Notes From the Back of Beyond II
We took a busman’s holiday last weekend and went diving on Bali’s north coast. It’s easy diving around Tulamben; porters carry the tanks and you just walk off the beach. Great schools of trevally surround the Liberty Wreck and the black sand slope to the east is a famed critter diving mecca. It should have been a beautiful morning dive, but what we saw underwater shifted our moods a full 180 degrees. We finished the dive almost ashamed to call ourselves underwater photographers.
About 50 feet down the slope, hovering close to the substrate, we spent about 15 minutes searching for unusual species of nudibranchs. We weren’t the only ones in the water-Tulumben is a popular dive area-and another group of divers was nearby. From the amount of silt that drifted our way we figured they had found an interesting subject so we finned over to take a closer look. There were about ten of them, armed with all manner of image-capturing gear, and they had surrounded a Wonderpus photogenicus, one of the recently described long-armed octopuses that is often confused with the Mimic Octopus. A few divers had still camera housings mounted on video housings, a few had both wide angle and macro rigs cobbled together with a tangled web of multiple strobe cords. One diver caught our attention; she had a small video housing and had settled down gently on the bottom, waiting patiently, and so we decided to hang around to see what happened.
For more than 30 minutes we witnessed one of the lousiest displays of buoyancy skills we have ever seen outside of an entry level class. You would have thought that the current was running at four knots, there was that much sand blowing through the water. The lone divemaster vainly tried to keep order so everyone in his group could photograph the creature, but he gave up after about 15 minutes and took off down the slope. A couple of photographers shot 50 or more frames (yes, I counted), and no one wanted to “share”. One anxious, double-rig-carrying oaf couldn’t wait for his buddy to finish with the octopus, so he positioned himself over the top of the offending diver and literally picked the guy up off the bottom by his BC and shoved him out of the way. One “good buddy” yanked so hard on on another’s full foot fin that he pulled it off and just tossed it aside, leaving the diver to try and catch up with his free-floating fin before it was out of sight. “Well,” I thought, “that’s one way to to keep a subject for yourself. What’s next? Slicing regulator hoses?”
Just as it seemed like the lone, patient diver might get a chance, the octopus escaped and the group swam off in a cloud of silt. The remaining would-be videographer didn’t move for several seconds. The she looked our way, shrugged, and headed back toward the beach.
As we were ascending I thought about the octopus, the rude photographers, and I couldn’t help but mutter “get a life” through my regulator. What was so important about photographing that octopus that it could trigger mass behavior like that? I mean, we make our living selling photographs of marine animals, but being able to pay our credit card bill on time doesn’t mean that we need to trash a dive site, harass an animal, or endanger another diver. Sure we’ve all been guilty of taking too much time with a subject, with digital it’s hard stop photographing a charismatic subject. Still, perhaps it’s time to agree to and sign not only the standard CYA (cover your ass) diver’s release form, but also a Photographer’s Code of Ethics that covers how we’ll treat the reef, the animals that live there, and our fellow divers.
Some divemasters, celebrity group leaders, and cruise directors admonish their guests to take care of the environment and share subjects. Others don’t. Are we losing the joy when we senselessly compete for images? Recently a liveaboard owner called us with questions about our upcoming group. “What kind of people are they?” he asked. I wasn’t sure what he meant. He explained, “You know, do they like to sit on deck and watch the sun set or are they staring at their computers or taking apart their cameras whenever they aren’t in the water? I just finished with a group like that and let me tell you it was boring and awful.”
Taking pictures is just one of the reasons we like diving. We like the sunsets, talking about good books, sharing stories with friends, new and old. Let’s cut out the competition and bring back the joy.
As a DM, I have trouble in both Hawai’i and the Philippines with divers from other groups “horning in” to take photos of things I’ve pointed out to my divers. And I really get my ire up when one of them fails to pay attention, and doesn’t leave when their group does, and suddenly I’ve an extra diver, who usually has about 700 to 1,000 psi less than most of my divers.
I take a camera to make sure I get shots of my divers, for their scrapbooks, or their Facebook accounts.
I only have two things to say:
I HATE photographer divers and started that feeling in Cozumel over 20 years ago.
I do not dive hardly anymore because I will not take the chance of my day and trip being destroyed by camera toting idiots who think that the boat and all its occupants should be careful and have to behave around their darn (being kind)camera gear. I dive in a swim suit and a t-shirt when possible. The idea is freedom, majesty of the sea and the second by second experience of blowing bubbles, looking around and enjoying the moment. You want to see pictures? Google any name in the ID books and there are already enough to go arond. I’m so sorry that so many are wasting their time and money getting to dive sites and have to come home and live with the memory of busted dives, bad vis and disgusting behaviour of the shooters.
I agree your with comments about rude photographers. I’ve been shooting documentaries for the past three years and have recently put up a website to begin selling them (it’s not quite finished yet but you can see where I’m at with it (www.seeunderthesea.com). I just returned from the Lembeh Straits and Bunaken Nat’l Park where I experienced several photo hogs! As a videographer I tend to stay away photographers. Several photographers can gang up on one poor animal and not affect each others’ shots. But one photographer butting into a videographers’ scene with a strobe flash blows the entire clip of the shot. Even my own dive partner (another videographer) was hogging shots. After three days of this I finally had enough and said something. He was totally taken back! and said he didn’t realize he was doing it! (really???) And after two more photographers complained to him he finally backed off. Before the next dive I announced to everyone that we needed to adhere to a “code of ethics”. That is whoever spots the animal or is closest to it should get first shot. That is, photographers each take 5 shots then back out and let the next person take their turn. Videographers should take one 10-15 second clip then back out and let the next person in. If you want more shots, wait until everyone else has had a turn and then come back. Sure, some animals are not going to sit still and model. This usually gives videographers more of an advantage because we’re more interested in movement and animal behavior anyway. Just be civil to each other! If you announce this code of ethics and someone objects or disagrees, at least you’ll know who the jerk(s) are going to be and just keep your distance or be prepared to experience some REAL animal behavior!
