It has taken some time but I have finally edited down my video clips from the Underwater Tribe Raja Ampat trip aboard the Mermaid II liveaboard in March 2015. As expected, the Raja area delivered some amazing diving for our group of explorers and the Misool area was especially abundant with clear water and plenty of fish. If you would like to read a brief trip report on our 2015 adventures then please head on over to our Trip Report from March. If you are interested in joining us on a trip of a lifetime to Raja Ampat we have booked the Mermaid II for the same moon phase at the same time of year in 2017 and we still have spaces available, please check out the 2017 trip page here: Underwater Tribe Raja Ampat 2017
Tag Archives: misool
The Fish Butt Photo
One of the things we hear the most when talking to underwater photographers is “I have a whole hard drive full of fish butts!” I believe everyone knows the feeling of sneaking up on an underwater subject to get just that much closer when “boom” the subject you have just spent endless time stalking suddenly turns and speeds off just as you pull the trigger! The resulting photo is what is lovingly called a “fish butt” shot and I know I have a hard drive full of them myself! In fact, I have often thought about publishing a book called “Butts of the Pacific” but then I figured it may get banned for censorship reasons so unfortunately I have yet to do so! However, not all “butt shots” are created equal, in fact, I think this small hawksbill turtle has a lovely butt, he sure did spend a lot of time with his beak in a hole eating sponges and showing me nothing but butt until I ran out of air, therefore, before heading up I had to snap off at least one photo of this turtle and I believe the result wasn’t too bad, for a butt shot!
This was taken at Whale Rock in the incredible Misool area of Raja Ampat where we will be heading again in 2017!
Raja Ampat December 2014 and January 2015
In case anyone was wondering why I have been so quiet lately it’s due to the fact I have been out to sea for the past three weeks, once again lucky enough to spend the christmas and new years season of 2014-2015 cruising the beautiful Raja Ampat archipelago in eastern Indonesia. Although I didn’t get to spend a lot of time taking photos (and almost no underwater photos) I was able to take a few shots here and there to illustrate a fantastic three weeks traveling through the area. Here are a handful of photos to have a look at…
Pier on Ayu Atoll, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Ayu Beach, Raja Ampat
Village in Ayu Atoll, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The view from the peak of Wayag, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Split photo on a beach, Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Kayaking along the islands of Waigeo, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Boatman seeking shelter from approaching storm
Black rocks on a beach, Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Two fishermen approach their anchored boats
Story Behind the Shot – Live Over Misool
Aerial Photo over Misool
This was one of my favourite recent photo shoots, shot on 31 Dec 2013 in the Misool area of Raja Ampat. I was lucky enough to accompany a large private yacht on two expeditions in Indonesia this past year through Komodo and Raja Ampat. One of the best things about this particular vessel, other than the 7 storeys of incredible luxury and a fantastic crew of 40, was the fact it has a helicopter on board! Not only did the boat have a helicopter but, the owner is an extremely down to earth and friendly person who was always asking different members of the crew if anyone wanted to accompany him and the pilot on one of their flights. On the last day of our time in the Misool area, he asked me if I would like to accompany and take some photos as well, I certainly didn’t hesitate to say yes! This photo was one of the ones that I was able to take during a moment when we “stopped” the heli and I could open the door to take some shots. All in all, an absolutely incredible hour was spent flying along the archipelago of islands that juts out from Misool near the Tomolol cave system and continues to the Daram island group.