News
The Scuba Place Photography Workshop with Phil Medcalf: Puerto Galera May 2024
The Scuba Place is excited to announce a new partnership with Phil Medcalf of Alphamarine Photography with a Photography Workshop at Scandi Divers in Puerto Galera Philippines in May 2024.
Phil has been scuba diving for over 30 years and has been taking digital pictures underwater for over 15 of those. In that time, he’s dived around the world including the UK, Egypt, Indonesia, the Maldives and Australia. Along with his wife Anne, he turned his interest into a business in 2017 and now they own Alphamarine Photography Ltd an underwater photography training and retail company. They have a highly rated blog on their website alphamarinephoto.com and a Facebook Q & A group with over 2000 members worldwide.
Phil and Anne have written on underwater photography for magazines and presented on the subject at every Go Diving show since the event started. Their workshops and online courses on uw photography and photo editing attract students from around the world. Phil’s expertise ranges from getting the best from budget-friendly compact cameras to using the latest high-end mirrorless options. His experience as a retailer gives him a much broader knowledge base than many underwater photographers when it comes to the equipment in use.
Before running Alphamarine Photography full time Phil worked in health care for over 25 years. During that time much of his role involved teaching skills to adults and he brings this experience as well as Anne’s expertise as a university lecturer to how the workshops are designed and taught.
Phil will be hosting The Scuba Place’s first underwater photography workshop at Scandi Divers in May 2024. With a blend of formal and informal coaching, Phil will conduct both group and one-to-one instruction. A daily talk will cover topics such as Understanding Exposure, Composition and Lighting, Shooting in Manual Mode, Equipment and Postproduction. Phil will make himself available to answer questions, give advice and conduct ad hoc teaching sessions throughout the workshop. He will also have some demo equipment to try such as wet lenses and strobes. And everyone participating in the workshop will have the opportunity to have one on one time with Phil where he can review your images and give you specific advice. The aim of Phil’s workshop is for everyone to be happier with the pictures they are getting at the end of the trip than they were at the start.
The Scuba Place say they could think of no better place to kick off this new partnership than Scandi Divers in Puerto Galera. Situated on the Verde Passage, Puerto Galera is widely recognised as one of the most bio-diverse bodies of water on the planet. It contains more varieties of fish than the Red Sea and more varieties of hard and soft corals than the Great Barrier Reef!
The water temperature in Puerto Galera averages around 29°C throughout the year, and the visibility is excellent. Surrounded by beautiful reefs, thriving with marine life, Puerto Galera has an abundance of amazing dive sites, most of them within a few minutes boat ride of the resort! There are wrecks, caves, muck dives, shallow coral fields, and drift dives. Plenty of opportunities for both wide angle and macro photography!
The Scuba Place previously visited Scandi Divers in April 2023 and absolutely loved it! The diving was spectacular, the food was scrumptious, and the people were sensational! You can read their full trip report here. The resort is located on Big Laguna Beach with over 40 rooms. The Sky View Restaurant & Bar is on the second floor allowing for great views. The Beachfront Restaurant is on the first floor and offers a great spot to meet your dive buddies for happy hour! Both offer the same menu with international, Filipino and western cuisine. The Scuba Place team were on a full-board basis and never disappointed with any meal!
The onsite dive centre has a five-station camera room for underwater photographers. The dive package for the workshop includes up to 4 dives daily. Two morning boat dives are offered after breakfast followed by one afternoon boat dive after lunch back at the resort. Dusk and night dives are also an option. A Verde Island day trip is Included as well as a blackwater dive. NITROX is available on a per tank or weekly charge, and The Scuba Place analysed their tanks with between 30 and 32 and had great fills over 200bar plus during our last stay.
John and Mona from The Scuba Place say they “are thrilled to be going back and as aspiring underwater photographers, we’re looking forward to learning from one of the best! So if you’re looking for an amazing dive holiday… Come Dive with Us and Phil Medcalf!”
Photography Workshop with Phil Medcalf
Scandi Divers – Puerto Galera Philippines
- 10 night itinerary
- departs Saturday 25 May 2024
Itinerary highlights :
- Return flights London Heathrow to Manila vis Dubai on Emirates Airlines departing 25 May 2024
- 1 night accommodation in Manila
- 9 nights at Scandi Divers Resort in selected room type with full board
- 8 days diving with 3 boat dives and 1 night dive per day
- Verde Island excursion with lunch and one hour massage session included
- Photo Workshop with Phil Metcalf of Alphamarine Photography with daily talks, group and one to one coaching, ad hoc teaching sessions and advice
- All transfers and taxes
from £2549 per person based on double occupancy
Check out the full itinerary and brochure here.
Contact The Scuba Place today and book your space!!
Email john@thescubaplace.co.uk or call 020 3515 9955.
Want to know a little more? Here are some links :
For all things Phil and Anne of Alphamarine Photography
alphamarinephoto.com https://www.facebook.com/alphamarinephoto/https://www.facebook.com/groups/alphamarineqanda/
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/alphamarine
For more on Puerto Galera and Scandi Divers
https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk/puerto-galera-philippines
https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk/scandi-divers-resort
For the April 2023 Trip Report and Underwater Images
https://www.thescubaplace.co.uk/post/dive-the-philippines-scandi-divers-puerto-galera-trip-report
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thescubaplace/albums/72177720309565482
The Scuba Place designs and builds custom scuba diving holidays. With personal knowledge and experience diving in many of our destinations, there is no one better to help build your dream dive holiday. Come Dive with Us!
Call us at 020 3515 9955 or email at reservations@thescubaplace.co.uk
Find us on
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/thescubaplace
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/the.scuba.place/
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH684OdioYirI-zzdT58Ceg
Flickr : https://www.flickr.com/photos/thescubaplace/albums
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
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
Gear News
Introducing the RS Series Drysuit from DYNAMICNORD
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
-
Blogs3 months ago
Gozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News2 weeks ago
Iconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months ago
NovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month ago
Book Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
News3 months ago
Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving by Howard Rosenstein available now
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months ago
Book Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month ago
DYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News4 weeks ago
Exploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream