News

Scubaverse.com’s Underwater Photography Editors Launch New Book in London

Published

5 years ago

July 22, 2016

Divers, underwater photographers and journalists from across the UK joined Scubaverse.com’s Underwater Photography Editors Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown at Ocean Leisure in London last night for the launch of their new book ‘World’s Best Wildlife Dive Sites’.

Also in attendance were the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the South Australian Tourism Commission, both of which organised trips for Nick and Caroline so they could do research and take photos for the book. The two organisations were definitely in the party mood; the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism got things started with some Bahama Mamas (a concoction of white rum, dark rum, coconut rum and fruit juices), and the South Australian Tourism Commission supplied red and white wines from the region and a Virtual Reality headset experience which gave party guests the opportunity to ‘dry dive’ with the fur seals of South Australia.

Underwater Photographer and BSoUP (British Society of Underwater Photographers) Chair Paul Colley, who has written the Foreword of ‘World’s Best Wildlife Dive Sites’, said: “It’s been a superb evening. It’s been great to get underwater photographers together like this to chat and swap stories and ideas – in fact as a community, we don’t do this sort of thing nearly enough.

Nick and Caroline with Anthony, Maria and Iain from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

“I’m a huge fan of the book, which is why I was delighted to write the foreword for Nick and Caroline. These days we all have such limited time to fit everything into our lives, and it’s hard sometimes to figure out what to do next; so it’s great when a book like this comes along which is so inspirational and really gets you fired up for your next trip.”

Later in the evening, celebrity wine critic, writer and Nick’s personal friend Oz Clarke joined the party to offer his support too.

Nick and Caroline with Frances from the South Australian Tourism Commission and celebrity wine critic and writer Oz Clarke

Nick and Caroline with Richard and Hayley from Black Manta Photography

“We were overwhelmed by the turnout this evening, and would like to say a big thank you to all who came and of course to Ocean Leisure for hosting the event,” said an elated Nick at the end of the evening.

World’s Best Wildlife Dive Sites is a 288 page hardback book, published by Reed New Holland. It boasts some 250 images from 16 countries. Each of the 32 locations is chosen for a particular key wildlife phenomenon, whether that is coral reefs, whales, seals, manta rays, and so on. Each chapter comprises captivating images, a written account and a concise fact-panel outlining the key species, tips for visitors, equipment to take and the best time to visit.

Experiences include: crocodiles and silky sharks in Cuba; Great White Sharks and Weedy Seadragons in Australia; Whale Sharks of Mexico and Manta Rays in the Maldives; Hammerhead Sharks in the Bahamas; Basking Sharks and seals in the UK; turtles and Humpback Whales in the Caribbean; schooling fish and corals in Egypt; the Sardine Run in South Africa; Manatees and kelp forests in the USA; and the critters of Indonesia. It will be the ultimate tour of the world’s marine wildlife hot-spots, guaranteed to whet the appetite of divers, snorkelers and armchair naturalists everywhere.

Nick and Caroline are a husband and wife team of underwater photographers. They both have degrees in biology from Manchester University, with Caroline also having a masters in animal behaviour. Nick has been awarded a Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society and he also has a diploma in teaching studies (Dip Ed). They are ardent supporters of marine conservation and hope that their images can help to inspire people to look after our seas and oceans.

‘World’s Best Wildlife Dive Sites’ is available now in hardback for £19.99. Buy it here.

To find out more about Nick and Caroline, visit www.frogfishphotography.com.

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Scubaverse UWP Winners Gallery: Christian Horras

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2021

Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown

Each month we give the winner of the Scubaverse Underwater Photography competition the opportunity to show off a little more of their work in a gallery. The March winner was Christian Horras and you can see their winning image at the top of this page.

What do you love about diving & underwater photography?

For me it is all about showing the beauty of our world underwater to people that don’t dive and thus can’t see it for themselves. I want to share my own passion for the amazing ecosystem that is so much older than everything we know living on land. As I am from Germany, there are only a few people in my surroundings that have ever seen a coral reef or a shark with their own eyes. It is a big privilege to be able to go diving all over the world and in return it should be our task to arise awareness of this fragile and endangered ecosystem.

What equipment do you use?

