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CUPS January 2010 Meeting

January 2010 CUPS Meeting -

The Downtown Aquarium – Video Editing and More

Ed Sauer assisted by Sandra Schroth
Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Classroom Doors Open 6:30 pm Presentation at 7:00 pm

Color Correction for video is back by popular demand. Ed Sauer will show the basics of color correction in Final Cut Pro 7 and color grading in Color 1.5. Techniques used will apply to most editing and color correcting software. If time allows, Ed will also cover cleaning up those annoying audio tracks and setting them at the correct levels.

Ed Sauer and Sandra Schroth, long time underwater and wildlife videographers have spent the last year shooting with their new camera, a RED ONE, a 4k digital cinema camera. They also have other video and digital cameras. They produced a short film, “Sharks Why do we Care” to educate the public on shark awareness.

Ed has designed and built several underwater housings for production cameras and the lighting to go with them. He will show his latest creation -- underwater LED video lights. With a whopping 6,020 lumens, he has still not run the small battery pack down in over 2 hours of operation. What will he do next? Bring your questions. Ed will keep this sometimes confusing subject simple...we hope!

From the December Meeting:

Thank you to the Aquarium Dive Safety Officer Todd Hall and Co-Manager of Education Alyce Todd for their tours of the Aquarium from Behind the Scenes and from the otherside. Thanks again!

Coming for February 16, 2010 - Nick Ferris reports on Kona, Hawaii:

Nick Ferris will provide us with new info on Kona, Hawaii, with a viewer friendly explanation of why Hawaii exists. And a lot of fish of course. More than just the Ring of Fire.

Coming for March 16, 2010 - Mel Cundiff presenting "Reef Critters-the Echinoderms"

Coming for Apri 20 and May 18, 2010 Talks on Fiji and Marine Mammals.

The Downtown Aquarium is the new CUPS meeting place.

Please mark your calendar for 2010 - the Third Tuesday of each month!

(See link below for map.)

· Note: There is usually free parking in the lot just south and in the adjacent Children's Museum parking lot. You can enter this free parking area by taking the first driveway entrance on the right just south of the aquarium main building. We have received reports of car break-ins at this lot as it is unattended. Otherwise there is parking directly across the street from the Aquarium at a flat $7 in the evening.
· Entrance: Go through the double doors on the Water Street side (across from Senor Sol Restaurant) and the classroom is directly to your right on the first level.

· Map: Denver Downtown Aquarium If you want to make your own Mapquest Direction map, here is the official address: 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211

Thanks to the hospitality of Landry's Restaurants, Inc., CUPS will be able to return to our regular third-Tuesday meeting schedule at the beautiful Downtown Aquarium in their spacious classroom.

CUPS December Meeting

December CUPS Meeting -

The Downtown Aquarium – behind the Scenes and More

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 6:30 pm (sharp!) to 9 pm
Please meet at the Downtown Aquarium in the classroom at 6:30 pm (sharp!) Please note that this is a half hour earlier than our usual official meeting start time. The tours will be led by Dive Safety Officer Todd Hall and Co-Manager of Education Alyce Todd. This should be an enlightening experience for all. If you have never been through the aquarium, it is well worth it. Our guides will be Todd and Alyce showing us "behind the scenes" happenings. Even if you have been there before, there are always new critters to admire. After the tour we will retire to the lounge for thoughtful discussion and some Christmas cheer. Hope to see you there! (see directions below)

From the November Meeting:

Thank you to Paddy Ryan for his wonderful talk on the Kri Eco Resort and the magnificent diving of the Raja Ampat Islands of Indonesia. Paddy you set the bar really high for this organization. Thanks again!

Coming for January 19, 2010 - Video editing and more, by Ed Sauer:

Coming for February 16, 2010 - Nick Ferris reports on Kona, Hawaii:

Nick Ferris will provide us with new info on Kona, Hawaii, with a viewer friendly explanation of why Hawaii exists. And a lot of fish of course. More than just the Ring of Fire. Please mark your calendar for 2010 - the Third Tuesday of each month!

The Downtown Aquarium is the new CUPS meeting place.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 6:30 pm to 9 pm

Mark your calendar: (See link below for map.)

· Note: There is usually free parking in the lot just south and in the adjacent Children's Museum parking lot. You can enter this free parking area by taking the first driveway entrance on the right just south of the aquarium main building. Otherwise there is parking directly across the street from the Aquarium at a flat $7 in the evening.

· Entrance: Go through the double doors on the Water Street side (across from Senor Sol Restaurant) and the classroom is directly to your right on the first level.

· Map: Denver Downtown Aquarium If you want to make your own Mapquest Direction map, here is the official address: 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211

Raj Ampat Paddy Ryan

Raja Ampat Islands from Kri Eco by Paddy Ryan

Coming up for our Nov 17th meeting is a wonderful dive through the Four Kings, the Raja Ampat Islands of Indonesia. Paddy Ryan was born In England and has lived in Jersey in the Channel Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Sarawak, Australia and the US. He has a doctorate in zoology and is currently employed at Johnson & Wales University in Denver where he is a full professor and interim Chair of the School of Arts and Sciences. He also teaches as an Adjunct Professor at the Colorado School of Mines. He is a keen, widely published, nature photographer who has written a number of books including the Snorkeller’s Guide to the Coral Reef, Fiordland Underwater - New Zealand’s Hidden Wilderness, Fiji’s Natural Heritage and most recently Kri Eco - Raja Ampat. He has been diving for 30 years and taking underwater photographs for nearly all of that time. He’s a PADI dive master with well over 1000 dives to his credit. He has dived in Cozumel, The Sea of Cortez, Samoa, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, the Bahamas, Belize, New Zealand and Indonesia. Next year he is leading a dive trip to Fiji.

Diving Accommodations in Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia are at the Kri Eco Resort which sits on a breathtakingly beautiful small island a 2-hour dive boat ride from Sorong's airport. Sitting on the edge of mountainous Kri Island the dive resort is shaded by palm trees that run along a long fine white sand beach. Kri Eco Resort is a simple, informal, but very comfortable dive resort in very pristine nature. Many guests like it for its peaceful location, natural surroundings and tropical island beauty.

The reefs around the Raja Ampat Islands off the Bird's Head Peninsular region of western New Guinea are considered to contain the world's highest biodiversity. During a three week stay Paddy did 43 dives and took over 5,000 photos. During one dive, renowned fish biologist Gerry Allen recorded 284 fish species. Paddy photographed 213 species. The total fish species count is now 1066 and growing. To put this into perspective, the most speciose place in the Caribbean is Bonaire with 371 species.

During this talk Dr. Ryan will discuss getting there, highlight some of the more spectacular species, and recount his experience of self-publishing a print on demand book.

CUPS will meet at Downtown Aquarium

Good News! The Downtown Aquarium is the new CUPS meeting place.

Mark your calendar:
Tuesday, October 20
6:30 pm to 9 pm
Downtown Aquarium
(See below for details)

Thanks to the hospitality of Landry's Restaurants, Inc., CUPS will be able to return to our regular third-Tuesday meeting schedule at the beautiful Downtown Aquarium in their spacious Classroom/Conference rooms.