I am an underwater photographer with almost 1000 logged dives. I have seen considerate and inconsiderate non-photographers and photographers. Having a camera in your hand does not all of a sudden turn you into the devil! I have seen photographers with perfect buoyancy, after getting their shot, turn around and kick off from a subject,stirring up silt and sand and ruining the shot for any of us waiting. I have seen more non photographers doing the same thing, ignorant of the results of their actions once they leave the scene.
I still shoot film and usually only shoot a few frames of a subject before moving on. I am frustrated when I have to wait for a digital photographer to shoot 30-40 shots of a subject before relinquishing their spot. However, usually if I tap the person on the shoulder, letting them know I am waiting and they will move aside and allow others to have a chance.
I also dive with my husband, a non-photographer who helps spot interesting critters, helps keep me aware of others waiting for a shot, and stays close so we can help each other as buddies. I would not take another diver down as a buddy unless it was another photographer who knew me and my routine and who prefers to basically dive solo. We stay close, are aware of each other in the immediate vicinity, and help point out interesting subjects to each other.
Most people who are jerks underwater are jerks above water-with or without a camera. When you are in a group and see a diver with a camera pointed at something, you usually assume it is something worth looking at and swim over to take a look. This helps create some of the chaos that has been described above. I have seen many many more non photographers damage the reef and inadvertently kick, push or fall on other divers than those with cameras.
It would be nice if everyone were polite and courteous in all environments. It does make it difficult to tell someone you see being rude that they need to change their behavior when you are underwater. It is also difficult for someone to excuse themselves for something that was unintentionally done to you or others underwater without the ability to communicate effectively.
Ok,
After having a good read of this blog and various opnions I now feel obliged to contribute.
As un underwater and above water photgrapher/videographer I can confirm I have witnessed most of the theories and experiences as mentioned so far. However, I would like to throw this down in the mix, for every single one of you that dive and have accidentally touched a reef and/or witnessed anyone else do it, bare this in mind in return for the damage that the reef or aquatic life may or may not have suffered.
The plane you arrived on for your dream dive destination was built from materials deriving from minerals excavated from our earth. Not only was it built from these materials it was fuelled by other materials excavated in a similiar fashion. The tarmac your plane landed on and the terminal in which you disembark is constructed from further excavated minerals. Your pick up car, same thing, same material, same minerals. Drops you off at your hotel, mainly consisting of concrete, more raw mined materials, your parched from your flight you would like a can of cola, can= more raw materials.You switch on your airconditioner, your tropical destination is hot and the humidity is wreaking havoc with your health, flick the switch, more raw materials through power, through coal. You wake in the morning to your beautiful cooked breakfast, you begin to eat, whats in your hands? Knife and fork? what are they made of? yes thats right raw materials excavated from the ground manufactured into metals to provide the very tools you need to feed yourself. You arrive at the pier to meet your divemaster, you step onto the boat, is it a row boat? no.. its fuelled boat not dissimiliar to the fuel you used to get your plane and your transfer. You talk to your fellow divers on your trip, you discover a multitude of nationalities and they all share their international travel journeys. So on that boat, 6 people who have travelled from corners of the globe have all used similiar modes of transport and resources to be there at the same time as you.
Now as you climb into your gear and approach the doorway of the boat the excitement builds, the smiles on the faces and the memories are already being printed onto your holiday film I want you to bare in mind the sheer magnitude of natural resources that cannot be renewed that have been used for you to be in that very position.
So I bet your wondering why is all of this relevant to diving? Well it isnt, but the impact that someone has accidentally touching a reef whether it be through incorrect buoyancy or in-experience is not even relevant to the eco-system and organisms destroyed excavating 100 cubic metres of earth to provide the coal which in-turn provided 20 tons of usable coal which powered the lights on the runway for the plane you came in on for about 3 days.
I can post some pictures from a photgrapher’s perspective the damage this mining and extraction does, but who wants to see that?
So if you have ever dropped your weights whilst at the surface or have seen someone do it, spare a thought for the professional photgrapher that was taking the photos of you and all of your friends enjoying a spectacular early morning dive in the Carribean on the day of your wedding who was still at 18 metres on ascent. Yes you guessed correct, they not only got me (15 stitches) 1 week in a mexican hospital they destroyed $125 000 worth of camera and associated gear.
Funny thing is, lead is a raw material excavated from the ground.
Ironic isn’t it.
This happens not only in the water, but on land. I was at an Anasazi site and got a photo of the setting sun through a window. After a few shots, I moved over to let others have the same opportunity. when I asked to return to that location after one of the photographers had taken several rolls of ( old timers) film, I was told it was her spot and not to bother her.
so much for being courteous. We can all learn to be courteous and share. Hopefully some will learn from this. Unfortunately the slobs will not.
When I first got certified, in 1973, and I would go on a vacation, I would buddy up with another diver, who had a camera. I would do this, as back then, underwater camera’s were not that common and it usually meant a competent buddy. Unfortunately, now anyone can buy a camera and/or housing and it is not an indication of someone who can actually dive. For many years, my kids were my dive buddies,once they reached twelve and were certified, so it was a real rude awakening the first time that I had to buddy up with an unknown. The certification courses just do not seem to be the same as they were forty years ago. You were taught, at least I was, to respect the other divers. I still dive after forty years and am very picky as to what dive shop I chose, small boats and only five or six divers, in order to avoid the incompetent diver whether a newbie or just an old Yuppy, who is looking for a thrill. Usually, this diver has all of the state of the art equipement but can’t stay down more than twenty minutes, even at thirty feet and has no idea as to what he is looking at. They have never seen a book to identify the fish that they just saw. Sad. Even my grandkids, who only snorkle at this time but when I take them to Cozumel in Jan. I hope to get them on my Octopus like their mother and aunts at five and eight, know a Queen Angel from a French Angel.
