News
Getting into Photogrammetry – debut blog from Alex Tasker
Every cloud has a silver lining. In early March our skipper called off the weekend’s diving in Loch Fyne. A shame – but I made a couple of phone calls and seized the opportunity to attend IANTD’s first, two-day Photogrammetry course instead. I’ve been experimenting with this over the last year and increasingly feeling that I needed some help!
Tim Clements, who prepared the course, was there to lead it at Vobster Quay. Although there was quite a mix of students with a variety of camera gear, everyone was able to create 3D models from their own image data that they had captured during the underwater exercises which were part of the course. There was an emphasis on teamwork, safety and dive management, as well as on the photographic tasks, and all the students got useful feedback on their in-water abilities over the weekend.
I was paired with David, an experienced technical instructor. While this was my first visit to Vobster he must have dived there hundreds of times – he’s enthusiastic about the place and I must say I found it well set up and hassle-free. We gelled easily and I really enjoyed developing the use of “angel lighting” over the three dives we did together. On dive #2 I had an issue with my primary camera and was relieved to have the Paralenz on top of my rig – I was able to extract frames from the video to produce this model: https://skfb.ly/6HYJJ (that’s the same concrete block we were playing with topside the previous day!)
Back in the classroom, Simon Brown of Deep3D provided expert knowledge on photography and image processing. I was delighted to renew my acquaintance with Simon, who’s a particularly accomplished photogrammeter (if that’s the word) and has modelled numerous interesting underwater sites. I came away with pages of notes to digest on the photography itself and subsequent workflow.
We were also treated to some great 3D VR demos from Marcus Blatchford, illustrating some of the potential for our 3D models. He lent some much-needed computing power too, putting together this model from the image data I captured on dive #3: https://skfb.ly/6HTHX
We all deemed the course a real success; I’m certainly hoping to share some far more interesting models in the near future…
Whether freediving or diving – everyone cuts a great figure in the new camouflage suits from DYNAMICNORD.
Thanks to the specially designed camouflage pattern in beautiful colours, the new two-piece
SFS-3 and SFS-5 apnea suits are perfect for freediving. The design gives freedivers the chance to observe underwater creatures from a shorter distance.
Due to the robust and high-quality Yamamoto neoprene and high-quality workmanship, the SFS-3 and SFS-5 are also suitable for scuba diving or other water sports.
As the names suggest, the suits are available in 3 or 5mm neoprene thickness. A combination of high-quality Yamamoto #39/45 Limestone neoprene is used. This material is characterised by its special lightness and flexibility. The suits are extremely flexible and comfortable to wear while providing maximum thermal insulation. The outer flex lamination supports the ultra 4-way stretch. Thanks to the open cells, the suits fit like a second skin.
The double-clip beaver tail is a convenient system for donning and doffing. Reinforced knees and rear ensure the necessary robustness. The vented hood allows excess air to escape.
The MC-15 freediving mask and SC-10 freediving snorkel with camouflage pattern as well as the AF-70 freediving fins are available in matching colours.
The camouflage SFS-3 and SFS-5 apnea suits are now available from DYNAMICNORD dealers in great colours and unisex sizes.
SFS-3
Recommended sales price: £264.00
Sizes unisex: S-2XL
Colours: camo/blue, camo/green
SFS-5
Recommended sales price: £353.00
Sizes unisex: S-2XL
Colours: camo/blue, camo/green
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
The GO Diving Show – the only consumer dive and travel show in the UK – returns to the NAEC Stoneleigh on 1-2 March 2025, just in time to kick off the new season, and early bird 2-for-1 tickets are now available, representing fantastic value for money.
Buy your ticket before 31 January 2025 for £17.50, and get your buddy, your spouse or your best friend in with you absolutely free! Or why not bring that non-diving mate along so they can see all of the wonders of the underwater world they are missing out on!
Effectively, the 2-for-1 offer equates to each ticket being just £8.75. And as always, this includes complimentary parking. And under-16s go free of charge, so bring the kids along for a fabulous family day out!
The Main Stage headline presenter is TV star, author and adventurer Steve Backshall, making a welcome return to the GO Diving Show after a few years away. He’ll be joined by NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut and Head of Scientific Research at DEEP Dawn Kernagis, fellow TV presenter, author and perennial favourite Monty Halls, and the dynamic duo of explorers Rannva Joermundsson and Maria Bollerup, who will be talking about their recent Expedition Buteng in Indonesia.
The dedicated UK Stage, Tech Stage, Photo Stage and Inspiration Stage are filling up with some familiar faces and a host of fresh speakers, and the show floor is getting fill to capacity with hundreds of exhibitors, including tour operators, resorts, dive centres, liveaboards, tourist boards, training agencies, manufacturers, retailers, and the ever-popular British Isles Experience.
You can take advantage of the Go Diving Show 2-for-1 ticket deal here.
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