What Is A Split Shot? Also Known As A Half-half Or An Over-under Shot? Well, in the world of underwater photography, technically they’re a way to show the above world and the immediate underwater, all at once, and they’re a really fun way to let the viewer know what it is we do, all captured in the one image. A picture where the topside of the picture and the land or seascape is visible, but the bottom half of the view is the underwater reef scene. As travellers with Snorkel Venture, we’re very lucky to visit some of the most beautiful tropical paradises in the world. And I’ve always been fond of taking shots that show the viewer exactly what it is we do and where, so what better way than a split shot? It’s like two for the price of one click of the shutter. And the great news is that they’re easier and much less expensive to achieve than you may think. The Necessary Kit And Equipment. Being an underwater photographer, also teaching underwater photography workshops alongside my job as a Snorkel Venture guide, has meant that I have amassed a lot of expensive underwater photo kit over the years. My bigger camera, lenses, housing, and strobes come to more than $15-20K, and it allows me to do some extraordinary things with it, but aside from the price, it’s huge and costly to travel with. So it was a revelation that when I started doing more of the Snorkel Venture trips, I could leave it all at home and instead use exactly what the majority of our SV clients use, and that was, in the main either GoPros or similar or the seemingly ubiquitous Olympus Tough range, currently the Olympus TG7. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical at
What Is A Split Shot? Also Known As A Half-half Or An Over-under Shot? Well, in the world of underwater photography, technically they’re a way to show the above world and the immediate underwater, all at once, and they’re a really fun way to let the viewer know what it is we do, all captured
Sometimes a cold beer, a long journey and a couple of ancient civilizations collide in the most unexpected way. I’m sipping a Belikin Beer — no, let’s be more accurate, I’m quickly downing one — in the bar at the Fort George Hotel in Belize City when I notice the condensation beading on the label. And then I spot the pyramid. A quick Google later and I discover that the pyramid on my now-empty bottle is the pyramid from Altun Ha the Mayan archaeological site we regularly visit on our Belize trips. The coincidence is that I’d arrived in Belize that very morning from Egypt, where I’d just completed another Snorkel Venture trip. Our Egyptian trips often include visits to the incredible structures and antiquities of Ancient Egypt. And one of Egypt’s most popular beers is Sakara, which also has a pyramid on its label — this time one of the earlier dynasty pyramids at Saqqara. Now, I’ve no idea if the producers of the Belizean and Egyptian beers are somehow in collusion, which I very much doubt. But it did strike me as rather odd that both national beers feature pyramids. So what has all this got to do with snorkeling? Bear with me, I’ll get to that bit shortly. When we meet our Snorkel Venture guests in Belize City — or Cairo — it would be a crying shame not to explore some of the local culture when the opportunity arises. Altun Ha is less than an hour away by minivan", making it an ideal morning excursion before we transfer to Turneffe Island. I’d taken more than 30 hours to reach Belize from Egypt, but for our mainly American guests, the flight from Miami is only around two hours. Even from further afield in the US, the Caribbean
Sometimes a cold beer, a long journey and a couple of ancient civilizations collide in the most unexpected way. I’m sipping a Belikin Beer — no, let’s be more accurate, I’m quickly downing one — in the bar at the Fort George Hotel in Belize City when I notice the condensation beading on the label.