I use a Nikon D810 in a Isotta Housing and various lenses, depending on the subject: a Sigma 15mm F2.8 Fisheye, a Nikon 16-35 mm F4 and two Nikon Macro lenses (60mm and 105mm), as well as a WeeFine +13 Diopter. The Fisheye is my main lens, as it allows me to get really close and still cover a big field of view. For lighting I use two Retra Pro Strobes and a Retra Snoot.

Where can our readers see more of your work?

Website: www.christianhorras.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/christian.horras/

To enter the latest Scubaverse Underwater Photography competition, with a chance to win some great prizes as well as have your own gallery published, head over to the competition page and upload up to 3 images.

News

Emperor Divers reaches halfway in Covid Diver Heroes Initiative with fourth award

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2021

Team Scubaverse

Emperor Divers have reached the halfway point with their #coviddiverheroes initiative and are still receiving worthy nominations every day! Here, they recognise their 4th winner, another awesome hero from the diving community with an inspirational story of selflessness through the pandemic. Nominated by David White, Phuong Cao wins a free liveaboard trip in the Maldives when she can finally take some time off, and here is her story:

I, David White, would like to nominate Phuong Cao (36) for her tireless efforts fighting this pandemic. Not satisfied with being a frontline hospitalist in New York she took a second job on the COVID team in Guam to treat patients under even tougher conditions on her weeks off! She continues to commute 7750 miles each way and apply herself to both jobs for three months already and counting. Her energy level has no limits and she’s only happy when those in her care are on the mend. I think she definitely deserves a break! I guess the Maldives would be the best choice for her as I know she has dived with you in the Red Sea already.

Phuong Cao

We have been in touch with Phuong who had this to say: “Wow what a surprise! Thank you for the recognition. Holding my breath until I get back underwater!”

The halfway point is a good chance to remind people that the initiative is still running and the Emperor Divers team would love to hear about more heroes, as there are four more to award in the next 2 months!

Do you know a diver who has been heroic this past year? Emperor know that, worldwide, people have had to step up during this pandemic which has affected so many lives. They want to reward some real heroes with free liveaboard trips in the Red Sea or Maldives.

Luke Atkinson, Emperor’s Red Sea Manager, said: “This initiative is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to all those hundreds of people who have taken a selfless interest in looking after the vulnerable in their community. Examples could include healthworkers, carers or those who have come out of retirement to volunteer locally, but really we know there are many other ways people have been heroic.“

Emperor want to hear from people who know a heroic diver who would love to have a free liveaboard trip to look forward to in the future. People need to nominate a Covid Hero Diver and tell Emperor (in 100 – 200 words) why they deserve a free trip, and whether they would prefer the Red Sea or the Maldives. A multinational panel of Emperor’s most loyal and compassionate staff will judge the entries and pick a winner every 2 weeks for the next 2 months. There are two remaining Red Sea and two more Maldives liveaboards to be earned, so get nominating and give that hero a reward for their amazing work!

Winners will be announced by 14th (Maldives) and 28th (Red Sea) of each month. Final entries for Red Sea by 20th May ‘21 and Maldives 5th June ’21.

Entries, comments and questions should be sent to heroes@emperordivers.com.

Terms & Conditions apply: Please contact heroes@emperordivers.com for details.

RED SEA LIVEABOARD : Wall to Wall : May 2021

Expires on:

Explore the amazing triangle of Red Sea Reefs - The Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone on board the brand new liveaboard Big Blue. With an option to add on a week at Roots Red Sea before or after.

Strong currents and deep blue water are the catalysts that bring the pelagic species flocking to these reefs. The reefs themselves provide exquisite homes for a multitude of marine life. The wafting soft corals are adorned with thousands of colourful fish. The gorgonian fans and hard corals provide magnificent back drops, all being patrolled by the reef’s predatory species.

£1475 per person based on double occupancy. Soft all inclusive board basis, buffet meals with snacks, tea and coffee always available. Add a week on at Roots Red Sea Resort before or after the liveaboard for just £725pp. Flights and transfers are included. See our brochure linked above for the full itinerary.

This trip will be hosted by The Scuba Place. Come Dive with Us!

Call 020 3515 9955 or email john@thescubaplace.co.uk

www.thescubaplace.co.uk

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