:

50-200 mm tele with 2,0 teleconverter

14-54 mm common purposes lens.

Jukka

[Andrew]

Are you taking video as well Jukka? I would hate to be paying your excess baggage charges! :eek:

So far, I am thinking of taking:

UW:
Tokina 10-17
Canon 60mm Macro (???)

Topside:
Canon 70-300 DO IS
Sigma 17-70mm

I have never seen any pics posted of people taking macro in Galapagos, hence being not sure on this one...

For the small extra weight, I might take the port extension for the big Ike dome so to fit the Sigma lens which does a bit of everything. :confused:

Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Are you taking video as well Jukka? I would hate to be paying your excess baggage charges! :eek:

So far, I am thinking of taking:

UW:
Tokina 10-17
Canon 60mm Macro (???)

Topside:
Canon 70-300 DO IS
Sigma 17-70mm

I have never seen any pics posted of people taking macro in Galapagos, hence being not sure on this one...

For the small extra weight, I might take the port extension for the big Ike dome so to fit the Sigma lens which does a bit of everything. :confused:

Andrew

Andrew I learned in Antarctica that you should have everything 2. My video on tripod falled down before leaving from Ushuaia and LCD went broken aswell as handle...I made some shooting, but it was heavy fighting and lot of material there was spoiled...so now I have 2 videocameras. Excess fees are sh.t, but on the other hand I have invested so much to gears that not to have them with me is also waisting of something.

About Macro you can find Jonathans instruction as follows ( maybe little bit old ):

What camera gear is best?
Get ready for some WIDE ANGLE work. If you're shooting with a Nikonos, I find the 20 mm lens to be the best lens for use with the hammerheads, and the 15 mm lens is better for whale sharks. With a housing, a 24 mm or 28 mm lens is good for hammers and a 20 mm or 18 mm (or wider!) is best for whale sharks. But don't leave the macro lens at home. There are also macro subjects (batfish, frogfish and morays in particular). I suggest using a single strobe system here. While I almost always shoot with two strobes, the current makes it a lot easier to use only one at Darwin. Most shark portraits look just as good with one strobe as long as you aim it well! For the macro dives, two strobes is managable.

Digital cameras are great here because of the instant feedback. Bring a wide lens!

For video, just bring something with a wide angle lens and the ability to manually focus or lock the focus. (Auto focus will not work well on the whale sharks...they are too big and the autofocus "hunts" a lot.)

Jukka

[Andrew]

Thanks Jukka... so do you take two video camera and two cameras...

Macro lens going in!

Would love to know what your luggage weighs! How do you get there as its difficult enough from here?

[Jonathan Bird]

IMHO the most useful underwater lens in the Galapagos is a 12-24. It's wide enough for big stuff but zooms in for fish portraits, turtles, penguins zooming by, etc.

With the whale sharks you will get some use from the 10-17, but it's too wide for virtually everything else.

Yes, bring a macro lens...sea horses and red-lipped batfish!

Jonathan

[Andrew]

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your input. My sister-in-law has the canon 10-22mm maybe worth borrowing :rolleyes:

I was talking to guy over here who has just been and he was telling me that the normal spots where you can dive for the red lip batfish have been closed by authorities as they were being disturbed too much by divers. You know better than I, but are they found in just one special area or all over?

Andrew

[Ken Hawk]

Here's my thoughts on Galapagos.
I see your lens questions have being answered, so won't add to that.

I presume you have read my trip report on here about Darwin & Wolf being the only sites worth going to the Galapagos for.
Saying that the other sites are ok, but we are looking for sharks and more sharks ain't we :D
The bat fish are great to see, but that is all that dive site is about,to be honest, and they are very skittish ;)

The most important thing is your dive safety, TAKE A DSMB AND REEL
What will happen is, a Whale shark will come along and you will forget all your training and end up on your own or a buddy pair in a bit of swell, a DSMB will make it a lot easier on your mind if you do.
You will swim like hell after a whale shark taking pics, with that big flag of a housing, then you will be on your safety stop with 50bar just about to surface and guess what, Yep another one will come along, like a prat you will go after it, the next thing your at 20m, BE AWARE
( appologes if you have done 1000s of dives but them WSharks make you forget)

So taking pics, the most important thing :D

The way to get the best pics Is how you interact with your subject, hope JB will put some pointers up for us here ;)

Whale sharks
Unless you are an Olympic athlete, you will never keep up with one, especially with strobes on you camera, you may be better off shooting ambiant ( I think that was one of Marks tips for my trip ;) )
And the Whale Sharks in Galapagos are not little things like the babys in the Maldives :D

Hammerheads
They will back off when you breath out, It is very hard to get close enough for a good pic.
The only way (not recomended ;) ) is to hold your breath for the shot.
I came up from some dives with a bad CO2 head ache on many a dive for nothing :(

The Best tip I can give you is have 1 dive at Darwin, and 1 dive at Wolf without your camera, It's not as good looking threw a view finder.
And enjoy yourself.

If you want to have a chat i am in the UK ( different Island, PM for my number)

Hope this helps Ken

[sorvju-f]

Here's my thoughts on Galapagos.
I see your lens questions have being answered, so won't add to that.

I presume you have read my trip report on here about Darwin & Wolf being the only sites worth going to the Galapagos for.
Saying that the other sites are ok, but we are looking for sharks and more sharks ain't we :D
The bat fish are great to see, but that is all that dive site is about,to be honest, and they are very skittish ;)

The most important thing is your dive safety, TAKE A DSMB AND REEL
What will happen is, a Whale shark will come along and you will forget all your training and end up on your own or a buddy pair in a bit of swell, a DSMB will make it a lot easier on your mind if you do.
You will swim like hell after a whale shark taking pics, with that big flag of a housing, then you will be on your safety stop with 50bar just about to surface and guess what, Yep another one will come along, like a prat you will go after it, the next thing your at 20m, BE AWARE
( appologes if you have done 1000s of dives but them WSharks make you forget)

So taking pics, the most important thing :D

The way to get the best pics Is how you interact with your subject, hope JB will put some pointers up for us here ;)

Whale sharks
Unless you are an Olympic athlete, you will never keep up with one, especially with strobes on you camera, you may be better off shooting ambiant ( I think that was one of Marks tips for my trip ;) )
And the Whale Sharks in Galapagos are not little things like the babys in the Maldives :D

Hammerheads
They will back off when you breath out, It is very hard to get close enough for a good pic.
The only way (not recomended ;) ) is to hold your breath for the shot.
I came up from some dives with a bad CO2 head ache on many a dive for nothing :(

The Best tip I can give you is have 1 dive at Darwin, and 1 dive at Wolf without your camera, It's not as good looking threw a view finder.
And enjoy yourself.

If you want to have a chat i am in the UK ( different Island, PM for my number)

Hope this helps Ken

Ken, thanks for the tips... worth of consideration.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

So gang, just packing the last things and tomorrow departure to Galapagos.

I hope "somewhere between" we have connection to post some reports and pics.

I think the name of this thread is OK to give reports.

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Have a great trip Jukka, looking forward to the pics already :D

There are loads of internet places in Equador, you will be lucky to get one on the Islands.

[sorvju-f]

Have a great trip Jukka, looking forward to the pics already :D

There are loads of internet places in Equador, you will be lucky to get one on the Islands.

One target I have is those blue fins, which are in your avatar:D

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

One target I have is those blue fins, which are in your avatar:D

Jukka

They are blue footed boobys ;)

I want you to get a similar pic of a red footed booby, thats your challange :D

[sorvju-f]

They are blue footed boobys ;)

I want you to get a similar pic of a red footed booby, thats your challange :D

Ken, doing my best;)

Jukka

[Andrew]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for your top tips, we always carry an SMB and reel which I think is something to do with being cold water divers! It does surprise me though when I go on holiday how many people do not class this as essential kit (or know how to use one) when the water is warm and clear!

Good tip about the whale sharks and ambient light, think I will give this a go as the strobes certainly do create some drag... and no I am not close to an Olympic swimmer!

Red footed booby challenge on, if Jukka and co do not get there first... :D

Thanks
Andrew

PS... Holding Breath... think we have all done it to try and get that perfect shot ;)

[Andrew]

Forgot to say, good luck Jukka, Jonathan and team, I look forward to seeing your trip reports to get me all geared up and ready for some action!

Please make sure if you see the whale sharks that you have a word with them and ask them to hang around for another couple of weeks. :D

Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for your top tips, we always carry an SMB and reel which I think is something to do with being cold water divers! It does surprise me though when I go on holiday how many people do not class this as essential kit (or know how to use one) when the water is warm and clear!

Good tip about the whale sharks and ambient light, think I will give this a go as the strobes certainly do create some drag... and no I am not close to an Olympic swimmer!

Red footed booby challenge on, if Jukka and co do not get there first... :D

Thanks
Andrew

PS... Holding Breath... think we have all done it to try and get that perfect shot ;)

Andrew have a nice trip also!

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the well wishes, and we'll post updates as often as we can, but obviously not while we are on the boat.

My trip is one of the last "grandfathered" 12 day trips, so we plan an extended stay at Darwin, plus some more out-of-the-way destinations!


I was talking to guy over here who has just been and he was telling me that the normal spots where you can dive for the red lip batfish have been closed by authorities as they were being disturbed too much by divers. You know better than I, but are they found in just one special area or all over?


They are found all over, but reliably they are found at one dive off Wolf. I have no idea if they closed it. Hadn't heard that. Will report back.


I presume you have read my trip report on here about Darwin & Wolf being the only sites worth going to the Galapagos for.

I hear where you are coming from but I disagree. I will agree that for someone on their FIRST trip, Darwin is where it's at because everyone wants to see big whale sharks and hammerheads. However, once you have done that a couple times, there are some other amazing places. David Doubilet's favorite site is cousins rock! (In the south, considered a newbie dive where you test gear! But he made some incredible images there that have been published thousands of times.)



The bat fish are great to see, but that is all that dive site is about,to be honest, and they are very skittish ;)

Photograph them at night. Much easier!

The most important thing is your dive safety, TAKE A DSMB AND REEL
What will happen is, a Whale shark will come along and you will forget all your training and end up on your own or a buddy pair in a bit of swell, a DSMB will make it a lot easier on your mind if you do.

I agree 100%! The Galapagos is the only place where a person on a trip of mine got bent by diving like he had no brain because he was thinking more about video than air.


The way to get the best pics Is how you interact with your subject, hope JB will put some pointers up for us here ;)

I agree again. Best way to photograph hammerheads is to crouch in the rocks and don't move. Hold breath. Pray. Don't breathe or move. If you chase them, you get squat.

Whale sharks
Unless you are an Olympic athlete, you will never keep up with one, especially with strobes on you camera, you may be better off shooting ambiant ( I think that was one of Marks tips for my trip ;) )
And the Whale Sharks in Galapagos are not little things like the babys in the Maldives :D

Agreed. Those are some big mothers. They make the whale sharks I have seen in every other place look small. I have always photographed them with ambient light. I may try a strobe to be different this time--a little light on the face. But in general, you can't light them up anyway because they are too large. Keeping up with them sucks. Problem is, you want strobes for the hammerheads. So I often fold the strobe arms up as tightly as possible when the whale shark comes along, and swim as hard as I can.

I'm bringing both stills and video. When we went in 2006, I had just switched to digital, but the guy who got bent kept us from diving Darwin. So now I'm finally going to get a chance to shoot some digital images at Darwin. And some HD video!

I'm at the Admiral's Lounge in Boston right now waiting for my flight to Miami, then on to Guayaquil this afternoon with Pierre, Tim and Bob. Jukka, see you in the early morning! Have a safe flight!

Jonathan

[Jonathan Bird]

P.S. Mark, we really are going to miss you on this trip. :(

[sorvju-f]

P.S. Mark, we really are going to miss you on this trip. :(

I am also missing Mark!

We are here in Guayaqil know...just met Jonathan, Pierre, Tim and Bob.

Big part of our group is arriving this evening.

Everybody have had some sort of problems on our ways here....but what is most important we are here and everybody have their gears OK with them.

More to report later.

Jukka

[Christie]

Hey you guy...just wanted to tell you all to HAVE A BLAST and take lots of video and pics so I can see what I missed!!!:D

[tarczy]

Hey There Galapagos Crew . . .

Good luck over there!! Hope you all have a great time. Nobody gets bent . . . ya hear me!! I know I should be there with you, but you can blame Obama for my lack of attendance. :(

I'll be on other trips with you folks very soon. Thinking about joining you on your next Hammerhead trip.

I'll miss being there, but I look forward to seeing all the images and reading your trip reports.

Best,

Mark

[sorvju-f]

Hey There Galapagos Crew . . .

Good luck over there!! Hope you all have a great time. Nobody gets bent . . . ya hear me!! I know I should be there with you, but you can blame Obama for my lack of attendance. :(

I'll be on other trips with you folks very soon. Thinking about joining you on your next Hammerhead trip.

I'll miss being there, but I look forward to seeing all the images and reading your trip reports.

Best,

Mark

This is to you Mark.

I think this picture is good to start picture reporting;)

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%2017%20d%20WM%20800.jpg/full

We have been like the real tourists here today. Whole group is here and tomorrow morning we are heading to real action...

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Gang,
We're at the airport, all checked in, and waiting for our flight to the Galapagos. Somehow we got into the VIP lounge for AeroGal....nice in here, and internet access too!

Jonathan

[Ken Hawk]

Hey Gang,
We're at the airport, all checked in, and waiting for our flight to the Galapagos. Somehow we got into the VIP lounge for AeroGal....nice in here, and internet access too!

Jonathan

But you are a VIP :D

[Clay Coleman]

Good luck and post when you can!

[tarczy]

Hey Gang,
We're at the airport, all checked in, and waiting for our flight to the Galapagos. Somehow we got into the VIP lounge for AeroGal....nice in here, and internet access too!

Jonathan

Probably got VIP designation 'cuz of all those extra baggage fees. Kinda felt sorry for them. :D

[Daniel]

Like the others, I'll be keeping an eye on the board hoping to see regular posts from all of you.

Dive safe!

[sorvju-f]

Hi gang!

We arrived back Quayagil this morning.

The trip was absolutely incredible...my best diving trip so far:D

David have promised to make detailed report and it is coming soon.

My pictures you can wait after I am back in Finland...be online.

