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Scubaverse Underwater Photographer Interview: Roisin Maddison

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In an ongoing series, Scubaverse’s Underwater Photography Editor Nick Robertson-Brown talks to underwater photographers from around the world that he admires. In this blog: Roisin Maddison


NRB: How did your underwater photography start?

RM: Growing up with a mountaineer for a father I spent the majority of my childhood in the British countryside running around with my dad’s old compact film camera bossing people around telling getting them to pose for photos or to get out of my way of my shot. Back then it would take months to get the photos developed, mostly due to the fact that my dad never took them to the photo shop and would end up stockpiling rolls upon rolls of film but also because he would inevitably forget to go and pick them up when he eventually did.

It was on my 12th birthday that my dad bought me my first digital camera, a small Olympic compact that I’m pretty sure I still have hidden in a box in my old bedroom. It was from there that my photography really kicked off, now that I could see what photos I was taking, and I no longer had to wait months to receive the final product only for it to be blurred or out of focus.

It was however one of my high school art teachers that encouraged me to take my photography seriously and to take it on into my A-levels where I found that I really did have a talent and a passion for photography, favouring it over all of my other “academic” subjects.

It was a given that I was going to go on and study photography at University but nature photography was always my passion, I just couldn’t be bothered with the fashion or street photography elements of my course and I was adamant that I wanted to be based near the sea. However, all the courses I researched or came across were all heavily based on editorial, fashion, urban photography areas that I just wasn’t interested in. Until I came across Falmouth University’s Marine and Natural History Photography course. It was ideal. It was near the sea and it was a course based entirely on nature photography; it even had a diving element, which sounded like a bit of fun. At this stage I had never Scuba dived, I was an avid swimmer, but Scuba diving was never something I had considered doing, it just wasn’t on my radar but what the hell! It’ll be fun, I’ll give it a go.

Little did I know whilst on my first open water dive in the Delph Quarry or on my first university dive at Pendennis Silver Steps that Scuba diving and underwater photography was about to consume my entire life.

NRB: What is your favourite u/w camera equipment (past & present) & why?

RM: My first underwater photography dive was done with a compact Panasonic set up with a single strobe. Once we had proved ourselves trustworthy, we graduated on to a Nikon D7000 and Nauticam housing with either a 60mm macro or the Tokina 10-17 fisheye lens. When I graduated university and no longer had access to the uni’s cameras I treated myself to Nauticam housing for my D7200 and a 60mm macro. For about 2 years this 60mm macro was the only dome port I owned; underwater photography equipment isn’t cheap, especially for a recent photography graduate. Whilst I have since expanded my equipment collection and tried out other cameras and set ups, my D7200 and my trusty 60mm macro will always be my go-to set up. The 60mm is just such a versatile lens. It is a macro lens but it’s perfect for those slightly larger profile creatures, that aren’t quite big enough to warrant a wide angle, whilst also being perfect for any teeny tiny macro critters. Admittedly it doesn’t get as close or as much detail as the 105mm macro but if a turtle swims past whilst you have the 105mm on you have no chance. With the 60mm it may not be the perfect shot but you are at least in with a chance. Plus, there’s always room for a bit of cropping where those teeny tiny critters are concerned.

NRB: What would be your advice to anyone new to underwater photography?

RM: I would recommend getting to grips with manual setting and light set ups straight from the off, set yourself up in a nice shallow reef with a VERY patient buddy (even better a buddy who is already an underwater photographer that can advise you) and start off by practicing different settings and lighting techniques on a simple and static subject; anemones are always a good shout.

Underwater photography workshops are always a massive boost when starting out as well as underwater photography books. Alex Mustards book Underwater Photography masterclass is my absolute go-to when trying out a new technique. But remember even if you are an amazing photographer top side and an experienced diver, it is going to take a lot of time and effort to get to grips with underwater photography and undoubtedly your first few images are not going to be perfect. But stick with it because when you get your first perfect shot, all that time and effort will be worth it.

NRB: What, or who, has been your single biggest inspiration for your underwater photography?