I witnessed the same type of activity not long ago in Lembeh. Photographers so anxious to get at the painted frogfish that they tore apart the sponge the fish was resting on. Their dive guide did nothing to prevent the destruction of the sponge. I wish I had had sense enough at the moment to photograph the scene…it would have told the tale.
One of our most frustrating was in Curacao with someone associated with one of the widely-hyped dive photography outfits. After letting everyone on the boat know she was with this particular company and how great she was, she proceeded to lay on the bottom on the coral, flail in the sand, and generally destroy her surroundings in order to get her “prize shot.”
When we got back I emailed her employer and asked if that is the kind of representation she wants for her business. She defended the employee, saying she was certain there was no damage done, and that it’s okay to lay on the bottom to get good shots.
If only she had been there………
Its not the cameras fault its the person behind it.
I dive with a camera on most dives. I try to avoid guided tours as I find all divers (with and without cameras) who hang around a subject too long annoying. Non camera divers are also guilty of some of the same behaviors. Photographers are usually the worse.
If I do join a guided tour with or without a camera, I hang way back to avoid the zoo.
I try to find my own subjects away from the crowds who scare them away and I usually only take 6 frames. There is no sense taking any more unless you are changing the lighting.
On one dive in Bunaken I saw a person taking photos of a pygmy seahorse. We continued our dive as we knew the pygmy is going nowhere. 60 minutes later, the same bozo was in the same spot taking pictures of the same pygmy. The poor thing must have be blinded by that many strobe firings. This guy had a point and shoot with non movable strobes!
I have seen a guy taking phots grab a nurse shark by the tail as it was in the wrong position in a swim through for the shot he wanted – the poor shark set off like an exocet missile and I and a couple of other divers at the ‘sharp’ end went flying! I try to hang back for other photopgrahers to take a picture (I take video) but so often I miss out on getting any footage. However, I would rather that than harass an animal. We could all, unfortunately, go on and on about the awful human behaviour we have witnessed underwater.
Photographers and their unusually common behaviour patterns of aggressiveness, self-centeredness and disregard for others, both in the water and on the boat, are the main reasons that after 20 years as a PADI Pro I am not re-joining the fray. I have never carried a camera but once and the experience did nothing to add to my dive enjoyment and sense of place that is the reason I go underwater in the first place. I began to notice this behaviour 15 years ago or so with the advent of less expensive cameras and housings and it has only gotten more common with the advent of digital photography and the idea that there is no limit to the number of images each diver may attempt. Thanks to all who are trying to keep the troubles reigned in, I hope I dive with you next. I am also all for having specified dives/groups/boats that are camera free. It is a dream that may no longer ever come true.
Having a camera in one’s hand underwater does not make a diver inconsiderate—it just makes it more obvious if one is inconsiderate. Please do not assume that all photographers run for the trophies and hog the good shots as this is not the case. I have found the groups I have gone diving with to be considerate and careful of the environment, and to move out of the way so that fellow divers can see interesting critters. Proper etiquette has been discussed in the briefings. There have been instances when photographers with mammoth equipment do block the view for long periods of time, and perhaps they would do this even without a camera. I began taking UW photos after 50 dives; my instructor suggested that this would give me a chance to control my buoyancy. I take my camera with me probably on 60-70% of my dives because I enjoy just looking at the scenery some of the time. If the DMs on the boat offer to pass me my camera after I am in the water, or take it onto the boat before I climb the ladder, I take them up on their offer. They usually put the camera right into a bucket for that use. This takes only seconds. I have found some great dive shops and liveaboards, and like-minded people, which is fortunate. Burt and Maurine’s advice rings true: Pick a quality dive operator, and dive with like-minded people. When we are in the sea, we are guests, and should leave everything as pristine and peaceful as it was when we arrived. Be one with the water and do no harm.
When I was a new diver the dive master found an octopus under a rock during the day, this was in Cozumel. He took my hand so I could get over to see it. Before I knew it, a larger diver had me pinned to the ocean floor with the dive master frantically pushing her off of me. Once on the boat I mentioned to her that she had come down on top of me and the dive master had to push her off of me. She just shrugged. On other dives, I quickly looked and kept an eye out for this very rude diver/photographer.
…and to follow up on my comment above…
Maybe we should all print off a copy, laminate it, and take it with us on our next trip… and then leave it with the Dive Guide, to show to future divers.
There is already an Underwater Photograhper’s Code of practice here in the UK, created by the Marine Conservation Society (although it seems to have disappeared from their website) – see http://www.bsoup.org/Code.php for a copy.
The problem is getting making divers aware of it, and getting them to follow it, so that us responsible photographers don’t all get tarred with the same brush!
Dear Maurine and Bert,
Hi–it’s Mel McCombie.
You have indeed touched a nerve. Having dived with you and seen your perfect buoyancy and respect for the environment, no wonder you are outraged. We all are. It is worse than 10 years ago, owing largely to the advent of inexpensive digital cameras. When only film was available, and good cameras/housings costly, photographers worked harder to not waste shots, and the bulkier equipment required good buoyancy skills. Now, anyone with $300 can get an u/w setup. We have all seen divers thrashing about with thier cameras, and then learned it’s their 10th dive. Digital means never having to say you are sorry since it costs nothing to photograph or hit “delete.” Since technology is here to stay, I wonder if dive operators can insist on a buoyancy test before letting camera operators dive? Doubtful, since it’s a service business and runs on tips…..
