Underwater Photography - Back to basics

July 2000
Before leaving Cape Town, Mark was invited to attend an underwater photography course run by successful South African underwater photographer, Marc Montocchio.

"We were a mixed bunch, our previous underwater photography experiences ranged from beginner shooting with the popular Sea&Sea Motor Marine II to those of us using housed land cameras. Somehow Marc, with an engaging and commanding teaching style, was able to address the varied requirements of each individual in the group. This was not a difficult course. More a practical, fun and very sociable way to get the most out of your camera underwater. After 2 evening lectures, 1 pool plus critique session and 1 open water plus critique session, I walked out of Orca Divers frustrated that I hadn't taken this course a year ago at the beginning of our African expedition.......

"... what good is having a flash piece of kit if you can't get the results you want?"

My Nikon F90 in its Subal Housing (pictured left) was not quite the belle of the ball, though it did get some admiring glances from all assembled. But what good is having a flash piece of kit if you can't get the results you want? My hit rate of good shots per roll on this trip has not been as successful as hoped. This is where Marc's tuition was so helpful. He pointed out the fundamental flaws in my technique (my vanity does not allow me to disclose them yet!) and immediately opened the door to a world of possibilities for future shots.

Unfortunately, for the sea dive on Sunday, Mother Nature blew a real hoolie. Both housed camera users bailed out and watched the hardcore remainder of the group bravely embark on a icy cold shore dive as the wind howled and hail pelted down on them. Marc, looking forward to bacon and egg sarnies in the warmth of the nearest cafe, didn't seem especially pleased at the decision to carry on regardless, as it meant he had to get cold and wet too. To their credit, the hardcore enthusiasts got some interesting macro results from that dive, including a few of a rather photogenic pipefish.

Needless to say, being a Pommie with a drysuit and a flash camera I did get a bit of flack for my 'wimpish bailout' but of course I pleaded my case: My intention for that dive had been to look for seals and shoot wide-angle and I simply had the wrong lens on - and no, there was no time to change lenses......(well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

After getting back to the basic rules of underwater photography, Marc emphasised the importance of learning from other photographers, both amateur and professional. Looking at mine and other people's results in the first critique session was one of the most valuable exercises for me. Charlie and I have completed over 250 dives during our trip through Africa and 95% of the time, I was the only photographer on a dive boat. When I got the results back from the developers en-route, I couldn't always work out their frailties. Like most underwater photographers, I don't think I'll ever stop learning.

For the next expedition, I'll be doing things a little differently. I aim to process my own film on the road using a portable slide processing unit so I can not only get the results in remote locations, but also be able to critique and therefore perfect my shots at the same time. I'm also splashing out on an extra body, a few more lenses, and maybe a couple of Subtronic strobes which have recently caught my eye.......hmmm, haven't told the missus yet!

Marc runs a variety of courses tailored to the needs of individual photographers. For details on photography trips, course schedules, outlines and costs, email Marc on sea-sea@iafrica.com.

Examples of Marc Montocchio's work will soon be appearing in Dive The Dream Guest's Gallery (presently under construction).

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