This first meeting will be especially important as we "rejuvenate" the organization now that we have a reliable meeting place. Here are some key items on the agenda for this important meeting:

Organizational and Suggestions Meeting: this Oct. 20th, Tuesday 6:30pm in the Classroom at the Downtown Aquarium also at this meeting we will be given a tutorial on the digital projection system as well as the Aquarium itself.
We need some members to volunteer to assist in the administration of the CUPS website
We also need volunteers to make presentations for future meetings. Sonia Atwood has volunteered to coordinate this effort.
Note: Parking directly across the street from the Aquarium is a flat $7 in the evening. However, there is free parking in the lot just south and in the adjacent Children’s Museum parking lot. You can enter this free parking area by taking the first driveway entrance on the right just south of the aquarium main building.
Entrance: Go through the double doors on the Water Street side (across from Senor Sol Restaurant) and the classroom is directly to your right on the first level.
We need a volunteer for a secretary/treasurer as Loren Laureti is resigning; she will be glad to explain the procedures to the new volunteer. We certainly appreciate Loren's service for the past couple of years in this role.
Map: Denver Downtown Aquarium If you want to make your own Mapquest Direction map, here is the official address: 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211

These arrangements were made during a meeting between John Gordon and John Daigle representing CUPS and Todd Hall, Dive Safety Officer and Alice Todd, Education Director, representing the Downtown Aquarium. Nick Ferris was instrumental in coordinating the meeting with Todd Hall and his work is appreciated.

Presentation Opportunity:
As consideration for allowing us to use their Classroom, The Downtown Aquarium is asking CUPS members to volunteer to present approximately 4 educational presentations to their staff and volunteers. This is an exciting opportunity for members to show off their work and share their knowledge of photography/videography, SCUBA diving, dive sites, reef biology, etc. More details will be discussed at the meeting.

Note to CUPS MEMBERS:
Due to circumstances beyond my control I have been unable to participate in organizing CUPS meeting for the past few months. Due to the loss of Reed Photo as our meeting place I was in the process of making arrangements with the Downtown Aquarium. We appreciate Reed's contribution in the past and look forward to our new relationship with The Downtown Aquarium.
Sincerely,
John Gordon (303-477-5951) (cell 720-690-5463) or Website: http://www.eyefathom.com

See you at the meeting!

Kona again!

Kona Trip Report
by Nick Ferris

Mid and I spent 4 days in Kona with Aloha Divers. We would meet owner Mike Nakachi and divemaster Earl Kam at Honokohau Harbor at 0645, be on the water by 0700, have two dives and a cookie-filled surface interval, and be on the road headed home at 1000. Other outfits are getting started.

At the beginning of our first dive a six foot long hammerhead shark looked us over. Yep, a hammer, and right near the rocks other boats would visit later. But the shark would be gone. The main reason to dive with Aloha, apart from the cookies, is that Mike and Earl know where to find the rare stuff. Like frogfish, octopus, dragon morays, leaf scorpions, and Tinker’s butterflyfish, a $700 item in the tropical fish trade. The most exhilarating dives were those featuring spotted eagle rays doing their courtship thing only a few feet away. We figure our 8 dives with Aloha were more satisfying than the 18 dives in May at Wakatobi.

Aloha has a relatively small (but comfortable) boat and takes only six divers maximum. The divers have to all want the same sorts of dives any given day, and must now be former clients. Rave reviews in Undercurrent’s Chapbook have brought more business than Mike wants, so like some doctors he has “closed” his practice to newcomers. Too bad, sort of – but he would rather be better than bigger. For now.

Dragon Moray

Tinker's Butterfly

Trip Report

Trip Report from Dr. Mel Cundiff

Halmahera, Indonesia – Off the Beaten Path - May 2009

I have experienced more than 25 weeks of reef diving in Indonesia over the last several decades with significant diving on other commonly frequented coral reefs around the world and am convinced that the former has the greatest critter diversity. Over the last several years I have been curious about the island system of Halmahera. The Dive Paradise/Grand Komodo Indonesia Fleet out of Bali (http://www.komodoalordive.com) had done a couple of dive trips in this area and was willing to meet our group in Ternate, the capital of the province, for an 11-night, 12–day sojourn. I hadn’t seen any reports of diving in this area, even though it was located half way between two hot spots, Manado and Sorong. In inquiring about the area at DEMA, I got mixed reviews – some indicating overfishing and dynamite damage, but others indicating typical diverse reefs.

We were to be on the 12-passenger KLM Temukira which we were on last year and, as it turned out, 6 of the 10 crew had been with us twice before in Raja Ampat and Kalimantan. The trip, much like a reunion, turned out to be especially enjoyable.

One night-dive site in a cove area was totally trashed out, and we asked Weka, our dive master, not to take us there again. The damage was surely due to eutrophication from the effluents from an adjacent village. Dynamiting was significant on three dive sites but only minimal on the others – about the same as the reefs off the east coast of Kalimantan. I saw no evidence of cyaniding, and storm-damaged reefs were about average. Only a couple of dive sites showed a significant lack of fish due to overfishing. While dynamiting and storms disrupt the integrity of the reefs and contribute to the interspersed rubble fields, they ironically provide the reef disturbances that lead to ecological succession and increased reef diversity.

The KLM Temukira is a deep-hull (11-foot draft), 89-foot Indonesian phinisi boat with a 22-foot beam. The dive deck has two camera rinse tanks, a two-tiered camera table with air hose, three hot-water showers and a head. Almost all dives were from two zodiak tenders at 7 and 11 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. There is no nitrox. There is a sunroof with a retractable cover, six air-conditioned cabins with en-suite showers and facilities and ample, very tasty Asian, cafeteria-style food. This was the third time that Agi, our cook, had been with us, and he was a star with the meals and mid-afternoon snacks he provided. We ate lots of fish and shrimp. There was an extra charge for soft drinks and beer. All 12 of us have dived multiple times in Indonesia, and we have all been on live aboards that offered more amenities; but most of us preferred the attentiveness and expertise of our all-native crew.

Weka, the head dive master, spoke very good English and was in charge of operations. This was his third dive trip with us and he has a lot of dive savvy and knowledge of the reefs. The ship captain, Abubaka, handled the ship well and was often seen helping crew members with their duties. While not speaking English he usually understood what we were saying and was a kidder with an excellent sense of humor. Most of the rest of the crew spoke little English but enough that we could understand each other. Their friendliness and eagerness to help us was very much appreciated.

Our diving was along a several hundred-mile section of the west coast of the province, both north and south of the equator. Currents were absent to lower-than-usual for Indonesia – seldom above one knot and maxing out at around two knots. We encountered a significant updraft on one dive, but everyone handled it well. For me, dive times ranged from 59-75 minutes with a mean of 65 minutes; dive depths ranged from 43-100 feet (13-30 m) with a mean of 67 feet (20 m); visibility ranged between 20 feet (6 m) on muck dives to 120 feet (37 m) on the reefs with a mean of 62 feet (19 m); and water temperature was a warm 85-87°F (29-31°C) with a mean of 86°F (30°C). Weka and Anton, our two dive masters, alternated back and forth between our two dive groups of six divers each.

