Photoworkshop and Blackwater Delights

As every year Insider Divers picked a top macro location to conduct it's yearly underwater photography workshop. This year it was the famous Anilao Photo Academy, brain-child of award-winning photographer Tim Ho.

Once again we had a great mix of people from all over the world including Mexico, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, India and Germany. With our three bancas we explored all areas of the macro haven that is Anilao.

In-between the dives we spent a lot of time working on our photography skills. There were two to three sessions a day ranging from the basics of photography, to special lighting techniques and tips on how to win awards by seasoned award-winner Tim Ho.

Another exciting aspect of diving in Anilao is blackwater diving which can be done just in front of the resort. Under the guidance of Wayne Jones, who has won several awards for his Blackwater Photography, we went out into the pitch black almost every night.

Aside from all the diving, photographing and learning we still had a lot of fun.

Daz also had his 500th dive while being on this trip. Congratulations!

PHOTO COMPETITION

All participants made a lot of progress during the week. But the final proof point would be the Photo Competition where all photographers would compete against each other.

WINNER CATEGORY BEHAVIOR

Dannie Cheung with his yawning yellow Goby.

WINNER CATEGORY MACRO

Shrikant Patnaik with the snooted blenny.

WINNER CATEGORY CREATIVE

Daniel Pinto has been to all Insider Diver workshops and usually brings home a trophy or two. This time he outdid himself on this photo of a Hairy Frogfish combining various techniques into one.

WINNER CATEGORY NUDIBRANCH

Daniel also took home this category winner.

WINNER CATEGORY BLACKWATER

Phil Robinson-Welsh took home the award for best Blackwater photo.