Jukka

[David White]

The Ultimate Galapagos – August 04 – August 18, 2009
There is something about getting out of bed at 05:00 a.m. to drive to the airport to get on a plane for some far away exotic location that does not seem to bother me. After a quick shower and a last minute check for forgotten items I am in the car and on my way. There are many people already on the roads making their way to the office and there are a couple of occasions when traffic grinds to a halt. I could not imagine myself having to do this drive again five days a week. Arrival at the airport parking lot immediately leads to a parking space but I have to wait for a second shuttle bus before I am on my way to the terminal. Check-in these days is becoming an automated affair and the kiosks are straight forward and easy to use. However, there is still the requisite weigh-in of luggage to ensure that the airlines collect their overweight baggage fees. Still, the charge is only $54.00 this time around so cannot be considered too exorbitant. There is a slight delay at the oversize luggage ramp since the conveyor was jammed and consequently, by the time I arrived at the gate, boarding was already half way complete. But I made it to my seat with coffee still in hand and settled in for the three hour flight to Miami. Apparently the plane’s computers were malfunctioning and the GPS system could not locate the plane’s position. Good thing we were still on the ground. The resolution for this predicament according to the technical support staff is to power the system off and on again three times. It takes about ten minutes each time but by the third re-boot the system was functioning again. So after a thirty minute delay it is up, up, up and away.

Arriving in Miami airport really gives one the impression that they have travelled to a foreign country. It seems as though the majority of people speak English as a second language, if at all. There is the constant hustle and bustle associated with any international airport and, after locating my departure gate, I go to one of the kiosks for lunch. One thing about the Americans, they are not shy about piling loads of food onto your plate. By the time I had finished lunch I knew I could hold out until dinner time for another meal no matter how late it was.

The next leg of the trip was another American Airlines flight. Once everyone was boarded, the flight crew determined that there was a problem with the fuel gauge which would have to be replaced. “Safety first”, the captain said. It would have been nice if the comfort of the passengers was considered as a second priority since the air conditioning wasn’t working either. The plane was filled to capacity by Ecuadoreans returning home. The amount of stuff that they crammed into the overhead compartments meant that my carry-on luggage had to be partially unpacked to fit into the compartment. All the batteries, chargers, cables, film etc. went into a separate bag which was stowed under the seat. To make matters worse, much worse in fact, I was seated next to an incredibly obese woman whose buttocks occupied half of my seat. We were delayed about an hour while they resolved the problem with the fuel gauge but the flight constituted one of the most uncomfortable that I have ever experienced. Being seated in row 35 means that I am one of the last to get off the plane, one of the last to go through customs and one of the last to get out of the airport. We are met by a representative from the hotel and once the considerable amount of luggage had been stowed in the van were on our way to the hotel. The Unipark hotel in Guayaquil is an elegant affair offset by the dirty little beggar greeting us at the door. Heavily armed guards are also present. The rooms are large and well appointed and, once settled in, we headed to the lounge for a welcome cocktail. Then it was off to bed and a much needed restful sleep.

The 9:00 a.m. wake-up call stirred me from slumber and after a quick shower I met the rest of the group in the restaurant for breakfast. It is good to see so many familiar faces again. It seems as though there is a hard core group of underwater photographers and videographers that join Jonathan on all of these trips. We held a short meeting in the lounge for a briefing and introduction and then it was back to the room to attempt to re-send my Aggressor fleet application and waiver. This took much longer than anticipated since my laptop e-mail application was not configured correctly. However, once successfully transmitted it was time to do some sightseeing. The rest of the group had already departed so I strolled across the street to the park that has numerous iguanas strolling around the grounds. There is also a small pond with turtles and Japanese koi swimming about. The serenity of the park is constantly bombarded by the honking of automobile horns. It seems that Ecuadorean drivers keep one hand on the ready to notify everyone within earshot of their presence. I continued my stroll down to the river waterfront where considerable time, money and energy has been expended improving the promenade. There are numerous shops and restaurants along the river’s edge. Perhaps the most striking feature is the difference between earlier architecture and present developments. The early architecture of government buildings and churches is ornate and in keeping with the Spanish colonial style. More recent developments are stark in comparison, simply great edifices of concrete and steel and glass. Throngs of people are milling about and street vendors hawk their wares in a continuous cacophony of noise. We gathered for dinner and several bottles of wine with our meal ensured that everyone was in good spirits. Since we had an early start the next day it was off to bed as soon as our meal was finished.

I awoke at 05:00 a.m. and decided that since there were quite a few of us to check-out that morning an early shower and quick breakfast was in order. Afterwards we hauled our gear down to the lobby and began the arduous check-out process. Even though everything is set up on computers it still took about 20 minutes for each person to check-out. The fact that few of us speak Spanish and fewer of the hotel staff spoke English made it difficult to communicate. Once everybody was assembled the gear was loaded into the truck, we got into the van and headed to the airport.

The Aggressor representative met us at the airport and somehow managed to arrange for all our considerable equipment to be loaded onto the plane without any overweight charges. This is just another one of the perks of travelling with Jonathan. After check-in we were ushered into the VIP lounge where we took advantage of our last internet connection for a couple of weeks. I can remember a time when people would indulge each other in conversation but we all seemed content to communicate electronically. At least we weren’t instant messaging each other. We boarded the plane and were off for the 90 minute flight to San Cristobal. Once we arrived and checked through customs we each paid our park access fee, gathered our luggage and awaited the arrival of the trucks that would ferry us to the harbour. We disembark and realize that the steps down to the panga that will take us to our ship are almost completely covered by snoozing sea lions. We manage to find our way down a ramp where there are only a few sea lions and head towards the Albatros, the Galapagos Aggressor II ship which will be our home for the next ten days. We are assigned our cabins and lockers and are treated to a quick but tasty and nutritious lunch. Then it is time for a check-out dive. After determining how much weight we are going to require we are handed our cameras and are immediately treated to a display of speed, agility and acrobatics by a pair of friendly sea lions. There is also a school of fish congregating just beneath the hull. A slight current takes us away from the boat but there are few photo opportunities until the sea lions join us and cavort about, twisting and turning and zooming past us at speeds that I had never encountered before by an aquatic creature. After an hour of being entertained by these acrobatics we end our dive, clean up our gear and assemble on deck where we are introduced to the crew. Once the formalities are completed we go up to the top deck for a BBQ dinner of beef, chicken and fish that was absolutely delicious. After dinner and several glasses of champagne and wine we retire to our cabins and settle in for the night.

[David White]

At some point the crew started the engines for the crossing to Seymour Island. The loud and constant throbbing of the engines made sleeping a difficult task and it was almost a reprieve when the breakfast bell sounded at 06:30 a.m. There were bowls of fresh fruit laid out as well as your choice of several cereals and a breakfast menu consisting of eggs, waffles, French toast, bacon, ham and sausage. Nobody was likely to feel famished at any point during the day. Our first dive was in relatively poor visibility, about 20 feet deep, and in cold water making hoods a necessity. We encountered several white tip sharks and a marble ray but for the most part the dive was rather uneventful. Still, it was good to get wet. The second dive was a repeat of the first and then after lunch we set off for a land tour of Seymour Island. It is necessary to stay within the confines of the marked trail on the island and we were requested to not approach any closer than a few feet from the animals and birds. We saw blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, much larger land iguanas and several sea lion pups nursing at their mother’s breasts. After returning to the ship we were treated to a delicious grilled shrimp dinner and once again the wine flowed with reckless abandon. After dinner a few of us stayed up to watch “The Road to Perdition” and then it was off to bed. The crossing to Wolf Island took 14 hours and once again the constant throbbing and noise of the engines made sleep a difficult affair. By morning Wolf Island was in sight and after another hearty breakfast we prepared for our first dive.

There is advanced diving and then there is diving in the Galapagos. The seas are high and it is necessary to time the entry into the panga since the seas can rise and fall as much as four feet while you are attempting to board. We split into two groups to head out for our first dive of the day. The current is ripping as we descend to a spot on the wall where we literally hang on for dear life. Within a few minutes we are treated to our very own version of Shark Week. Scalloped hammerheads, Galapagos sharks and silky sharks patrol the edge of the wall, swimming against the current and are soon joined by a school of eagle rays. However, the current makes shooting difficult and the sharks appear to be the only creatures in the Galapagos that are afraid to approach us closely. We make four dives at the same location throughout the day and each one is different. The animals may be the same but the experiences differ completely. Our third dive delivers very little action throughout the first thirty minutes but when we reach our air turnaround levels at 700 psi and release our hold on the rocks allowing the current to whisk us away we head straight into a school of several dozen scalloped hammerheads and a pod of dolphins. As we reach our surface interval several silky sharks approach very closely. Six diehard divers make the fourth dive of the day and are treated to more of the same.

After dinner I retire early in an attempt to catch up on some much needed sleep. At 04:30 a.m. the crew starts the engines for the crossing to Darwin Island and my slumber is disturbed once again by the constant noise. When the bell rings at 06:30 to signal breakfast we arise to a thick grey cloud cover. After breakfast and the dive briefing we don our gear for what turns out to be one of the best diving days of my career. On the first dive we see two small whale sharks, probably only about 20 feet long and too far away for any photo opportunities but they make for nice silhouettes. I do not see the whale shark on dive two but most of the other divers are able to get close. On dive three however I experience my first up close encounter with a large whale shark, this one is perhaps 40 feet long. Kicking against the current as hard as I can I am unable to get any closer to her front than the gills. Filming these amazing creatures is incredibly hard work. Dive four is spent at the top of the wall filming the occasional hammerhead until the dive master signals that there is another whale shark out in the blue. Off we go again, our fins furiously kicking against the current to catch up with this creature that is slowly meandering away from us. Once again I am not able to make any headway and then, just when I am about to give up she turns towards me and I am able to film her eye. Even with a wide angle lens it is virtually impossible to get an impression as to just how large this animal is. I continue to follow her until my ears start to hurt and realize that she is diving deeper. Since she provides the only visible frame of reference it is virtually impossible to film and monitor gauges at the same time. My computer reads a maximum depth of 122 feet and for the remainder of the evening I am referred to as “122”. We enjoy another hearty meal with several glasses of wine and then a group of us join Jukka for cigars and cognac on the back deck. Then it is off to bed without any fear of the engines starting up in the middle of the night to disturb our sleep.

The following morning we awake to clear sunny skies. Even though we are near the equator it seems as though the weather here is generally overcast. After breakfast we are briefed on the dive profile which involves filming schools of hammerheads. However, the hammerheads are particularly shy and it is not often that they approach close enough to get good footage. After about 30 minutes I see Jonathan heading out into the blue and realize that he is not doing this just for the exercise. So, once again fins furiously kick against the current until a large dark shape appears. Another large whale shark is just ahead and this time I am able to get to her head. Unfortunately, just as I start filming, the battery low indicator comes on and the camera shuts down. I am beginning to wonder if there is some sort of conspiracy to keep me from filming the cavernous mouth of these creatures.

Whenever we finish a dive we are helped from the panga by the crew who then unload all of our gear. We are only responsible for our masks. Once everyone is aboard the crew furnish us with mugs of steaming hot chocolate and warm sticky buns. There are hot showers on the dive deck for those who are so inclined and hot towels to dry off with afterwards. This is civilized! When I first started diving I hoped that I would never become so jaded that diving in the local lakes in cold water and limited visibility would no longer be of any interest. However, after several of these trips with Jonathan where I have been up close and personal with tiger sharks, wild spotted dolphins, manta rays and now scalloped hammerheads and whale sharks it is difficult to get excited about the prospect of zebra mussels and the occasional perch.

Our last day at Darwin island starts out slightly overcast but quickly gives way to sunny skies. We gear up after breakfast and are taken out to a site that is right in front of Darwin’s Arch, perhaps one of the most famous dive sites in the world. We descend to the top of the wall and within a few moments the dive masters signal that a whale shark is approaching. We head out into the blue in search of the dark shape and the work-out begins. Chasing these behemoths is an arduous task made even more difficult by the strong currents. For the past several dives I have been attempting to shoot a full frontal profile of the whale sharks mouth but it seems that once the whale shark sees you they turn away and descend. On the first dive we are treated to two sightings and by the end of the dive I am thoroughly exhausted. We head back to the boat for the requisite hot chocolate and sticky buns while the crew members refill our tanks. After a lengthy surface interval we are back at it again. The whale sharks show no mercy and within a few minutes of our descent it is another full scale assault out into the blue. I am beginning to realize that many more sessions in the gym in preparation for this trip might have been appropriate. I follow the shark down to 97 feet and then give up the chase. As I return to the wall there is another whale shark approaching and I attempt to get in front of her for that full frontal face shot. Unless you are fortunate enough to be in perfect position or graced with strong, youthful legs it is virtually impossible to swim faster than the shark even when they are cruising at idle speed. They seem to be on a leisurely excursion with their gigantic tails swaying slowly from side to side but let me tell you, these ladies are moving. I capture as much video as I can and then return to the wall where I signal my buddy that I have reached turn around air pressure. In less than twenty minutes I have blown through a 3000psi tank at depths that are mostly above 60 feet. And once again I am so exhausted that assistance is required to regain the panga.

Some of our group were treated to a reprieve for the afternoon dives and did not see any more whale sharks. I took the opportunity to film some of the numerous large green moray eels that slither amongst the rocks, a few sea cucumbers, a stonefish and several of the reef fish that inhabit the area. However, others in our group, Jonathan included, encountered whale sharks on 11 of the 12 dives. Word to the wise; if you are on a whale shark expedition with Jonathan, hang out near him on the reef. All in all an incredible experience, and it is only half over. We recuperated from the day’s activities in the hot tub entertaining cervezas and regaling each other with tall tales from previous diving excursions. The Galapagos Park Authority had only approved our itinerary for a three day stay at Darwin Island so, amidst much grumbling from the group, the crew set a heading for Wolf Island where we will be diving tomorrow.

