1. Contest #1
   CUPS Member Online Photo Contest (votes will be cast online)
   CUPS members will be able to cast 1 vote each in the Artistic and Behavior categories. Votes will be cast online and there will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons for each category. This contest is strictly in digital form (may also be digitized from film or prints) and votes will be tabulated on the CUPS Website. Though Contest #1 is strictly digital, you are also agreeing to provide a photo print which fits a 16 x 20 frame, should you be among the top 17 vote-getters as these will be invited to enter Contest #2.
   More information will be posted on the website as to how to vote online.
   
2. Contest #2
   People's Choice Contest will be voted on by the general public who attend the A-1 Sale in person. (1st, 2nd, 3rd and two honorable mentions)
   It happens that we have 17 frames that are 16 x 20 suitable for hanging at the A-1 SCUBA space. You may use these frames or use your own (matting at your discretion.) The highest 17 vote-getters from the CUPS Member Digital Online contest will be invited to submit 16 x 20 prints for the existing frames. The images displayed during the People's Choice Contest will be drawn from the seventeen (17) photos which received the most votes in the CUPS Member contest. These will be displayed and voted on by attendees submitting paper ballots at the A-1 May 22-23 sale. There will be three place winners and two honorable mentions in the “People’s Choice” awards for this part of the contest.
   

• Submit your digitized images (.jpg format preferred) either by an email attachment to daigle_john@hotmail.com or present them in person at the CUPS Tuesday meeting, April 20. To maintain impartiality, John Daigle will not be entering the contest. Instead he will make sure the images are posted on the website with the descriptions and report the votes.
• If email attachments are a problem, you can also submit them on Disk, a USB Flash (Thumb) Drive or in person at the CUPS meeting this coming Tuesday night (or via regular mail if you like.) Also, if you have posted to your CUPS Member Gallery, let me know the name and where it is and I'll get it from there.
  
• You may submit as many as two (2) photos per category (Artistic and Behavior). Important: Be sure to let John know:
  
• Your name and email address and phone number
  
• Name of your entry (e.g., "Clark's Anemonefish in purple anemone")
• Short description. (e.g., House Reef, Wakatobi, Sulawesi, Indonesia.)

• Website submissions deadline has passed.
• Website voting deadline is May 11. An announcement of the winners will be posted May 12.

April Meeting Shout-out
to John Warn for a terrific and colorful talk on Fiji. And, WOW, ask him to show you his impressive publication on Fiji.

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:

    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 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. 

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

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.

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.

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 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

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.*****

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. 

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 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.

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 

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 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 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

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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)

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

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

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.

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	"

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

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)

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).

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 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).

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...

•    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

• 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 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/

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

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

1. Nikonos II camera with 35 mm lens.
2. Tray for the Nikonos II, with male dovetail for attaching strobe arm.
3. 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.
4. Oceanic 3001 strobe with recharger (still works).
5. Synch cord from strobe to E/O camera connector.
6. E/O connector (two connectors).
7. Extension tube framer (1:2) for camera.

ALL THIS STUFF FITS TOGETHER AND STILL WORKS

1. Oceanic 4 1/2 “ arm with female dovetail as above; ball and bracket at other end.
2. Oceanic 6” arm with ball and angled end for attaching to strobe. Com,es with screw knob for attachment.
3. Unidentified rod with 1” ball at one end, attachment screw and plate at other for strobe. Overall 11 ½”.
4. Heavy duty Tussey strobe arm clamp for 1” ball arms; 7” overall length.
5. N-II O-ring kits (2), unused.
6. 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.
7. Sea and Sea 17mm “wide lens” for Nikokos cameras. In original box with lens cover.
8. 6” arm with female dovetail and screw at one end, 1” ball at other.
   

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.

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 

Coming up for Tuesday May 19 meeting:

Ed Turns Red!

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. 

Mike Stallings Video Gallery

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

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!

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.

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