Category Archives: Uncategorized

Octopus Shenanigans

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Octopus Shenanigans

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One of my favourite inhabitants of the underwater world is the octopus.  Non divers may think of octopus as just “octopus?!?!” an item they see photos of from time to time or else as some sort of culinary item (not recommended!) However, to the well informed people (by this I mean those of us who scuba dive 😉 ) octopus are one of the most sought after encounters to be had.  These long legged mollusks are one of the most intelligent “non mammals” on the planet and an encounter with one is always a treat to any diver.  Having the opportunity to sit and watch one of these wily critters is always fun, especially if the octopus in question is up to something (hunting, house building, general tomfoolery such as attacking cameras)

In Bali, one of the best places to encounter octopus is the dive site Puri Jati (also known as PJs) which is located on the north side of the island, not to too far from Lovina.  The species which can be found here are some of the most sought after for underwater photographers:  mimic, long arm, and coconut octopus, I won’t bother with the scientific names!  Last week, I was in north Bali teaching an underwater photography class with a student who was learning both wide angle and macro photography techniques.  However, as part of his class he wanted to have a day in between so he could practice techniques without me, no problem I thought, I will go diving!  So I did, and am I ever happy I did that.  I took a wander down to Puri Jati and jumped in for two dives, a total of close to 200 minutes with a max depth of about 10 metres (30 feet) in nice warm water.  It turned out to be a very octopussy sort of day, with 7 different individuals of 3 different species with half of them being “players”.  The best two encounters were with a small mimic octopus and a large coconut octopus who were dueling for my attention.  The coconut had a great home that he was transporting around (coconut shell and clam shell) while the mimic was out for a jaunt and poking his tentacles into every crevice looking for a meal.  I spent over an hour just watching and photographing these two individuals and came back with some fantastic photos.  I have posted one here, but the others are a part of another project so can’t be posted quite yet.

 

 

Off to Lembeh!

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Photographer and CuttlefishIt’s been a busy few weeks in Bali between teaching a few photography courses to some great students and a quick 5 day whirlwind tour around the island with Aquamarine and Simon and Sofie Pridmore.  After 12 hours at home, I am now in the Makassar airport on my way to Lembeh Strait and the NAD Lembeh Resort for our first Underwater Tribe/NAD Lembeh photography workshop.  Its been a long time since I have spent any time in Lembeh and I am really looking forward to it.  Will do some diving and photography but really looking forward to spending some time with Simon, Zee, and Matt Oldfield as well as a great group of photography students who will be joining us next week.  Matt and I will be posting photos and updates on our blogs and Facebook if you would like to follow along.

Photographically I am going to concentrate on the wider side of Lembeh, so stay tuned!

 

 

Nyepi and the Ogoh Ogoh Parade

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BaliLandMV13-301Balinese culture has long fascinated me, from my first visit in 96 until the present, in which I call Bali home, the integration of daily life and the local Hindu religion is something that I am always reading and learning about, as well as watching it everyday!  Although I have lived in Indonesia since 2007, I have not had the opportunity to fully experience the Balinese “New Year” celebration before.  The name of this celebration is called Nyepi and means “day of silence” and like other new years celebrations in other parts of the world, it’s the biggest party of the year!  Its basically a three day ceremony and involves the day of the Ogoh Ogoh (more on that in a bit), a day of silence, and a day of forgiveness.  Basically, after 12 midnight of the first day the entire island goes black, electricity is not allowed and everyone needs to be silent for the next 30 hours until 6am of the following day!  Yes, the entire island shuts down, including the airport, no flights come in or out of Bali on that day, no one is allowed out of their homes or hotels, and all shops are closed.  Hotels do have electricity and obviously they do have some lights on but everyone, including tourists, are requested to respect the holiday by being discrete and quiet throughout the day.  Only “village security” and emergency vehicles are allowed on the streets during that period.

BaliLandMV13-304However, the coolest part of the Nyepi festivities has to be the Ogoh Ogoh parade.  What is an Ogoh Ogoh you may ask?  Well, it’s a paper mache monster that each village spends many months lovingly constructing, in often massive proportions!  The Ogoh Ogohs are meant to manifest and embody bad spirits that have taken up residence on the island over the year.  During the Ogoh Ogoh parade residents shake and prance with the Ogoh Ogohs in order to force the bad spirits up and away from the island.  After hours of prancing the Ogoh Ogohs along the streets, many of them congregate on the beach for a final “push” where many of these statues are destroyed or even burned.  Once the bad spirits have been chased away everyone turns out their lights and remain silent in order for the bad spirits not to see an opportunity to come back to the island.  By keeping the lights off and remaining quiet, the people hope to convince the spirits that there is nothing to see and therefore the bad spirits will go elsewhere to settle.

