Recent News

Just back from diving Komodo, Ethan Daniels is now getting ready for his upcoming trips in Raja Ampat.  Check out the OSI 'Latest Images' page for new pics from Komodo, including HDR shots.

The August 2008 issue of Diver (divernet.com), Britian's best-selling diving magazine, has Ethan Daniels' article, "Hallowed Shores," on the spectacular shore diving in East Timor.

The August 2008 issue of DYK, Scandanavia's premeir dive magazine, features a portfolio by Ethan Daniels.

Ethan Daniels' article "The Secret Life of Cape Cod Ponds" is in the August 2008 issue of Cape Cod Life.  The article focuses on both imagery and the natural history of ponds' interesting aquatic flora and fauna. 

Mark Thorpe may be dealing with the most dangerous sharks on the planet, but even more scary are the freezing cold waters of Cape Cod that Ethan Daniels is currently working in.  While Ethan battles low visibility, biting greenhead flies, and hungry mosquitoes he is working on a multimedia project in Pleasant Bay, MA with Bill Sargent, author of 'Shallow Waters' and numerous other books on Cape Cod and coastal communities around the country.  According to Ethan, the bay is not so "pleasant" right now...

Scuba Diver Australasia's latest issue (3/2008) contains Ethan Daniels' article on the biogeography of Lembeh's freakish inhabitants, Freak Show, and an article on a currently debated topic in the diving industry, shark feeding.  Ethan's "The Hand that Feeds" looks at both sides of the issue, giving readers insights into the many arguments for and against shark feeds.

Having survived a six months filming Tiger Sharks in south Africa Mark Thorpe is now facing his next assignment for the National Geographic remote imaging department. The final two weeks of the project saw Mark working alongside two eminent shark biologists, Dr. Vic Peddemors and Dr. Malcolm Smale who are collectively responsible for the majority of science and knowledge of sharks in south African waters to date. Confident as always Mark now prepares to face his next target species, the Great White Shark. Check back for updates.

Ethan Daniels has just returned to California after spending over two months diving, freediving, and shooting in Yap, Palau, Raja Ampat, and north Sulawesi.  A few image highlights include the rare Japanese Wobbegong, freediving with mantas at night, Hippocampus pontohi, and a first ever exploration of "Petri Dish Lake," a remote marine lake in Raja Ampat.  His new images will soon be online so please check back soon!

The last two issues of Fins Magazine, issues 7.2 and 7.3, contain Ethan Daniels' articles.  The March/April issue contains a Lenscape article:  Reef Fantasies, which contains a number of composites dreamed up over the last year by Ethan.  The May/June issue contains "Out Yonder in Yap," a look at one of Micronesia's top dive destinations.

Pick up a copy of Scuba Diver Australasia's Limited Edition Passport to Diving the World!  This brand spanking new, special publication is packed with killer images and synopses of over 100 top dive sites throughout the world.  Mike Veitch and Ethan Daniels are two of the contributors.

Ethan Daniels' personal story of drifting out to sea in Palau is published in the March 2008 issue of Diver UK magazine (www.divernet.com). 

The current issue of Scuba Diver Australasia (Issue 2/2008) is packed with images and articles by Ethan Daniels and Mike Veitch.  "End of Days" and "Say Cheese" are two full-length articles by Ethan and Mike and they also contributed "Big Fish" destinations. 

Cape Cod Life's current 2008 Annual Guide highlights Ethan Daniels' article and images of the diversity of marine life existing amongst Cape Cod's waters.  See it in news stands today.  (www.capecodlife.com)

Ethan Daniels has joined colleague Mike Veitch as a Field Editor for Scuba Diver Australasia magazine, the official PADI publication of the Asian region (http://www.scubadiveraa.com/). 

Asian Diver's Feb/March 2008 issue (www.asiandiver.com) features Ethan Daniels' article and images from Crystal River, Florida.  "Mystyifying Manatees" focuses on Florida's lovable manatees.

Scuba Diver Australasia Issue 1/2008 features Ethan Daniels' article "The Lagoon," a look at the fascinating diving inside Palau's Rock Islands.

The Jan/Feb 2008 issue of Fins Magazine, Vol. 7.1, (www.finsonline.com) features Ethan Daniels' images and article on "Myanmar, A Place With Soul."  Look for it in newstands today!