RM: My biggest inspiration for underwater photography has got to be Jane Morgan, not only is she an amazing underwater photographer who has had many amazing articles and images published over the years, but she is also a genuinely kind and caring person who wants to help and inspire the next generation of underwater photographers. Many other Marine and Natural History students and I have had the pleasure of having her as our tutor and all-round photography guru. Over the years she has had to put up with my badgering her for tips and tricks, but she has always been there to lend a piece of equipment or teach me a new technique. She helped me get my first magazine article published and all round cheered me on to pursue a career in underwater photography.

NRB: What image are you most proud of and why?

RM: This is a hard question to answer, I am proud of so many of my images and I don’t think I would be able to choose just one. Quite often my favourite images from a dive or a trip aren’t necessarily the best photographs or the most technical, they are the ones that have the best memories and the most meaning to me.

To name just one is hard but I think I would have to pick a photograph I took in Egypt two years ago. I dropped down on a night dive and the first thing I came across was a brittle star. It was stood up on its arms holding its body in the air, which was strange behaviour that I had never come across before, so I stopped to photograph it and as I did it started spawning right in front of my camera lens. I was amazed and privileged to get to witness such an amazing bit of nature.

NRB: Where is your favourite dive location, and is it for the photography?

RM: My favourite dive location is a little 5m shore dive off the coast of Falmouth. Pendennis Sliver Steps is the easiest most simple dive site you will ever visit but it is also the most stunning. It is the perfect dive site to jump into on your way home from work and get a bit of photography practice in, whether its testing out new equipment or techniques or just keeping your hand in during a busy period, or when the weather has prevented you from getting out anywhere else. Most importantly of all it is bursting with life, there are new species to find on nearly every dive but being such an easy dive site to jump into means I can spend so much time there and get to know to resident species, figuring out where they live, tracking their behaviours and markings throughout the year and each time getting to take better and more technical photographs.

NRB: What are you views on marine life manipulation, moving subjects?

RM: Personally, I am not one for marine life manipulation whether it be in water whilst taking the picture or in post edit. I like my photos to reflect what I saw on the dive as it was when I took the photo. I will however admit to occasionally doing a bit of ‘gardening’ and removing a stray bit of seaweed or two out of the way of the frame, but that is as far as I will go.

NRB: What do you look for when you are making your images?

RM: It very much depends on what dive I’m on and what I am taking the photograph for. If I am out on a pleasure dive, I will be looking for images with a difference. Every photographer wants to take that one image that nobody has ever taken before, but I will also be taking photographs for myself to document my dive and the species I found sometimes for my own memories and sometimes for species research and/or magazine articles. I think it’s very important for photographers not to get to bent up in taking the perfect image on every dive. Whilst underwater photography may be my chosen profession it is also my hobby and it is very important to me that I don’t turn my hobby, my escape, my passion, into an obsession or ruin it by making it feel too much like work.

NRB: What motivates you to take u/w photos?

RM: I take underwater photographs to create an awareness for non-divers as to the beauty and importance of our marine world. More specifically for me is a desire to exhibit how stunning and extensive our own British marine life is. In the last few years the threat to our Coral Reefs and tropical oceans has finally been taking seriously and divers and non-divers have finally realised the importance of our oceans and how imperative it is to save them. I want my photography to highlight that it isn’t just the tropical coral reefs that need savin. British marine habitats are just as important and just as exquisite.

NRB: If you could photograph any one thing/place what or where would that be?

RM: I spent 5 years living and diving in Cornish waters without ever coming across a blue shark or a basking shark. One of my aims for this next year is to get onto one of the blue shark/basking shark trips and to photograph these gentle giants in British waters.

To see more of Roisin’s work click here.

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake

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halloween

Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.

halloween halloween

After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.

halloween

With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.

halloween

Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!

Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.

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Marine Life & Conservation

Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction

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After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.

People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:

https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction

It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.

The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.

One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.

Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:

https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24

Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.

Find out more here:

https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31

 Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”

Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction


Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden

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