DIVEMASTERS 2001 Photo Contest rules updated!

The size of photo submissions for the 2001 Photo Contest has been increased to a maximum of 8"x12" to provide greater enhanced displaying of all photographs.

With all of the wonderful submissions last year, electing the 2000 DMAV photo contest winners were tough decisions, and the 2001 contest should prove to be even more challenging.  With the new dive season upon us, now is the time to start photographing that winning entry.  Gift certificates of $100 / $50 / $25 will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

2000 Club Cookout and Treasure Hunt at Lake Rawlings

The 2001 dive club cookout has been scheduled for August  11 - 12 (Saturday - Sunday) and will be held at the Lake Rawlings Quarry.

The cost to each member for the cookout is $20 / day which includes the cost of admission to Lake Rawlings and a DMAV Treasure Hunt.

The Treasure Hunt will have many activities and prizes for the winners.  Additional information will be provided as available.

Contact Lake Rawlings (804-478-9000) for camping reservations or Nottoway Motel (804-478-4421) for motel reservations.


The cookout committee volunteers are :

Ed Acton

Sharon Acton

Debbie Bradshaw

Christine Ford

Please feel free to contact any of these club members or Jim Cook with any suggestions or requests for the cookout.

Underwater Photography Fundamental tips (part 1)

Taking underwater pictures is both very challenging and very rewarding.  This series of articles will help both the beginner and experienced photographer alike.  Beginning with basic fundamentals and advancing to professional tips & tricks in later issues.

Things to Consider
Underwater, you are up against a number of environmental problems that you don't have to deal with on land, water pressure, cold, buoyancy, corrosion, suspended particles to name but a few.  Be ready ahead of time for these.

Dive Duration

Dive duration time limits the amount of time you have to take pictures. The deeper you go the more air you use and the more nitrogen your body absorbs further reducing your time underwater. There are good reasons for diving shallow. You have more time underwater for composing pictures. There is more life in the shallow waters.

Water Resistance

Water resistance hinders our movements. Water is about 800 times more dense than air and resists your movements.
Bulky underwater photographic equipment increases your resistance in water and can lead to fatigue. If you are using large camera housings and large flash guns, they may tire you out if you are swimming against a current.

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