Outdoor Travel & Photography....

SCHOOL DAYS:

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOLS

If you want to get super shots, get back to school. It's no secret that great photographers are always learning. This is especially true with underwater photography, where technical expertise and shooting skills are often needed to get the best pictures. That means getting back to school.

Nikon and Nikonos are names synonymous with underwater photography. The Nikon School of Underwater Photography is sponsored by Nikon Inc. as a service to Nikonos System photographers. Suitable for all skill levels, their programs are designed to provide hands-on underwater photo instruction by some of the world's top photographers at many of the world's best dive destinations.

Nikon's basic courses primarily involve the use of the Nikonos V and TTL strobe systems. Their advanced courses also cover single lens reflex and autofocus systems (technology available in the new Nikonos RS). Instruction targets the use of various underwater lenses and accessories for standard lens, close-up and macro, and wide angle photography; manual and TTL strobe exposures; composition; working with models; and multiple strobe technique.

All Nikon schools combine classroom and underwater instruction, within a format designed to be fun and informative. Destination possibilities include Bonaire, Cayman Brac, Key Largo, Roatan, and the Turks and Caicos by live-aboard. Renowned instructors include Marty Snyderman, Donna McLaughlin, Bill Gleason, Rich Frehsee, and Stephen Frink. Frink, a legendary underwater photographer, teaches the popular course at the Marina del Mar in Key Largo and it is highly-recommended. Nikon also sponsors the famed Nikonos Shootout, with more than $100,000 in prizes and a week of fun and education at various dive locations.

WaterHouse Photo Tours is the exclusive agent for the Nikon School of Underwater Photography. Contact them at P.O. Box 2487, Key Largo, FL 33037, (800) 272-9122. The course costs just $250 above the normal resort dive/lodging package (the free course coupon Nikon provides to those who purchase the Nikonos V camera can be used to pay for the course). WaterHouse can make all of the arrangements for Nikon courses, as well many more dive travel and photography programs throughout the world.

There are many other ways to go back to school, ranging from short overviews to world-famous schools. Cathy Church's courses at the Sunset House dive resort on Grand Cayman are a perfect example of what's available.

Cathy Church has been teaching underwater photography for more than 20 years and her former students rave about the courses (and keep coming back). Her personalized sessions (limited to 16 photographers) are typically seven days long and welcome all levels (they love beginners).

The courses provide a healthy mix of instruction, diving, critiques, and fun. The Sunset House caters to divers and provides an ideal setting for Cathy's courses.

Contact Cathy Church and Sunset House at P.O. Box 479, Grand Cayman, British West Indies, (809) 949-7415 or (800) 854-4767. Course rates start at just $746, including: air-conditioned room; six days of diving (one night dive, Stingray City dive, and unlimited shore diving); 6 1/2 days of instruction; processing of six rolls of film; unlimited use of Nikonos lenses; one dinner; lunch one day on the boat; and much more.

Nikon's schools and Cathy Church's programs are just two of many possibilities for getting back to school and getting great shots. Certifying bodies, like PADI, also offer excellent courses, along with local dive shops and resorts throughout the world.