August 2018

Wolfgang Leander has died

We instantly became friends.  Wolfgang was mild-mannered, pleasant and very knowledgeable.  At the time his body was already quite ravaged by several bouts of cancer but not his spirit or positive outlook.

Inspirational

Wolfgang's purist b/w photography of sharks, shot on film with his trusty and battered Nikonos V, was one of the few that truly inspired me to take my own photography a tad further. There was always such a raw but at the same time elegant aesthetic over his imagery which always appealed to me, and still does to this day.

Introducing a New Boat and a New Destination

The Phinisi yacht is the new addition to The Junk brand and will operate diving liveaboard cruises in Thailand and Myanmar starting November 1st 2018. She will offer four different routes that cover the best of diving in Thailand: Similan & Surin Islands including the famous Richelieu Rock, as well as Phi Phi Islands, Koh Haa and the two famous dive sites Hin Deang and Hin Muang. Itineraries vary between 4 and 6 nights, and are ideally combined into a 10 night itinerary.

Getting the Boys Out: Tham Luang Cave Rescue

On Saturday, 23 June 2018, a football team of boys in Thailand, aged 11 to 16, finished practice under the watchful eye of their 25-year-old coach, Ekkapol Chantawong. The group then cycled to and entered a popular tourist attraction, Tham Luang Cave. Some of the boys had never visited it before and were curious to know what it looked like. They explored the cave for about an hour before turning around and retraced their steps.

Abstractions

To isolate specific parts of an object always works well in abstract photography, underwater and above.

Abstract underwater photography—some may whisper, oh that’s “art”; others may shout, it’s “foolish and completely pointless!” while mourning the downfall of “real” photography. Some may stare at abstract images, unable to understand what they are seeing, because the perceived image does not match their expectations.

NAUI Worldwide Releases Schedule of Events for DEMA Show 2018

“This year, we are conducting several NAUI-sponsored seminars and workshops – all designed to support the industry’s dive leaders and enhance their training and business capabilities,” said Terrence Tysall, NAUI’s Director of Training.

The Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show, held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada, between November 14-17, is expected to be the largest gathering of diving, action water sports and adventure travel professionals this year.

A Matter of Sentience

Fish feel pain, or don’t they? Despite a growing body of sound evidence that fish do indeed feel pain and are sentient beings capable of all the types of cognition found in the “higher” mammals, with the possible sole exception of the ability to imitate, a group of critics seems to systematically seek to discredit this research. But for what reasons? Ila France Porcher takes a closer look at the stakes involved.

Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences Announces 2018 NOGI Award Recipients and Scholarships

“NOGI Award is the oldest and most prestigious award in the recreational diving world, recognizing individuals who have made significant career contributions to the sport, the industry and the world in the Arts, the Sciences, the Environment, Sports/Education and through Distinguished Service,” stated Dan Orr, AUAS President.

The 2018 NOGI Awards will be presented at the 58thannual NOGI Awards Gala Banquet at the DEMA Show host hotel, the Westgate Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, November 15, 2018.