The cover of the Feb/March SportDiving Magazine (www.divetheblue.net) features Ethan Daniels' closeup image of a lionfish, Pterois volitans.  The issue also carries Ethan's article "Raja Ampat-Reefs of Intrigue," which gives an insider's look at exploring the wealth of marine life off Papua.

Mark Thorpe is currently on location in south Africa for the next six months filming Tiger Sharks for the Remote Imaging Department of the National Geographic Society. Hosted by Mark and Gail Addison of Blue Wilderness Dive Expeditions the team are hoping to deploy 'Crittercam', animal borne imaging devices, on the Tiger Sharks to get a better understanding of the animals behavior. Scientific support is being provided for by Dr. Matt Dicken, one of south Africa's eminent shark biologists.

'The Majesty of Muck', Mark Thorpe's latest short film which enjoyed awards success at this years World Festival of Underwater Images has also recently received Special Jury Mention at the 11th Belgrade International Underwater Film Festival. The film was shot on location in the Lembeh Straits region of Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Mike Veitch is proud to announce one of his photos is on the cover of National Geographic Traveler magazine for the month of September.  It is an honour to have a cover photo on this prestigious magazine.  Read more and see the photo on the Current News page.

Working full time for National Geographic as a camera operator is a dream most people in this industry hold at one time or another. Mark Thorpe has just announced that he has accepted the offer of an independent contractor position with the highly specialized Remote Imaging Unit. More on this topic can be found here........

Announcements

 

Mike Veitch will be presenting numerous presentations about photography, video, and manta rays at Manta Fest 2008 from Sept 2-16, 2008 in wonderful Yap, Micronesia.  For more information and booking details please contact Mike directly or visit www.mantaray.com.  Visit our expeditions page for further details.

Ethan Daniels has set dates for a very special Raja Ampat trip November 10-22, 2008.  This trip will be led by Ethan and marine biologist, Geoff Cook.  Not only will you be enjoying the world's most vibrant and diverse coral reefs but Ethan and Geoff will also be providing insights into the spectacular natural history of the region.  This is a perfect trip for photographers who care to learn more about their subjects.  For more information you can email Ethan at ethanadaniels@gmail.com.  Sold Out!
  

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NewsImages Blog      
Images Blog
Author: OSI Blog Team Created: 9/11/2006 7:35 PM
A blog of featured images and the stories behind them.
Hola!
By OSI Blog Team on 2/19/2007 3:36 AM


Encounters with any form of marine life is not just memorable but also often leaves us wondering just who is observing who? Mark was recently drifting along the New Drop Off site in Palau when he happened on this Hawksbill Turtle feeding and being cleaned on the reef. Taking some 5 minutes in his approach Mark could eventually get his Z1 with the Fathoms SWP44 120 degree wide lens to rest just inches from the face of the resting turtle.

"I guess the guy could see his reflection clearly in the Glass dome of the lens which is why he's issuing this territorial yawn" explains Mark. The sunny conditions allowed Mark to set up the Camera as follows: Sony Z1U in Gates Z1 Housing, Fathoms SWP44, locked at f5.6 with 0db gain at 1/60th sec.
Cuttlefish love
By OSI Blog Team on 2/13/2007 10:05 PM

Love was in the air this last January as several female cuttlefish were found along the shallow fringing reefs of the Mergui Archipelago in Myanmar.  Having been in the dive industry for over ten years, I had seen females laying eggs many times, while guardian males hovered nearby, protecting their new brood.  This image was actually the first time I had ever witnessed cuttlefish copulating! 

Camera:  Canon 5D; Lens:  Sigma 15mm; Shutter: 1/60; f/stop: 7.1; ISO: 100; natural light with a magic filter.
Caribbean shooting
By OSI Blog Team on 2/13/2007 9:22 PM

Quite recently I had the opportunity to visit Turneffe Atoll in Belize.  People have been shooting this area, not too far away from the famous Blue Hole, for decades so it was a challenge thinking about how to do something new.  Like many places, I've found that the shallow reef flats and coral areas are often ignored by divers.  These areas are usually some of the most biodiverse due to the amount of sunlight available. 