As this was my first time really seeing the Ogoh Ogoh parade, I was absolutely amazed at how many people were there.  I joined many of my friends at the McDonalds corner in Sanur, along with what must have been 100,000 of our closest friends!  Hundreds of Ogoh Ogohs were paraded past by excited and joyful locals who were obviously having a great time.  We were surrounded by lots of young children who were watching the parade with a great sense of fun and adventure.  The whole night was one big street party (the roads were closed to traffic by around 730pm or so)  and there was absolutely no hint of testosterone in the air like is usually found in western cities during big street parties, the police in the area were having a great time watching it along with everyone else, we could watch them taking a lot of photos with their cell phones.

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However, pictures can’t show the mood of revelry and sheer amount of fun everyone was having as well as a short video can.  Watch the smaller Ogoh Ogoh and what it is doing to the giant pig!  There may be a few swear words in there…

 

Favourite Images of 2012

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As I did last year (link here) I have chosen 10 photos that showcase some of my favourite images from 2012.  This year though I have a disclaimer to go along with it.. I didn’t take a lot of photographs!  I spent a lot of time on the Dive Damai and the Damai Dua throughout the year, but I spent a lot of that time training staff, ongoing maintenance projects, dealing with the inevitable local bureaucracy (which there was a lot of in 2012 as Damai continues to blaze new trails in Indonesia, which means dealing with new local governments and local residents who aren’t used to a boat load of tourists showing up on their door!  Trust me, there is a lot of work/haggling in the background that the guests don’t see, always a fun part of the job 🙂 )  And, I did a lot of photo instruction and dive guiding as well, so although I spent a lot of time underwater, I didn’t shoot too much for myself.  However, I certainly got to dive a lot of new places, see new things, and document the good and the bad.  I will sort of break these images into sets in order to speak about them in context because some are not necessarily beautiful photos, but they sure do get the mind working…

The first image is from my first foray into Komodo in the “off season” of January, a much under rated time of year to experience this magical place, especially the south end of the islands.  With blue seas and warm water at Horseshoe Bay it truly is different than visiting in “high season”.  However, one lasting image I took away from this trip was something I saw outside of the park to the east where Rinca Island meets Flores, not much more information is needed, just look at the picture.. freshly dynamited coral head!

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Sticking with Komodo, here are a couple of images that remind us of why we go there!  Komodo really is my favourite destination in Indonesia due to the variety of encounters to be had.  If you get the chance to go from November through to February its an opportunity not to be missed as the exploration possibilities in the south are great.

Close Encounters with a GoPro and a Dragon in Rinca

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Photo Stitch of 5 Images of the Iconic Horseshoe Bay, South Rinca

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The next image is from a small village on a small island north of the island of Ceram. I have visited this area 3 times now, and I am pretty sure that is the only 3 times that any foreigners have visited this particular village.  Here are some of the local woman sharing a laugh with Kat, one of the ladies on the trip, great communication does not rely on a common language as can be seen here!

Tourist Laughing with Locals

Another island village that we were the first foreigners to visit was on the far eastern tip of Lifamatola to the north west of Ceram and south west of Halmahera.  As we traveled south from Halmahera on the way there, we were followed by this amazing yet ominous storm cloud formation.

Storm Clouds on the Horizon

I spent a lot of my time in 2012 shooting wide angle photography, in fact, as I peruse my photos I seem to have shot macro a total of 3 times in 2012, on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of January in Horseshoe Bay!  As part of my wide angle series, I shot a lot of scenics and was always in search of interesting hard coral scenes.  For some reason I just love a healthy hard coral garden, when others get bored of all the hard coral, I am just amazed with the foundations and designs and can spend all day taking natural light photos of healthy reef.  Here is my favourite of 2012

Coral Reflecting on the Surface, South Loloda Islands, Halmahera Province, Indonesia

Hard Coral and Reflection

One dive also stands out for an amazing cave filled with golden sweepers, no words necessary.

Spice Islands, Maluku Region, Halmahera, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean

Of course with the good comes the bad… I also was witness to a lot of hard coral damage throughout the year, in fact, it really made me angry!  I had the chance to explore a lot of Halmahera and the North Maluku areas where I documented a lot of reef destruction.  A lot of reef in this region has been badly damaged, here is the worst, a tiny seamount in the middle of nowhere that had the potential to be a stunning dive site but local dynamite fishermen have completely destroyed it!  It really was the most complete amount of devastation I have ever seen to hard coral.

