Today I sat in on Joe's Digital Underwater Photography Instructor course, as taught by Carl. We spent the morning learning how to properly take a picture on dry land and talking about the challenges presented by underwater photography. Much emphasis was placed on macro photography, which is a fancy way of saying "make small things look awesome." (Please keep your jokes to yourselves.) Afterward, we walked around the neighborhood behind the shop, practicing our new skills. Carl led our photo safari, giving tips and feedback to help us out. I was disappointed by the fact that my final shots weren't much better than my first couple shots, but I still felt I made some progress.
Ready for underwater shooting, we drove to The Steps, a dive site in Kurnell. I've heard stories of amazing sights to be seen at The Steps, so I was excited to go. The entry point Carl and Joe used is known as The Leap, as it calls for the diver to jump off the side of a rock and plummet into the ocean. I scrambled out to the end of a nearby rock to film their death-defying jump, and after they descended, explored the dive site. The Leap was at the bottom of a small cliff that has been carved out by the ocean over the years, which is an incredible sight. I snapped a few pictures of the area to post here, rather than trying to put it all into words. (Coming very soon.)
Since the guys were on a drift dive, I got to drive the truck down to the exit point, the first driving I've done in Australia. Despite signaling a turn with the windscreen wipers, I made it safely down the harrowing hundred-yard stretch of road to the exit point, The Steps. Although the diving community tends to be cryptic in the naming of their dive sites, I will boldly assume the site got its name from the stairway down to the ocean. Also an impressive place, with ocean-hewn rocks lining the bottom of the cliff. Near the path down is a sacred Aboriginal site, which Carl said was very important to the Botany Bay Aborigines. He also pointed out a column carved into the rock, a remnant of the first Western settlers. While waiting for Joe and Carl to surface I explored the area, practicing my macro photography on the way.
After the two dives were over, I got to hear stories and see pictures of of the giant rays and weedy seadragons they had seen . Never have I wanted to go diving more. I hoped the cabin fever wouldn't set in for a while longer, but I'm starting to get all ants-y in my pants-y. But on the bright side, Joe had some awesome pictures from the dives, so the day was a success.
We debriefed at the shop, and headed home, as Joe and I have a Gas Blender course tomorrow. It's tedious reading, but it'll be a good course to have under my belt. Still have a bit more left, a chapter to finish and mixes to learn before I sleep. And mixes to learn before I sleep.
Yours in Blog Post Rambling,
Robert
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