[U/W Photographer]

I'm pretty new to the site, now I'm finding my way around a bit, hear are a few underwater images taken in Scotland.

[marcinklysewicz]

your photos - they are fantastic very rare type of photography so i'm glad you joined us and i hope you'll show us more.

[U/W Photographer]

Originally Posted by marcinklysewicz

your photos - they are fantastic very rare type of photography so i'm glad you joined us and i hope you'll show us more.

This is the first time I've ever posted any images on the web, Its a fantastic website so I will definitely be posting more. watch this space as they say.

[Whipspeed]

Superb underwater shots, the clarity is superb. I like the shot of the plaice, it has a comical expression.

[P-E]

Great set of shots.

[stupot]

These are superb

[AQ]

What a great set of pictures. I did not realise that we had Nudibranchs in UK waters. I guess one of the many things I do not know. I particularly like No. 3. I am looking forward to the next set.

Just to satisfy my curiosity can you post a picture of your underwater set-up. Not that I am planning to do any myself it is far too cold in UK waters for me to even put a toe in.

[fgates]

Great shots Please do post more.

[U/W Photographer]

A couple more I've just processed.

[john crossley]

An excellent set of pictures, I love the sea urchin and the plaice.

[JMitchell]

Great shots all of them, very clear and bright compared to many underwater attempts I've seen on the web. Nice

[U/W Photographer]

Originally Posted by AQ

Just to satisfy my curiosity can you post a picture of your underwater set-up. Not that I am planning to do any myself it is far too cold in UK waters for me to even put a toe in.

I haven't really got a pick at hand, but here is a larger image of my avatar which has the underwater setup in it.

[stupot]

My god, how do you ever surface with all that ?

[Dabhand16]

These are a really great set of shots

[simpbow]

Fab set of shots there mate, seeing all that gear you'd hardly need a set of weight belts on.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by U/W Photographer

I haven't really got a pick at hand, but here is a larger image of my avatar which has the underwater setup in it.

Ah the Otter Brittanic, best suit I ever ownded. Nice pics!

[Ken Hawk]

Very nice shots.

Thank god your not DIR.

Ken

[U/W Photographer]

Originally Posted by Ken Hawk

Very nice shots.

Thank god your not DIR.

Ken

What does DIR mean

[Ken Hawk]

Originally Posted by U/W Photographer

What does DIR mean

Doing it right, or GUE.......... Globle Underwater explorers

Maybe Jag will give a better explanation

Ken

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Ken Hawk

Doing it right, or GUE.......... Globle Underwater explorers

Maybe Jag will give a better explanation

Ken

Thank God - I thought it might be Diarrhoea In Rubberware........

[Ken Hawk]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

Thank God - I thought it might be Diarrhoea In Rubberware........

If you only knew how funny that is

Still lol

Thanks Ken

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Ken Hawk

Doing it right, or GUE.......... Globle Underwater explorers

Maybe Jag will give a better explanation

Ken

"The "Doing It Right" (DIR) system evolved out of the exacting demands of the world's most extreme exploration diving, yet the approach is rapidly gaining favor among all levels of divers. Everyone benefits from a system that makes the underwater experience safer and more comfortable. The DIR system is much more than an equipment configuration. It is a diving style that ensures every aspect of each dive represents safety, fun and efficiency.

Leading explorers long ago realized that a confused or delayed response to emergency situations creates an unacceptable risk. DIR attempts to bring the practical solutions to safety and productivity honed in the world of exploration into the classroom for entry and advanced divers. Risk is managed by streamlining and minimizing gear configuration. Buddy communication skills are refined to heighten awareness of the dive environment. Taken together, rethinking your gear configuration and your approach to teamwork puts you back in the middle of the dive.

Unfortunately, there is a prevailing assumption that standardized equipment, clean configurations and attention to detail are only for "technical" or other rigorous diving conditions. In reality, clean and simple universal configurations are even more beneficial for divers with limited experience. GUE representatives have discovered that training all divers with standardized equipment has been highly successful."

Further info: What GUE has always been about | Global Underwater Explorers

Whilst many aspects of my diving and kit configuration are geared towards this holistic approach I can't fully embrace it. In the UK, several of the DIR divers I have dived with, or know of and once were friends, perceive themselves to be elitist and quite closed minded, no matter how much they profess to the contrary. My level of qualification and training permits me to plan dives up to 45m whilst carrying out substantial decompression. To be told that myself and countless others are Doing It Wrong, and dangerous, I find a massive insult to myself and my instructors. I have never had a "bend" despite god knows how many dives, the majority of which involve compulsory decompression stops, yet I know of several "DIR" divers that have got bent whilst doing 20m bounce dives and another that had a rapid ascent from 40m up to 5m before he controlled his ascent missing 20mins of deco! The twenty meter bounce dives were passed off as "undeserved" and the rapid ascent never got to become public knowledge. Rigid training methods and guidelines were clearly not adhered to and the closing ranks so as not to look like muppets smacks of hypocrasy.

It's this insulting attitude that will prevent me from having nothing other than a passing interest in GUE, which is a shame as the ethos is sound. Most of the more experienced DIR divers are great and don't suffer from the same brainwashing, it's the recent intakes that still give GUE a tarnished reputation. For God's sake, even the name "Doing It Right", implying that everyone else is doing it wrong, smacks of elitism!

I could go on with other episodes, one in particular that I witnessed first hand that nearly had fatal consequences for one of my best friends, due to and elitist diver ignoring training, making a poor decision and having an ego that nearly cost the life of a friend. Suffice to say I no longer dive with that person.

I kinda guess Ken knew what reaction this was going to get out of me but I apologise for the rant

[U/W Photographer]

Thanks for that JAG, still not quite sure What ken meant when he said "thank God your not DIR"

[U/W Photographer]

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

Thank God - I thought it might be Diarrhoea In Rubberware........

Well that's a story I better keep to myself !!!

[JAG]

Originally Posted by U/W Photographer

Thanks for that JAG, still not quite sure What ken meant when he said "thank God your not DIR"

Because of the minimilist approach, and the "carry just what you need for the dive" mindset, in some circles, giving the amount of potential hazards you are incorporating into you kit, you might be deemed unsafe.

You could argue that the kit you are carrying is all that you need for your dive and what I mentioned above is a pile of crap.. That's when the enthusiastic debating starts!!

[Steve Robb]

That is an incredible series of photo's there, I would never have said they were from british waters though, they look so, well, tropical. nice one!

[marcinklysewicz]

first of all - Tompot blenny RULEZ !!!!!!!!!!

and second thing - you look awsome!!! and i was pretty sure that i look wired with all my macro equipment. i'm far from it .

waiting for more photos because they are fantastic.

[U/W Photographer]

THANKS for all your positive comments,
I am in the process of setting up a website, to show & hopefully sell my prints if anyone is interested. Keep an eye out for my home page in my personal profile within the next week or two.

[Markulous]

Surely if I armed myself with Digital Camera Mask I'd qualify for DIR?

Interesting reading all about the politics of diving - I did a PADI course years ago in the Maldives but you'd never, ever catch me diving around the UK - way too cold. Respect to those that do!

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Markulous

Surely if I armed myself with Digital Camera Mask I'd qualify for DIR?

Nah, it's not black!