Bombed Coral

Luckily, it was only a week or two later that we found this gem of a dive site with amazingly in tact hard coral not a couple of miles away from a major population centre!  It really was incredible to find a huge coral garden of this delicate cabbage/lettuce coral in such great shape amongst a lot of damage in nearby reefs.  This was the last dive I did in the Halmahera area and allowed me to depart on a happy note!  But, it also made me sad to know that so many of the reefs in the area used to look like this!  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all doom and gloom in Halmahera, there are some very good dives in the area.  In fact, the Bacan government and the Jailolo government in the west (among others) are now actively promoting dive tourism and are really working with the local communities to help protect and educate folks about coral conservation and how it will positively affect them if they help preserve their ocean.  I can see this area really taking off in the future as there is some great diving, it just needs support, nurturing, and some more exploration.  Divers Lodge Lembeh have also opened a resort in the eastern side of Halmahera in Weda Bay that is supposed to have some stunning reefs, but we never did make it that far north into Weda.

Hard Coral Garden

My last image is dedicated to my friend Andy Shorten, he just loves my whaleshark photos!  I was lucky enough to do 3 trips to Cendrawasih Bay in 2012 and had perfect photo opportunities.  I like this image the best as it gives the idea of a mother whale shark teaching her baby to feed.. (although its a large male pushing a smaller one out of the way!)

Two Whalesharks

That’s it for 2012, I hope you enjoyed the photos and that some of them taught you a little something as they did for me.  Onward to 2013 where I hope to spend more time underwater with a camera, see you in the water!

Environmental Impact Photos

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Over the years, I have seen a lot of damage done to reefs all throughout the Pacific, from huge storms to coral bleaching to crown of thorns starfish, and my least favourite: blatant destructive fishing by mankind.  Whenever I encounter damaged reefs it makes me both sad as well as angry, especially when I know the damage is being done by dynamite fishing.  This sort of destruction is especially prevalent in the Indo-Pacific, but it’s certainly not localized to that region as many areas of the world suffer from this and other forms of non-sustainable fishing practices. Shark finning is the big environmental cause these days and there is a lot of publicity for it (and for good reason as its an appalling practice) but there are other dire impacts happening out there that don’t see the same amount of publicity they deserve.  The atrocities being done to mantas (as well as other rays) and dynamite fishing are two issues that really need a lot more publicity in order to raise their profile with the public.  One of the ways to do this is to publicize the damage that such practices can inflict upon the underwater world.   This is the reason I am introducing a new gallery on my Photography site called Environmental Issues.  In the past, I have always included these images within other “geographical” galleries but now I think I should showcase the horrible things that we humans do to our planet.   Not all of the photos are from direct human impact, I will also include reefs damaged by typhoons etc in this gallery.  Sadly, this gallery will continue to grow as coral reefs the world over continue to dwindle due to the pressure we are putting on them.  On a brighter note, I will also add positive impact photos to this gallery as well when I am able to document people working to sustain the marine ecosystem.

The Gallery can be found here:  Environmental Issues

The Mentor

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Another one of my old “In Focus” articles is up on Wetpixel.com, The Mentor

Read it in full here on the blog as well.

Mentoring Your Photography
By Mike Veitch.

Bought all that fancy new gear but having trouble putting it together? Blinding yourself with the strobe instead of illuminating fish?

It’s time to seek professional guidance to further your photography habit.

Workshops often occur in places with fantastic photo ops.

You’ve spent hours on the net scouring websites and chat rooms for ideas and inspiration; you have assembled your new gear time and time again; you have even read the instruction manual from front to back! But does the idea of getting in the water and taking pictures seem like a daunting task? Not to worry, you are not alone! What options do you have to make the idea of plunging into the ocean with your new setup less stress inducing? Fortunately, there is an easy answer to that question. How about spending time with a mentor to guide you along the confusing world of shutter speeds and f-stops?

With a world of workshops and instructors out there, it’s hard to choose where to begin. The first step is addressing where you are in the learning curve and finding a situation that will give you the most benefit. If you are new to photography then winning prizes at a “photo shootout” may be a bit much to hope for. Similarly, shooters with several years of photography experience may find a “beginners” class too basic for their needs.

Here I break down 4 popular options to better understand the “pros and cons” of each in order to invest your time and money wisely.


PADI Underwater Photography Specialty

As the world of digital photography exploded in recent years, PADI didn’t sit on its heels to watch it go by. A brand new Digital Photography course is available, designed specifically with new photographers in mind. The course follows a simple yet effective mantra of “Shoot, Examine, and Adjust”, a perfect match for the instant feedback available from digital cameras. The thoughtfully designed workbook guides the photographer through basics such as composition, adjusting camera settings, and computer work. Coupled with an experienced photographer/instructor, this course is a great way for the new photographer to get comfortable with their camera. One major benefit of the class is the chance to have a lot of underwater time with an instructor on hand helping to set up shots and guiding you though proper adjustments. As an added bonus, the PADI Digital Photography course can be taken just about anywhere! Most PADI dive centers around the world will have a photo instructor on hand who will be only too happy to help you get started.