We witnessed a high level of critter diversity and a moderate number of large pelagics. There were more fish than I expected to see considering the many small fishing villages we encountered and unrestricted fishing regulations in the area. Among the sharks we saw: black tips (10); white tip (1); grey reef (1); leopard (1); nurse (1); and epaulettes (3).

Without trying to be too exhaustive, I will list some of the critters that were either rare or fun to see: sponges large enough to hold a fully equipped scuba diver; areas covered with multicolored broccoli coral that rival the Yellow Wall in Fiji; Venus’ girdles; very large triton, helmet and tun snails; a very large diversity of aeolid nudibranchs; a rubble field covered with juvenile, as-yet-unattached, oysters; flamboyant and large pettable cuttlefish and hatching cuttlefish eggs; both reef squids and bobtail squids; an unusually large number of octopuses (13), including three long-legged octopuses; sea spiders; a large Maine-type lobster with large chelipeds and squat lobsters; lots of symbiotic shrimps and crabs, including orangutans, decorators, hermits and a large gravid female; one reef dominated by crown-of-thorns starfish; a starfish with a functioning, bifurcated arm; a couple of night-time reefs dominated by three-foot-diameter basket stars; a couple of reefs dominated by a large diversity of colored feather stars (crinoids); and a larger-than-normal diversity of salps.

There were lots of the commonly seen bony fishes, both in large schools and singles such as Napoleon wrasses. Among the more interesting were: various juvenile angelfish, sweetlips and batfish; mouth-brooding jawfish; flasher gobies, lings (look like a cross between a catfish and an eel); reindeer wrasses; parrotfish in cocoons at night; trumpetfish exhibiting their cryptic vertical orientation in gorgonions; mandarin fish; leaf scorpionfish and 12 cockatoo waspfish on a single dive; Inimicus, the devil scorpion fish; crocodilefish; dozens of seahorses and lots of pygmy seahorses; both robust and Harlequin ghost pipefish; and pipehorses. We saw several green and hawksbill turtles and two banded sea snakes. Bottleneck dolphins were swimming around the boat on three occasions and pilot whales were seen in the distance once.

Species that were conspicuously absent included: Spanish dancers (we saw three large red pleurobranchs, though); marble rays, eagle rays and manta rays; yellow ribbon eels (we saw a number of black juveniles and blue males); frogfish (we saw only one); very few pipefish; and no loggerhead turtles;

In logging my dives, I typically make note of species that I do not remember having seen before. Halmahera yielded: 18 new nudibranchs, three of which were spectacular; a benthic octopus with two brilliantly pulsating blue rings, a member of the Octopus aegina species complex related to the blue ringed octopus; a 14-inch slender pipefish (I saw one on each of two different dives); and two miscellaneous fish species. This was quite a large number of new species for me. Maybe I am getting senile and not remembering what I have seen before.

For a somewhat unknown and exploratory-type trip, Halmahera had a much greater critter diversity than I had planned on seeing. As a bonus, we encountered a number of swim-through tunnels, both with and without air pockets above and had a dive site near a 50-foot waterfall terminating in the sea. As usual for Indonesia, we had spectacular sunsets generated by the many smoking volcanoes in the area. Nancy Gimblin of Great Destinations in Sacramento set up the trip for us (http://www.skindiver.com/).

Mel Cundiff; Broomfield, Colorado
Cundiff@Colorado.EDU 7/21/09

Maldives Coming in April

Maldives Meeting for April 2009

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Graham Casden of Oceans First Divers was recently diving in the Maldives. He was on the Live Aboard Manthiri from Jan 9-20, 2009 and saw 9 whale shark sightings, dozens and dozens of mantas and tons of pelagics.

Here is some background on Graham, “Traveling and the outdoors have been my companions since birth. I was born in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and grew up along the Southern Californian coast. I traveled far and often throughout my teens and had already seen much of the world by the time I finished college. For me, the importance of traveling is in its rewards: knowledge, insight, experience. I learn about myself, about life and about the world. I best express my love of nature, passion for the outdoors and thirst for travel through photography.”

CUPS Meeting at Reed Photo (Thanks to Reed Photo for the hospitality!)
Doors open at 6 pm with a presentation at 7 pm
Mapquest of Reed Photo 888 Federal Rd.

Learn Adobe Photoshop and Elements

Thanks to Nancy Myer for submitting this:

Colorado Council of Camera Clubs
Presents
An Introduction to Photoshop and Elements
October 17 and October 24, 2009

This will consist of two sessions, each covering different material. Both sessions will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the basement of the Epiphany Lutheran Church, 790 S. Corona St., (NE corner of Corona St. and Ohio Ave.–a block west of the west edge of Washington Park), Denver, CO (Enter at west end of building at street level, go straight down the ramp and through the double doors.)

The charge for members of Council’s member clubs is $10 per person (includes BOTH sessions) to help cover materials. Nonmembers will be welcome–if there is room–at a charge of $20 per person (includes BOTH sessions).

With the use of digital images becoming more popular, the Council is offering this two-day seminar to help members become familiar with their digital images once they are loaded onto their computers. This class is designed mainly for those who are just starting out with Photoshop/Elements and are not yet comfortable with the basics. This will be for both PC and Mac users. Instruction will be by digital projection and handouts will be available so computers are not necessary.

There will be room for about 30 participants. Pre-registration is required.

To reserve your space, contact the representative of your club, if it’s a member of Council. Others should contact any one of the following representatives.

Aurora Society of Photographers: Marty Golden, 303-693-0226, martygolden@mac.com

Englewood Camera Club: Randy Moore, 720-488-3228, randy@theredkitchen.com

Focus Camera Club, Joe Bonita, 303-730-1346, jbnbqz@comcast.net

High Country Camera Club, John Yurchak, 303-364-1653, photobug@ecentral.com

North Jeffco Camera Club, Frank Weinzapfel, 303-425-9316, weinzapf3@yahoo.com

*****For those wishing to stay for it, an additional optional session on Lightroom will be offered (at no additional charge) by Craig Lewis at the end of each day’s session of the seminar.*****

Meeting Notice for November

Monthly Meeting November

Ed & Sandra presented their new video "Sharks, Why Should We Care?" submitted to the Jackson Hole Wild Life Film Festival and shown at the San Diego Underwater Film Exhibition.

This is a synopsis of "Sharks, Why Should We Care?"

Sandra, an avid underwater photographer, has spent years diving with sharks around the globe. After discovering that her beloved sharks are being "over-fished," (in some cases close to extinction), she teamed up with a local biologist to develop a shark awareness program designed to challenge common misconceptions about these top predators, while shedding light on the crucial role sharks play in keeping coral reefs healthy. Filmed by her husband Ed, this documentary captures both Sandra's efforts to raise awareness about the plight of sharks, and stunning footage of her encounters with these graceful predators in the wild.

Adding to our understanding of the fishing industry they will show the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch DVD

which explains the fishing techniques and tells us what fish are ok to eat and why.