[David White]

The next morning dawns bleak and overcast and a mist like rain casts a pall over the day’s activities. After breakfast we prepared for our first dive of the day and by the end of the dive any thoughts that we had been short changed on our Darwin dives were easily displaced. Our group was treated to a pod of dolphins, a wall of scalloped hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, schools of eagle rays, several turtles and a couple of whale sharks swimming overhead, all in one dive. When we thought that it could not possibly get any better a pod of orcas crested the surface in the distance so an intrepid group headed out in a panga in the hopes of snorkeling with these marine mammals. Darwin and Wolf islands, inhabited solely by birds and sea lions, are great edifices of sheer volcanic cliffs spewed from the depths of the oceans and I cannot imagine a more inhospitable place. Underwater however it is a completely different story. The convergence of three major ocean currents, the Humbolt from the south, the Panama from the north, and the Cromwell from the west ensure that there is plenty of food which, in turn, sustains an enormous variety of life. My experience in the Galapagos is that everything is larger than life. The fish that I am accustomed to seeing at other locations are larger in size and much more numerous than at any other place where they have been previously encountered and then there are all the other creatures that are generally not seen anywhere else or in such vast numbers. Dive number two was more of the same, a continuous barrage of photographic opportunities that made it difficult to determine what to shoot next. It is literally non-stop action until mercifully the batteries on my camera ran out and I was obliged to ascend. After stowing our gear we once again head for the hot tub, quaff a couple of cold ones and wait for the dinner bell to ring. After dinner several of us stay in the lounge to watch “Seven Pounds” and then it is off to bed. This may be our last night of quiet sleep so I try to make the most of it.

Another gray sky greets us the following morning and shortly after breakfast we gather for the dive briefing. It is going to be more of the same and so we descend at the site called, “Landslide” and wait for the action to start. It is not long before a school of spotted eagle rays swim into view and they stay with us, circling in the current, for the entire dive. Unfortunately my camera lens fogs up and I am not able to capture much footage although the opportunities are plentiful. At the surface I clean the lenses of both camera and housing and ensure that everything is prepared for the next dive. Just as I get everything re-assembled, a pod of orcas are sighted off the port stern. The largest of the group raises its tail from the water and then smacks it down hard on the surface ostensibly to stun fish so that the small baby orca is able to feed.

There may be more dive sites available at Wolf Island but the dive masters return us each time to the same spot. Again we descend and are immediately greeted by the same school of eagle rays. They entertain us for almost an hour, hovering slightly overhead, circling us in the currents. This time I am able to get plenty of footage. On occasion they are joined by turtles and a school of hammerheads. We reach our turnaround air levels and cast away from the rocks. I swim out into the blue to film a large school of hammerheads and then they part right and left, like a curtain opening on a stage, as a 40 foot whale shark ascends from the deep. Finally I have my full frontal encounter and it could not possibly have been choreographed any better. I film the whale shark as it turns away and then continue my ascent. Just as my buddy indicates that he has completed his safety stop and is ready to go to the surface a smaller, perhaps 15 foot, whale shark swims by. I capture a few moments of video but since she is descending I elect not to follow. We reach the surface with great grins on our faces; this dive was perhaps the best hour that I have ever spent underwater. A grilled lunch of beef and chicken shish-ka-bobs awaits us and then afterwards some of the group pause for an hour or so to eliminate excess nitrogen from their systems. Jonathan and Pierre and Julia head out in the panga to shoot the obligatory B-roll shots of them rolling off the boat and climbing back in. Tod, Daniel and I set off towards a pod of several hundred dolphins that are circling in the bay. We snorkel with them for a half hour or so as they continue to circle us. In 30 minutes I accumulate more footage of dolphins in the wild than I did during a week of snorkeling with them in the Bahamas. If there is any better place in the world to film big animals underwater I have yet to experience it. Snorkeling with the dolphins caused us to be late for the third dive and subsequently we had to abandon dive four. However, by the time we descended for our third dive, cold waters from the deep were upwelling creating a significant thermocline at about sixty feet. The current was absolutely ripping making it virtually impossible to stay in one place even when holding on. Shooting video in these conditions is a difficult affair but there were few photo opportunities. Instead of dive four we entered a cave on Wolf Island that provides shelter for sea lions. Then on the return trip to the boat we investigated another pod of dolphins some of which were leaping several feet out of the water. Then it was back to the boat to take the remainder of the afternoon off. The rest will do all of us a world of good. Some of us took in sun on the top deck, while others updated their logs and viewed pictures of the day’s activities. After dinner we gathered in the main galley for an evening of comedy fest where each of us took turns at standup comedy. None of us are destined to give up our day jobs although Pierre’s “Waga-Waga” story has now been successfully translated into Spanish.

Overnight we sailed for Roca Redonda, another inhospitable rock of sheer volcanic cliffs that is situated not too far from the equator. The dive master gives us the morning briefing and then suits up in a dry suit with full thermal underwear. Perhaps he knows something that I don’t. We enter the water from the pangas and I am immediately impressed by the water temperature…it is only 68F. A 5mm. suit with a dry suit hood is all that separates me from the elements and I am vaguely reminded of diving in Canada with the exception that there are all sorts of tropical fish swimming about. Sulphur gases escape from cracks and crevices in the sea floor and we spend a few moments filming here. Then it is off to find some good reason to be diving in these conditions. After a while we encounter a school of literally thousands of barracuda. The Pacific barracuda is much smaller than the great barracuda that is commonly encountered in the Caribbean but what they may lack in size they make up for in sheer numbers. There are so many that the dark form of the school blocks the available light of the sun. Two sea lions investigate us for a while and then disappear as they go about their daily routine. A school of hammerheads swims by but are not really close enough to acquire good footage. There are numerous starfish of varying size, shape and colour and lots of different jellyfish floating in the water column but it is a welcome relief when I reach my turnaround air pressure and begin the ascent. Once back on the ship the hot showers, hot towels and hot chocolate help to dispel the chill. We decide that a second dive at this site is not warranted and set sail for Punta Vicente Boca. Generally the only boats that are allowed permits to be at this location are the day boats which only allow for an hour of snorkeling. We have a permit for five scheduled dives.

By the time that we arrive at our destination the skies are clear and it is pleasantly warm. We have lunch and are then briefed on the next dive plan. We are now virtually right on the equator but the afternoon dives make our morning dive seem almost balmy in comparison. The water temperature at depth is only 60F and one of the creatures that we have come to film, the red-lipped batfish, resides at a depth of 100 feet or more. I am the only one outfitted in a 5mm. wetsuit and as I descend I think about the students who tell me that they will not dive in Canada because it is too cold. Andrew is fortunate enough to encounter a mola-mola and squeezes off a few shots. The rest of us are not as lucky. However, there is still a lot to see. Sea fans of varying colour cover the wall and I have never encountered such healthy specimens. After 52 minutes in the water I am chilled to the bone and ready for a hot shower, hot towel and hot tub. Apparently there are some worthwhile things to film here so after a surface interval we are once again preparing for another dive. There is something special about donning a cold wetsuit for a dive in even colder water. We immediately descend to depth and I am able to shoot some footage of the endemic Galapagos bullhead shark and a couple of red-lipped batfish. But lordy, lordy,lordy it is cold down there. After just a few minutes it is up to a shallower depth where I seek out the warmer water above the thermocline.

The next morning dawns bright and clear and since we have determined that the mola-mola are skittish and will swim away if approached we decide that the two pangas will go to separate locations to improve our chances. My group is the first to seek out the mola-mola and although the others encounter several, I do not see any. The water is mind numbingly cold and the current is so strong that filming is impossible. In fact, just holding on is nearly impossible. Once we are able to round the point the current subsides but my air levels indicate that it is time to end the dive. Andrew, who is diving with the other group, has an interesting encounter when a sea lion swims up to him with a red-lipped batfish in its mouth and then proceeds to deposit the batfish right in front of the camera lens just like a dog playing with a ball. For dive two we are supposed to stay shallow but the boat drops us off right on top of a mola-mola cleaning station. Solon, our dive master is able to get close enough for some good footage and I film him from about 30 feet away. Unfortunately my mask keeps fogging up and the constant clearing causes me to become even colder so I end the dive early and head for the hot showers. After lunch we enjoy a lengthy surface interval on the sun deck and then descend again for our third dive. This time we are going to be in shallower water and I film some of the fish swimming about. Then, in about 50 feet of water I turn around and a mola-mola is approaching me from behind. It comes quite close for inspection and then turns and swims away. Later in the dive Lennie, the other dive master, points out a sea horse attached to some seaweed. Like everything else in the Galapagos it is large, in fact it is the largest that I have ever seen anywhere. All in all, it is a very good day of diving.

We sail overnight to Cousin’s Rock where we will conduct our last two dives of this trip. The first dive is on one side of the rock to film macro subjects and by following Solon, our dive master, I am able to get footage of a frogfish and a couple of seahorses. The visibility is not great and although warmer than the previous couple of days, the water is still cold. The second dive is on the other side of the rock where a number of sea lions have established themselves in the crevices amongst the rocks. The large bull sea lion is very territorial and swims right up to those of us encroaching on his territory, barking at us in loud grunts. Since discretion is the better part of valour, I back away to give him his space. My battery fails part way through the dive so I ascend and head back to the boat.

There is a whirlwind of activity as everyone rinses their gear and hangs it up to dry. The skies are overcast and it is quite cool so it is not likely that everything will be dry by morning. We break for lunch and then as we head for Santa Cruz the packing of camera gear and clothing continues. We dock in Puerto Ayora and take a tour bus to Rancho Prinicia where we are able to don rubber boots to wander through the muddy fields taking pictures of the giant tortoises. Afterwards we head into town for some souvenir shopping and dinner. We decide to have dinner at an Italian restaurant and although the prices of pizza are reasonable at $8-$10 we manage to amass a $500 bill by the time we have depleted their wine cabinet. It is evident that other patrons of the restaurant are somewhat relieved when our raucous group of revelers leave the restaurant and get back on the bus. Once back onboard we view the video that Solon had made of our week’s adventures but several members of our group passed out before the video ended. Then it is off to bed. Our last morning aboard involves ensuring that everything is safely packed away while we await transport to the airport.

This trip was billed as the Ultimate Galapagos and certainly lived up to expectations. We were able to film everything that we had come here to see. Although I have enjoyed diving all around the world this was my first trip to the Galapagos and from a neophyte’s perspective it is simply awe inspiring. We only penetrated the first 100 feet or so of an ocean that is thousands of feet deep and encountered creatures of such size and sheer number as to defy description. From the very, very large to the very, very small, the Galapagos delivers in a big way.

[Ken Hawk]

Thanks David
The memorys came flooding back :D

[scubagirl]

Great trip report, David! Thanks for posting it. I look forward to seeing some video footage and others' photos.

[Jonathan Bird]

I will post some soon!!!

[Neptune7]

That's is what I call a quick post!
We are still in Guayaquil and David has already posted his report... Wow. Excellent post David.
Pierre

[Andrew]

Thanks David for your post, it has got me ready to go! I am now sat in Madrid airport waiting for my flight and cannot wait to get in the water! Hopefully I can drop Jonathans name and get into the exec lounge in Guayaquil :rolleyes:

Andrew

[scubagirl]

Sounds like a scooter would have been useful for chasing down those whale sharks. Do they allow scooters on these trips?

[Jonathan Bird]

Do they allow scooters on these trips?

Not sure. Getting one there would not be cheap!

[solisti]

Thank you for the excellent report David! Now waiting for the photographic evidence to back your story up!

[Carl]

All,

I do not think I have ever posted a picture here as I primarily do video. BUT !
Couple thoughts having returned from underwater heaven...

Mark T: I'd love to say we missed you but in reallity we were to busy having a great time ! TO THE MOON ALICE ! See ya next time.

Andrew: Not my son... eh, believe me, Red Lip Batfish are not "off limits". That said, why the hell they are so interesting to everyone escapes me...
Ugly, ill designed, and a pain in the backside to bother to go see, and nothing resembling interesting around them except an occassional ray or two.

All: Rumors of Galapagos demise by overfishing, legal and illegal activities, etc, notwithstanding, this is a most remarkable place and if you ain't been there, you better get booked and go as soon as you can. PLEASE go with a good operator, be relatively current on your diving, and try not to get hit by the tail of a freaking huge whale shark !

Jonathan: A great trip and fun by all ! AND NOBODY GOT HURT OF BENT !
YAHOOO!

All: I may even post a picture or two!

Take care and keep the shinny side up on the surface and down underwater as often as possible !

Carl (aka : CAAAAAAAARL)

[tarczy]

Mark T: I'd love to say we missed you but in reallity we were to busy having a great time ! TO THE MOON ALICE ! See ya next time.




Carl-

Happy you all had a great time. Most of all, I'm happy the trip was "injury free." Would've been a total bummer had somebody gotten bent again. In reading David's trip report, it sounded as if a bunch of you need to vigorously hit the treadmills before diving with Whale Sharks again. ;)

Wish I could've been there, but I look forward to the "next time."

Marcos

P.S. Can't wait to see the pics.

[Jonathan Bird]

Jukka has made me promise to use his technique of slowly rolling out the photos a couple at a time to keep people coming back. So that's what I'm doing!!!

Jonathan

The camera table, the group of intrepid explorers, and proof that it is sometimes worth it to swim your butt off with two strobes after a whale shark. :)

[Ken Hawk]

I may have cloned the fish out top left ;)

Now hurry up I am going to Scapa tomorrow, I will miss it all :D

[sorvju-f]

I am back home now...there is lot to arrange.

I want to thank everybody, who made our adventure so unforgetable ( positively...not like unforgetable dive in Ushuaia ).

Unpacking going on and after that I will start posting.

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Nah, that fish is part of the group of jacks that are swimming with the shark. Then again, I have a whole sequence of pics showing this that I didn't post, so I can see how you would think it's just some random fish in my shot.

Actually, the big inside joke on the trip was that everywhere I turned, whale sharks kept getting in my shots and blocking the view of the hammerheads. I lost count of the whale sharks. We had them every dive but one for three days at Darwin, and every dive but 2 for 3 days at Wolf.

[Jonathan Bird]

Here's another couple of shots to keep the excitement....

Jukka will have many more. He was clever enough to get the divemaster to shoot video for him so he could shoot stills the whole trip. I shot video most of the trip and only a few dives with the still camera.

First shot is the group of silkies that would crowd me while I was drifting in the blue doing my safety stop. A bit unnerving. Next, an artsy shot of Jules with a whale shark.

Interesting side fact....a few years ago, they had almost no silkies. I never saw many before this trip. In recent years they have "invaded" for some reason.

Jonathan

[scubagirl]

Cool shots. That's a lot of sharks to be hanging about. How big are those silkies?

[Jonathan Bird]

Small ones. They were around 3-5 feet long. Some of the Galapagos sharks were monsters. Which is weird, because technically according to all the official sources, Silkies grow much bigger than Galapagos sharks. I guess it's a young population of Silkies.