When I teach about u/w photography and a student asks what it takes to be one, I always answer that first, one has to be a very good diver.
The most egregious incident of photographer reef abuse I’ve seen was on Bonaire during a dive festival about 10 years ago. The photographer, best known for his mawkish murals of whales and reefs, and his line of shops vending his “art,” considered an orange seahorse resting in a gorgonian in front of Habitat to be his personal property. One principled Bonairean divemaster pulled him off the reef and the poor, strobe-burned seahorse. His reward was a loud hissy fit from the “artist,” who fumed that this was his business. This took place during a celebration of the environment to boot.
I have one other peeve to vent. It’s those strobe lights that are blue/white, guaranteed to scare off anything not sessile. I’ve seen videographers bearing down with giant strobes, looking like a 747 coming in for a landing; and of course, they own whatever creature is in sight since they are photographers.
Nice people share their toys, and good photographers share their sightings and are kind to the reef!
Not all “photographers” are the same. I carry a little point and shoot camera which dangles off my arm. Flip it up to my hand, take a few photos and move on. I get great shots with a tiny camera, that match the big cameras for close-ups. I always find it’s the “big rig” macho men divers who exhibit this appalling diver behaviour, and have had my share of shoves out of the way because “mine’s bigger than yours”. I usually shove back. It’s pathetic.
The only dark spots in an otherwise perfect trip to Indonesia were due to an over-agressive photographer. He was an experienced, skilled diver, having more dives than almost anyone else on the boat. However, all skills…buoyancy, awareness of fragile creatures….went out the window when he was trying to get the photo!! He “hogged” the hard-to-see critters and kicked corals and sand and whatever else was in the way of his fins. My point is this: All the skills in the world are worthless without some self-awareness and common decency. And yes, dive boats should be more proactive…set the rules beforehand and everyone will be happier!
I just recently returned from diving off of the coast of Belize. My daughter and I were angry over the cavilier attitude of those pursuing that perfect photo. Pushing each other aside, hitting coral, stirring up sand, knocking over plants, invading the space of the creature that they were trying to photograph, etc. Is that 6″ photo that much better than 3 feet with a zoom? The dive master was not preventing any of this. I later spoke with the manager of the PADI 5 STAR dive shop about this. He was visibly upset, a good sign, and was going to give us dive masters a very stern lecture on protecting the marine environment. I only hope that it has the right effect.
My experience: amateur turning pro videographer w/1500+ dives, 1000 or so with a video rig. Dove many of the favorite warm and temperate water destinations. You can see my videos by searching “muckdiver”.
So with that in mind I must do a little defending from all who have sworn off cameras of any kind or who want to string up anyone with one:
1. Pros “dive it alone” for very good reason: Other divers wreck shots. If you ever see a photographer’s dome port it sees you – the photographer is shooting “w i d e” angle. Try to get that Kodak moment when a gaggle of divers are sitting on the reef and blowing bubbles. The common defense is to get away, far, far away.
2. Take a picture or video while your dive group is spewing sand and silt. Impossible… the picture ends up taking hours to fix or the video looks like you were in a snow storm and not repairable.
3. Shooting any kind of honest video if the DM or another diver harasses the animals is not possible. Imagine video of a catatonic squat lobster, frightened octopus, or defensive boxer crab. These are not natural because they are diver induced and from my opinion worthless images (unless you are doing a special on diver abuse).
4. Camping out in an area is the most important macro maxim I can think of. Macro is shooting critters not much bigger than grains of sand – you don’t have to spin all over the reef. It is usually in a patch only a few inches across. This is why most divers think macro shooters are crazy. I know I am one of them.
5. Many shooter do know etiquette and abide. There are a lot who just don’t care, a surprising number actually. Their disregard extends not just to their fellow divers but to anything in their vicinity. Pick a crowd, any crowd and at least 20% are individuals you would rather not associate with. In a pack of divers this can mean 1 or 2 really obnoxious people.
6. Non shooters have little appreciation for the level of wok, skill, perseverance, training, and practice that goes into any who really know how to “get that shot”. Shining flashlights on a critter while video is going, or kicking sand into someones frame, or sticking your head in the shot, or putting your chin on the shooters shoulder to see, or zooming in to have a look only to scare the critter away are all just as unfair as not sharing.
The flip side:
1. Pros will be quite protective of their shots. Some are brutal, most I have found are considerate. In the words of one “I shoot a few then sit back and watch and get ideas from the other shooter”, self-serving but it gives equal time. One must give them wide berth or you bring down the wrath.
2. Amateurs, due to lack of training, take shots that will be less than admirable – even the person shooting will admit this. My question is so why shoot? Why trash the reef for that admittedly grainy, out of focus, bluish fish butt? I was there once but endeavored to get trained as fast as I could. We have all seen the trip slideshow from hell or video that would make a fish seasick.
3. Dive Masters can be absolutely awful towards the very critters that earn them a living. They have become so used to “staged” shots that it is the norm. Handling, moving, cleaning, antagonizing, or scaring the animals to illicit a reaction is what they believe is what the shooter wants. And most shooters will “take the shot”, shrug at the callousness of the DM and move on only to complain about how bad that DM was.
4. We do stress the environment – all of us. Tail dragging is the most common ailment of divers – essentially no buoyancy or even a care to have any.
5. This list can go on and on…
So why do I dive and video? The sheer enjoyment of neutral buoyancy and seeing things not seen topside! My videos are honest, clean, and as minimal an impact as I know how. I am no saint and by no means innocent. I have broken my share of coral or dusted out other divers. But I like to believe I learned quickly that this is improper behavior. I got trained, practiced, asked for feedback from others “how am I doing”, and try to foster the same behavior in others. I dive because it is fun and because I take video, it is my passion, it is my hobby.