Be sure to get your Seafood Watch pocket list so you can make great dining choices for our Oceans.

Sandra & Ed

For the second half of our presentation please bring 5 to 10 images your favorites over the last five years digital or slide

Sharkwater Movie: Esquire Theater 6th & Downing Wed & Thur only 4:30, 7:15 & 9:30pm

I just saw the movie tonight and it motivated me to write this, I felt that my knowledge on the subject was redefined. The movie is a Documentary with some script but it definitely puts some teeth in the mouth of the argument that the shark population is in serious trouble and how it will effect the ecosystem. As a diver and member of the human race, I feel it is our responcibility to act and help these valliant warriors who's effort to protect the aquatic environment is in need of support. (IMHO) I would suggest you see the movie and boycott any enterprise that sells sharkfin soup or sharkmeat.

John G.

LINKS:
http://www.sharkwater.com/
http://seashepherd.org/crew-watson.html
http://www.savingsharks.com/

Additional NEWS!

For those who haven't been over on Digital Diver recently, Kristin (Alcina) from Exmouth/Ningaloo, Australia is coming to visit this month and we've decided it's time for an evening get-together over Mexican Food. Offically, this is the Digital CUPS group, but all are welcome (even non-digitals ).

Details: 7:00PM, Friday, November 16, Senor Rics Mexican, 13200 E Mississippi Ave, Aurora. Just west of I-225 on Mississippi

Thanks
Cups

August Meeting a Social and Planning Session

August Meeting at El Senor Sol

This month's meeting will be at El Senor Sol right across the street from The Downtown Aquarium (formerly Ocean Journey) take I-25 to the 23st exit and it is right there we had no body to do a presentation so this will be just a social event 6:30 for dinner and 7:30 for the social and planning session. Click here for Map and address El Senor Sol Hope to see you there. Reservations have been made just say you are with CUPS.

July - South America and Antarctica - From the Top

Amber Blecker presents "South America and Antarctica - From the Top." I'll be covering my trip to S. America and Antarctica, focusing on the sealife (did someone say "Penguins?") and travel options. In addition, I'll be showing how I created and published my book of the experience, "Meet the 'Guins," using Blurb software.

CUPS Meets on Third Tuesdays at Reed Photo Imaging
6:30PM at Reed Photo Imaging - (socializing until 7:00pm). A CUPS member will be at the door to let you in between 6:30 and 7:00. We are very lucky to be invited to use the facilities at Reed, and to continue we must maintain the utmost respect of their facilities and employees. For directions, see: http://www.reedphoto.com/find-us.html

June Meeting

Tuesday May 17, CUPS Meeting

Howard Witkin will be presenting. “I've come to realize there are 4 distinct disciplines all of which play a very important part in being a really good underwater photographer; photography, computer work (Photoshop or other software), printing, and diving. During the presentation I will try and tie all 4 together and how I increased my knowledge in each and eagerly continue my education in all 4”.

Also New members Chas Isenhart and George Panagos have offered to present 10-15 mins of edited HD video that we could show and then talk about our experience.
Whale sharks, bottlenose dolphins, Galapagos, silky, white tip, hammer-head, silver tip sharks and a lot of giant mantas all there on tape.

CUPS A-1 SCUBA and Travel Photo Contest

CUPS UW PHOTO CONTEST
A-1 SCUBA & TRAVEL MAY SALE, MAY 17-18

The Annual A-1 Scuba and Travel May Sale is May 17-18. Thanks to A-1 SCUBA and Travel, CUPS is once again having a photo contest and video exhibit. There are Rules and Registration docs for you to download - click here

Due to changing circumstances: (It has been determined that one additional photo will be allowed for the competition and show, That means a total of two entries per member).

Here's a link to a Gallery for the CUPS / A-1 SCUBA May Sale Photo Contest. Below is a small excerpt from the announcement:

Open only to CUPS members (to become a CUPS member one need only register on the CUPS website “cupsonline.net” before May 14, 2008)

ENTRY DEADLINE: Wednesday May 14, 2008 at A-1 Scuba or Flatiron Scuba with filled out entry form.

Photo must be framed, be no more than 24 inches wide (edge to edge of frame), must have a mechanism on the rear to hang to grid wall with zip ties. Photo, matte or frame cannot have the photographer’s name or signature displayed on the front. See full details click here.

Reed Photo Imaging is now offering discounts for images uploaded through LabPrints

Video Gallery showings welcome -

While we are not equipped to have a contest for videos this year, we encourage our members to submit videos of 3 minutes in length so that we can create a continuous showing during the A-1 Scuba May Sale event. Please email John Daigle for details on uploading the video. Mike Stallings has kindly volunteered to compile the videos into a continuous DVD for the show!

Meanwhile, CUPS Meets on Third Tuesdays at Reed Photo Imaging
6:30PM (socializing until 7:00pm). A CUPS member will be at the door to let you in between 6:30 and 7:00. We are very lucky to be invited to use the facilities at Reed, and to continue we must maintain the utmost respect of their facilities and employees. We highly recommend using them for your imaging needs. For directions, see: http://www.reedphoto.com/find-us.html

CUPS April Meeting

CUPS April Meeting: Bring 5-10 images to be critiqued for the A-1 May sale show .

Meanwhile, CUPS Meets on Third Tuesdays at Reed Photo Imaging
6:30PM (socializing until 7:00pm). A CUPS member will be at the door to let you in between 6:30 and 7:00. We are very lucky to be invited to use the facilities at Reed, and to continue we must maintain the utmost respect of their facilities and employees. We highly recomend using them for your imaging needs. For directions, see: http://www.reedphoto.com/find-us.html

March 18th CUPS meeting

March Meeting features Nick Ferris on Anemonefish

For the March 18th meeting CUPS member Nick Ferris our very own Anemonefish aficionado will present a specially focused discussion on Anemonefish their habitat and behavior.

The talk examines the relationship between the fish and their host anemone; why the Anemonefish are immune to anemone stings; true and false clowns; the "skunk" Anemonefish confusion; the white bonnet hybrid; and the color/pattern variation in the Clark's.

For the second half of the meeting members are encouraged to bring with them 5-10 images of Anemonefish to discuss.

Here are some links to some Google’s most popular Anemonefish websites.