[Jonathan Bird]

Can anyone guess who this guy is??

[Jonathan Bird]

I am back home now...there is lot to arrange.

Glad you made it home safely Jukka! Looking forward to some pictures!

Jonathan

[tarczy]

Can anyone guess who this guy is??


I'd recognize that wetsuit anywhere!

It's our own floating Finlandian, Jukka!!

I was wondering if he was gonna wear that wetsuit in the Galapagos. I guess I have my answer.

[sorvju-f]

Can anyone guess who this guy is??

Looks like very skillfull fotographer and diver:D , but I didn't see him under water????

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I'd recognize that wetsuit anywhere!

It's our own floating Finlandian, Jukka!!

I was wondering if he was gonna wear that wetsuit in the Galapagos. I guess I have my answer.

Hi Mark...I left it as a gift to our boatdriver...also to avoid excess fees...so you don't see it on me any more...unless I do find a new same one;) .

By the way writings of Jonathan's new suit was floating away starting from very first dive:p

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Glad you made it home safely Jukka! Looking forward to some pictures!

Jonathan

They will come...slowly but surely:D

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Well I am off to Scapa now, to see some rust ;)

So will have a look at the pics when I get back, unless I can borrow someones laptop :D

[Carl]

Boy, when I saw Jukka's dive suit I actually wondered if he was wearing a motorcycle race one piece. Weird, but it sure has the same type bling! But on the King of Finland, all clothes look good !

Carl

[sorvju-f]

I am sorry, but I have to inform that this time it not coming very many pictures from me UW...it seems to be that the strobes have flashed with only one power....only very close pics are OK. TTL has not worked att all.

I had problems with it earlier and sended it to maintenance to Ikelite, where they added more solder to hot shoe...some problem with ground connection.

So what to say:mad:

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Jukka,

I don't get it. You are shooting digital. This type of thing would be immediately obvious when you shoot and look at the picture/histograms on the back of the camera. Are you serious? Do you monitor histograms?

Jonathan

[Jonathan Bird]

David,
I finally had the time to read your whole trip report (benefits of a 3 year old that gets up at 6 AM :o ) and WOW, nice job!

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

Hey Jukka,

I don't get it. You are shooting digital. This type of thing would be immediately obvious when you shoot and look at the picture/histograms on the back of the camera. Are you serious? Do you monitor histograms?

Jonathan

I loaded pictures every evening to computer, but due to having only 2 European electricity plugs and lot of charging between and after dives my lap-top battery was nearly empty all the time and no follow up that way.

Of coarse I follow pics from camera LCD, but reality came up when looking them from 30 inch screen.

There are also weird that some pics are OK and some not...like strobe was doing just what it felt like. Actually I don't get it myself either.

This one apperature 5,0 and shutter 1/100, 14 mm

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/UW-chat/malli%20800.jpg/full

and this one apperature 7,1 and shutter 1/100, 54 mm

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/UW-chat/Malli%20b%20800.jpg/full



Jukka

[scubagirl]

Sorry to hear about your issues, Jukka! Hope you still got some useable shots out of it (that second ray shot looks great!). In the first shot it looks like your strobe didn't fire at all.

Natalie

[Clay Coleman]

I am sorry, but I have to inform that this time it not coming very many pictures from me UW...it seems to be that the strobes have flashed with only one power....only very close pics are OK. TTL has not worked att all.

I had problems with it earlier and sended it to maintenance to Ikelite, where they added more solder to hot shoe...some problem with ground connection.

So what to say:mad:

Jukka

AARGHH!! Ok, you'll have to go back. I'm ready to go with you. -Clay

[Sharp]

So bad luck to you Jukka.:(

Lets hope that you can save as many pictures as possible.

[Bodie]

Jukka! I wish we had caught your ttl earlier! I had a extra TTL converter, bulkheads, wires, hotshoe, the works with me.

I'm slowly going through my pictures, developing watermarks and export presets to make posting to the forum easier.

Here is a shot of the Church in Guayaquil taken the last night there. Its not UW- yet but I decided to work backwards so it doesn't seem like I have 15GB of photos to sort....

Dan

[Neptune7]

WOW!
Great pict Daniel! Cannot wait see the rest of your pictures. I know you have the "eye" for composition so I am expecting some awesome photographs from you...
I wish Caaaaaaaaarl had your talent! ;)

Pierre

[Bodie]

Breaking the working backwards rule already (oh well).

I believe this was taken either right before or just after the first of Jukka's Ray shots from a few posts back.

[sorvju-f]

AARGHH!! Ok, you'll have to go back. I'm ready to go with you. -Clay

Thanks Clay! I am rather sure that I will go back there some day and it would be nice finaly to meet you too.

There is also lot of video material to work with...now I am really planning to post some video highlights.

Luckily I am finding more and more OK pictures...starting sending more them next week.

Here is one while waiting

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Vasarahain%204%20D%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Jukka! I wish we had caught your ttl earlier! I had a extra TTL converter, bulkheads, wires, hotshoe, the works with me.

I'm slowly going through my pictures, developing watermarks and export presets to make posting to the forum easier.

Here is a shot of the Church in Guayaquil taken the last night there. Its not UW- yet but I decided to work backwards so it doesn't seem like I have 15GB of photos to sort....

Dan

Thanks Dan!

I already tested the strobes with my old camera set and TTL is working fine there with same wires and strobes....so I believe that still the main question is the hot shoe ( or the circuit board ) which means that there would not have been lot to correct while onboard.

Great shots DAN and I know you have lot of more great ones;)

Jukka

[Sharp]

Here is one while waiting

Jukka

Wow, I havent ever before seen picture of hammerhead and it´s teeth! Superp!:eek:

How deep you were taken this picture? I have though tha thammerheads are always guite deep like 30 meter/90 feet? Unles they are coming to cleaning station on shallow water.

Now it is time to go diving. I try to find and shoot the Burbot what I found on the little hole at last dive. After that there might be again great pictures.

[sorvju-f]

Wow, I havent ever before seen picture of hammerhead and it´s teeth! Superp!:eek:

How deep you were taken this picture? I have though tha thammerheads are always guite deep like 30 meter/90 feet? Unles they are coming to cleaning station on shallow water.

Now it is time to go diving. I try to find and shoot the Burbot what I found on the little hole at last dive. After that there might be again great pictures.

There is used photoshop to get artistic influence...unsaturating some colours.

Actually they were very seldom coming close...it was more like accident. When they noticed bubbles they were turning around and if you wanted to swim closer they were swimming also deeper. We were all using 32% nitrox so our dive depths were limited. Normal dives were to about depth of 20 meters/60 feet.

There were lot of them...i feel like zillions...very beautiful creatures.I feel biggest of them were close to 3 meters. Now I want to see great hammerhead, which is nearly two times bigger. They can grow to size of big tiger shark.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Jukka! I wish we had caught your ttl earlier! I had a extra TTL converter, bulkheads, wires, hotshoe, the works with me.

I'm slowly going through my pictures, developing watermarks and export presets to make posting to the forum easier.

Here is a shot of the Church in Guayaquil taken the last night there. Its not UW- yet but I decided to work backwards so it doesn't seem like I have 15GB of photos to sort....

Dan

The name of this church is metropolitan Cathedral, which was originally wooden building, built 1547 and after many fires got is present stone look 1948. I think you have taken the picture from your hotel window.

I feel that even if our chat is UW-chat, when giving the travel report it is very important to see also top-side pictures.

Here is couple of mine ( taken from your room next to you I think ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Metropolitan%20cathedral%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Metropolitan%20cathedral%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Metropolitan%20cathedral%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Metropolitan%20cathedral%205%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Metropolitan%20cathedral%204%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[solisti]

Dan: that shot works well with Jukkas ray photo. Almost like completing a story.

Jukka: I'm glad you are finding also shots with good exposure. That hammerhead is beutiful.

Jonathan: Excellent photos as always, although would like to see bigger versions (but I do understand why you want keep them small enough..)

Keep posting!

[sorvju-f]

Specially eastern side of islands had rather gold water and after 4 daily dives it was nice to relax in hot bath:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/After%20dive%20party%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Quayaqil is a town with the population more than 2 million people. That is the town our team was gathering together to wait for everybody with all the bags were ready to fly to San Cristopal-Galapagos. Our hotel Unipark was really in the center next to this beutiful Cathedral and also front of it was Iguana Park with huge number of different size of iguanas. Even small kids were feeding them.

Other thing stayed in my mind was that the riverbank of Qyayas river was constructed all the way with bridges, walk ways, and towers you were able to go up to see longer.

Some pictures:

Our hotel rigt and Iguana Park left:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%2026%20WM%20800.jpg/full

View from hotel window to direction of riverbank:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Quayagil%20view%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Some pictures from riverbank area:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%2010_1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%2028%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%2027%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Part of our group was doing sightseeing...here front of riverbank:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Team%204%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Andrew]

Hi Everyone,

Glad to hear you all got back safely and had a great trip. More underwater pics please and Jukka keep 'em coming, love the hammerhead shot.

I am just sat in Puerto Ayora after spending a few days in the highlands enjoying the wildlife and the giant tortoises. Unfortunately my bags are yet to arrive so cannot post any pictures of these as the cables are in with my clothes.

Went a couple of dives on Thursday at a site called Gordons Rocks which was ok to good, saw about 15 hammerheads circle around us and plenty of turtles etc. I was surprised how pleasantly warm the water was compared to diving at home! Unfortunately I had to take my macro lens with me, as some fool (me!) put the dome port extension in with my clothes rather than hand luggage. :eek: Everything else I have in the hand luggage but the important link. Now hoping it arrives before tomorrow as we head off into the deep blue up to Darwin and Wolf otherwise I will be rather ...... off!

The hottub looks friendly, was it on a rota basis or first to run to it first serve? Is that Jonathan putting his hand up for another beer? I remember reading somewhere that diving and alcohol do not mix.... :rolleyes: maybe they just mean drinking while underwater :D

Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Hi Everyone,

Glad to hear you all got back safely and had a great trip. More underwater pics please and Jukka keep 'em coming, love the hammerhead shot.

I am just sat in Puerto Ayora after spending a few days in the highlands enjoying the wildlife and the giant tortoises. Unfortunately my bags are yet to arrive so cannot post any pictures of these as the cables are in with my clothes.

Went a couple of dives on Thursday at a site called Gordons Rocks which was ok to good, saw about 15 hammerheads circle around us and plenty of turtles etc. I was surprised how pleasantly warm the water was compared to diving at home! Unfortunately I had to take my macro lens with me, as some fool (me!) put the dome port extension in with my clothes rather than hand luggage. :eek: Everything else I have in the hand luggage but the important link. Now hoping it arrives before tomorrow as we head off into the deep blue up to Darwin and Wolf otherwise I will be rather ...... off!

The hottub looks friendly, was it on a rota basis or first to run to it first serve? Is that Jonathan putting his hand up for another beer? I remember reading somewhere that diving and alcohol do not mix.... :rolleyes: maybe they just mean drinking while underwater :D

Andrew

Hi Andrew!

Good luck with your dives in Wolf and Darwin. I am sure you will get your gears. Wolf was suprisingly good against it's reputation anyhow what I understood from Jonathan's earlier experiences.

Beer was after dive...not while diving;)...instructions in the boat were no alcohol 12 hours before the dives.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2021%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2012%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%2016%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%2015%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2024%20WM%20800%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2061%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2047%20800.jpg/full

Having competition with the car:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%206%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2036%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2042%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

It was photographers dream to visit Iguana park front of our hotel...iguanas were behaving like professional models. Believe me or not if you asked them to turn the head little bit left...they did it!

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kaksi%20liskoa%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Guayaqil%209%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2045%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2032%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lisko%2046%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Andrew]

Bad news and very depressed... bag arrived but all things of value stolen by some Spanish ......! So... no dome port body or strobe charger! :mad: They also stole my razor... so already a week without shaving so now looking like Robinson Crusoe.

Will try and reach the boat tomorrow morning to see if any of the departing passengers are using Ikelite and would be willing to sell for the cost of new. If not, fingers crossed someone on our trip might have the charger at least. Mad as have my a new 10-22mm lens to try out.

With some tinkering have fitted my 17mm - 70mm behind the Macro lens but only keeping it at 17mm. Not sure if worth trying for wide angle behind a flat glass? From a couple of shots it fits in almost right to the glass so a good fit. Any thoughts as maybe better than nothing?

OK, off to bed as early start... keep you fingers crossed for some luck for me!

Andrew


PS. They say it goes in 3's, well first my dive computer packed up the other day on the dive a Gordons Rock (now replaced) and my wife has put her neck out so unsure whether can dive! The stolen stuff makes 3 so hopefully all will be good from here :rolleyes:

[sorvju-f]

Bad news and very depressed... bag arrived but all things of value stolen by some Spanish ......! So... no dome port body or strobe charger! :mad: They also stole my razor... so already a week without shaving so now looking like Robinson Crusoe.

Will try and reach the boat tomorrow morning to see if any of the departing passengers are using Ikelite and would be willing to sell for the cost of new. If not, fingers crossed someone on our trip might have the charger at least. Mad as have my a new 10-22mm lens to try out.

With some tinkering have fitted my 17mm - 70mm behind the Macro lens but only keeping it at 17mm. Not sure if worth trying for wide angle behind a flat glass? From a couple of shots it fits in almost right to the glass so a good fit. Any thoughts as maybe better than nothing?

OK, off to bed as early start... keep you fingers crossed for some luck for me!

Andrew


PS. They say it goes in 3's, well first my dive computer packed up the other day on the dive a Gordons Rock (now replaced) and my wife has put her neck out so unsure whether can dive! The stolen stuff makes 3 so hopefully all will be good from here :rolleyes:

Yippee in the thread name needs luck...I start to hait the airport security systems...out of all the laws system...they are unfaced and allowed to steel, brake etc actually without no control:mad: And above everythin they are charging overweight fees.

Wish you good luck with your co-travellers.


Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Bad news and very depressed... bag arrived but all things of value stolen by some Spanish ......! So... no dome port body or strobe charger! :mad: They also stole my razor... so already a week without shaving so now looking like Robinson Crusoe.

Oh man that SUCKS! I'm sorry to hear it. I can't believe they stole a dome port extension. Who the hell would ever know what that is or what it is worth. It's not even worth much, except to the guy in the Galapagos who needs it.

