Diving the other side

Diver waits for another diver to get onto the boat.

Surprisingly I woke up today with no hangover. I was scheduled to dive just one dive (Noel’s request the night before) but felt it would be more fun to do two dives with all the others on the big boat. The boat for the day went to Napaling -- on the other side of Panglao Island because visibility was supposed to be better there. Rene, Ramona, Patrick, Jana, Daniel (from Korea), Yoeri (videographer), and I went on the long boat ride.

Underwater, the scenery was beautiful with excellent visibility. Along the reef wall, there were large canyons and rock overhangs populated with lush coral and fish. It was so good, we stayed at the same dive location for both dives (moved to a different part of the dive site).

Large frogfish on coral

I shot one of my best photographs of a frogfish that was perched on a soft coral. It actually moved away me while I was taking pictures of him which is unusual because they don’t usually move. I also shot one of my favorite shots of a scorpionfish. I’m starting to be more content with my underwater photographs.

Scorpion fish perched on a sponge

Now that I’m technically getting more used to my camera and strobe setup, I’m experimenting more with the creative aspects of lighting and composition in my underwater photography. It’s a lot harder than it looks, especially if -- there’s a current pushing you one direction, your buoyancy is off, your strobe needs adjusting, fragile coral surrounds you, and your subject moves away from your slightest movement.

Jana shot using my lensbaby lens

Between dives we ate lunch as usual. It was sunny, and the water was calm and clear. I took lots of photos using my new lensbaby lens my work gave me as a going away gift. Its fun to use, and I shoot pictures of things I wouldn’t normally if I was using a standard lens. Yoeri and Rene showed interest and tried it out themselves.

Starfish

Our second dive was good but we didn’t see as much as in our first dive. When Yoeri filmed me, I felt like I had to act, not notice him, and have proper diving technique. It was a little weird.

A small crab, slightly larger than the size of a thumb

Back on Alona, we simply cleaned up, ate at Hayahay, and hung out at Oops Bar!. Yoeri said he would have the video ready by 9 pm but I forgot to go check it out.

- jason