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/clown-anemonefish.html

http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=29

http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/apercula.htm

Meanwhile, CUPS Meets on Third Tuesdays at Reed Photo Imaging
6:30PM (socializing until 7:00pm). A CUPS member will be at the door to let you in between 6:30 and 7:00. We are very lucky to be invited to use the facilities at Reed, and to continue we must maintain the utmost respect of their facilities and employees. We highly recomend using them for your imaging needs. For directions, see: http://www.reedphoto.com/find-us.html

Any Thing Goes 08

CUPS February Meeting

This February 19th Meeting will be a free for all of the most interesting, exciting and unique images in your collection. The theme is “Any Thing Goes” this will offer you an opportunity to be creative and share your more unusual photos with CUPS members. Time limits will based on participation so bring aprox. 25 images and 15 minute maximum presentation; be prepared to limit it to less. We will provide a digital projection setup, if you need to project with slides please bring your own or email jgdiver51@hotmail.com ASAP and we will try to get one. Images should be on labeled thumb drive, CD or DVD with file titled “CUPS Any Thing Goes 08“. Time permitting we will incorporate discussion into each presentation. - See you there, CUPS Presentation Committee

Meanwhile, CUPS Meets on Third Tuesdays at Reed Photo Imaging
6:30PM at Reed Photo Imaging - (socializing until 7:00pm). A CUPS member will be at the door to let you in between 6:30 and 7:00. We are very lucky to be invited to use the facilities at Reed, and to continue we must maintain the utmost respect of their facilities and employees. For directions, see: http://www.reedphoto.com/find-us.html

New Links: http://imagingfoundation.org/ http://innovativeimagemakers.com/ Denver Based

January Meeting Date Change

January Meeting will be on 4th Tuesday the 22nd we will have a presentation on the Philippines from Lynn Taylor of A-1 Scuba and Travel. This should be a very EXCITING PRESENTATION because we have never had a presentation on the PHILIPPINES. I recently talked to a diver who had just come back and were raving about it. Members please bring 5-10 images on disk or thumb drive to share for the second half of presentation. New Members that haven't attended a meeting yet this would be a great way to start.

August Meeting

CUPS AUGUST 21st Meeting

Doug Sloss, a local resident and underwater photographer has developed Photoshop® techniques that are unique and available to members. Some of these techniques will be shared at our next CUPS meeting as the featured presenter. More details on this link click here.

July Meeting

Mark your calendar for July 17 Meeting
Amber Blecker will be presenting "Palau and Truk - It's More Than Sharks and Wrecks"
Presentation on Truk & Palau, the diving, logistics (how to get there, options on where to stay, liveaboard vs. land based, the diving), and the culture and history of the islands.

The second half will be 5-10 slides or digital images of Sharks and Wrecks by our members.

JUNE 19 MEETING: Raja Ampat by Michael Stallings

Michael Stallings will present his most recent DVD production - A 30 minute video of his 12 day trip to Lembeh- Halmahera-Raja Ampat aboard the MV Odyssea 1 in December 2006. This area is known for its diverse corals, colorful and abundant fish life, and exotic reef creatures. Mike posted a rough cut of the start of the video in his Gallery - enititled "April 2007". Place: Reed Photo Imaging Doors open at 6:30 and meeting starts at 7. More Details Video Link

CUPS and A-1 Scuba & Travel Center Competition Winners announced!

Chuck Catlett

Salt Pier / The Grandeur

1ST PLACE

Mark Adams

Bob the Pygmy Seahorse

2ND PLACE

Amber Blecker

I (heart) Octopi

3RD PLACE

Allan Vandeford

Turtle Cleaning Station

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Many thanks to A-1 for allowing us to use their space and Denver Digital Imaging Center for donating prizes! Thanx, too, to CUPS member John Warn for his leadership and judges Holly Alentado, owner of Island Photo in Cozumel, Mexico, and Greg Gephardt, representative for Sea & Sea underwater photo products. (Read the full details here)

Mel Cundiff - Komodo Report

The Best Coral Reef Diving So Far
Komodo in May 2007 on the MV Tarata
by Mel Cundiff

The MV Tarata is a 79-foot Indonesian Bugis-style wooden live aboard ship with a 17-foot beam and six cabins for 12 divers below deck. The cabins are of moderate size and have AC and ensuite bathrooms/showers with ample hot water. The two dive masters, Sebastian and Johnny, among the 11-person Indonesian crew could speak good English and were very helpful in locating fish and critters for us. Read the full story here

Meeting archive

CUPS and A-1 Scuba & Travel Center Competition Winners announced!

Denver Digital Imaging donated the prizes: $100 gift certificate for People's Choice, $100 gift certificate for 1st, $75 gift certificate for 2nd, and $50 gift certificate for 3rd. Many thanks to David, Suzy and Andrea at Denver Digital Imaging, a division of The Slideprinter -- located at 145 West Alameda (between Santa Fe and Federal) -- phone # 303-698-2962.

Photographer

Photo Title/Subject

WINNERS

Chuck Catlett

Salt Pier / The Grandeur

1ST PLACE

Mark Adams

Bob the Pygmy Seahorse

2ND PLACE

Amber Blecker

I (heart) Octopi

3RD PLACE

Allan Vandeford

Turtle Cleaning Station

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Larissa Roorda

Palau Pipe

Honorable mention

Wes Underwood

Shy Seahorse

"

Lee Ann Holwager

Lazy Turtle

"

Michelle Catlett

Monkey Face

"

Ken Harbert

Nudibranch, Risbecia tryoni

"

Carl Brownd

Grey Reef Shark

"

Dave Louch

Joelle's 100th Dive

"

Melanie Moore

Don't Get Eaten By A Whaleshark

"

John Gordon

Tiny Dancers

"

Debra Wolff

Dolphins -- Follow the Leader

"

Latest News

Can't find something? Try the Search box

To search the main website, use the Search box (on the left hand side of this page).
However, to search any content in the CUPS Forums, use the "Search" link at the top of each Forum

Newsletter Registration Changes: Link to newsletter registration info

Nick and Mid return to Cozumel

Nick and Mid Ferris return to Cozumel after 24 years
by Nick Ferris, 10 Feb. 2007

Queen Trigger.jpg

Mid and I returned to Cozumel last week, after a 24 year absence. We had some equipment to check out before we did any expensive diving on the other side of the world. Yes, we had to give up snow shoveling. There’s a drawback to everything. We went via Frontier Airlines, direct 3 hours, Apple Vacations. Mark Stephenson at Rocky Mountain Diving made the arrangements. We stayed at the 3 Star Casa del Mar. Not at all bad – good service, excellent meals. Lots of divers, wet suits draped over railings and bushes. And across the street past some hurricane wreckage is a dock where the dive boat picked us up. That avoided cab rides with heaps of wet stuff.

Diving was with Alison Dennis of Alison@scubawithalison.com. No cattleboat, her 25 (or so) foot open boat, the Enigma, with two outboard motors zips right along to wherever the six (or fewer) divers want to go. We mostly stayed away from the major wall dive locations. Our three dive days were all different because of changing weather, from crummy to excellent. Current is always there, sometimes a bit too much for housed camera photography. But the big, beautiful queen angelfish, (and gray, and French), and filefish, grunts, snappers, and barracuda are present regardless. A hawksbill turtle was close enough to touch, we got next to a barracuda being cleaned, and saw our first big nurse shark.

Meanwhile, the patch reefs on a sloping sand base still have some sand on the coral and sponges, but are gradually “coming back”. Small gorgonians are sprouting up. Water temperature was 79 to 80 degrees.

