Sorry no Aperture 2 talk today...but you might find this article very interesting.

Last night I became part of an interesting 3-hour conversation with Marc Ambat and S M Jayabalan, both are scuba divers and take underwater photos. Marc is a Chief Technical Officer working at a Top Digital production House specializing in Video FX and Jaya is the GM of Sensing Technology Corporation. So there you have it, two very intelligent and super nice people, our conversation started like this…
I mention a recent article in DivePhotoGuide.com… National Geographic has put up an online gallery of amazing nudibranch photography from our good friend David Doubilet, from the June issue. The imagery is classicly Doubilet, putting a different perspective on these amazingly diverse and colorful subjects...read more @ http://www.divephotoguide.com/articles/david_doubilet

© Gunther Deichmann - a feeding Nudibranch
from Puerto Galera, Philippines
Please note all the images on this Blog have been taken the natural way
none of them have been manipulated.

This published article showcased the latest work of David Doubilet…amazing images of cool looking Nudibranchs (click the link for the images) http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/nudibranchs/doubilet-photography
How did he achieve this? That is a very good question…you might say Photoshop…but I have heard another story…moving a complete studio underwater, tons of equipment and of course a dozen or so assistants. Wow what a budget given to him by National Geographic, however there is no way that this could have been executed without moving the Nudibranchs from their original location,even Photoshop could have been excepted in this case but moving animals around? Maybe I am wrong then please tell me so, it is after all only my opinion.
We suppose to be responsible Divers but now we see this, David Doubilet is an outstanding Underwater Photographer if not the very best on this planet…but why is he shooting like this now? For the sake of Art or just been different?
I have seen David’s other images and one can only admire him, absolutely fantastic there is no question about it…but this Nudibranch shoot, I honestly don’t get it.
I am not the only one with this opinion, Marc and Jaya agreed with me fully hearted and I am sure there are many more out there who share this with us.

© Gunther Deichmann - a feeding Nudibranch from Puerto Galera

Here we are talking about the environment and now we start moving our precious Marine life around declaring with these images an open season for other underwater Photographers…well, if he does it, then why cant I…what is next…tied up Dugongs and Turtles? They doing it already in Palau with Crocodiles just for the thrill, some operators offering to dive with Crocodiles for a fee of course and as the saying goes “no strings attached” but in this case there are.
Yes... this is another interesting and controversial issue but at least we can voice our concern and opinion.
(read some comments in Dive PhotoGuide.com)
If this was done for some scientific research then I can understand it, great images for sure, but I am disappointed at David Doubilet and National Geographic meddling with our marine life in the not so natural way.

Click on the Image and go direct to more of Omar’s Photos
Above Photo: © Omar D. Linsangan from
Dugong Dive Center, Palawan Philippines

Think about it and form your own opinion we are in titled of that, but for Jaya, Marc and myself it was very clear…Don’t touch! Look and observe and if you like to get this magic shot become a good and responsible diver first. Even the smallest of Digital Cameras give you some amazing results…remember Omar from Dugong Dive Center and my previous Blog…he does not move things around. Isn’t this what we have been taught during our first Open Water Course with PADI or other organizations?
GD

Gunther Deichmann - Nudibranch from Dumaguete, Philippines

Tags: David Doubilet, National Geographic, Photoshop