Will try and reach the boat tomorrow morning to see if any of the departing passengers are using Ikelite and would be willing to sell for the cost of new. If not, fingers crossed someone on our trip might have the charger at least. Mad as have my a new 10-22mm lens to try out.

Ikelite is so common now that almost certainly there will be someone on the boat with an extender. They may loan it to you if you mail it back, rent, or sell. Do whatever it takes.

With some tinkering have fitted my 17mm - 70mm behind the Macro lens but only keeping it at 17mm. Not sure if worth trying for wide angle behind a flat glass? From a couple of shots it fits in almost right to the glass so a good fit. Any thoughts as maybe better than nothing?

Certainly better than nothing but far from ideal.

Jonathan

[Carl]

All, I think some French Canadian insinuated I have no talent. Eh, talent is in the eye of the beholder ! I have many talents ! Remember my tongue exercising video from the Tigers ! Some talents surely trump others !

And yes, I have imparted THE OTHER talents to my sons. As to abilities otherwise, they need acquire those on their own.

How do you get to Carnagie Hall ?

Practice, Practice, Practice !!!!

Carl

[Carl]

All, A couple land shots with people more than sites. I hope the titles of the JPEGS are notable.
Carl

[solisti]

Thanks for that Carl! :D

[sorvju-f]

All, I think some French Canadian insinuated I have no talent. Eh, talent is in the eye of the beholder ! I have many talents ! Remember my tongue exercising video from the Tigers ! Some talents surely trump others !

And yes, I have imparted THE OTHER talents to my sons. As to abilities otherwise, they need acquire those on their own.

How do you get to Carnagie Hall ?

Practice, Practice, Practice !!!!

Carl

Hi Carl, GREAT pictures indicating that we also had fun...and Carl was the one to arrange the fun if not present:D

Here is the link to Carl's tiger tongue:

http://homepage.mac.com/pierre_seguin/iMovieTheater6.html

Jukka

[Carl]

All,
Thanks to Pierre for posting the infamous tongue lashing !

My pics titles from top left and down from left to right:

Oh, Play with MY fuzzy!
Nice Teeth Dude
Orca Spotting !
See no Evil, Hear No Evil, PRAY !
Stoggie Anyone?
THIS Big...
WeGo WHERE?
YoMannn

Carl
(PS: I think I need to read the rules of the site before I get in trouble ! What was it, Jonathan, No...this, No...that, No...what ? Eh....

[Carl]

Couple More in order:

Another Exciting Dive Briefing: "IN THE AREA !"

Enough Cameras ?

Jukka Goes Cosmic in the Cave

SanCristobal

Look Closely at each traveler: Says it all !

Hey Man, Your Dog Just Pee'd on my Leg !

Carl
NOTE: The Man cut me off ! Exceeded my quota. What this is, a bar on a Saturday night ?

[Jonathan Bird]

Carl,
Due to the extreme size this site can expand to (and associated costs) if everyone can attach a million pics, we have a limit of 1 MB per person. Beyond that, you can post them on a photosharing site and then link them here.

(click the little icon that looks like a post card with a mountain on it above, then provide the link to the pic, and it will appear in this thread as if hosted here).

Jonathan

[Jonathan Bird]

Couple more...some hammerhead action!

[solisti]

I calculated roughly 30 hammerheads in that photo. Niiice!

[Jonathan Bird]

Damn, not enough. I'll look for a better shot!! :D

Meanwhile, here's my favorite hammerhead shot from the trip.

[sorvju-f]

Damn, not enough. I'll look for a better shot!! :D

Meanwhile, here's my favorite hammerhead shot from the trip.

Beautiful Jonathan! This picture takes me back to this feeling UW when school of hammerheads were coming....( here speaks a man who one month ago have seen none :D ). Couple of times at the end of the dive I drifted with the purpose trough the school....great!

I have founded more and more good pictures, but at the time I try to get also video highlights from Guayaqil to you to have a look. So be patient they are coming.

Jukka

[tarczy]

Carl,
Due to the extreme size this site can expand to (and associated costs) if everyone can attach a million pics, we have a limit of 1 MB per person. Beyond that, you can post them on a photosharing site and then link them here.

(click the little icon that looks like a post card with a mountain on it above, then provide the link to the pic, and it will appear in this thread as if hosted here).

Jonathan


Do you really expect Carl to undersatnd what you just said? The guy can barely forward an e-mail, let alone figure out how to have a photo-hosting website show pics on UWPC. :rolleyes:

Missed ya Carl!!

[scubagirl]

Great photos everyone so far!

Love the hammerheads, especially the schooling hammerhead photos! That's still on my list of things I want to see.

[Carl]

Mark,

Not my fault I keep getting unforwardable emails sent to me my my working women. What can I say.

As to setting up a site for my photo's please see:

http://web.me.com/cjboden/Site/Welcome.html

BUT DON'T GET TOO EXCITED, Daniel helped set it up for me ! Now if you want to have a premature baby, I am your man !

[Jonathan Bird]

Now if you want to have a premature baby, I am your man !

LOL. I'm leaving that one alone. :D

[Jonathan Bird]

A Galapagos shark....

[solisti]

A Galapagos shark....

Beatiful background and composition. Would like to see more face, but still a great shot!

[Jonathan Bird]

It was an accident....damn thing turned away just as I shot. :)

[sorvju-f]

Beatiful background and composition. Would like to see more face, but still a great shot!

Here you have the face also:p

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Galapagos%20shark%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Very nice!

[Sharp]

Those two sharks look like different spieces of sharks. Jonathans shark remains my of white tip reef shark because it looks so thin. Jukkas shark looks much more chunky.

What is the name of that shark?

[Jonathan Bird]

Both are Galapagos sharks. One is big, the other is small!

[tkelly]

Really I am trying to figure how to post pics...
I really like Jonathans shot of the group of silkies. The hammerhead shots are nice as well.

-Todd

[sorvju-f]

Really I am trying to figure how to post pics...
I really like Jonathans shot of the group of silkies. The hammerhead shots are nice as well.

-Todd

Great to have you here Todd...I like B&W shots as it gives more contrast than just whole blue shots, where you can not separate the object.

More please!

I will be busy for one week and then I will start serious posting...;)

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Todd, cool shot....really puts the size in perspective.

[Jonathan Bird]

BTW, Mark, Carl has you beat for nerdy masks. He wore a full-face rig. Unfortunately, I don't have a still of it, but I'll lift one from video when I capture my footage.

Maybe Daniel or Andrew has a shot to post.

Jonathan

[Carl]

For the record I dove an OTS full face with a blank for the communicator, since I was busy talking only to myself. Some observations: Amazingly comfortable, great panoramic view, easy to breath, good surface air valve, and works fantastic with a mustache and beard. Downside: consumes extra air at rates that are difficult to justify IF the diving is exercise and not just hanging out. Obviously Galapagos is challenging and exercise! Hence Daniel was kept at the ready when I went full face as my bale out bottle! Other downside: to go to bale out means regulator in mouth and full face OFF. Hence an extra mask gets toted along in a pocket. Like Jonathan said, "
CAAARRRRRLLLLLLL just what you need, something else to think about ! You are f'n crazy ! " Me: like I said before, I resemble that remark ! Daniel or Andrew has a full face shot of me I think. Later...

[tarczy]

BTW, Mark, Carl has you beat for nerdy masks. He wore a full-face rig. Unfortunately, I don't have a still of it, but I'll lift one from video when I capture my footage.

Maybe Daniel or Andrew has a shot to post.

Jonathan


Ha ha!! I can't wait to see pics of Carl in a full face mask.

However, now that mah girlfriend is a certified diver, I am seriously thinking about acquiring two full face masks with the communication feature. That said, I'm concerned with the "downsides" that Carl was so considerate to post. The bale-out issue I can live with, but the increased air consumption bothers me. I just wonder if Carl was attributing his being outta shape to increased air consumption. ;)

BTW, I know everyone has probably heard about the massive wildfires we're having here in Los Angeles. I realize this is a Galapagos thread and I'm way off-topic, but I thought I'd share my view of the fire from my living room . . .

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i284/mongo255/Los%20Angeles%20Fires/_MG_9385.jpg

This fire has been burning for about five days now and has consumed nearly 100,000 acres of a forest that is only 650,000 acres large. The Firefighters have been working in temperatures over 100 degrees during the day and two have already died trying to outrun the fire. This fire is burning a forest that hasn't burned in over 60 years and it doesn't seem like the end is in sight until this Friday when potential rain from a hurricane in Mexico arrives in L.A. Today, firefighters expect the fire to double in size again, which means the fire will have consumed one-third of the forest. :mad:

This was my favorite playground. Oh well!

Mark

[Andrewboden]

only somewhat decent shot I got of the mola. Oh and the kind sealion that brought me a redlipped batfish!

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/andsterb/molamola.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/andsterb/batfish.jpg

[Andrewboden]

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/andsterb/mask.jpg

[Carl]

Mark, All,

I really am more enthusiastic about the full face mask than I was before the trip. Really it is so amazingly comfortable it is as if not wearing anything. I have always leaked like a sieve because of my mustache, and got used to breathing in my mouth and out my nose to nearly continuously clear the mask. With the OTS set up there was absolutely no leakage at all.

As to your significant other and you having communication underwater, be careful what you ask for ! I spend a HUGE amount of energy ignoring Brenda on land and I really do not want to have to do that underwater !

My original plan was to have these running with Daniel or Andrew and myself, as we are much more likely to do something stupid and want to share that stupidity with each other. I have still not gotten to try the communicator but there was just a TV show on cave diving with OTS units and the sound was monitored top side and the sound was very clear.

I think the technology is sound (sorry). Is it a great idea for a NEW diver? Perhaps. My adaptation to it was fast, but still a learning curve, though I found myself studying it more than anything else while I was in it. What it did well, how to handle this, that and the other thing.

What I do not know is what that big momma Tiger lady in Bahamas would think of it and whether she would go for the mask instead of my camera next time !

Hey Andrewl, thanks for the post with the OTS, so that eveyone can get their laughing out of the way ! I think I look pretty damn special !

[Jonathan Bird]

I think I look pretty damn special !

Yeah, special is the word! :D

Andrew, you should tell the red-lipped batfish story. That's classic.

Mark, I'm watching this wildfire on CNN....holy crap man. I really hope that big hurricane turns north and puts it out. For once, it would be nice to see a hurricane do something POSITIVE.

Also, I tried a full face mask years ago. The audio quality sucked (but it has probably improved) and the air consumption was really high because there was no surface bypass valve. So as soon as you put the mask on, you were breathing from the tank. So you put it on, walk across the deck, hop in, wait for your camera--all the while breathing down your tank.

The bypass valve seems to fix that.

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

only somewhat decent shot I got of the mola. Oh and the kind sealion that brought me a redlipped batfish!


Andrew...it is great that you have an evidence that we met this wierd looking creature... close enough to get picture...I didn't. I also know that your dad captured it to video.

You are the only person I know, who have had redlipped batfish as a gift from sealion...

Here is the picture how this redlip is looking like:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Punahuuli%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full]

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/punahuuli%203%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Ha ha!! I can't wait to see pics of Carl in a full face mask.

However, now that mah girlfriend is a certified diver, I am seriously thinking about acquiring two full face masks with the communication feature. That said, I'm concerned with the "downsides" that Carl was so considerate to post. The bale-out issue I can live with, but the increased air consumption bothers me. I just wonder if Carl was attributing his being outta shape to increased air consumption. ;)

BTW, I know everyone has probably heard about the massive wildfires we're having here in Los Angeles. I realize this is a Galapagos thread and I'm way off-topic, but I thought I'd share my view of the fire from my living room . . .


This fire has been burning for about five days now and has consumed nearly 100,000 acres of a forest that is only 650,000 acres large. The Firefighters have been working in temperatures over 100 degrees during the day and two have already died trying to outrun the fire. This fire is burning a forest that hasn't burned in over 60 years and it doesn't seem like the end is in sight until this Friday when potential rain from a hurricane in Mexico arrives in L.A. Today, firefighters expect the fire to double in size again, which means the fire will have consumed one-third of the forest. :mad:

This was my favorite playground. Oh well!

Mark

Wow, great pic...looks like volcano is preparing for explosion....some connection to Galapagos.

It is some how ironic that it is needed another nature power to kill otherone ( hurricane killing the fire )

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

I'm just trickling out a picture here and there to keep the discussion going....

[Jonathan Bird]

Another couple fun ones....mobula ray and Pierre.

[sorvju-f]

Another couple fun ones....mobula ray and Pierre.

For sure...fun man...with ferrari red housing...

Note also that red-white thing hanging from BCD...it was sort of teleskope flag, which you opened when surfaced...to get yourself to be seen from the boat.

I remember once when Jonathan surfaced...opened his flag and trying to lift it as high as possible....we were with the donki 2 meters behind him:D

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Jonathan%201%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[tkelly]

I have not seen many shots of Darwin's Arch yet, so I figured I would post one.

I like the batfish pictures Jukka! I didn't manage to get any stills of them.

-Todd

[David White]

Todd,
You should scan your drawing of Darwin`s Arch and post a link to the image. You have certainly got some talent.

[Bodie]

Also trickling through my photo's but I had to take my editing machine into work (don't ask) so things are slow going as staying extra in the office is one of my least favorite things...

The new full face masks seem to have a surface supply option. It is a thread in valve that you are supposed to dial closed when you go down. Note it is on the right side of the mask. Note the bubbles coming from it possibly explaining why Pops went through 4x my air instead of the usual 2.5x.

I'll try to get some UW pictures up tomorrow but have some questions for you and Jukka since this is a photo forum and all- not just a show and tell:

1.) On Jonathan's whale shark shot (very dark body, shot from above, whole shark) how were you able to attain such great contrast and still have the nice fuzzy/soft background? Were you shooting wide open natural light or was this a longer exposure? ISO? I never went above 400 and did most of my shooting at 200 so maybe that was my problem?
2.) Jukka, On your shot of Jonathan what were your settings where you didn't get any back scatter? I know you kept your strobes in tight to the housing so I just don't get it... I try a configuration like that and I get backscatter galore. Is it because the D200's can blast light like no one's business?