Surfacing was a new experience. All the dives are drift dives – no anchorages or mooring buoys. Theoretically, the dive boat drifts along above the divers. But maybe not, for a variety of reasons. So Alison takes divers low on air (700 psi) up to 15 feet and inflates a yellow tube on a string. The tube shows the boat operator where the divers are preparing to surface. After 3 minutes the divers surface, Alison goes down after more divers, and the boat arrives. This seems overly protective, but it contrasts with the indifferent practices of 25 years ago which lost 50 to 80 divers a year. If seas are running the boat lays to and rolls, making climbing the ladder a strenuous adventure. Still, I’d like to go back. (Ed. This article has also been added to the Dive Trip Reports section)

Latest CUPS Online News

Chuck Catlett posts pix from Bonaire
Check them out on the CUPS Forums

February 20 - Next CUPS Meeting
Tuesday February 20, 6:30pm at Reed Photo Imaging
(socializing until 7:00pm).

Program details to be announced.

We meet on the third Tuesday of each month, at Reed Photo Imaging , 888 Federal (map).

Past Meeting Announcement Archive

CUPS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY AT BRANT'S

The December 2006 meeting was replaced by a Christmas social at Brant Davis's house

This years CUPS Christmas Party will again be held at my house on Saturday, Dec. 9th @ 6:30.
Richard Perry will again be in from Florida, and in attendance!

November 21st CUPS Meeting and Report

NOVEMBER MEETING: Tuesday November 21st, 6:30pm at Reed Photo Imaging
(socializing until 7:00pm).

Feature Presentation: "Alaska Diving"
Wes Underwood will give a presentation on liveaboard diving in the
inner passage area of Alaska and British Columbia.

Report: Wes's presentation was one of the best ever given at any CUPS meetings, showing off a new software program that proved to be extra special.

Second Presentation: "DVD presentation of still images"
Wes will also be giving a short presentation on creating a multi-media
presentation of still images. Adding motion and music using ProShow
Gold.

October 17th CUPS Meeting and Report

Feature Presentation: "Cayman Islands Madness"
John Warn will be presenting photographs taken in the Cayman Islands.

REPORT: John gave his usual excellent presentation that was well received by those who braved the snow!

Second Presentation: "Basic Photoshop Adjustments"
Chuck Catlett and John Gordon will give a short presentation on making
basic photoshop adjustments to underwater images.

REPORT: Chuck also produced an excellent and informative Photoshop© basics presentation.

Organizational Meeting Tuesday, Oct 3, 2006

The meeting will be at El Senor Sol (across the street from Downtown Aquarium)7pm. arrive early for socializing and beverages. Topics will be Bylaws, Officers duties and Membership fee.

Meeting coverage of Tuesday, Sept 15, 2006

Treasures Report: Loren Lauretti stated we now have $740 in the CUPS account. Almost enough for a new digital projector.

501-3C Non-Profit Corporation designation, Brant Davis promised he would have the necessary paperwork submitted by the next meeting.

Feature Presentation: "Digital Dive In-donesia" With contributions by Chuck Catlett, Michelle Catlett, Amber Blecker and Nick Ferris.
Chuck Catlett has agreed to be the master coordinator for this
presentation, organizing 4 of the the 8-12? CUPS members who traveled to
Indonesia last May.

Second Presentation: "Raw Adjustments"
John Gordon will give a short presentation on how to deal with your
Raw file format images in Photoshop CS.

Meeting coverage of Tuesday, August 15, 2006
posted by Carol Harper, CUPS member

CONVERTING FILM TO DIGITAL, presented by Nick Ferris, CUPS member

Nick Big-Scale Soldierfish 1500.jpg

Nick 17 Big-Scale Soldierfish 1a500.jpg

See more of Nick's examples here

Nick showed some of the images that he has already done from his personal library over years of diving. Nick has a Nikon CoolScan V, which he uses only for scanning slides, but it can be used with prints as well. It has a capability of a maximum of 64 megabytes of data per slide, which he feels provides an excellent copy of the transparency and allows for digital manipulation. The Nikon equipment cost was approximately $500 about a year ago and was available locally and via mail order.

Nick recommended purchasing equipment that would provide the highest optical density that your budget would allow, in order to get the most detail out of dark areas of your images. He also recommended keeping the original slide and the original copy from the slide in a separate datafile and not doing any alterations or manipulations to those images. He strongly suggests creating a duplicate image for any manipulations, cropping, color changes, etc.

COMPOSITION, presented by Wes Underwood and John Gordon, CUPS members

Both Wes and John agree that there are numerous "rules" for good composition, and they showed examples from their own experiences to help everyone understand the concepts, for example:

Rule of Thirds (dividing the photo area into a grid of thirds, like tic-tac-toe, and placing or positioning the subject at one of the four gridline intersection points)
Get a low perspective on the subject (at eye level or lower). Best if shoot up rather than down on a subject.
Creature interaction is generally better than just a single creature, e.g., eel with a cleaner shrimp, diver with marine life.
Colorful subjects provide interest (Remember, adding strobe lighting enhances colors and shows true colors that the eye does not perceive at depth)
Patterns and Textures can be great subjects, e.g., sea fan detail
Lines in a photo add interest and focal point, e.g., anchor line, ascent line, S curves, diagonal lines, converging lines like railroad tracks
Size comparisons can help tell a story, e.g., diver with crinoid
Divers can be used as models and they should be able to maintain buoyancy and know where to position themselves and where/what to look at. Good communication between the model and the photographer is important.
Unless shooting ambient light shots, positioning of the strobes is critical to be sure the subject is properly lighted. When shooting horizontal and then changing position to a vertical shot, you need to be aware of where the strobes are aimed and make adjustments.
Ambient light shots with silhouettes of divers, reef, boats, etc. are a trip saver if you find your flash is not working. Good to try this occasionally to keep up with the technique. John recommends testing your rechargeable batteries before you leave on your dive trip to be sure they are maintaining a charge. Sometimes even new batteries don't maintain charges the same and this can cause problems once you get to your destination.
Sharp focus is critical and is really evident with macro photography. Be aware of the Depth of Field limitations with the lens you are using.
Make the subject of your photo with most obvious by getting close/closer, eliminating or minimizing the background, lighting the subject appropriately.
A subject's eyes are important to include in the photo, even if you can only get part of the head in the frame, get the eye. As humans, we generally like to look at eyes.

Both Wes and John agree that:

Luck has a lot to do with successful shots
Having a "mind's eye" picture in your own head about what you want from a shot is a good way to recognize it when you see it.
So do some research before you go on a trip and learn about the marine life in the area and expected conditions.
rules are made to be broken, so shoot what is pleasing to you

Practice, Practice, Practice

John recommended a book by Martin Edge, The Underwater Photographer.

CUPS August 15 meeting featured:

Feature Presentation: Converting Film to Digital - Nick Ferris
Second presentation: Composition Tips & Tricks - John Gordon and Wes Underwood
Update on August 1 Organizational meeting

AUGUST MEETING: Tuesday August 15th, 6:30PM at Reed Photo Imaging (socializing until 7:00pm). A CUPS member will be at the door to let you in between 6:30 and 7:00. We are very lucky to be invited to use the facilities at Reed, and to continue we must maintain the utmost respect of their facilities and employees. For directions, see: http://www.reedphoto.com/find-us.html

Feature Presentation: "Converting Film to Digital", CUPS Member Nick Ferris will give a presentation on canning slides and film for converting to digital format.