My suggestions (guidelines I try to dive by):
1. Read this blog there are many many good ideas, but mostly to become more aware that this is an issue for our reefs.
2. Get trained…
a. as a diver – perfect buoyancy. Practice it as often as you can. Dive a swimming pool if you have to.
b. as a shooter. Learn your camera and how to get the best shot possible. Don’t just “point and shoot” because this is what your audience want to do to your shows.
c. as a buddy – realize that there are others in the water with you and be considerate
3. Do not tip DM’s who harass animals. Tell them this to their face and say you do that again and I will not give you a tip. I have done it and they understand the economics.
4. Don’t be afraid to confront bad divers – tell them what they are doing is not right. Offer them the solution of getting trained. If they don’t agree then talk to your dive operator and figure out how to ostracize them. You go one way and let them go another. Again, I have done this and sometimes the diver figures out how to be better.
5. Refuse to dive with bad divers. They are a hazard to themselves and those around them. I have seen too many – it is not an isolated problem it is endemic. I heard once that most divers do maybe 20 dives a year! I was told when I started out to give it 25~30 dives to get comfortable. So this means most divers never get comfortable.
6. Support reef friendly dive resorts. Seek out those operators who actually do something about bad divers and bad shooters. They are trying.
I needed to add my thoughts to this forum. It is a good subject. Diving and shooting is a never ending training session and I dive a lot compared to others. Hopefully my perspective on things helps others – heck I might run into you sometime out there on a dive. If you see a person with an oversized video rig modded to the hilt that is me. Tap me on the shoulder if I am misbehaving – see I am a freshly minted pro shooter.
“PS. My rant is aimed at the 98% of the amateurs not the pro’s. Pro’s mainly dive solo because the best shots aren’t there if other divers are around.”
From someone who has only logged 200 dives, that’s quite a generalization. Don’t be so quick to condemn 98% of amateurs for not being attentive to your “buddy needs” and don’t let the pro’s off-the-hook so fast.
Yes, pro’s prefer to dive solo for more reasons than just getting the best shots. Pro’s that shoot macro and especially HD macro video mainly dive alone so that no one can see them completely deflate their BC’s to laid-down on the bottom in order to keep the camera/camcorder steady. You can’t shoot HD macro video hovering over a reef – it’s impossible. It’s also a way to get their gloves on out of sight of the rest of the group.
Also, in Doubilet’s Natl. Geo article on nudi’s about 2 yrs. ago… he was staging all the nudi’s on a table that and his underwater entourage set-up on the bottom. But, “he (they) put them back where he originally found them”. R I G H T!
When a pro is on-board the dive operation gives them great leeway in order for them to get the great shots that will go in their website “gallery” or whatever. And, to get a great review from them. Afterall, that’s why the get to dive there for free.
Let’s get real. I’ll but my finger tip on a piece of dead coral to get a shot. I even did in plain view of the DM’s at Wakatobi because they saw that I was respective of “their” reef. We had non-camera newbies that the DM’s were yanking backwards by their fins because they were bouncing off the reefs like pin-balls.
So, let’s not be so quick to demonize amateur u/w photographers. Because by the time to get to 500 dives… you’ll probably be one yourself.
The article does address some real time issues. Even our favorite club in Cozumel has those problem divers visit. I have strong PTSD and try to avoid them when I see it happen. But, those buttons can still be pushed…The diver described in the article might have had a brief surprise coming to him.
I agree with most of what has been said here. When I was a student in my first course my instructor said, “That if you dive with a photographer/videographer, you dive alone.” I have found this to be true 9 out of 10 times. It doesn’t matter where you dive, fresh or saltwater getting the shot(s) becomes all important. I have seen published professional photographers picking coral pieces out of their equipment once back on the boat, so it’s not just the newbie’s that get the shot no matter what the cost.
As photographer I believe you have to say to your self, “Can I get the shot with out damaging the reef, my subject, or myself?” If the answer is no to any of those you must move on or reframe the shot.
I definitely think the 6 frame rule is the way to go. After six get to the end of the line and wait your turn if you want more shots.
We watched, sickened, while the most fragile critters were hounded across the bottom at Lembeh by our DM for a videographer with bright enough lights to stress a movie star. The same animal would be pursued by one group after another, getting no peace for an hour or more. Have there been any studies of the impact the terribly bright light has on a creature adapted to life in the dimness of the depths?
There’s simply no way the resource can survive this onslaught for long. The DMs and operators that collude in this rape of the reef are sacrificing their future prospects to make a short-term killing. They’re the only ones who can sort it out, by setting rules, applying sanctions, and keeping pokers off the wildlife, but they’ve got to get together on a code of specific conduct, and not exploit controls as an opportunity to cut each other’s throats.
I’ve switched from liveaboards (which is my first preference) to resorts. Mainly, because liveaboard captains and divemasters will not establish photo etiquette rules, let alone enforce them. Captains say it’s a divemaster issue. And, since most liveaboard divemasters have temporary stints they just want to make people happy and get a good tip. So, the polite guests are expected to just ignore the jerk guests. And, that’s especially true if the jerks are repeat customers. They’d rather have 15 people suffer, then cause a scene and lose one client. Because all the business office is going to care about is the lost client. When there’s so much competition for dive guests, integrity and long-term thinking are the first casualties.
At least at a resort with a few day boats, you have a better chance of avoiding the jerks by making sure you don’t get on the same day boat. I look for resorts with less than 30 divers, at least 3 boats and 5-6 divemasters.
