Stephen Frink Underwater Photo Instruction

Check out
"Teaching Digital
in Key Largo"

Digital Immersion Seminar

August 9 - 16, 2008

Price $995 per person, limited to 16 participants

2009 class also available: August 8 - 15, 2009

Prerequisite: Digital SLR and housing (preferred) or high-end point-and-shoot housing with adjustable-power external strobe, with minimum 1 year experience. Must have a laptop computer for class.

The digital revolution has obviously arrived for underwater imaging. No real surprise there, for the benefits are staggering. The ability to capture more images on a single dive, economy of not requiring film and processing, and the immediacy of review on the camera’s LCD are some of the obvious benefits of digital imaging. But, in addition, new cameras are available that significantly out-resolve scanned film. There is no reason not to embrace digital imaging, except for the uncertainty of the new paradigm. An immersive week on location with Stephen Frink can show you the workflow shortcuts and creative techniques to make you a much more accomplished digital shooter.

There are now a number of high quality underwater housings for a variety of high-end digital SLR camera, and our digital seminar is structured to optimize the hardware issues with these housings, ports, and strobes; as well as software used for browsing, archiving, and processing digital images. This course is held only in the summer in Key Largo to assure the best possible weather and water clarity conditions. Key Largo also offers the advantage of the infrastructure of Stephen’s studio, staff, and longtime friends at Ocean Divers. Actually, summer in Key Largo may offer the world’s best underwater classroom, with clear water and massive fish populations within the protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the special Sanctuary Preservations Areas (no-take zones) off Key Largo.

Our group operates as a private charter aboard Ocean Divers’ 48-foot custom dive boat Santana. Set up perfectly for day diving with underwater photographer’s convenience in mind, the Santana offers a wide and stable platform, dual camera tables, camera rinse tanks, and fresh water showers. The daily choice of dive sites is dictated by the kinds of subjects we are covering, chosen for the best opportunities for wide angle, macro, or fish photographs.

The course template includes daily two tank dives and classroom sessions. There will be guest lectures by Photoshop guru Daniel Brown (www.adobeevangelists.com) as well. This course is optimized for those using digital SLR cameras, but high-end point-and-shoot cameras are acceptable as long as they have an auxiliary flash and supplementary wide-angle optic. The course is limited to 16 students to assure personal attention and ample review time for the projected digital images. Bring your laptop, bring your housed digital camera, and conquer the Brave New World of underwater digital imaging.

Only 16 students are accepted so book early to reserve a spot! The course fee for Stephen Frink’s School of Digital Underwater Photography is $995. Additional expenses include the diving and lodging packages. We recommend participants stay at Marina Del Mar Oceanside. This is where the classroom sessions are held, and the proximity to Ocean Divers assures maximum convenience and comfort.

Sample Hotel packages and rates (based on 2007 rates charged by hotel and dive operation, may be subject to change when hotel 2008/09 rates are announced. For general information only): Marina Del Mar Resort and Marina, Oceanside: Land-view King or Doubles - 7 nights accommodation, taxes and service charges - $880.00 Marina-view King or Doubles - 7 nights accommodation, taxes and service charges - $1070.00 Ocean Divers Dive Package = $495.00 per diver: 6 days of 2-tank dives daily, tanks, weights/belt included Night dives are optional and an additional fee Package includes: 6 days of 2 tank diving, tanks, weights

Shark Shootout 2008

October 4 - 11, 2008

For an interactive view of the event known as Shark Shootout, please visit: youtube and scubadiving.com Either will explain the event in far greater detail than I can do here, but suffice it to say that Stuart Cove and I have developed the most intimate shark photography event anywhere. Shark Shootout provides extreme access to Caribbean reef sharks in multiple venues, in a way far beyond that offered to normal visitors Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas. For those interested in shark photography, this is the pinnacle of action, delivered in warm, clear water by seasoned shark wrangling professionals. WaterHouse Tours is not the direct booking agency for this event, but we invite you to contact pam@stuartcove.com for reservations or details. See http://www.sharkshootout.com for price information.

Digital Master Class/Bonaire

January 31 - February 7, 2009

Price
Course: $995
Lodging: $1380 per person/double occupancy
$1761 per person/single occupancy
$1020 per person/non-diver double occupancy

Location - Captain Don’s Habitat
http://www.habitatdiveresorts.com/bonaire/index.html

While we have had very strong response to our series of Advanced Photo Seminars held in Key Largo, see http://waterhousetours.com/instruction, we've had several requests to hold a similar program in the Caribbean. Actually, the only place Stephen would even consider for the course is Bonaire because it offers the necessary ingredients he deems essential for photo education:

• * abundant marine life
• * clear water
• * excellent photo opportunities for macro, fish photography, and wide angle
• * predictably excellent weather conditions
• * topside infrastructure for private boats, dedicated dive resort, classroom

We are working with long-time friend and hotel manager Jack Chalk at Captain Don’s Habitat, and have reserved a number of deluxe ocean view rooms for the group. We are limiting the group to 14 students, but can accommodate a few non-shooters on our private boat. Actually, only a few, as we don't want to overcrowd the boat. The Captain Don’s package will include 7 nights accommodation in the Deluxe Ocean View room, airport transfers, daily buffet breakfast (all the better to get on the boat quickly), daily lunch from the menu, 12 boat dives, 6 days unlimited shore diving (includes tanks, weights), 1 boat night dive, farewell party on the Friday night with drinks & snacks, live music & A-V support to show our week in review images, taxes and service charges from the hotel. You'll note that we did not package dinners. There are so many great restaurants on the island now, there is no reason to eat at the hotel every night. Plus, sometimes we might prefer to bring pizzas to the classroom or go out for Subway. Nitrox adds $117 to the package.

>Prices per person for hotel and diving package:

• * Double Occupancy - $1380
• * Single Occupancy - $1761.00
• * Non-diver rate for sharing a room with participant - $1020.00

Price for Photo Course - $995

As normal, we will have Stephen on location as primary instructor and he will be assisted by a Photoshop/Lightroom guru.

Digital Master Class

June 6 - 13, 2009

Price $1295 per person (exclusive of hotel and diving package), limited to 14 participants

Prerequisite: minimum 2 years experience with digital SLR housing. Must have a laptop computer for class.

In June of 2006 we ran our first Advanced Digital Seminar. Limited to experienced shooters eager to quickly advance their skills in digital capture, workflow, and post-production (with emphasis on Photoshop CS2, the latest & greatest at the time); and limited to only 12 participants to assure enhanced personal attention, this was a tremendously successful experience for all. Stephen invited special guest instructor Daniel Brown, formerly of Adobe and now veteran of numerous underwater photo clinics in the Florida Keys, Bonaire, Indonesia, and the Bahamas; to handle the sophisticated Photoshop and Lightroom skill sets. This allowed Stephen to remain tasked to issues specifically relating to optimized workflow and in-water photographic technique. Together they provided a wonderfully informative week, highlighted by stellar weather, excellent water clarity, and the prolific marine life and colorful shipwrecks that make Key Largo famous.

This proved the right template to carry forward, and our Digital Master class has proved to be extremely popular, selling out consistenty by word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat participation. What makes this class so special?

• This is a wonderful opportunity to dive the preferred reefs and wrecks in the Upper Keys, during the best time of year, and with a dedicated dive boat specifically catering to their underwater prerogative.
• This is a deep immersion into the workflow and software applications that make managing digital files easy and powerful. Software used includes Photo Mechanic, Lightroom, and Photoshop CS3.
• The smaller group makes the learning dynamic more personal and the dive boat more spacious.