[Neptune7]

This fire has been burning for about five days now and has consumed nearly 100,000 acres of a forest that is only 650,000 acres large. The Firefighters have been working in temperatures over 100 degrees during the day and two have already died trying to outrun the fire. This fire is burning a forest that hasn't burned in over 60 years and it doesn't seem like the end is in sight until this Friday when potential rain from a hurricane in Mexico arrives in L.A. Today, firefighters expect the fire to double in size again, which means the fire will have consumed one-third of the forest. :mad:

This was my favorite playground. Oh well!

Mark

Hey Mark,

What is happening in California is dramatic. I have been watching the news: two lost lives, people loosing their houses and all those acres of forest lost is sad and heartbreaking. Keep us posted.

Cant wait to see you on a future dive trip.
Best,
Pierre

[Carl]

Damn good looking diver with that full face mask and incredible custom Ikelite outfit with CUSTOM metallic black front frame. Just wait till full disassembly and powdercoating. Seriously, had to have something that made mine different than the Bird Mans other than mine with the "Look In Here" label on the eyepiece !

Now that I see what I really look like, I am much less worried about the lady Tiger will thing about me. She will just be astounded by my presence and majesty! No sweat, Jonathan will be around anyway for them to fight with !

Jukka, Great shots of the Red Lipped Batfish. I still can't get any idea of why those things have survived. Darwin... Evolution ? If that is what they look like now, what the hell did they evolve from ???? I think another one of god's jokes, and surely a very strong support for creationism! That and what's the deal with the pokka dots on the Whale Shark ??? All I can figure is they are so friggin big it doesn't matter what laughs at them !

Damn good looking diver with that full face mask !

[sorvju-f]

Also trickling through my photo's but I had to take my editing machine into work (don't ask) so things are slow going as staying extra in the office is one of my least favorite things...

The new full face masks seem to have a surface supply option. It is a thread in valve that you are supposed to dial closed when you go down. Note it is on the right side of the mask. Note the bubbles coming from it possibly explaining why Pops went through 4x my air instead of the usual 2.5x.

I'll try to get some UW pictures up tomorrow but have some questions for you and Jukka since this is a photo forum and all- not just a show and tell:

1.) On Jonathan's whale shark shot (very dark body, shot from above, whole shark) how were you able to attain such great contrast and still have the nice fuzzy/soft background? Were you shooting wide open natural light or was this a longer exposure? ISO? I never went above 400 and did most of my shooting at 200 so maybe that was my problem?
2.) Jukka, On your shot of Jonathan what were your settings where you didn't get any back scatter? I know you kept your strobes in tight to the housing so I just don't get it... I try a configuration like that and I get backscatter galore. Is it because the D200's can blast light like no one's business?

Hi Dan!

Answer to no 2

f 9,0 s 1/60 11mm

Some rules I have to avoid backscatter ( and I can assure you that I also have zillion pics spoiled by backscatter ):

Of coarse there can be more or less spacscatter and sometimes it is just not avoidable.

1 Go REALLY close and use wideangle ( like Jonathans Picture... lens was half an meter or less from Jonathan ). This straightly means that existing amount of particles between lens and object is lower.

2 Get some back light to picture...means sun straight behind picture or sometimes better to be framed little bit out from the picture. Shooting upward means that above the surface there is always more light ( anyhow daytime ).

3 Positioning of strobes...when you are REALLY close...having srobes far from housing is giving the light away from the object or wrong angle. I have them far from housing when I can see that amount of backscatter is less and the object distance is bigger.

4 Finding amount of light right ( not too much )...trying as big apperature value as possible or with fast moving object as big fast shutter speed as possible ( mainly playing with apperature )...weakening strobes power from camera or housing

Sometimes when there is just too much backscatter I just consentrate to macro.

I hope this explanation is giving something...but I am not pro so lets wait Jonathans comments.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Damn good looking diver with that full face mask and incredible custom Ikelite outfit with CUSTOM metallic black front frame.

Now that I see what I really look like, I am much less worried about the

Damn good looking diver with that full face mask !

That's said and that's the truth!

How about your video result Carl...have you gone trough it yet?

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I have not seen many shots of Darwin's Arch yet, so I figured I would post one.

I like the batfish pictures Jukka! I didn't manage to get any stills of them.

-Todd

Todd, this half blurred down part is giving different style and artistic influence to picture. Difference makes value to picture, Here you have couple of my Arch pics:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Darwin%2018%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Darwin%2021%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Darwin%2019%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Darvin%2036%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Darwin-Jonathan%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Carl]

I am actually awaiting a new HDV playback deck to arrive tomorrow, then I will get to my video work in earnest. For work at home I really don't like using the camcorder as the playback device.

When I do have some good material, I will probably post some short clips into my site at:

http://web.me.com/cjboden/Site/Welcome.html

I did post some stuff from Tiger Beach, Bahamas and some more fun stuff from the fun / play stuff at Galapagos there already.

Carl

[sorvju-f]

I just had a discussion with Solon, divemaster we had in Aggressor. He is having now 3 weeks holiday after being diving 22 days.

All the members of crew team had great time with us and sended best regards to all of us ( Solon, Lenny, Hector/Captain, Manuel/compressor, Manolo/other boatdriver..sorry I forgot the name of our cook, second boat driver, food server and this one young man, who was helping us to donki...if somebody remembers just give the names by repply ).

Of coarse we gave good tip, but that is not all, why they enjoyed our team..

The team after us saw 3 mola mola and also humpback whales...and the water eastern side is even more cold that we had.

Jukka

[Andrew]

Hey All,

Well I made it back alive after everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. I did have some luck but that also ran out!

Before I get around to looking at the pictures I thought I would give you a run down on how the camera situation panned out...

1. Got on the boat and checked everyone equipment and asked around... every brand under the sun apart from the all important Ikelite! So was very depressed and got to work at fitting my land lens behind my macro port.

2. Took above on first two dives and downloaded onto computer and the results were OK, just very bad vis so not really many keepers.

3. Celebrations - one of the late arrivals on the boat had cracked open a new Ikelite housing plus DS-160 strobe which he did not take on the first few dives! He had not put the housing together yet to even test it, so gave him a helping hand in return for borrowing a port extension (he had been sold 3 different ones for his one lens!) and the use of his strobe charger. :;)

4. Good diving with camera and strobes all working fine (apart from port extension was a bit short so occasional pictures with the reflection of the writing around the lens - sorted with black tape) :D

5. Disaster - heavy handed boat crew banged housing while getting it onto the boat and then proceeded to drop it into the dunk tank. :mad: Housing full of water but salvaged memory card.

6. Celebration - Mr friendly Swede said that he didn't want to dive with his setup for the last few days as had enough of carting it around and could not get on with it. :D His strobe was also not firing even though we had switched everything around and tested it.

7. Disaster - the strobe charger blew up leaving my strobes flat for the last few dives.

Other bad luck...

1. My wife and I were getting over colds for first few days (luckily did not stop me diving but she missed a few)
2. My wife putting her neck out which was painful to dive and in the rough seas
3. Battery ran out on one of our computers (battery replaced before we left home) and could not find a replacement battery even though we tried every shop in Santa Cruz and St Cristobel.
4. Managed to borrow one from a dive master in Santa Cruz (celebration), subsequently lost somewhere around Darwin (disaster).

I can say that for all the travel we take every year we never have bad luck when we travel so maybe this is years saved up and we will now be safe for our Mozambique trip next month! Not sure what to do about the camera yet... maybe a new Canon 7d :cool:

Diving report and photos to follow when I have a chance to free up the memory cards...

Andrew

PS! Great posts and pics on this thread, makes me want to go back already. :D

[Carl]

Andrew, All,

Our crew on the Aggressor I was pretty careful in handling our gear. Maybe it was because there was just SO MUCH OF IT ! Jonathan's alone weighed a zillion pounds ! What I found was going on was that rigs were put in the dunk tank and the crew had no time to get them out before the next rig was dropping in. I STRONGLY suggest that divers need to take some responsibility for their own gear in awaiting arrival of their gear into the dunk tank and then getting it OUT as promptly as possible. Our boat's captan even stayed up on the stairs to take handed off rigs to place on the drying deck. Very helpful since the stuff weighed a ton.

I am not suggesting that you did anything wrong, just an observation of how it went on our trip.

Considering the sea conditions getting divers and dive gear AND camera rigs off the panga's to the dive deck, I am truly amazed that more divers, gear and rigs DON'T get damaged in the process of nearly 40 dives per 12 divers and tons of gear !

[sorvju-f]

So ladies and gentleman it has been little bit quiet from my side here, but I have tried to learn Mac-editing...specially sound-editing. I think it's closer 2 years when I have loaded any video here.

I also tried different versions of file formats ( Quicktime/Flash ) different resolutions etc, etc.

Actually I liked more color intensity of flash, but there were problems to open these files from my ftp-server. Flash formats were .f4v and .flv and I have to study them more.

Anyhow this is first sequense from Guayagil about 4 minutes and file size about 44 MT...needs QT-player...and working fine in my MAC.

All the comments are well come. Plan is to make short highlights from different parts of our trip and when they are ready just put them together.

Of coarse picture reporting continues between;)

So here is the link:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Guayagil%202009.mov

Jukka

[Andrew]

Hi Jukka,

Nice video, I just transited through Guayaquil but it looks like quite a nice city for a layover. I like the opening just not sure about the iguana sex scenes :p

Looking forward to seeing episode II!

Andrew

[Sharp]

So ladies and gentleman it has been little bit quiet from my side here, but I have tried to learn Mac-editing...specially sound-editing. I think it's closer 2 years when I have loaded any video here.

All the comments are well come. Plan is to make short highlights from different parts of our trip and when they are ready just put them together.

Of coarse picture reporting continues between;)

Jukka

Excellent video Jukka. It is good to have a video from for a loooong long time. :)

The quality of video is perfect. Beginning with the text of Behind the lens is very personality. I liked also when you where shooting picture of the sunset in home. Was it from you home town? Level of narration is good and it sounds natural and relaxed.

Cant wait to see under water videos.

[Carl]

Jukka,

Did you offer the iguana's a cigar after the shots ? How many takes did it need for the male to get it right ? Did you need to use a fluffer/teaser female or was the male able to perform without ?

Really, I think we have your industry picked out here for making money in video !

Good stuff !

Carl

[sorvju-f]

Jukka,

Did you offer the iguana's a cigar after the shots ?
Good stuff !

Carl

Of coarse and you know it liked also cognac very much:D

Thanks Sharp and Andrew also for your comments!

I myself feel that to photographer very well selling pictures are just mating creatures topside or UW.

Jukka

[tkelly]

Silly me, I thought the Iguanas were going into the trees just to get away from the crowds. . .

Nice video Jukka. The voice over works well. It's a good thing we brought those electronic Iguana puppets!

-Todd

[sorvju-f]

Silly me, I thought the Iguanas were going into the trees just to get away from the crowds. . .

-Todd

....every day is good day, when learning something new...:p

Time to continue picture reporting...

We finally did our boarding to Aggressor II, and had test dive and moved to Seymor Island,where we had our first land tour ( second one was In Santa Cruz really end of the trip ).

Aggressor II:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Aggressor%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Walking area was marked...not to disturp creatures, which don't have in DNA info to be affraid of humans:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Working%20WM%20800.jpg/full

These were an other type of iguanas lived on an island:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/2%20liskoa%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/2%20liskoa%202%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

I think we are in for a long one ;)

Did you get the red Booby feet pic, Jukka :D

[sorvju-f]

Of coarse these blue-footed boobies are one part of Galapagos.

Sorry Ken...I saw couple of times this red-footed ones, but too far to get picture...the body of them were brownish...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalkasuula%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalka%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalka%206%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Hector%206%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Booby baby have first their fins yellowish and when they learn to fly and catch their own food, the fins are turning blue...coming from the thing they eat:

I just got the feeling, that now I have met the living Donald Duck ( even it is not the duck )...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalka%2013%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalka%207%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalka%2012%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalka%2014%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lentoharjoittelu%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Here you are Ken:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalat%20WM%201000%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Here you are Ken:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sinijalat%20WM%201024.jpg/full

Jukka

Nice one :D

[Ken Hawk]

Can I play ;)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/buchhawk/DWhaleSharkmouth.jpg

I don't think I have posted this one on here before.

[sorvju-f]

Can I play ;)

I don't think I have posted this one on here before.

Nice one...I didn't get good picture from front of whale shark due to strobes working only temporaly.

Answer to your question you can find from first booby post.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Even I have big nose, these birds have bigger ( Maybe there is little difference in shape...):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Albatrossi%20B4%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/ALBATROSSI%20NOKKA%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Alpatrossi%20c%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Alpatrossi%20WM%20800.jpg/full

...an other type...:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Albatossi%20B1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

This is having even bigger nose than I and albatross...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Pelikaani%201%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Albatrossi%20B2%20WM%20800.jpg/full

I know that some don't like this one, but I like:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/pelikaani%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

I will raise you a penguin :D

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/buchhawk/Penguin2.jpg

[sorvju-f]

I will raise you a penguin :D



I love this one Ken!

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some sealions ( we all have same kind of pics due to have same route ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sea%20lion%20%20B3%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sea%20lion%20%20B2%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sea%20lion%20A1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Imetys%204%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Imetys%203%20WM%20800.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/buchhawk/Iguanafriend.jpg

I will have to go to PS and do a bit of resizing for a few more ;)

[sorvju-f]

I will have to go to PS and do a bit of resizing for a few more ;)

This small iguana is making this picture intresting!

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I felt that this swimming iguana is something close to 2 meters...but...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/1%20liskoa%20x%20hyv%E4%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Galapagos%20lisko%20d%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/2%20liskoa%20x%202v_1%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/3%20liskoa%20WM%20800.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/3%20liskoa%20x%20hyv%E4%20WM%20800.jpg/full

...the truth is in next post...

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

From the pictures you really can't get understanding of the size of this nice creature...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Jonathan%20in%20work%202%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b. jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Jonathan%20in%20work%204%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b. jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Jonathan%20in%20work%205%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b. jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Jonathan%20in%20work%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Love the last one

[Ken Hawk]

How about a Sallylightfoot

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d151/buchhawk/Sallylightfootcrab.jpg

[Jonathan Bird]

Wow you guys, tons of great shots!

[Jonathan Bird]

Jukka,
The video is great! You captured a whole behavior sequence on those iguanas! Can't wait to see part 2....

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

Jukka,
The video is great! You captured a whole behavior sequence on those iguanas! Can't wait to see part 2....

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan!