On a side note. I’m the guy that goes out of his way to avoid the jerks. But, when I just can’t shake them it takes about 3-4 jerky incidents before I tell the jerk – enough! And, after I do everybody else thanks me. The problem is it makes me and my wife feel uncomfortable and it shouldn’t be my job to put a jerk in their place. I’ve even had a Captain/Co-Owner thank me for doing his job for him.
And, Tulamben is a great dive site, but a complete circus.
From the unprecedented response to this blog I believe I touched a nerve. I certainly do not have THE solution for controlling errant uw photographers or even know if it is totally the right thing to do. Limit people to 3 shots per critter, drag them off reefs, dive only with people you know are considerate, sign an agreement to respect the environment…? How about remembering what neutral buoyancy feels like, and then practice it. How about not taking a shot if it means harming the reef or a critter, how about realizing that you are not the only photographer on a dive? Maybe we should agree to look around before we settle in to take a shot, only touch a dead spot on the reef, or know that (even for professionals) damaging marine life is never worth the shot.
I don’t have any answers, but I do know there is a bright side to underwater photography besides the obvious pleasure it brings to most who do it. (Believe it or not we’ve come across quite a few people who hate being at sea, dislike diving, and are just there because of the photographic challenge. Weird, huh?) Anyway, I’ll get into that in a future blog. Just wanted to say thanks for reading and for commenting.
I’ve been diving all over for about 20 years now and have observed one thing that I almost consider a fact. If you want to watch Jekyll and Hyde in action then take a perfectly capable, friendly, and environmentally-conscious diver and put a camera or video housing in his/her hand before a dive. And the degree of radical change is directly proportional to the size/complexity/expense of the camera and video equipment. I’ve watched it happen over and over with my own friends and complete strangers.
I’ve watched these people destroying coral, pushing other divers out of the way, or just monopolizing interesting spots underwater time after time.
In the past year I was also at this same dive site in Bali where I dove with a very nice young lady from Singapore and her digital camera. She was no different from any other man or woman with a camera. She was ignoring everything around her when she was taking her pictures. She was routinely kicking coral to take pictures of other coral or fish. She was laying on top of a flat layer of Elkhorn coral growing off the side of the wreck so she could get a better picture of some of the small fish. Her bouyancy skills were abandoned to get the picture. At one point I couldn’t take it anymore and lifted her away from the coral and moved her. The divemaster never stopped her once. I discussed this with a manager from the dive company later and he told me he would address it but it was likely because the divemaster did not want to lose the tip from the customer.
I’ve recently started doing underwater photography myself and although I do attempt to be extremely careful I notice I am now more of a hazard underwater as well. The camera simply distracts us too much. There needs to be more awareness about this and a more proactive approach by the dive charter companies and divemasters leading the groups.
I’ve logged 200 dives in the past two years as a traveling recreational diver currently obsessed with the sport. I have seen enough around the world now that I detest 95% of divers I meet who carry a camera (I don’t ‘carry’).
The first problem I observed is that divers who ‘carry’ make terrible dive buddies. They are so intent on photography they don’t have the attention span to be a good buddy. It’s not that I could be drowning while they are framing shots – I’ve had enough training to be always focused on maintaining my self-rescuing position. Rather it’s that they aren’t self-rescuing themselves because the pace of the dive is driven by the camera rather than the buddy relationship. I’m constantly either waiting for them to shoot off 100 frames or chasing them down as they swim rapidly off to the next target without noting where I am. My first solution was to reject ‘carrying’ divers as buddies or insist on a three/four person team with only one camera. After a bit, I found this approach impractical on most liveaboards. My second solution has been to get solo-certified and always carry a pony tank capable of getting me to the surface from 111 ft. Now, if I’m stuck with a photographer who won’t behave like a good dive buddy underwater, I have a choice. I can chase them down – or not. If the camera is more important to them than me so be it.
The second problem I observed was reef destruction. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen a photographer intent on shooting something like a little seahorse: a) break off or crush a coral head because they can’t maintain buoyancy while shooting, and b) then turn around and kick the seahorse in the face while moving on to the next subject.
I propose three interlocking solutions in the spirit of scuba being a self-policing sport:
1) The major certification agencies could offer a ‘safe photographer’ certification. The certification would ensure that the photographer has been trained and tested in proper buddy behavior, proper buoyancy control, and reef protection while shooting.
2) Just like we need a release form and an extra cert card to dive nitrox, we could require a release form and the cert card described in item #1 to carry a camera in the water. If you cannot produce a safe photographer certification card then you cannot carry a camera.
3) Let’s encourage soft-policing by other divers and provide an enabling mechanism for enforcement. A clause in the release form for being a ‘safe photographer’ is explicit consent to restrict photographic activities if one is observed by others damaging the reef. If a diver observes a photographer damaging a reef while shooting, they can report it (anonymously maybe, or maybe not) on a sheet on the boat just like the nitrox sign-out sheet. One strike is a warning, two strikes then you don’t carry a camera the next day, three strikes you’re out – no camera for the rest of the trip.
It maybe fruitless but I believe I’ve outlined a viable path to reducing the destructive impact of underwater photographers through certification and peer pressure.
-Marc
PS. My rant is aimed at the amateurs not the pro’s. Pro’s mainly dive solo because the best shots aren’t there if other divers are around.
Maurine and Burt,
This is a sad commentary indeed on some underwater photographers. I’ve seen everything you have described and would like to add 2 more examples…while diving in Lembeh strait one of the UW photographers in our group was dangerously low on air while we were at 110 feet. Instead of making surfacing his priority, he grabbed the DMs octo to give him more time to get one more shot of the hairy octopus he was torturing. He chased the poor animal around the reef and poked at the hole it retreated to to get it to come out one more time then nuked it with dozens of flashes. On another dive in PNG a well known so called nudibranch expert decided it was ok for her to remove a nudibrach from the reef, place it in a plastic bag and bring it to the surface, at which time she decided to spin the bag closed pending our next dive to a location that had sand with better contrast for her photo. If I didn’t witness it myself, I would not have believed it. Her actions were condoned by the boat operator who said it was ok because it was for, “scientific purposes.” Her wetsuit and fins were so abraded from lying on the coral we nick-named her Pig-Pen.
