Great Barrier Reef, Australia - My Dive Pics

[Patwa]

...not to detract from edr42's amazing picture log of his GBR dives, I figure it is about time I post shots of my recent dive trip to the Barrier Reef. Well, it's not that recent...it was back in April/May 2008 It was such an amazing experience...once in a lifetime......well, almost .....can't wait to head back there one day!

My base of operations was Cairns....a hot, tropical city on the north eastern coast of the continent, in the State of Queensland. My dive operator was Pro Dive - one of the largest and most respected dive establishments in the area.

I chose the PADI Open-Water 5-day 'Learn to Dive' course - 2 days in class, plus 3 days liveaboard on the boat for the certification and fun dives. All in all, a GREAT deal....I highly recommend it to anyone.....met piles of people (mostly backpackers)...enjoyed waaaay too much fine aussie beer, and finally, topped it off with 3 days of excitement on the Reef.....awesome.

-Pics taken with a Canon S1 IS (3.2MP)....with a custom underwater housing
-Colour correction and processing was done in Photoshop

at Melbourne airport waiting for my plane to take me to Cairns

The Outback

Pro Dive Training Centre

On to the Reef!

 

[Patwa]

snorkelers, ahoy!

 

[yousmellsfishy]

Beautiful top sides. Any UW shots?

 

[Patwa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14115562#post14115562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yousmellsfishy
Beautiful top sides. Any UW shots?

oh yeah ....i've got about 300 images to post....so, let's get it started!

keep in mind, this is my first ever dive...as such, my picture taking skills don't leave much to be desired. However, as you will see, the photos I post from my subsequent dives get much better with regard to colour and clarity

Green Turtle!!!!......pretty freakin amazing for a dude's first ever dive, eh???

 

[Patwa]

 

[Patwa]

a. formosa forest!!!

Zach

 

[jnb]

I always dive with my camera - and dive a lot - you did great! - look at those corals - were you iusing an external strobe? If not, you did even better.

 

[Patwa]

Thanks Nick! I thought I did good, too Even the dive masters on the boat were impressed with my camera....but yeah, no strobes....once i get a hang for diving, i'll prolly invest in a sweet SLR...then a nice pro rig with strobe and all....but that'll come in time

but really...when I explained to them that the camera was over 4 years old, plus only 3.2MP they were shocked! heck, even my underwater housing impressed them! hahaha shoudl have told them I paid $150 for the housing on eBay! lol

Zach

 

[m0nk]

Those are some great pics! Really makes me want to go diving there.

 

[Capt_Cully]

OMG

 

[Patwa]

here's the next batch

self portrait...hehe

massive blue-spot stingray

pink skunk clowns in an anemone

a very sweet leather.....nice yellow base, with almost white polyps....*droool*

 

[Patwa]

 

[Patwa]

two maxima clams....for a size comparison, the one on the right is about 3 ft approx, measured lengthwise...crazy!

Zach.

 

[iamwrasseman]

awesome dude, thanks for the vacation i just got !

 

[Patwa]

 

[Lordhelmet]

I need to get certified

 

[yousmellsfishy]

Sweet pics!! Thanks.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14134588#post14134588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lordhelmet
I need to get certified

:thumbsup:
I am taking my final class tomorrow night and will be doing my open water cert dives on the liveaboard boat Cat Ppalu in the Bahamas in March. Nothing like diving in (literally) with both feet. Can't wait:bounce2:

 

[mandynm]

Ah I so want to go. Great pictures! Thank you for sharing.

 

[Patwa]

 

[Patwa]

a. prostrata? sweeeeeeet colouration

6 line Angel