Christmas Adventure -- December 2011

by Jo Boniface

As Christmas rolled closer this year, Snorkel Safari closed its doors to allow their staff, amazing customers, family and friends the opportunity to head to Morton Island for a good ol’ Aussie Beach Christmas BBQ. We headed out on our day boat Reality 1 for our voyage to Moreton Island, with dolphins and turtles sighted along the way. First up was boom netting! There were some quick hands up from staff and customers alike to jump into the net and get dragged through the ocean, with Mig being the biggest kid of all, it was hard to get him out of there! It can definitely be said that everyone had fun on the net and if you didn’t have a go it’s a must on our next adventure (which happens to be another Aussie Beach BBQ on Australia Day).

We then headed back to the beach where everyone set up camp and hit the water again, this time for swimming and snorkelling along the beach and around the Bulwer wrecks. There was a carpet of starfish found, a lionfish, little squid and plenty of fish everywhere to see. With Dale on lunch duty everyone got plenty to eat. After lunch there was some relaxing, napping, swimming, walks into the Bulwer township, a little Frisbee action and some beach cricket cheered on by spectators.

Thanks to Dale, Eirin and Colin for the great day out and a BIG thanks to everyone that attended for making it such a fun Aussie Beach Christmas BBQ. Don’t forget we’re doing it all again on Australia Day, so get in quick and book your spots.

Digital Underwater Photography Course

by Jo Boniface

From the time I started diving I wanted to capture it all in photos to show my land loving family and friends what they were missing. Prior to the course I thought I was getting good photos, and at times I was, but it was hit and miss and more luck rather than knowing what I was doing! I got what I shot, auto settings, auto photos, nothing special. I wasn’t adjusting for
the conditions underwater and no matter how smart cameras are; they're not that smart.

After months of getting frustrated at not being able to get the shot that the person next to me was, I jumped on the Photography Course, and WOW! I didn’t find it an easy course; aperture and exposure, ISO and depth of field; it did my head in. It
 was a lot to comprehend but with Mig teaching us, and 
with Tim helping out as well, it slowly started to make a sense. I left the classroom sessions still wondering how it was all going to work underwater and doubting I could remember to apply all that I’d learnt.

We headed down to Byron Bay for the dives at Julian Rocks, and what an awesome dive site! With notes on my slate and Mig swimming beside, reminding me which way to turn what, I think I came out with some pretty good photos, way above that of my pre-course quality! I can definitely say I learnt a lot and would totally recommend the course to everyone that wants to learn more about their own camera and how to take better photos underwater. I’m proof that you don’t need to know how to use manual settings on land before taking on the Underwater Photography Course. I just wish I’d done the course sooner.