Intro to Underwater Photography for Snorkellers and Freedivers | Marlon Quinn

Learn to enjoy the creativity and spontaneity of underwater digital photography in new ways snorkelling and freediving and take photos you'll remember with PADI Freediving Instructor Trainer, Marlon Quinn. Blairgowrie, VIC

This 3.5 to 4 hour practical training workshop will spark your imagination and move your from the action of taking pictures of things towards capturing photos of unique moments. In this dedicated PADI Digital Underwater Photography training course for snorkellers and freedivers, students will learn more than just about gear and how to use underwater cameras and action cameras like GoPro, it's about how to behave in the water, positioning, relating to the marine life and environment and looking at the underwater world in ways that maybe haven't occurred before. 

Led by PADI Freediving Instructor Trainer, Marlon Quinn, this specialty workshop will introduce you to choosing the right underwater camera system for you and the PADI method of taking photos (SEA - Shoot, Examine, Adjust) plus practical skills for composition and capturing photos on your digital camera. 

Duration: Approx 3.5-4 hours

Format:

• On-line learning at own pace in own time
• Meet and pre-dive briefing
• Shore dive #1
• Surface interval break and review of images
• Shore dive #2
• Post-dive review and discussion of photography workflow using images

Group Size: Maximum 8x

Rental Photography Equipment Available:

• GoPro Hero
• Nikon 1 J5 with underwater housing, including dome lens and mounting tray with left and right hand grips

*Rental equipment is selected during the booking process after you have chosen your date and time

Before You Begin: 

Before attending this workshop, please ensure that you have:

1. Signed up for and completed your PADI Digital Underwater Photography eLearning, (available separately or can be purchased as an extra)
2. Completed and provided your health questionnaire and waiver, and
3. If freediving, supply a copy of your existing freediving certification.

In this workshop you’ll benefit from becoming more confident with your underwater photography skills and more in tune with taking photos of your environment. 

Whether you're a regular snorkeller or have fun freediving, this is a fun way to extend your joy in the water with your underwater camera gear. 

The session covers:

• Camera systems and digital photography basics
• Underwater photography and shooting using your camera
• PADI SEA method (SEA - Shoot, Examine, Adjust)
  
• Camera maintenance and care
• Basic camera settings for underwater photography
• Composition and positioning, choosing subjects
• Photography workflow  - downloading, storing, organising and naming images, processing and backing-up
• Images review

What to bring:

• Wetsuit (Full body 3mm-5mm recommended)
• Towel and swimmers
• Mask & snorkel, Fins and weightbelt (weightbelt only allowed for qualified PADI Skindivers or certified freedivers)
• Underwater camera, fully charged batteries and empty memory card, eg, Olympus Tough Tg-6 or Nikon AW300 or GoPro 
• Questions and curiosity
• Food and drink for for surface intervals
• Dry and comfortable clothes, hat, sunscreen etc for after training sessions

Structured Workshop:

Led by your friendly expert coach, this 4-hour workshop includes guided tour of the site and tips and techniques instruction. Followed by review of images and discussion of lesson outcomes and continued learning opportunities.

Small Classes:

The workshops have a maximum of 8 participants per session to ensure you get plenty of time with your coach to maximise your development. Consider 1-on-1 private lessons if you prefer.

Training Outcomes:

At the end of the session you will have learned how to manage and care for your camera equipment, practiced taking underwater photos using different settings and compositions, and be able to manage your images using a workflow. Participants who successfully perform the criteria of the PADI Digital Underwater Photography course requirements can choose to be certified and be issued with an e-certification from PADI.

Terms & Conditions:

• Bookings are non-refundable
• Date changes are allowed with at least 7 days notice
• Courses are held near Melbourne in Blairgowrie, VIC
• Tours depart from Blairgowrie Pier
• Meeting at Blairgowrie Marina Top Car Park (Google Maps Pin here)
• All Students must be minimum 14 years of age
• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before commencement time to ensure you have enough time to check in and get settled
• Please dress comfortably
• Please bring a bag with your swimmers, wetsuit, mask, snorkel and weightbelt (optional), a towel and your own re-usable water bottle
  
• Guests must be able to swim. Courses do not cater for people with no swimming ability. The Instructor retains the right to refuse participation in which case your attendance is forfeited
  
• Guests with back, neck, or heart conditions, those who are pregnant or who have injuries/conditions that may cause a risk to their health are advised not to participate, or do so at their own risk
• A medical statement must be submitted to attend the course
• All participants under the age of 18 years must have a parent/guardian sign all applicable waiver/medical forms
  
• Subject to minimum numbers and may be rescheduled if minimum numbers are not met
  
• The supplier reserves the right to substitute the venue / pool and / or change the day’s itinerary without notice