Susan Johnson
This year, it was our pleasure to have Dr. Roger Hanlon from the Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts join us for a week of diving and camouflage research of marine animals. During each nightly slideshow, Dr. Hanlon gave the group an additional assignment to photograph camouflaged marine animals in their natural environment displaying either uniform, mottled or disruptive patterns of camouflage. Many budding marine biologists were up for the challenge, searching for file fish, squid and octopus to photograph all week to assist the Professor with his research. For more information about Dr. Roger Hanlon, please visit his Web site. Another special guest this year was Katy Danca Galli, photo editor from Scuba Diving Magazine. Katy's assignment: attend The Digital Shootout and blog about it (who wouldn't want that job?)! Read about Katy's week at The Shootout.
For anyone even remotely interested in obtaining an underwater camera system, The Digital Shootout is for you. Over a ton (literally!) of demo gear was packed and shipped to Little Cayman specifically for this event. Itching to get your hands on the latest housings? Want more strobe power for those wide angle scenics? Wondering why a focus light would help your macro photography? Curious about a 45 degree viewfinder? All of these types of gear, and much much more can be test driven at The Shootout. The Backscatter Boys - Jim, Sterling and Russ - worked continually to get the demo gear turned over for the next pair of hands anxiously awaiting their turn to take it for a plunge. In addition, Jean Bruneau from Aquatica and Chris Parsons from Nauticam brought their own systems and accessories for the group to demo, making the demo gear room the busiest area of the resort. Marissa Wiganowske from Pegasus Thruster also brought along four tank-mounted scooters for guests to try. Zipping along the wall and reef was in high demand all week, especially for video shooters who could effortlessly pan a scene with a steady hand aided by the Thruster. And let's not forget Ed Meyers from Canon. Ed was kind enough to haul the latest high resolution 1080p projector for our nightly slideshows, Canon's professional photo ink jet printer that constantly churned out our images from the week and adorned the classroom walls, plus camera bodies and lenses galore! Demo-ing at The Shootout is like a kid in a candy store!
View more of the "Shootout Life" in the below videos and photo gallery.
© Ed Meyers
© The Digital Shootout
© The Digital Shootout
© The Digital Shootout
© The Digital Shootout
© The Digital Shootout
© The Digital Shootout
© Bombsight Photography
© Bombsight Photography
© Bombsight Photography
Berkley White and Dan Baldocchi are the owners of Under Exposures, the dive travel company that organizes The Digital Shootout. Year after year, they enthusiastically orchestrate this event, bringing together the finest group of professionals to provide the utmost in training and services to underwater image makers wanting to fast-track their skills. Thanks guys for your vision… we are honored to be a part of it!