Second Presentation: "Composition Tips & Tricks", John Gordon and Wes Underwood will present different techniques and ideas for giving your photos better composition and "Wow".

Business Meeting: A status report from the Organizational meeting held on August 1st.

Archive - CUPS Organizational Meeting - August 1
Posted July 26, 2006 - Wes Underwood

We will be meeting on Tuesday evening the 1st August for an organizational type of meeting (Margaritas and Business). We will continue discussion on the details of forming the organization, board members, dues, upcoming events, etc? Meeting will be held at 7:00pm at Senor Sol's (across the street from the Downtown Aquarium.)

For those of you who missed the meeting on July 18th, we received a status report from Brandt on the organizational efforts taking place to establish CUPS as a non-profit entity. Initial paperwork has been
filed, and more of the required documents are in process.

In order to proceed with organizational details such as officers and directors, it was suggested to get an idea of how many of our current members might be interested in participating at this level. It has been suggested that we would operate with a group of possibly 5-7 board members who would participate in the organizational efforts of operating and guiding the group. This number would allow the work to be shared so as not to overly burden anyone, and make participation in the board a good experience instead of a burdensome task.
In order to get an idea of how many people would be willing to participate as an officer or board member, a link will be situp on the website which will take a poll of those interested (this is not a final commitment), and also to gather ideas.

Please RSVP if you will be attending the meeting on August 1st so we can make the appropriate arrangements.
wes@scuba-stuff.com

Great lineup for the Fall
Posted June 22, 2006 - John Daigle

At the June meeting and social Tuesday June 20th, John Gordon led us in a discussion of "plannng ahead" for future CUPS meeting programs. The tentative line up will have lots of tips from "Digitizing Film/Slides" to Basic/Intermediate/Advanced Photoshop tips, Video tricks and of course, great photo-trip reports from our members.

A partial list of programs so far: John Warn (still techniques and Video Techniques from Betty!), Amber Blecker (Cozumel coverage) , Brant Davis (Basic Photoshop), Nick Ferris (Digitizing Film/Slides, John Daigle (Video technique) and Carol Harper.

CUPS to become a formal organization. Since it's inception, CUPS has prided itself in not "fussing" over organizational formalities. Rather, the idea is to concentrate on sharing underwater photographic ideas and experiences among our members. However there are advantages to becoming a formal entity and CUPS members are taking steps to create one.A "provisional" set of officers is in the making. Wes Underwood, president, John Gordon vice president, Loren Laureti as secretary-treasurer to get things going. More provisional officers will be announced pending their acceptance of nominations.

Jack Kirk will research possible structures used by other UPSs that we may want to emulate. Brant has also done a ton of research and may have a "pro bono" lawyer available to help. Loren has volunteered to assist with QuickBooks for the accounting so we are off and running!

The best way to be sure you are counted among the "charter" members is to register for the CUPS Online Website. It's free and easy to do. Just click the "Register" link at the top right of this page (if you haven't already!).

Everybody in the pool!
Brant Davis has suggested we commandeer Wes Underwood into leading a "pool meeting" next Fall so Wes can repeat a terrific class on camera/buoyancy issues. More soon, stay tuned.

B&H Photo and Popular Photography announce Denver Digital Days Workshop September 23-24. (Details soon). Thanx to Richard Barthorpe and Sonia Atwood for submitting this news.

JULY MEETING
The July Meeting for cups will be a presentation on Multi-location in Fiji By Member John Warn The second half of the meeting will be Proposal of Bylaws, Nomination of officers.

JUNE MEETING
Tuesday June 20th was held a El Senor Sol for organizing the next 6-12 presentations and socializing. Details on the Forum here.

APRIL MEETING
Feature Presentation: "The ABC's of Bonaire" CUPS Members Chuck and Michelle Catlett with give a presentation covering getting there, places to stay, getting around, and the yes, the diving.

March CUPS Meeting News

March Meeting News

Presentation : Sea of Cortez Now and Then

CUPS Members Nick Ferris, Carol Harper, Brant Davis, John Gordon and Ed Sauer & Sandra Schroth have all traveled to the Sea of Cortez and captured photo images and Video.

Nick Ferris was there in the late 80's and early 90's and photographed on film the topography and underwater sites to share historical archives of the time. More recently Carol Harper covered the same area on film. Most recently Brant Davis and John Gordon covered the same area near La Paz with digital imagery. Ed Sauer & Sandra Schroth captured video of this destination in the recent time period.

The presentation will cover historical events in this area but the majority of images are underwater. We will start off with some travel tips and Nick's historical stills followed by Carol's film captures, then Brant and John's Digital stills. After an intermission the crescendo will be Ed and Sandra's video.

Please come join us for this unique adventure featuring the playful sea-lions.

CUPS meets on the third Tuesday of each month, at Reed Photo Imaging , 888 Federal (map).

Upcoming Meeting Announcements

February Meeting News - Tuesday, February 21, 2006

PRESENTATION

Kungkungan - A Secret World in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
by Richard Barthorpe and Sonia Atwood

Having traveled for the past twenty years to all corners of the diving globe including Fiji, Tahiti, Australia, Galapagos, Microsesia, Irian Jaya, PNG, PNG, PNG, PNG, Indonesia etc - this part of Indonesia really blew our Socks off.

This is a bargain Pacific trip with an amazing abundance of really weird and colorful macro subjects including some as big as a small dog. This trip changed our impression of Macro Photography and Muck Diving. This is not a trip for those with romantic coral-scapes in mind, but for the photographer it is a gold mine. It is a subject-rich type of diving. Expect to be chastised by the dive masters for loitering too long on a ghost pipe fish, hairy frog fish or Flamboyant Cuttle Fish. There are a dozen more of different colors twenty yards away.

There were many things we wish we had known before we left Denver. There was the aforementioned Macro issue and the different flight routes possible. However, film preservation in an X-Ray rich travel community, strange and illogical choices for electricity on each Indonesian Island and a myriad of peculiarities for the traveling photographer arose often on our one month trip. So come on in to Reed Photo on a cold winter’s night and pick our brains to see if this is for you. Or just enjoy the weird aberrations of nature...

January Meeting News

The January meeting will feature a presentation By Holly Alentado of Island Photo-Video Center, on Cozumel and their progress after the latest hurricane. The second half of the presentations will be "Solutions to U/W Photo Problems" and "How to Market Your Photography" also by Holly. Please send questions to Holly before the meeting at photocozumel@ecozumel.net

If you have registered with cupsonline.net you were automatically given a gallery to upload to, please do so at your earliest convenience.

The Reed Photoart show has been put on hold for the time being it may be resurrected for a fall show or may not happen at all. If any of you know of a gallery that might be interested in hosting a CUPS spring show please let us know.

For those who made it to the holiday party hosted by Brant and Mary, it was a wonderful event, and great thanks for hosting this event!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday and is making lots of plans for SCUBA travel adventures for next year. See you in January...

December Meeting Notice Archive

WELCOME ALL!!! December Meeting is a Christmas Party Social Friday December 9th at 6:30pm
Member Brant Davis has graciously offered to host !