Good buoyancy, etiquette and respect for the reef are often left behind when something interesting or rare comes into view. I wholeheartedly agree that waivers should include affirmation by the diver that they will follow good diving practices and if they cannot the consequence should be no more air fills.
I wonder if the good and patient diver you mentioned will read all these comments and know that her simple act was so much more important than all of the silt filled photo rejects the herd of divers produced…and I wonder if all the guilty phot-hogs (pun intended) will think twice about raping the reef in the future. Sadly, probably not.
Elissa
We used to love liveaboard diving. We did two trips a year for 5 yrs. But, because the dive boat personnel don’t want to mess with their tip… they don’t monitor the guests that are drunk by noon, hog photo subjects, harass critters, hog the camera table, etc. The prevailing attitude is to let the considerate guests deal with the jerks on their own.
So, now we only go to dive resorts because it’s easier to avoid the jerks.
I believe that this laissez-faire attitude on behalf of dive boat crew works against them and their employers in the long run. Jerks are also inconsiderate when it comes time for them to tip. And, they also can have a negative affect on the tips from the other guests. Especially,when the divemaster or captain could have gotten more involved to keep the jerks in check.
My husband and I *just* had this conversation two weeks ago in the Maldives! One of the divers had a huge, expensive video rig and was very rude to the Maldivian boat crew regarding the way they handed him his camera once he was in the water. Never mind that they barely spoke English. I also observed this same diver dislodge a huge boulder on one of the reefs with the most beautiful coral, sending it cascading down doing untold damage to the area. I couldn’t believe it! I think a lot of photographers are now more intent on getting their “trophy” than they are of taking care of the reef for others to enjoy.
I’d just like to add some perspective: Burt and Maurine are two of the most laid back and nicest people you’ll ever meet. I’ve literally spent months and hundreds of hours underwater with Burt in Indonesia. And if these two gentle souls are getting agitated about bad behavior, particularly from photographers, then it’s really got to be bad out there. That’s why since I sold the last of my diving companies in early 2005, I only run “invitation only” full boat charters usually two weeks in length to the best places in th world (Indo-Pacific such as the Solomons on the Bilikiki or Indonesia on Paradise Dancer. Some of these folks have been going with me for over 35 years. Everyone is a good diver, respectful of their fellow mates, well-mannered u/w and willing to share photo subjects graciously, and great company at sunset cocktails and dinner. One guest refers to my exclusivity and hard rules for inclusion as “The No Assholes Dive Tours.” I guess that’s the ultimate compliment.Know who you’re going with. And don’t go with the buttheads. Life’s too shot. Good work, Burt and Maurine. It needed to be said and you guys are so above reproach that you can get away with calling a spade a spade. Now what about Bantin in a speedo?
Bret Gilliam
I am an amatuer underwater photographer and read this with amusement. I try to be considerate of other divers and the reef. I blame digital photography for intensifying obnoxious photographic behavior. I’m happy to say that I still shoot film, am limited to 36 exposures my entire dive, and am therefore destined to be polite and considerate while diving. I tend to allow non-photographers a chance to take a close look before I gently and with neutral buoyancy move in to get a shot. I’ll take several shots, move away and return later after other divers have had a turn. My husband has gone digital and it really is obnoxious. I’ve often noticed that my first shot is often my best, even after bracketing and re-composing. I think the same about the 30+ shots my husband can take. I hope that we aren’t blinding all the little critters that we admire. Not all people carrying cameras are obnoxious and disrespectful. We’ve encountered several pros on our trips that are very respectful of the reef. The pictures taken are shared with the non-diving world, showing the beauty that needs to be protected.
As a nature, wildlife and underwater photographer, I understand the plight of finding the perfect photographic opportunities. While participating in the 2009 Bonaire Shootout, I had a similar incident as described by the bloggers of this topic. I knew the frogfish was going to “belch” and had setup my camera to photograph this occurrence while being very careful NOT to touch the coral with my body or my fins. Just as the lever went down, someone came in on top of me pushing me down onto the sponge causing me to breath in to get away before any more damage was done just to get the “belching” frogfish pic. We were told countless times to share the subjects, take a few frames, back away to allow other photographers in, and if you want another shot then come back after everyone else had had their turn. The problem with that was EVERY photographer wanted to stay around. Sadly, I have seen photographers grabbing the coral to steady themselves for the perfect “tack sharp” photo or moving a subject into a better position to get the most composition pleasing shot! No shot is worth the destruction of the reef or the stressing out of the marine life.
Having said that, I just recently returned from diving the Big Island with photographers and non photographers. This group was very courteous making a point to show me things to photograph.
Tough love is right! We only host groups occasionally but we always add to the divemaster brief regarding being considerate to the rest of the group. Of course, it’s not just photographers, some people are just nutters underwater. No matter who it is, none of us should be embarrassed to take a buddy aside and say “hey, you probably didn’t realise but….”. There is never a point where we should stop learning AND sharing the joy of being underwater.