This trip report is going to be a bit different, and I make no apology for this. You see, being a photographer I tend to recall things based around pictures I’ve taken, so I’m not going to list all the sites we visited, but I am going to curate the places that have had a particular impact upon me, especially from a visual image point of view. This is difficult on a tour like this as there’s always a lot to choose from, and it is a very personal view. Chatting with our group at the end of each day never stops informing me that whilst there is often universal appreciation for the various delights we may have all encountered that day, each and every individual has their own unique perspective. So alongside sharing with the group the exciting sea snake encounter we had all swim amongst us, there’ll be someone as equally rapt about watching a starfish make its way slowly across the reef, or a pair of tiny bulldozer shrimp and a partner goby doing their thing—keeping what must rank as one of the oddest cohabiting trios in apartment sharing history. Yet another reason to love the enthusiasm for snorkeling and those that do it! First Snorkel of the Tour: “Like Being in a Dream” Our trip began in Siladen Resort, North Sulawesi. This area is known for its bustling sea turtle population. So, I made a wager with my group that I thought almost impossible to lose, yet it didn't make me any less nervous as you never know when Mother Nature might play a cosmic joke on you. I promised the group that, if we didn't see a turtle during our first snorkel I would run naked around Siladen village! So, it was with no small
This trip report is going to be a bit different, and I make no apology for this. You see, being a photographer I tend to recall things based around pictures I’ve taken, so I’m not going to list all the sites we visited, but I am going to curate the places that have had a
We are very excited to announce that the second issue of Snorkel Venture Magazine is now available! The latest edition is a compilation of articles written by the entire Snorkel Venture team and is brimming with ocean content for you to dive into. If you’ve ever chatted with one of our team members, you’ll know how much we love sharing our knowledge and passion for the underwater world. Each of us comes from a different background and brings our own experiences and expertise to the table. Creating this magazine gave us the perfect opportunity to delve deeper into our favorite topic—the ocean—and share our insights. Alongside being a great read the magazine serves a second purpose - giving back. As part of our Snorkel for Good program, all magazine contributions are donated directly to our charity partners, whose fabulous work you can catch up on in this issue. Where can I read the magazine? Online - both issues of the magazine are available free of charge on our website. Take a virtual flip through and explore at your leisure! In print - If you like reading magazines the old school way, hard copy in hand, lounging in an arm chair, with a cup of coffee in the morning, you're in luck, both issues will soon be available to order on our Snorkel for Good webshop. All proceeds go to charity! On tour - Each of our tour leaders will bring a few copies of both issues on tour. Grab one, kick back, and enjoy a sunset read. Have a Sneak Peak Inside... ⇒ Photography Marcus chats us through his favorite photo subjects of the year and the moments leading up to each shot, Duxy lays out how to get that tricky split shot and Alex delves deep into TG camera housing pros
We are very excited to announce that the second issue of Snorkel Venture Magazine is now available! The latest edition is a compilation of articles written by the entire Snorkel Venture team and is brimming with ocean content for you to dive into. If you’ve ever chatted with one of our team members, you’ll know
Bali, Indonesia’s renowned island paradise, is celebrated worldwide for its vibrant culture, affordable villas, and lush landscapes. As of late, Bali has really made its way to the top of the list as a top destination for travelers seeking a tropical getaway. However, when it comes to snorkeling, Bali might not be the most ideal place for a quintessential tropical snorkeling experience. While it offers some snorkeling opportunities, there are certain challenges that make it less ideal for underwater enthusiasts seeking pristine reefs and abundant marine life. One of the main issues with snorkeling in Bali is the rocky shorelines that snorkelers must first traverse to reach the sites. Places like Amed and Tulamben in the north of Bali are some of the only places where snorkeling can be reasonable, while interesting enough, these areas have a volcanic history, and as such, they have rough, rocky beaches that can make entering the water tricky and potentially dangerous for snorkelers. Additionally, the coral reefs tend to be less shallow and extensive than those found in other tropical destinations, limiting the diversity and visibility of marine life close to shore. A typical reef in the north of Bali will start at about four to five meters of depth, with sparse coral coverage. Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Penida just off the coast of Bali are well-known snorkeling spots. Here, visitors can spot manta rays, colorful fish, and fields of vibrant corals, but the crowds of snorkelers and divers can detract from the overall experience. Not to mention the large swells and cold water found around Nusa Penida, where the mantas congregate. Despite these limitations to snorkelers, Bali remains an excellent hub for travelers planning to explore Indonesia’s world-renowned marine biodiversity. It serves as a convenient starting point for longer underwater adventures to places
Bali, Indonesia’s renowned island paradise, is celebrated worldwide for its vibrant culture, affordable villas, and lush landscapes. As of late, Bali has really made its way to the top of the list as a top destination for travelers seeking a tropical getaway. However, when it comes to snorkeling, Bali might not be the most ideal
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The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
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