Drop-in for Holiday Cheer and Diving and U/W photography conversations and image sharing

You won't believe the decorations Brant and his wife put up!!!!!!!!!!!

And there will be special mystery guest!

For Directions and RSVP contact Brant here Click to Send Email
Update from Brant Link

November Meeting Archive

John Warn on Lembeh and Bali topside
Orientation on how to use the new CUPS Online Website!

Tuesday November 15, 6:30 pm at Reed Photo Imaging - (socializing until 7:00pm). A CUPS member will be at the door to let you in between 6:30and 7:00. We are very lucky to be invited to use the facilities at Reed and to continue we must maintain the utmost respect of their facilities and employees. For directions (888 Federal Blvd), see: http://www.reedphoto.com/

The November meeting will feature a presentation by John Warn on Lembeh and some of Bali topside. Also Wes, Lee Ann and Chuck will give a tutorial on our new website for the second half of the evening.

Other News Items: Scuba Diving Magazine Photo Contest: The 2006 photo contest rules and entry details are posted online at http://www.scubadiving.com/photocontest/ Deadline is Dec 31, 2005.Exhibit Divers

Volunteers Divers Needed: The Downtown Aquarium is currently recruiting volunteer divers. Volunteers work through the Deep Blue Sea Foundation which is a non-profit organization. Call the volunteer coordinator at
303-561-4429, or visit their website for more information.
http://www.downtownaquariumdenver.com

Kristin Anderson visits CUPS from down under

Latest Photos

Alcina visits Denver (7 Photos)

Kristin Anderson of Exmouth Diving Centre

Kristin Anderson of Exmouth Diving Centre

Kristin aka "Alcina" is a regular participant on the www.digitaldiver.net and made a great presentation on Ningaloo Reef Australia, Monday October 10th

Kristin showed video a unique concentration of Whale Sharks. This area near Exmouth is known for regular sightings of large species as well as the marine life of one of the world's largest fringing reefs. For more information on this area, visit:
http://www.ningalooreefdive.com/ or http://www.exmouthdiving.com.au/

NORTH SULAWESI - Digital Diver Network Trip May 2006

TRIP REPORT: NORTH SULAWESI - Digital Diver Network Trip, May 2006
(Report and photo by Nick Ferris)

In early May 2006 nine CUPS members joined past acquaintances (mostly Digital Divers) for diving in northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. This was a two-part affair, with four full days of diving the Bunaken Marine Park south of Manado, and another four muck diving the Lembeh Strait.
Read here for the full report
Plus, more pix from Nick can be seen in this Gallery

February Meeting Pix

Latest Photos

Chuck Catlett's February Meeting Pix (12 Photos)

Vintage Nikonos II and "The Works" for Sale

We don't have an official policy here for "classified ads" but I thought this was a unique offering from member Nick Ferris. Enjoy.

Learn underwater photography the way real men did back in the last century. Feel the warm confidence of having done it your way, the hard way. But act now, while film is still available! Slides can be scanned and images Photo-shopped so your digital pals will never suspect. Earn PADI’s Hard Core Photo patch (only $525) and proudly wear it on your BC. Just contact Nick Ferris (303/421-8800; Nick.Ferris@juno.com) about all the stuff listed below. That’s ALL of it. What a deal!

NIKONOS-RELATED EQUIPMENT

Nikonos II camera with 35 mm lens.
Tray for the Nikonos II, with male dovetail for attaching strobe arm.
Oceanic strobe arms, 4 ½” and 12” connected with Oceanic clamp. Ball sizes are 1” diameter. The 4 ½” piece has the female dovetail and screw knob for fastening; the 12” arm has the angle end and screw knob for attachment to the strobe.
Oceanic 3001 strobe with recharger (still works).
Synch cord from strobe to E/O camera connector.
E/O connector (two connectors).
Extension tube framer (1:2) for camera.

ALL THIS STUFF FITS TOGETHER AND STILL WORKS

Oceanic 4 1/2 “ arm with female dovetail as above; ball and bracket at other end.
Oceanic 6” arm with ball and angled end for attaching to strobe. Com,es with screw knob for attachment.
Unidentified rod with 1” ball at one end, attachment screw and plate at other for strobe. Overall 11 ½”.
Heavy duty Tussey strobe arm clamp for 1” ball arms; 7” overall length.
N-II O-ring kits (2), unused.
NOVATEK 20 “Opal Eye” lens. Fits over N-II 35mm lens underwater to convert it to 20 mm. Put on or take off under water. Comes in leather pouch.
Sea and Sea 17mm “wide lens” for Nikokos cameras. In original box with lens cover.
6” arm with female dovetail and screw at one end, 1” ball at other.

September meeting will feature Nick Ferris

CUPS Member Nick Ferris has offered to present.

Rottnest Island is a short distance from Perth, Western Australia, in the
Indian Ocean. The south-flowing Leuwin Current brings warm water from
more tropical climates to the north down to temperate waters in the
south. The two meet at Rottnest Island, where they produce an odd
environment. As this presentation is rather brief, it will be followed by
a short geologic history of Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Second half of meeting, members may bring 5-10 digital images with interpratations of unusual creatures from the South Pacific.

Coming up for May meeting

Coming up for Tuesday May 19 meeting:

Ed Turns Red!

Ed Sauer and Sandra Schroth, long time underwater and wildlife videographers have spent the last year shooting with their new camera, a RED ONE, a 4k digital cinema camera. Come see the new housing for the RED with it's elaborate lens controller. They will show different formats from their cameras and explain some of the good and bad of HD and other formats. This will be the first public showing of the footage from their RED ONE camera.

CUPS Meeting at Reed Photo (Thanks to Reed Photo for the hospitality!)
Doors open at 6 pm with a presentation at 7 pm
Mapquest of Reed Photo 888 Federal Rd.

CUPS November Meeting

Raja Ampat Islands from Kri Eco by Paddy Ryan

During this talk Dr. Ryan will discuss getting there, highlight some of the more spectacular species, and recount his experience of self-publishing a print on demand book.

Mike Stallings Video Gallery

Visit Mike's latest video postings, from Bonaire and Cozumel to Raja Ampat!

Congrats to Larissa Roorda!

Congratulations to CUPS member, Larissa Roorda who has won a gold medal for the Fantasy category in the Underwater Photography.com competion.

You can find her entry here.
You can also find her CUPS Member Gallery here.

Way to go, Larissa!

October Meeting

CUPS OCTOBER 16th Meeting

Dr.Paddy Ryan renowned author and photographer will Present:

His recent trips to Belize and Fiji. This should be very interesting in that Paddy has be studying the South Pacific for quite some time. Dr Ryan has taught at Metro State and now teaches at The Colorado School of Mines. See his photography at http://www.ryanphotographic.com/

Time permitting - John Daigle will present a short demonstration of using Adobe software to create animated tutorials. For example, a tutorial on retouching an underwater photograph using Photoshop or some other software. This tutorial becomes a Flash animation which can be viewed and shared on a website for anyone to see.

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