I dabble in underwater photography myself and am very aware of what I am doing and where I am in relation to the reef and other divers at all times. Over the last few years I have been leaving my camera on the boat more and more. I see the type of behaviour described above everywhere there are photographers–there is at least one aggressive one, and a few who can not manage their buoyancy and take a photograph at the same time–the result is reef damage. Last time I went to Cozumel (April 09) I noticed that the dive operator I have been using for years, gave pre dive instructions that included a stern, pointed direction to “those of you with cameras” to stay above the reef, control their buoyancy, and a warning that if they damage the reef they would be sent back to the boat and that would be the end of their diving. I had not heard this stern admonishment directed at divers with cameras on previous trips. This particular operator has always stressed avoidance of the reef, and my hope is that they follow through on the threats. Whether this is particular to this operator or a new impetus from the Mexican government, I don’t know. I did notice new posters on the boat printed by the Mexican government addressing photographers and expectations–so maybe a little badly needed public education is getting pushed by the government. I have seen horrible behavior in Florida but because no divemasters accompany the divers, enforcement would be nil.
Things get even worse at night, when everyone brings out the multi-K candlepower lights. I tried to take some photos of mantas off the Kona Surf in Hawaii, and the sea horses off the town pier in Bonaire. No luck–I was blinded by glaring lights on somebody’s camera rig in each case. Heaven help the critters! And then there was the poor octopus living in an old scuba tank at the end of a pier in Bonaire. As he sidled out at dusk, he was met by a blinding group flash from 13 “paparazzi” waiting for him. Tarpon and big jacks love these blinding flashes. They scoot in and gobble up all the disoriented little fish. For crying out loud, keep that light intensity down!
Some basic commonsense for photographers… You are not the only diver in the group.. Having a camera does not entitle you to hold up the group while you fiddle with your gear getting into and out of the water. You do not have sole propriety over any object in the water that holds your fascination. If a divemaster points out an interesting critter he did not point it out for you alone… Having said that I will show a diver with a camera an interesting critter but this is usually after I have had a chance to show others first.. “Photographers” are not the only divers in the water and having a camera does not mean your “right” to take photos excludes my “right” to enjoy my dive… Having watched “camera” divers in action it reaffirms my desire to dive without one..
To all of the above,
Thank you so very much for your comments. I think we must have touched a nerve with many people, photographers or not. If this is an across-the-board problem then I suggest that Cruise Directors and Divemasters make photographer behavior a part of the briefing. If this isn’t done, then the group leader, as in Beth’s comments, must add to the briefing. Additionally, if a client gets out of hand or continually breaks the rules, then the group leader must take the lead in talking to him/her privately in order to change this behavior. Tough love, indeed!
Let’s get out there and enjoy ourselves, interact with some incredible marine animals, have adventures, enjoy the sunsets, and experience being “out there”!
Had similar problem in Cocos that almost came to fisticuffs, and I don’t even take pictures !!
Thank you Burt and Maurine!!!!!! Sadly I am seeing increasing instances of this behavior on dive trips, particularly on live aboards- unless I happen go to a place( Gangga Island- superb) where there are fewer photographers and more divers who just adore experiencing the beauty of the oceans.
You can see the same scene in Crystal River Florida during manatee season almost daily as people hungry to interact with and photograph manatees pursue these creatures (often called cash cows) to the max.
Another way to avoid a mess like this is for both divemasters and group leaders to instigate what we call the ‘6 frame rule’. This was a system we developed years back when taking part in groups with some less than considerate people onboard. All photographers are asked to only shoot off 6 frames, then move away and let someone else have a go. Most critters will hang around long enough for the non-photographers to see what the fuss is all about and for the photographers to rejoin the queue and come back for more images.
One way to avoid the aggressive, self-centered, “me-first” UW photographer, is to dive with friends, who you know well and who are great company. Our group is mixed with both photographers and non, and they are generally well-behaved, and like to dive because they enjoy all aspects of the travel trip – social, diving, photography, cultural, and other interests. However, on some group trips we do share a boat or resort and this can lead to some very unpleasant underwater tactics by other photographers who are only interested in getting the shot. Usually these people are not interested in the marine biology of the animals they shoot, and are also quite ignorant about the marine ecology in which they are diving, or the fascinating animal interactions that can be observed by the observant diver, which can make a dive trip truly memorable. It’s too bad there are some bad apples. I have only experienced a few rude photographers and it made me sad and mad. The animals really suffer. Let’s all agree to be friendly when underwater and share the beautiful marine animals. I firmly believe that the “leaders” of the group, the divemasters in particular, should make an orientation lecture and clearly stress the importance of courtesy and clearly state what is expected in terms of behavior. So stated, and all agreed to, I believe that most divers will understand how important these principles are to follow. If some divers cannot comply they should be told to stop shooting since they are not following agreed upon group rules. Tough love.
I understand what you mean by seeing a lot more if you leave your camera on the boat. So many times we are honed in on a crab or some other small animal, and when we get back to the boat everyone is hysterical over seeing the whale shark giving birth to the hammerhead!
Your diver to DM ratio sounds about right for a quality experience, but so many operations can not afford that kind of service. Some how a standard needs to be set and followed. Unfortunately common courtesy doesn’t seem to be working any more.
Thanks for your input.
UW photographers can forget about what led them to diving in the first place. I am very fortunate that I dive for a living, however I now make a point of leaving my camera top side at least 50% of the time I dive. Yes I miss some great photographic opportunities, but I ‘see’ a lot more. I know that this may sound stange, but it’s true.
I prefer to have only 4 photographers at a time, and I usually will allocate 1 DM per couple if possible. Mixed groups of photoraphers / non photographers are much easier to deal with, and a lot less likely to want to ‘hog’ a subject.
There is no easy answer to this problem, however the industry will need to address it sooner rather than later.
Well, Bali’s north coast is a great place to dive and meet interesting people. I wouldn’t want UC readers to think otherwise. It’s the same as any other place. Pick your operators carefully, check out the other divers if possible, and put yourself in a place where you’ll be able to hang with your own kind.
Strangely enough, my recent grouse about dayboat divers was driven by experiences on Bali’s northern coast!