Start Them Young!
In the good old days when we used to spend every Summer vacation camping and diving in Kornati National Park (Adriatic, Croatia), our children have learned many...
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In the good old days when we used to spend every Summer vacation camping and diving in Kornati National Park (Adriatic, Croatia), our children have learned many useful and life-shaping things... mainly about Nature and how to approach other living beings with interest and respect.
Nowadays it's computers, smartphones, social networks, selfies, killemall games, upright panoramas and videos, and "likes"...
Real natural contacts and insights... not so much.
Times have changed, and in this one aspect, not exactly for the better. But then, maybe it's just old memories making noise in the new reality.
Oh, well.
Read less
Nowadays it's computers, smartphones, social networks, selfies, killemall games, upright panoramas and videos, and "likes"...
Real natural contacts and insights... not so much.
Times have changed, and in this one aspect, not exactly for the better. But then, maybe it's just old memories making noise in the new reality.
Oh, well.
Read less
Jul, 2020Views
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People's Choice in #thosewerethedays Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Amazing People doing Amazing things Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
All Star
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was made on the Levrnaka Island in Kornati Archipelago, which is Croatia's 1st Maritime National Park.Time
It was soo long ago... even the exact year is hard to guess, let alone time of day. By the light angle I'd say it was most likely in the afternoon. Also judging by this small (bailout) airtank detached from my twin-10-liters SCUBA air system of those days used in the photo. The main tanks were probably being filled at the moment. But thirty years ago... who can say? :)Lighting
Solely Daylight (against the dark background of algae in the deeper water). Yes, I can exactly remember the place where this was happening... it is Lojena Bay on Levrnaka.Equipment
For this one I used only the Nikonos V with 35mm UW Nikkor lens. No other equipment was used. This must have been one of the last slides in the roll before we developed the film (Fujichrome Sensia - 100ASA), because the two or three last remaining frames were shot in the afternoon - after the day's diving. Next day dives we always started with the fresh roll, and the fresh set of batteries in the strobe unit... ;)Inspiration
Little Iva was one very curious child at her age and, since her father was a diver, it was quite normal to let her taste the "canned air". She was watching us go out every day and disappear under the surface for an hour or more, so she knew what we were doing. Of course she was wayy too young to teach her to actually dive, but she was happy in the half-meter depth like here. And kids were supposed to be happy, right? :)Editing
We developed our slide films right on location, since E-6 process is-was simple enough - even in camping circumstances. The main advantage was, if any interesting photos were botched, there was a chance to repeat the dive tomorrow and re-shoot... unlike when you send all the holiday films to the processing service and discover the errors too late to do anything about it. Years later when I scanned the old rolls, I found this one frame equally interesting as it was decades ago. So you get to see it too!In my camera bag
In those days the underwater photo equipment had to be carried in quite large Samsonite suitcases adapted to shield the sensitive gear in thick foam layers. Nowadays, it's a lot easier... On dry land, I find it easier to carry a photo vest than any photo bag. So I load my photo vest with whatever I might need for my photo session, walk or trip, while my photo bags usually keep the equipment I'm not using at the moment. The vest's many pockets usually contain two cameras, spare batteries, ND and CPL filters, and one photo clamp standing in for a tripod. Recently I include a small action camera, mainly for its wide field of view and resistance to water and weather. The vest also has large-lens pockets that contain a small water bottle, sandwich, or a bar of chocolate if I plan on being out for the whole day. There is about three meters length of paracord or similar strong, thin rope, one hefty pocket knife, and a lighter. My smartphone comes along too. It has yet another spare camera, but more importantly the Spirit Level App wich I use to make the phone a perfectly horizontal surface under my camera. This is essential for panoramic sweeps. The app is free, and requires no extra permissions whatsoever. The large back pocket of the vest is reserved for a lightweight rain poncho. If the weather suddenly plays up, the poncho neatly covers all. Using the tools mentioned above, much can be improvised along the way, so that's all I need to make photos.Feedback
Couple of important things: 1) always choose a camera that can endure all the situations you photograph in; water- or weather-proof if you like that kind of ambient, 2) know your gear, 3) have it close at hand, and 4) be curious! The most interesting things have a way of happening without warning - and you want to be ready. So... better ready than sorry! :)