I am rendering it at the moment..will be here tomorrow...Seymor Island...and after that UW-pics and UW-video sequences...still fighting to get sound right...you can imagine, when half deft is trying to do it:cool:

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

So here is the video part 2 of our adventure...this time land tour in Seymor Island.

4,5 minutes and 55 MT needs QT.

Next part will take us under water...keep yourself online;)

Hope you enjoy!

Here is the link:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Seymor%20land%20tour%20viim.mov

Jukka

[Carl]

All, In Guaquil we visited the Museum of Archeology and there was a very excellent display there. In one particular cabinet was the image of one of the ancients, a wise and handsome gentleman. In this image you will find Pierre observing the ancient in absolute awe. Truly an inspiring image !

[Andrew]

Great Part 2 Jukka... not moving from my computer for Part 3 and the underwater stuff! Nice mix of narration and music.

Andrew

[sorvju-f]

All, In Guaquil we visited the Museum of Archeology and there was a very excellent display there. In one particular cabinet was the image of one of the ancients, a wise and handsome gentleman. In this image you will find Pierre observing the ancient in absolute awe. Truly an inspiring image !

I know this...seen in Kairo museum...Pharos tuth Carlonkhamon I...:p

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Wise and handsome....:rolleyes:

How about Wisecracking and handy?

[Jonathan Bird]

Hey Jukka,
Man, the picture quality on those quicktimes is amazing. I wish we had the bandwidth to do Blue World in that frame size....higher quality than broadcast video in standard def. Beautiful shooting and great to watch! I'm so glad to see you editing some of this stuff now! It seems like you have started your own web TV series. You have enough material to release a new episode a week for about a year I'll bet, because we have all the Galapagos, Yap, Tiger sharks, your Raja stuff...what else??

Jonathan

[sorvju-f]

Hey Jukka,
Man, the picture quality on those quicktimes is amazing. I wish we had the bandwidth to do Blue World in that frame size....higher quality than broadcast video in standard def. Beautiful shooting and great to watch! I'm so glad to see you editing some of this stuff now! It seems like you have started your own web TV series. You have enough material to release a new episode a week for about a year I'll bet, because we have all the Galapagos, Yap, Tiger sharks, your Raja stuff...what else??

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan, I like also the quality to play in web.

To add to list there is Antarctica, Thailand, Filippines, Bunaken, Lembeh and 2 wreck diving trips here in Finland in high definition. With standard definition 8 times shooting in Egypt, Seychelles, Bonaire, Curacao, Finland...so I have unedited material about 300 hours ( of coarse there is lot of sh.t, but also good shootages ).

Actually the main reason for unediting have been unefficient computer and editing program and this spring I moved totally out from PC and jumped to Mac and final cut...there is still lot to learn from these and every day I am using them is giving something new.

As we all know to edit picture take about minute and edit 5 minutes of video takes from one day to months.

One problem is still the music...I have permission to only one artist, which is playing in these two episodes from our Galapagos trip. Artist from Finland Marika Krook/Edea singing in ancient language not existing any more...going together with thousands of years history of Galapagos. To future episodes I have to solve the music problem.

Sound editing is very challenging but also very rewarding when doing well.

Jukka

[scubagirl]

Great photos and videos so far, guys! Keep them coming!

[Neptune7]

So ladies and gentleman it has been little bit quiet from my side here, but I have tried to learn Mac-editing...specially sound-editing. I think it's closer 2 years when I have loaded any video here.

I also tried different versions of file formats ( Quicktime/Flash ) different resolutions etc, etc.

Actually I liked more color intensity of flash, but there were problems to open these files from my ftp-server. Flash formats were .f4v and .flv and I have to study them more.

Anyhow this is first sequense from Guayagil about 4 minutes and file size about 44 MT...needs QT-player...and working fine in my MAC.

All the comments are well come. Plan is to make short highlights from different parts of our trip and when they are ready just put them together.

Of coarse picture reporting continues between;)

So here is the link:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/Guayagil%202009.mov

Jukka

The king of Finland really rocks!
Great videos Jukka. What compression setting and software did you used for your videos?
Cannot wait to see the suite.

You have posted some exceptionnal stills. Great job.
Pierre

[Sharp]

So here is the video part 2 of our adventure...this time land tour in Seymor Island.

4,5 minutes and 55 MT needs QT.

Next part will take us under water...keep yourself online;)

Hope you enjoy!

Jukka

Beautiful video Jukka. The quality of the video is very good. At the beginning the text turn on the screen just right time with the music. :)

With you both Galapagos video I´d like to have the level of narration much higher. Now I have to add more volume on the narration part. If I leave the volume so high that I hear the narration well, then in the end of the video the music level is too high. Because it take a lot of time and effort to do narration it should sound very clear and loud enough.

Thats how I hear the video and narration from my laptop. I havent tryed it from the TV and Dolby surround.

[sorvju-f]

The king of Finland really rocks!
Great videos Jukka. What compression setting and software did you used for your videos?
Cannot wait to see the suite.

You have posted some exceptionnal stills. Great job.
Pierre

Hi Pierre and thanks!

I used Quik time conversion from FC.

Resolution is 760 X 430 ( 16:9 ) and bitrate limit 1500...real little bit more than 1600, keyframerate 150. This gives nice size to web still keeping quality reasonable and file sizes are not too big.

I tested several other settings ( nearly two days ) and to me above settings gave the best result to my needs. I tried also flash ( .f4v and .flv-formats ), which gives stronger colors but lower quality. I believe Jonathan is using .f4v format in his blue world episodes.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Beautiful video Jukka. The quality of the video is very good. At the beginning the text turn on the screen just right time with the music. :)

With you both Galapagos video I´d like to have the level of narration much higher. Now I have to add more volume on the narration part. If I leave the volume so high that I hear the narration well, then in the end of the video the music level is too high. Because it take a lot of time and effort to do narration it should sound very clear and loud enough.

Thats how I hear the video and narration from my laptop. I havent tryed it from the TV and Dolby surround.

Sharp I have noticed the same and I will try to correct it to last version, where I will join all the sequences. I don't have sound studio, like Jonathan, to do it...just connecting microfone and get all the side sounds too to my video:( My hearing is not very good and other ear is deft and that gives also limitation to what I am able to.

Anyhow if I wait everything to be perfect it takes couple of more years to publish these;)

Jukka

[Sharp]

Sharp I have noticed the same and I will try to correct it to last version, where I will join all the sequences. I don't have sound studio, like Jonathan, to do it...just connecting microfone and get all the side sounds too to my video:( My hearing is not very good and other ear is deft and that gives also limitation to what I am able to.

Anyhow if I wait everything to be perfect it takes couple of more years to publish these;)

Jukka

Idont have sound studio either, but it is very simple to lift up the level of you narration. Go to timeline mode with you CF and just put the arrow to the top of the narration file where is horizontal line. Then you arrow will change so that it is pointing up and down. Then just drag it upper and thats it, you narration is now more powerfull.:)

Thats how it work with my Magix program and I think that it work as same with FC?

[sorvju-f]

Idont have sound studio either, but it is very simple to lift up the level of you narration. Go to timeline mode with you CF and just put the arrow to the top of the narration file where is horizontal line. Then you arrow will change so that it is pointing up and down. Then just drag it upper and thats it, you narration is now more powerfull.:)

Thats how it work with my Magix program and I think that it work as same with FC?

I know that...the level is already maximum. I think it is my microfone...anyhow I will solve this to last version...using real audio studio for that...

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I feel it is time to present our team members...I don't have pictures from all the crew members...maybe someone can help.

Crew:

Solon, leader of the diving and divemaster. He was also using video UW.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Solon%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Hector, Captain of the boat...always helping with everything and really being one of our team...not just being captain.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Captain%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Lennie, leader of second diving boat..not my boat...but Iheard only very positive comments from him.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Lennie%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Manolo was driver of the other boat...these guys were very important to us so that we were found after the dive also if the current was strong to be dropped to right place was saving lot of our air reserves.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Manolo%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Manuel, the man,who took care of that our tanks were always full for the dives and helping us in and out from the boat as well as taking care of our cameras as all the crew.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Manuel%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Jukka

[Sharp]

I know that...the level is already maximum. I think it is my microfone...anyhow I will solve this to last version...using real audio studio for that...

Jukka

Okay. Perhaps it should be another type of microfone?

Have you kept you microfone glose enough you mouth? I am recording my narration to videocamera so that it is about 50cm away my mouth.

[sorvju-f]

Team of Jonathan had totally 14 members:

One whole family was inside the team. Brenda is the mother and Daniel is the son.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Brenda%20and%20Daniel%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Carl is the dad and our fun man.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Carl%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Andrew is the second son.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Andrew%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full



Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Todd ( right ) was on his second trip with Jonathan shooting both video and stills.
Ralph have been with Jonathan also earlier and dived round the world. He was shooting still-pics.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Rolf%20and%20Todd%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Bill was making great pics with his D-300...hope we will see some of them here.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Phil%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Bob was also shooting both video and still...just waiting to see the result.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Bob%203%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jonathan and Pierre enjoying upper deck,

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Jonathan%20and%20Pierre%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Julia...having many skills from diving to photographing and video but also assisting Jonathan's shooting many ways.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Julia%20WM%20800%20fix.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Of coarse our chef was having important role of keeping us moving. His food was absolutely excellent.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Barbeque%204%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Couple of pictures of having barbeque on the upper deck:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Barbeque%205%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Decoration had daily subject:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Barbeque%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

In next one ( right side ) is our server, cleaner and night time boat driver...he used dinner jacket while serving dinner to us.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Barbeque%203%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

From David and Tim I don't have topside pictures...but what the heck lets go underwater...I think it is time for that...

David...the real Amphibico man...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/David%20UW%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

...and Tim with his D-300 this time learning how to make picture in natural light...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Tim%202%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

...some more...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%202%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%20C3%20wm%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%2067%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%20B%204%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%20face%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

[sorvju-f]

...some more...

I like myself the next one:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%2040%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

This have been attacked by something...I think that those thousands of sharks we saw have also sometimes the dinner time...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%20viat%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%20B2%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kotkarausku%2010%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%2030%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I feel that my best collection I have is just Eagle rays. I have noticed from the pictures that deeper ones the strobes were not working properly. Pressure is influencing little bit to housing and ground connection disappears...housing was already in maintenance once and it was added more solder to hot shoe, but looks like not enough or right place:(

Anyhow I got some acceptable pictures...more to come...keep yourself online.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%203%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kotkarausku%2012%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%20face%20close%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%20C2%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/KR%2050%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[Andrew]

Wonderful Pics Jukka, like that B&W also especially. Its good to get a feel of the whole trip, your crew certainly seem a friendly bunch and the food looks good! Those Eagle Rays certainly came close, we only saw the back of a few on one of the first dives.

Andrew

PS. On your tag you have a spelling mistake... behid the lens :)

[sorvju-f]

Wonderful Pics Jukka, like that B&W also especially. Its good to get a feel of the whole trip, your crew certainly seem a friendly bunch and the food looks good! Those Eagle Rays certainly came close, we only saw the back of a few on one of the first dives.

Andrew

PS. On your tag you have a spelling mistake... behid the lens :)

Thanks for noticing the spelling mistake...oh man what a work to correct them:(

Jukka

[scubagirl]

Great ray photos, Jukka! I especially like the black & white one with the two rays swimming together.

[Ken Hawk]

How did you get so close to them?

[sorvju-f]

How did you get so close to them?

David... halloo...halloo...Canada...are you hearing...you have the answer to this question:D

I just wait David to give answer to this...hope he have it left!

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Well so far Jukka your UW pics are putting us all to shame, good job your strobes were on the blink ;)

I can't see your videos as my PC is naff :( ,hence no comments

[sorvju-f]

Well so far Jukka your UW pics are putting us all to shame, good job your strobes were on the blink ;)

I can't see your videos as my PC is naff :( ,hence no comments

What means PC is naff...sorry don't understand.

Ken...I really lost many and I mean many good shots due to strobes...there were hammerhead/eagle ray together close ups...galapagos shark together with eagle ray and hammerhead... all 3 in one picture...etc...etc due to stobes were not working or the TTL was not working...main part from my whale shark pics are spoiled...but luckily they were working so that I got reasonable collection...I continue posting soon.

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Sorry M8
Naff = not very good, or a pile of SH1T

[sorvju-f]

Sorry M8
Naff = not very good, or a pile of SH1T

Sorry to hear:(

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Sorry to hear:(

Jukka

Not to worry

I was talking to a very good UW photographer once about my not so good Whale Shark pics, he said he would give up every pic he had ever took just to dive with one.

Will we get some Whale Sharks off you before Christmas :D

[sorvju-f]

Not to worry

I was talking to a very good UW photographer once about my not so good Whale Shark pics, he said he would give up every pic he had ever took just to dive with one.

Will we get some Whale Sharks off you before Christmas :D

Difficult to say, when you didn't say which Christmas you mean:rolleyes:

Jukka

[Sharp]

PS. On your tag you have a spelling mistake... behid the lens :)

Is it really true? Behind or behid?

Look at this link (http://ilmainensanakirja.fi/sanakirja_suomi-englanti/takana).

[sorvju-f]

Is it really true? Behind or behid?

Look at this link (http://ilmainensanakirja.fi/sanakirja_suomi-englanti/takana).

I have this brush in 3 computer... to every of them it is done separately. Unfortunately Andrew noticed it very late...now I have to change the text to everyone then load it to my home page and then correct the link here:cool:

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Not to worry

I was talking to a very good UW photographer once about my not so good Whale Shark pics, he said he would give up every pic he had ever took just to dive with one.

Will we get some Whale Sharks off you before Christmas :D

I have to play...

Here you are:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Valashai%20b%202%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Carl was my model:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Whale%20shark%2010%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Whale%20shark%2011%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Whale%20shark%206%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

...and carl again...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Whale%20shark%208%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

Lol Thanks Jukka :D

When we were in the Galapagos, My wife was the only diver without a camera
She was in everyones pictures :eek:
And she cryed when she saw her first Whale Shark.

[sorvju-f]

Lol Thanks Jukka :D

And she cryed when she saw her first Whale Shark.

It can be very sensitive moment when seeing for the first time this impressive big creature...it will be impressive also in future, but first is first.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

It time to present some macro shots,

Galapagos blenny was the biggest blenny I have ever seen. I feel more than 20 cm.

While we were waiting " big ones to come" they were often coming close and playing with us.

