DIVE, CAMERA, ACTION – focus on your best image 2024!

Join this underwater photography expedition with Mike Clark Underwater Photographer onboard, to photograph diving Puffins, Nudibranch, and a wide portfolio of Skye’s legendry underwater specials, …. and between dives, make the most of Waternish’s Topside marine wildife ‘Big 5!’

Skye’s exceptional coastal environment offers abundant photographic opportunities above and below the water. Its dramatic topography, breathtaking light, abundant wildlife and dazzling colour offers endless inspiration, putting it firmly on many photographers’ bucket list. As divers, we know that on Skye that drama continues underwater, but capturing those images is not always easy.

So we have developed a dive trip organised with underwater photography in mind, creating the right opportunities to making the most of the fantastic DIVE SITES SKYE has to offer. With your camera, you might want to revisit a site with a different lens, or when the sun is in a different position or just to have another go at getting that shot! Maybe you’re just not sure how to get more from your camera.

We get that picture and now, so can you!

[**UPDATE 10.02.2024 ** on this particular trip, experienced divers who are not photographers are welcome – an amalgamation would not work on all trips, but in this instance all current participants are comfortable with the proposals – 2 SPACES REMAIN AVAILABLE]

ON-DECK MENTORING WITH MIKE CLARK

Teaming up with Mike Clark, we are bringing you a week-long photographic expedition, a unique opportunity to combine fantastic underwater photographic possibilities with professional on-deck mentoring. Mike will share his wealth of photographic knowledge and expertise assisting you to focus on honing your skills to make the most of the great vis and abundant photographic opportunities. This trip will maximise your photographic opportunities while diving in a top UK dive location.

This trip will be based in the ‘Special landscape Area’ of North West Skye also located in The Hebridean Minch ‘Marine Protected Area’, and with the ‘Special Area of Conservation’ of Ascrib, Isay and Dunvegan SAC (Lochbay Islands) on the doorstep, you could not be better placed for exceptional encounters above and below the water.

AN EXCEPTIONAL LOCATION FOR TOPSIDE WILDLIFE BETWEEN DIVES

Keep your camera busy between dives catching exceptional widlife topside shots.  Check out some of our customers wildlife encounters  on sister company DIVERS EYE BOAT TRIPS facebook plage, and combined with Mikes accomplishments in WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY you are sure to catch some winners while aboard!

EXPEDITION OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES

One of the top objectives will be to photograph puffins underwater and during the week we’ll visit one of Skye’s puffin colonies to capture the character of these most comical of birds. Photogenic both above and below the water, Mikes experience photographing cormorant, gannets and sea eagles will help you to ensure you get the very best, fast action shots of these iconic beauties. Snorkelling trips last season proved just what great performers this wee comedians are, they are not camera shy, so no inwater time is wasted, and we cant wait to see the interface and underwater shots you capture as they plunge into the sea around us! Nearby, high energy dive-sites will offer opportunities to add to your nudibranch portfolio, while reefs, gullies, cliffs and a wrecek or two, with abundant life and clear water, create excellent wide-angle shots.

Mike will share his knowledge to help you achieve your best shots, along with tips about how he will set up to photograph these subjects and offer suggestions on lens choice and lighting techniques. On board discussion between dives will create a creative learning environment where you can learn new techniques and tricks.

With warming water, the gentle giants return bringing whale, dolphin and basking shark, and reacting to opportunities as they arise, it will also be possible to make use of surface intervals for topside photography.

6 days of diving focused on photography, you’re certain to get some winning shots!

IS THIS FOR ME?

Often when you mention underwater photography, images of expensive and technical equipment arrays spring to mind. Huge lenses, light arrays and lots of jargon. It can be off-putting  and intimidating. Really what we aim to offer, is the right divesites, time and patience with like minded buddies, aiming for perfect buoyancy, onboard chat and discussion to help YOU make the most of your time underwater. Shared knowledge,  handy hints, a creative eye and new approach. Come and give it a go!

SOME OF MIKES WORK All rights reserved 2024

ABOUT MIKE

Mike, is a photographer and journalist of some 35 years, and has been published in many diving magazines such as Scuba and Scuba Diver and he is author of the book ‘Wrecks and Reefs of Southeast Scotland’. He has an aptitude for combining classic photographic excellence with a twist of the unexpected, a different way of seeing things and capturing the moment. With an inspiringly diverse portfolio of excellence to his credit, his knowledge and experience will be invaluable to you. Most importantly we’ll have fun!

SEE MORE OF MIKES WORK

Check out Mike Clark Photography (https://mikeclarkphotography.co.uk) , Underwater Photos and Wildlife Photography on fACEBOOK and Flickr

EXPEDITION DATES

Fri 21st – Friday 28th June 2024, diving Sat-Thurs inclusive.

Limited Spaces – Elena C normally carrys 12 divers, but for this trip we will limit that to 8/9 divers + Mike,

EXPEDITION SUMMARY

This is a very exciting opportunity to progress your photography to the next level in a hands-on, in-water environment with a self-taught professional, in one of Scotland’s top locations!

Underwater Photography * On deck mentoring including * maximising use of your camera set set up in a Uk environment * which lens to take *getting more from your lighting * creative composition * and general photographic discussion picking up new tips.

DIVE QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Dive Qualification/Experience required: Sport diver and above, comfortable in 25 metres of water.

Photographic Experience: Keen underwater photographer who know how to use their camera, but want to get the best out of their system in the UK.

Photographic Equipment: Whatever you have got.

PRICE

Elena C normally carrys 12 divers, but for this trip we will limit that to 8-10 in total.

FULL PACKAGE

7 nights self-catering accommodation, 12 dives, 12 air fills, Mike Clark Photographic mentoring. From £895 – £1100 per person, depend on numbers sharing in accommodation, please get in touch for more information.

DIVING & AIR ONLY

There may be the opportunity for 1-2 diving & air only places at £650 pp.

CONTACT

Aileen on 01470 592219, or diveskye@dive-and-sea-the-hebrides.co.uk