What to look for: Choose your instructor well! Ask to meet the instructor ahead of time and offer to show him/her your camera equipment and manuals. A good instructor will want to know all about your camera, offer him/her the opportunity to take the manual home a day or two in advance of the class in order to be well prepared to meet your needs.

On location photo workshops

Tim Rock instructs a class about the finer points of underwater photography.

Not too thrilled with the idea of jumping into your local pool or quarry in the middle of winter to learn photography? No problem! Throughout the year many of the world’s top underwater photographers offer “on location” workshops. Not only will you get the chance to learn from full-time photographers, you get to dive in the top destinations in the world! Workshops are a great way to take your photography to the next level as you have the chance to learn from folks who actually do it for a living. Basic and advanced workshops can be found and cater to the needs of novice and experienced photographers. Basic workshops start from the beginning and explain everything a new photographer needs to know to get them shooting top quality photographs in no time. With a weeklong course, there is plenty of time to absorb the information and put it to good use while churning out a stunning portfolio of images. Advanced workshops are geared to those who have the basics down but want to learn tricks of the trade and further their personal skills. Workshops typically consist of diving in the morning with group lectures in the afternoon and the evening reserved for critiquing sessions and entertaining multi media presentations. You will also enjoy diving and socializing with a group of like-minded individuals who want to discuss photography and learn at the same time. Watching the improvement of your fellow students throughout the week is almost as satisfying as seeing the benefits of “putting theory to use” on your own photos.

The social aspect of workshops and photo shootouts ensures a good time for all!

What to look for: Research and communication ahead of time is important. Professionals who put the students first conduct the best workshops. They spend their time underwater with you and not with their camera. This means they are giving 100% of their attention to the students and offering guidance underwater, not working on their own portfolio!

Photo shootouts with celebrity judges

Workshop judges hard at work discussing the winning photos.

One of the more popular events today is the Photo Shootout. These come in several forms: from one-day local events to one-week extravaganzas. Typical shootouts attract a large number of photographers all vying for extravagant prize packages. Although not really a learning event per se, many shootouts host a panel of judges who give informative and helpful discussions during the evening. These professionals are open to give advice on questions of all sorts, from how to get a certain shot at a particular site to the latest Photoshop techniques. Shootouts offer a fun and relaxed environment to meet new people, dive great destinations, and the chance to win camera gear and dive trips!

What to look for: Experienced photographers with all the latest and greatest gear sign up for these events specifically to win the big prizes. If your aim is to improve your photography significantly, the learning opportunities of these events is limited compared to a workshop. However, if you know your camera, you enjoy a good time and meeting new folks, and really want to win some prizes; then these events are for you.


Shootouts have a lot of sponsors and offer some very enticing prize packages.

One on one pro photography courses

One on one instruction maximizes the learning curve for the student.

With their “workplace” as the ocean, many of the world’s best underwater photographers live in amazing seaside locations. Oftentimes, these photographers are available for “one on one” photography courses. What better way to master the art of photography than to spend a few days with a personal mentor? The advantages of an individual class are many: tailored to meet your needs no matter your experience, no “slow” students to slow down the class, the opportunity to spend as much or as little time on particular subjects as you want…the list goes on and on. Even better, the pro is with you every step of the way watching your composition and offering critiques based on shots he/she watched you take. The learning curve of a “one to one” class is much faster as the instructor does not have to split his/her time among a group of students, it’s just you! This option may cost more money than others, but if your goal is improving your photography to its utmost, then this is the option for you.

What to look for: Location, location, location. Having an idea of what subjects you want to shoot and where they are located is key. Once you have decided on the area you would like to visit, do some research into who may live there. Odds are, if the area offers superb diving, an experienced professional lives near by. Even if he or she doesn’t market classes to the general public, don’t be shy! Pros are open to helping out those who want to learn and will go out of their way to help you along the way.

Living in the Indo Pacific area is special in many ways, one of which is the abundance of good diving. And with great diving come a lot of top-notch local photographers; so get out there and take advantage of one! Workshops, classes, and shootouts are on offer all over the region. Plan your calendar accordingly and sign up for one now, not only will you reach your goal of improving your photography, you may even win a new camera!

About the author: Originally from Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Wetpixel moderator Mike Veitch is a professional underwater photographer and trip leader. After spending many years working on boats and resorts in the Indo-Pacific region, Mike has settled in Indonesia where he spends his time photographing the worlds richest marine bio-system and conducting photography workshops and leading trips throughout the country. For more information please visit his website.

Mike is a frequent contributor and field editor to Scuba Diver Australasia magazine where he wrote the “how to” underwater photography column, “In Focus” from 2006-2009. This series is a collection of his “In Focus” articles that originally appeared in the magazine during that time, the format and photos have been updated for Wetpixel.