Stephen Frink Underwater Photo Instruction

Check out
"Teaching Digital
in Key Largo"

Digital Master Class 1

June 12 - 19, 2010

Price $1295 per person (exclusive of hotel and diving package), limited to 14 participants

Digital Master Class - July 31 - August 7, 2010
Price - $1295 per person, per person (exclusive of hotel and diving package), limited to 14 participants
Prerequisite - Minimum 2 years experience with digital SLR housing. Must have a laptop computer for class.
UW Photo Instructor Stephen Frink, Digital Imaging Guru Eddie Tapp (http://www.eddietapp.com)

The digital revolution has obviously arrived for underwater imaging. No real surprise there, for the benefits are staggering. The ability to capture more images on a single dive, economy of not requiring film and processing, and the immediacy of review on the camera’s LCD are some of the obvious benefits of digital imaging. There is no reason not to embrace digital imaging, except for the uncertainty of the new paradigm. An immersive week on location with Stephen Frink can show the workflow shortcuts and creative techniques to make you a much more accomplished digital shooter.

There are now a number of high quality underwater housings for a variety of high-end digital SLR camera, and our digital seminar is structured to optimize the hardware issues with these housings, ports, and strobes; as well as software used for browsing, archiving, and processing digital images. This course is held only in the summer in Key Largo to assure the best possible weather and water clarity conditions.

Key Largo also offers the advantage of the infrastructure of Stephen’s studio, staff, and longtime friends at Ocean Divers. Actually, summer in Key Largo may offer the world’s best underwater classroom, with clear water and massive fish populations within the protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the special Sanctuary Preservations Areas (no-take zones) off Key Largo.

Our group operates as a private charter aboard Ocean Divers’ 48-foot custom dive boat Santana. Set up perfectly for day diving with underwater photographer’s convenience in mind, the Santana offers a wide and stable platform, dual camera tables, camera rinse tanks, and fresh water showers. The daily choice of dive sites is dictated by the kinds of subjects we are covering, chosen for the best opportunities for wide angle, macro, or fish photographs.

The course template includes daily two tank dives and classroom sessions. There will be guest lectures by Photoshop guru Eddie Tapp (www.eddietapp.com) as well. This course is optimized for those using digital SLR cameras, and laptop computers optimized for image processing. The course is limited to 14 students to assure personal attention and ample review time for the projected digital images. Bring your laptop, bring your housed digital camera, and conquer the Brave New World of underwater digital imaging.

Only 14 students are accepted so book early to reserve a spot! The course fee for Stephen Frink’s School of Digital Underwater Photography is $1295. Additional expenses include the diving and lodging packages. We recommend participants stay at Marina Del Mar, sample packages as below.

Digital Master Class 2

July 31 - August 7, 2010

Price $1295 per person, per person (exclusive of hotel and diving package), limited to 14 participants

Digital Master Class - July 31 - August 7, 2010
Price - $1295 per person, per person (exclusive of hotel and diving package), limited to 14 participants
Prerequisite - Minimum 2 years experience with digital SLR housing. Must have a laptop computer for class.
UW Photo Instructor Stephen Frink, Digital Imaging Guru Eddie Tapp (http://www.eddietapp.com)

After over 20 years of teaching analog photo courses, in June of 2006 we ran our first Advanced Digital Seminar. Limited to experienced shooters eager to quickly advance their skills in digital capture, workflow, and post-production (with emphasis on Photoshop); and limited to only 14 participants to assure enhanced personal attention, this was a tremendously successful experience for all. Stephen invited special guest instructor Daniel Brown, formerly of Adobe and now veteran of numerous underwater photo clinics in the Florida Keys, Bonaire, Indonesia, and the Bahamas; to handle the sophisticated Photoshop and Lightroom skill sets. This allowed Stephen to remain tasked to issues specifically relating to optimized workflow and in-water photographic technique. Together they provided a wonderfully informative week, highlighted by stellar weather, excellent water clarity, and the prolific marine life and colorful shipwrecks that make Key Largo famous.

This proved the right template to carry forward, and our Digital Master class has proved to be extremely popular, selling out consistently by word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat participation. What makes this class so special?

• This is a wonderful opportunity to dive the preferred reefs and wrecks in the Upper Keys, during the best time of year, and with a dedicated dive boat specifically catering to their underwater prerogative.
• This is a deep immersion into the workflow and software applications that make managing digital files easy and powerful. Software used includes Photo Mechanic, Lightroom 2, and Photoshop CS4.

The smaller group makes the learning dynamic more personal and the dive boat more spacious.

Only 14 students are accepted so book early to reserve a spot! The course fee for Stephen Frink’s School of Digital Underwater Photography is $1295. Additional expenses include the diving and lodging packages. We recommend participants stay at Marina Del Mar Oceanside. This is where the classroom sessions are held, and the proximity to Ocean Divers assures maximum convenience and comfort.

Sample Hotel packages and rates (based on 2009 rates charged by hotel and dive operation, may be subject to change when hotel 2010 rates are announced. For general information only):
Marina Del Mar Resort and Marina, Oceanside:
Land-view King or Doubles - 7 nights accommodation, taxes and service charges - $880.00
Marina-view King or Doubles - 7 nights accommodation, taxes and service charges - $1040.00
Ocean Divers Dive Package = $595.00 per diver:
6 days of 2-tank dives daily, tanks, weights/belt included
Package includes: 6 days of 2 tank diving, tanks, weights