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Blenny%20B2%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Blenny%206%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Blenny%201%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Blenny%204%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Blenny%20B1%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Dive site name Roca Relonda was the place which was telling about volcanic background of islands so that you could see it. A we asked Solon what we can wait to see there...the answer was "bubbles".

Sulphur gases are coming trough the ground there and you really can see them. When you took yourself close to one bubble row it stopped and started to come from other place like it was knowing that you are there.

I tried to get some pics from with wide angle lens, but that was waisting of time.

Viz was rather bad there and hard to get nice pics. Actually we decided to move without second dive to Punta Vicente Roca to try to see Mola Mola.

Middle of back scatter storm I saw the biggest barracuda scool I have ever seen...getting myself closer and closer...still I couln't see wherefrom it started and where ended. But viz was so bad...no pics.

That side had also huge amount of sea stars.

Some Pics of them:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Star%201%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Seastar%206%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Starfish%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full


Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Punta Vicente Roca had also seahorses:

Reddish:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Punainen%20merihevonen%204_1%20WM%20800%20fix%20b. jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Heppa%201%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Punainen%20merihevonen%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Yellow:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Keltainen%20merihevonen%2010%20WM%20800%20fix%20b. jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Keltainen%20merihevonen%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.j pg/full

Jukka

[Carl]

Jukka,

Great shots of me. How did that whale shark get in the way of the picture though ? Damn things ruined a good shot ! Man ...

Seriously, good shots and some that I really WANT in my collection !

Can you email them to me or can I down load them off the original site in full size ?

Andrew has a couple really good whale shark pics I will ask him to post. On some video, I got lucky and got to one or two before the knats arrived. Great video of the whale sharks, but of course without the perspective of a diver or two.

Caaarrrrrrrrrllllllllllllllllllll

[sorvju-f]

There were often huge schools of different kind of fishes...these were also in Punta Vicente Roca...I don't know name of these:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kalaparvi%203%20WM%20800%20FIX%20b.jpg/full

Note the videographer in the middle of the school ( there is also feeling of movement even shutter was 1/100 s ):

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kalaparvi%201%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

I think these are mackerels:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Makrillit%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[Ken Hawk]

I think the first ones are Sea Bream & the 2nd are trevally, Not a 100% though.

[sorvju-f]

I have not seen anywhere else so many turtles than Galapagos:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kilppari%20B1%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Turtle%20C8%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Turtle%20face%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Turtle%20A1%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Turtle%2022%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I have not seen anywhere else so many moray eels than Galapagos:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Moray%201%20WM%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Murkku%202%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Murkku%208%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

I think Carl is in the backgroun again:p ( Carl this is fish eye and 1,4 x teleconverter )

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Moray%20and%20Diver%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Murena%2035%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

Jukka

[Andrew]

With all the problems, insurance claims, etc, etc, I have only just had time to sit down and start sorting out the UW pictures from Galapagos, so here we go...

[Andrew]

Some more...

[sorvju-f]

Thanks Andrew for posting...started to be little bit lonely work! Great set!

You got something I did not see...long nose hawkfish and beautiful picture from it.

Also your whale shark pictures are great.

I like also the diver against school of fishes.

Jukka

[solisti]

Great Shots everyone. Looks like if you only are going to just one place, Galapacos should be it.

[Andrew]

Hey Jukka,

Yes I thought you went with a group of photographers :p however it is only you posting? ;) Great pics by the way and like your new logo picture! Did you get to swim with the Salema while you were there as that was an amazing experience.

Land pictures hopefully tomorrow :D

Solisti, it really is the place that you should visit once in your lifetime, if you want someone to carry your bags... I'm in!

A few more hot off the press... :cool:

Andrew

[Bob Pitasi]

Hi Folks,

Here are some of my shots with my little point and shoot camera with no strobes used. Any thought, suggestion or comments would be appreciate, since I'm new at doing stills.

Best regards,

K-Bob

[Bob Pitasi]

Here are a few more.

[sorvju-f]

Here are a few more.

Great Bob!

I love the first whale shark pic in second post...also marine iguanas sitting on stone is nice. Eagle ray with galapagos shark is the one I wanted, but didn't get.

It feels like rock and roll day today! Lot of pics during one day.

Bob how was your video?

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Hey Jukka,

Yes I thought you went with a group of photographers :p however it is only you posting? ;) Great pics by the way and like your new logo picture! Did you get to swim with the Salema while you were there as that was an amazing experience.

Land pictures hopefully tomorrow :D

Solisti, it really is the place that you should visit once in your lifetime, if you want someone to carry your bags... I'm in!

A few more hot off the press... :cool:

Andrew

Turtle pic is giving the freedom feeling.

What is this bird...you know the names...is the one which can not fly but damn fast in water?

Jukka

[Andrew]

Hi Jukka,

I have no idea, but it is not a penguin. They were often around when we came up from dives and would try landing on our heads! They do fly. I will ask my wife as she is into birds whereas I am into fish and sharks :D

Nice pics Bob, like the whale shark picture and very lucky to catch an eagle ray and a shark (galapagos??) in one picture. What are you using and is there video to follow... ;)

Andrew

[Andrew]

Jukka, this is the only penguin I saw in the water on the whole trip! Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Jukka, this is the only penguin I saw in the water on the whole trip! Andrew

Oops you are fast...saw one and got the pic...I saw many and got zero pic....they were fast:p

Jukka

[Jonathan Bird]

Jukka,
Swimming birds that couldn't fly were the penguins and the cormorants.

The Brown footed boobies are the ones that attacked the dive flag at the end of the dive.

Lots of good shots everyone. Bob, not bad for a little tiny camera!! I only had my still camera on a handful of dives. I hope to start editing the video soon though.

Jonathan

[Bodie]

Finally got through most of my shots. Jukka the color in your shots is truly phenomenal! How much are you doing in post?

I've picked the best shots but have done very little editing of them. I have lots to learn with color correction and the tweaks that make these shine.

Here's what I learned from the trip so far:
- Use lots of light
- Shoot lower F-stops (I tended towards F9.6-F16 generally- created a lot of nice sharp backscatter
- Use a weaker diopter (had been using +3 because of a bad recommendation. Its too much for my 16-35mm)
- Get in the critters faces- they obviously didn't mind
- Get closer to the critters!
- Get a new dive computer that doesn't malfunction or cherp and scare off critters

I'm going to try to put up a test image from one of my external sites before loading more here. Will eventually need redo all of it with watermarks for this site.

The top 50 are here (http://web.me.com/d.bodenstein/Imaging/Galapagos.html)

OK heres a couple pics- maybe- if not check out the link and I'll get them posted eventually.
http://web.me.com/d.bodenstein/Imaging/Galapagos.html#1

[Carl]

Jukka, I remember being pointed out the rare and exotic long nose hawkfish in Fiji. There they were totally camoflaged and very difficult for me to find.

I saw so many in Galapagos, and they weren't bothering to hide. I was really surprised. I do not look for little guys, and they still showed up for me.

i assume you were not noticing them, as I think there were many. I think I did not even bother to put them on video, because no one seemed to mention them.

They are a very pretty fish !

Carl

[sorvju-f]

Jukka, I remember being pointed out the rare and exotic long nose hawkfish in Fiji. There they were totally camoflaged and very difficult for me to find.

I saw so many in Galapagos, and they weren't bothering to hide. I was really surprised. I do not look for little guys, and they still showed up for me.

i assume you were not noticing them, as I think there were many. I think I did not even bother to put them on video, because no one seemed to mention them.

They are a very pretty fish !

Carl

Carl!

Maybe I just could not see them, because could not expect them...there was little macro thoughts during this trip;)

I agree they are very pretty.

I have made decission to visit at least once again Galapagos some day...maybe then.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Jukka,
Swimming birds that couldn't fly were the penguins and the cormorants.

The Brown footed boobies are the ones that attacked the dive flag at the end of the dive.

Lots of good shots everyone. Bob, not bad for a little tiny camera!! I only had my still camera on a handful of dives. I hope to start editing the video soon though.

Jonathan

Jonathan, it is nice to know the names of those beutiful creatures...I even miss those flag attackers.

I think cormorants is the name I was searching for.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Finally got through most of my shots. Jukka the color in your shots is truly phenomenal! How much are you doing in post?

I've picked the best shots but have done very little editing of them. I have lots to learn with color correction and the tweaks that make these shine.

Here's what I learned from the trip so far:
- Use lots of light
- Shoot lower F-stops (I tended towards F9.6-F16 generally- created a lot of nice sharp backscatter
- Use a weaker diopter (had been using +3 because of a bad recommendation. Its too much for my 16-35mm)
- Get in the critters faces- they obviously didn't mind
- Get closer to the critters!
- Get a new dive computer that doesn't malfunction or cherp and scare off critters

I'm going to try to put up a test image from one of my external sites before loading more here. Will eventually need redo all of it with watermarks for this site.

The top 50 are here (http://web.me.com/d.bodenstein/Imaging/Galapagos.html)

OK heres a couple pics- maybe- if not check out the link and I'll get them posted eventually.
http://web.me.com/d.bodenstein/Imaging/Galapagos.html#1

I feel like best picture is not needing lot of adjustments that is often situation with topside pics...I think that cameras are really build for that environment.

What I use PS for UW:

1...first whitebalance....situations are chainging so often that you do not have time to correct WB manually to every shot.

2 Cropping if needed.

3 Levels

4 Sharpening if needed

5 Sometimes shadows and highlight

5 Brushing if needed

5 Brightnes and contrast, if needed

That is my main workflow.

Your pics:

First you have great collection!

Two pics which made me biggest influence are sealion raising head upwards ( 4299 ) and whole face pic of pelican ( 4222).

Also Jesus statue from Cathedral with nice light is impressive ( like all the night pics from cathedral ). What lens you were using?

Albatross with the baby have story...I would have turned camera 90 degrees or cropping other way.

Land iguana ( 4182 ) have great composition and color effect.

Sometimes backscatter is part of the pic like jellyfish ( 4902 ).

Close ups like ( 5088 ) and ( 5169 ) are impressive.

I also liked turtle face ( 5199 ).

You should link them here...easier to follow.

Your learning curve:

Actually you are using the list already you had at the beginning

Use lot of (back)light:

-look pics 4538 and 4796 against 4809

f-stops or exif-info I could not see.

Diopter question I can not comment...I do not use at all.

Get closer:

4922, 4902, 5098, 5169, 5199 and 5252.

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

I have to put this here...if I would be fish and seeing this coming behind the corals I would be afraid and run away---even there is no strobes:eek:

Reminds me the one drawing Solisti had somewhere here once ( I think it is somewhere in logo planning thread )

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Tim_1%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[Andrew]

I had never realised why the fish were so quick to swim away... looking from the other side now I know :D

Andrew

[Andrew]

a couple of Mantas...

http://www.cig.canon-europe.com/ph/OPA/aig/I9sDYJdDwqmJmawSCU03ks3kskXL0103kskXLH3oL1wCi.jpg

[solisti]

Bob: Great composition. Photos look a little flat, you could try increasing contrast and black level. Just a little to get more depth in to picture.

Jukka: I think you mean this one:
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg27/solisti/diver.jpg

[sorvju-f]

Bob: Great composition. Photos look a little flat, you could try increasing contrast and black level. Just a little to get more depth in to picture.

Jukka: I think you mean this one:
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg27/solisti/diver.jpg

Yes Solisti that is the one...do you find some similarity?

Jukka

[tkelly]

More great shots Jukka. I didn't realize there were small animals on the trip.

[rcohn]

I’ve been correcting and posting pictures from my point and shoot camera on a webshots site, which is nearly finished, see: http://community.webshots.com/user/rfcohn for all the photos.

Here are a few I like:

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/44196/2883870810103690675S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2883870810103690675gEOLOP)

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/40916/2467126260103690675S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2467126260103690675WMknrO)

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/44086/2320651170103690675S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2320651170103690675ZZkclJ)

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/7581/2113160630103690675S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2113160630103690675SoKVGh)

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/13510/2622147390103690675S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2622147390103690675xSkjtR)

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/9854/2363157530103690675S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2363157530103690675DQDMzJ)

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/46116/2487027200103690675S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2487027200103690675xFFjdv)

Ralph

[sorvju-f]

I’ve been correcting and posting pictures from my point and shoot camera on a webshots site, which is nearly finished, see: http://community.webshots.com/user/rfcohn for all the photos.

Here are a few I like:

Ralph

Hi Ralph!

Thanks for posting!

I love the shot where Jonathan is warming his *** in hot box:p

I think the one is this kormoran...bird,which can not fly.

I didn't see any nudi's.

Jukka

[scubagirl]

Great shots, everyone! I like the latest one of the turtle with its entourage.

Was there anyone on the trip without either a still or video camera??

[sorvju-f]

Some fishes:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Fish%20face%2010%20WM%208oo%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Buffer%201%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Buffer%206%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Buffer%203%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Sininaama%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some more fishes:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Fish%20face%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kala%204%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos+2009+3-17.8/Eyes+WM+800+fix+b.jpg

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Fisu%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Korallia%20ja%20kala%20b%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some mixed pictures:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kukka%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Corals%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Corals%204%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Makkara%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Kotilo_1%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Then it is time to go back to basics:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/ER%20B%203%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/ER%20B%204%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/ER%20B%205%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/ER%20B%202%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Tong%20midlle%20of%20the%20mouth%20c%20WM%20800%20 fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[Andrew]

Lovely bright and clear pictures Jukka... thought you were only looking at the big stuff ;) On the nudi's I think I must have seen them on more than half the dives we did...

My favourite of that set must be the first one of second post which is head on, lovely picture.

Andrew

[sorvju-f]

Back to basics 2

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Galapagos%20shark%20B2%20WM%20800%20fix%20B.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Vasarahai%201%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Vasarahai%2010%20WM%208oo%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka

[sorvju-f]

Some divers here between:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Bob%20and%20David%203%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

You can see from the hairs that there were current sometimes...

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Bob%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Bob%20and%20David%202%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Solon our dive leader:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Solon%205%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Solon%20A1%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full



Jukka

[sorvju-f]

More basics:

This one is mah favourite:

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Vasarahai%20hyv%E4%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/Vasarahai%2030%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/HH%20school%2010%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

http://sorvjuf.1g.fi/kuvat/Galapagos%202009%203-17.8/HH%20school%2010%20b%202%20WM%20800%20fix%20b.jpg/full

Jukka