DIR take on photography?

[peteg]

As a new diver, I am finding that much of the DIR philosophy/gear configuration makes sense to me. I am a photographer on land, and as I gain more experience, I'd like to make images underwater too.

So much of underwater photography seems to be counter to the DIR approach (awkward, gangly cameras, distracted-buddy-ignoring photographers, etc) but obviously the DIR guys are documenting their work underwater. Can anyone point me to DIR photography resources/websites and/or comment on what the DIR approach is to photography?

[Bill22]

Originally Posted by peteg

As a new diver, I am finding that much of the DIR philosophy/gear configuration makes sense to me. I am a photographer on land, and as I gain more experience, I'd like to make images underwater too.

So much of underwater photography seems to be counter to the DIR approach (awkward, gangly cameras, distracted-buddy-ignoring photographers, etc) but obviously the DIR guys are documenting their work underwater. Can anyone point me to DIR photography resources/websites and/or comment on what the DIR approach is to photography?

Here's a link to a lot of good info on DIR diving: http://www.gue.com/index.html Sorry nothing on photography is specifically mentioned, but it's not prohibited either.

[CompuDude]

Camera work has to be made part of the dive plan, but they are certainly permitted. There are no special DIR procedures applied to them, since every rig and situation is different, but you'll know better how to incorporate it once you go through Fundies.

[ScubaToys Larry]

It's fine.. you just have to put the synch cord for the strobe around your neck.

Sorry... I'll stay out of this one.

[Bill22]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

It's fine.. you just have to put the synch cord for the strobe around your neck.

Sorry... I'll stay out of this one.

Is that so your buddy can you choke you when you're so busy taking pictures you forget he's there

[Aussie]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

It's fine.. you just have to put the synch cord for the strobe around your neck.

Sorry... I'll stay out of this one.

You need duel sync cords for Redundancy! Sync cords must be 7 foot long.
Backup camera and strobe also required. Camera hosing to be filled with Argon for electronic equipment.
Camera has to be black and approved by GUE.
You have to do the GUE photographics introduction course number one then proceed to standard course number two and to complete the course have a pass rate of 90% or higher in course number 3.

Aussie

[greyzen]

Can o Worms, welcome to ST
Feel free to wander around

[ScubaToys Larry]

Originally Posted by Aussie

You need duel sync cords for Redundancy! Sync cords must be 7 foot long.
Backup camera and strobe also required. Camera hosing to be filled with Argon for electronic equipment.
Camera has to be black and approved by GUE.
You have to do the GUE photographics introduction course number one then proceed to standard course number two and to complete the course have a pass rate of 90% or higher in course number 3.

Aussie

You forgot to mention that you must have a small point and shoot camera bungied around your neck in case there is a failure with your primary!

[kobalap]

Originally Posted by ScubaToys Larry

You forgot to mention that you must have a small point and shoot camera bungied around your neck in case there is a failure with your primary!

I think this kind of thing is only funny when you actually are a DIR diver. You know, kind of like near sighted people making fun of their thick glasses. When it is from someone else, it comes across like ridicule.

Given that I have talked to you on the phone and have been told by you how the whole DIR thing was started so they could sell Halcyon gear and given that you are such a huge fan of Apollo fins... I take it that you are not a DIR diver. If not, I'd like to ask a simple question - what kind of environment do you want to have for DIR related discussions in your boards? One like they have in Scubaboard or one that is a little more civil?

[kobalap]

Originally Posted by peteg

As a new diver, I am finding that much of the DIR philosophy/gear configuration makes sense to me. I am a photographer on land, and as I gain more experience, I'd like to make images underwater too.

So much of underwater photography seems to be counter to the DIR approach (awkward, gangly cameras, distracted-buddy-ignoring photographers, etc) but obviously the DIR guys are documenting their work underwater. Can anyone point me to DIR photography resources/websites and/or comment on what the DIR approach is to photography?

Pete,

There is a man and a woman in Northern California who post spectacular pictures on a weekly basis. I believe they are members of BAUE, a club that adheres to DIR diving principles. You might check with Rob and/or Allison to see how they go about executing their dive. Their website is www.coldwaterkitty.com.

Also, another DIR person who seems to post a lot of beautiful pictures is Clinton Bauder. Check out his website under www.metridium.com. He might be able to provide you some insight as well.

I've done a lot of reading about DIR and taken a couple of GUE classes. There really isn't a lot of mention specifically about how to manage a camera but all the team diving principles can still be applied. The photographer just needs to do a really good job of keeping track of his/her buddies even while composing shots.