Photos from Martin Edge trip to CEBU

[Tazzie]

I've finally got around to posting up some of the pics taken on the fantastic 10 day photogrpahy trip to CEBU (Philipines) I had with Martin Edge.

the photos can all be found here: Tazzie Blowing Bubbles

And if you don't get around to reading the report it's here:

We had a stunning house reef to dive on as well as up to 3 boat trips (on outriggers, large enough for up to 8 people comfotably) a day and our evenings were spent either in Workshops led by Martin or critiquing our photos taken that day.

The resort is quite small with I think c20 very nice double / twin rooms set around a pool and overlooking the house reef. There is a bar and restaurant on site along with the dive centre and well equiped dive shop.

I cannot begin to explain how much I learnt over the trip, from composition (which i thought I was ok at until we started discussing contrasting colours, accessability of subjects, leading lines, surface texture to mention but a few), working with models (and Sylvia (Martin's wife) and Amanda (Shannon Conway's wife), experienced models and fantastic spotters (and photographers!!) through to the think and consider system Martin talks about in his book. The critique sessions were brilliant and gave us a real opportunity to look at what we were producing followed by the opportunity to return to the same reef / part of the reef and improve on what we'd already done.

Down time was spent in the well stocked bar with yet more opportunity to talk about photography and get some great ideas from not only the other photographers in the group but also Shannon Conway, one of Martin's proteges who is a professional photographer in his own right! I met a fantastic group of people who all shared the same passion - perfect!

I can't wait for the next opportunity to go on one of these trips, Martin is an incredibly insightful and knowledgeable chap whose encouragement and eternal optimism of your own ability is to be commended! If you get the chance to go on one of these trips then I can highly recommend them, pretty much regardless of the location! (Although I did love Kasai!)

PS I have to admit not all of these photographs are fantastically brilliant technically but i had to include many of the ones i just really liked!

[Cussy]

Tazzie,
Very clear marked improvement in those shots. Very impressive. Quite a few cracking shots and lots of really nice abstracts or different views of familiar things. You must be well chuffed?
Rob

[DDT uk]

What is this? You've been away on some far flung holiday.....I find that hard to believe

As Rob said, the improvement even compared to the last trip is quite something. There really are some cracking shots.

Daniel

[Tazzie]

He he he Yes I am really chuffed indeed. I have a much clearer idea of what it is I am trying to create now, just need to wait for the opportunities and then I can start working on the how

Am hoping to be able to jump in on Swanage Pier at the weekend and get some practise, it's apparently been undiveable (well certainly unphotographical (is that a word?!) since the beginnging of the year

[DDT uk]

We were meant to be down there last weekend for the Photosub group Splash In. Viz was so bad apparently that no-one entered a single shot.

[Tazzie]

Hmmm not surprising... A call to the dive shop I think!

[DDT uk]

Tazzie

As a matter of interest, how did you find Cebu in comparision to Bali?

Maria and I are looking to go to one or other later in the year.

Daniel

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by DDT uk

Tazzie

As a matter of interest, how did you find Cebu in comparision to Bali?

Maria and I are looking to go to one or other later in the year.

Daniel

Ooo tough question...

The beach diving in Tulamben, Bali was without doubt the best I have ever done, the house reef amazing, the Liberty wreck amazing and a 2 minute boat drive around the corner amazing, coupled with my first foray into muck diving, all with usually no current if you hit the times right. For a photographer these things pretty much make a holiday for me.

The only problem for me was the fact we were shore diving, we accessed the sites above via the shore which is made up from volcanic rocks that are not comfortable to walk on with heavy camera rigs - however apparently the porters will carry your gear for you.

The rest of Bali sucked for me, the mantas / mola mola dives were not camera friendly and to be honest I wouldn't go back down the south if I had a fully paid trip given to me. I've since met numerous people who had fantastic dives down south, although none of them photographers to be fair.

Cebu had a lovely house reef with some great places to photograph corals without disturbing anything due to large amouts of sandy gaps scattered about. The cave was fantastic, the plane something different to what I'd seen before. We were totally free to do what we wanted in terms of numbers of shore dives on the house reef, which was a major plus point

Also the fact we were a trip full of phtoographers really made it one of the best experiences I've had

The accommodation I thought was better and definitely the service better than in Bali (I am a bit fussy though!)

c24 hours door to door for both trips (ok that's not strictly true, 27 hours for Cebu)

The problem is it's not a level playing field, I didn't approach the Bali trip the same way as I did Cebu and so from that aspect Cebu was by far the better

But it's about the diving, the variety of fish isn't it so to be honest, *puts head on the line* I'd go for Bali, with a trip to Menjangan (the marine reserve rght up North which I missed) included and bin the south. Flippin heck, I never thought I'd say that!! Although I do reserve the right to carry on complaining about how hard accesswas, my feet hurt just remembering getting in the water in Tulamben!



PS I'm off on a familiarisation trip to the 2 Atlantis resorts in the Philipines in May - that might better these two! Sorry - couldn't resist given your comments earlier

[DDT uk]

That really is excellent Tazzie. Thanks.

Tulamben Resort have quoted us EUR620 for a 9 night stay with 5 days unlimited shore diving and 3 days local day trips, so we wasn't going to stray down south. [They also offered us EUR480 for 6 nights, 4 days shore and 2 day trips].With £500 for the flight it means it is comparable to a weeks Red Sea liveaboard. Cebu was around the same cost but limited to 2 dives a day.

The question then becomes whether Cebu would be sufficently better diving to make it worth it. From what you say about Tulamben this would seem the better choice. We are both very happy to dive the same sites providing that there is sufficent variety.

Daniel

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by DDT uk

That really is excellent Tazzie. Thanks.

Tulamben Resort have quoted us EUR620 for a 9 night stay with 5 days unlimited shore diving and 3 days local day trips, so we wasn't going to stray down south. [They also offered us EUR480 for 6 nights, 4 days shore and 2 day trips].With £500 for the flight it means it is comparable to a weeks Red Sea liveaboard. Cebu was around the same cost but limited to 2 dives a day.

The question then becomes whether Cebu would be sufficently better diving to make it worth it. From what you say about Tulamben this would seem the better choice. We are both very happy to dive the same sites providing that there is sufficent variety.

Daniel

The guides in Tulamben do need a little education, they like to actively point out some stuff by disturbing it / it's environment which isn't great but swimming off without taking pics can sometimes get the point across.

We stayed in the Mimpi which was reasonable, outside bathrooms though (with frogs ) which I didn't like at all - the food was very good though, service not quite so good.

Hand on heart I think Cebu isn't significantly that much better, what made it for me was the group I was with. I don't think you'd be disappointed with Bali (remember to take some hard soled booties though, those damn rocks )