Camera:  5D; Lens:  Sigma 15mm;  Strobes:  none/magic filter
Sexy Sharks
By OSI Blog Team on 1/22/2007 1:17 AM


Every year Grey Reef Sharks in Palau get frisky and congregate on the reef walls in their preparations to mate. The larger females can be seen nervously patrolling the reefs as slowly the number of lesser seen males starts to increase.

The rough love behavior obvious in elasmobranch societies becomes apparent when females can be seen sporting ugly looking bite marks on their flanks. The males get a hold of the females by biting down on their pectoral fins to immobilize them during copulation, something Mark is hoping to document on video in the coming weeks.

Camera settings: Sony HVR-Z1U - Fathoms SWP44 Wide Lens - Gain locked to 0 - f1.8 @ 1/60th.
Juvenile Batfish
By OSI Blog Team on 1/20/2007 8:28 PM


Palau is synonymous with current diving and big animal encounters. Divers flock to this magical place to dive with the sharks at Blue Corner, the mantas at German Channel and other potentially large critters which hang in the currents that sweep along the southern reefs of Peleliu.

"We were out yesterday diving Peleliu in the hope to encounter strong currents around the Peleliu Express and Peleliu Cut dive sites", explains Mark. During our surface intervals we normally retreat to the safety of the harbor where dive guests can stretch their legs and go ashore for their break. "I normally just hang out by the water's edge to while away the time. I noticed this Juvenile Batfish trying to blend in with some leaves and other floating vegetation and managed to slip in and get some video footage before he took of for the safety of the nearby mangroves".

Camera settings - Sony HVR-Z1U -Fathoms SWP44 @ full telephoto range - Gain locked to 0 - f5.6 @ 1/60th.
Love is in the Air
By OSI Blog Team on 1/17/2007 1:36 AM


Every now and again something out of the ordinary happens and its just a nice feeling to be able to capture that on film. Having dived Blue Corner too many times to count Mark recently had the good fortune to witness the annual mating aggregation of Moorish Idols.

"It seemed every Moorish Idol in Palau had congregated in an area I call 'The Saddle', a depression in the reef between the Blue Holes and Blue Corner dive sites. Hundreds of these fist sized fish were sweeping across the reef with love on their mind. However when any small fish species gets together in these aggregations it certainly attracts attention. The whole parade was being tracked by an ever increasing number of predators such as Napoleon Wrasse, Giant Trevally Jacks and White Tip Reef Sharks who would launch attacks on the Moorish Idols as they went about their business of continuing their species".

Camera settings: Sony HVR-Z1U in Gates Housing using Fathoms SWP44 120 Degree Wide Lens - Ambient light (very overcast) - gain set at +12Db - f1.6 @ 1/60th
Cuttlefish Parade
By OSI Blog Team on 1/16/2007 10:55 AM


"Sure I get to hang everyday with the big stuff here in Palau" explains Mark, "but it's not everyday I get to hang out with one of my favorite critters from beneath the waves, Cuttlefish. Shot during a recent dive at Ngerchong Inside dive site Mark happened across this large female who was acting pretty suspicious around one particular coral head. On closer inspection Mark saw that she had every right to act defensively as she had been laying her eggs in that particular coral outcrop. 

"The coral head was filled with about thirty or so small soft egg cases each with their own mini version of my new dive buddy developing inside. I'll be hoping to frequent the spot to see if I can get footage of the hatchlings as they emerge, now that will make for some great video".

Camera settings: Sony HVR-Z1U - Gates Housing - Fathoms SWP44 120 degree wide lens - Ambient Light - Gain locked down at 0 - f3.7 @ 1/60th sec.
A Manta Feeding Train
By OSI Blog Team on 1/14/2007 10:09 PM

This is one of my all time favourite photos. During the summer season, June through October, the mantas of Yap congregate in an area called Goofnuw Channel to take advantage of the cleaning services of a variety of fish. When the moon cycle is right, which only happens once or twice a year, the mantas gather in large feeding trains during the incoming tide and glide up and down the channel with mouths agape sweeping in large amounts of plankton and nutrients. On this particular dive I was lucky to be situated in just 15 feet of water as a train of 10 mantas glided under me in one direction and then pivoted en masse and travelled back in the other direction.  Nikon D70 in Aquatica housing with 12-24mm lens.
Tiny Cuttle
By OSI Blog Team on 1/10/2007 6:00 PM
Juvenile cuttlefish, Dumaguete, PI

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