NJ OWLers got a look at the colorful and fascinating world of SCUBA diving and underwater photography at the September meeting. Our presenters had a combined diving experience that stretched over 50 years, and their diverse interests within diving provided a varied view of this specialized pursuit.

Vincent Matulewich is Managing Deputy Chief in the NJ Division of Criminal Justice. Presently he works to prosecute those engaged in insurance fraud, but for many years he helped convict illegal ocean dumpers, and supervised the Division's Dive Team. Nancy Beiger is a Supervising Investigator for the Division of Criminal Justice, and is herself a diver. Her husband, Don, is a SCUBA instructor and dive shop owner.

Vince emphasized that a diver's skill, gained over a period of time, is the "secret to successful photography underwater." He stressed the importance of safety through vigilant maintenance of equipment, honing diving skills and maintaining an ongoing awareness of one's surroundings underwater.

To get certified in SCUBA, Don explained that prospective divers must become proficient in three areas: classroom instruction, diving within a confined area, and finally, diving in open water. One does not have to be a strong swimmer to dive, he said, but it's important to learn how to maintain "neutral buoyancy," to move underwater with minimal effort. This involves learning how to use a buoyancy control device that controls airflow.

Don allayed fears about sharks by citing that last year there were 80 cases of sharks biting humans, as compared to 1500 reports of humans biting each other.

Nancy Beiger offered a woman's perspective, and pointed out that due to an increase in the numbers of female instructors, as well as the increased availability of equipment geared towards women, they now comprise 30% of all divers in the US.

Having established the importance of diving skills, Vince gave an overview of photographic equipment and tips on obtaining better pictures.

He recommended using a film camera, over a digital camera, and said print film was easier for beginners to use, than slide film. There are three types of cameras used in underwater photography: amphibious cameras, conventional cameras contained in special housing to protect it from water, and "point and shoot" cameras. Strobe lights are very important because they bring out the color of marine life that otherwise would show up a dull gray. A flash can be used in addition to the strobe. Another important accessory was a macro lens to make sharp images when photographing subjects at close range. As with diving, good underwater photography comes with practice, he said.

To cap off his presentation Vince, who photographs predominantly in the Caribbean, treated us to a show of his work. He contrasted his first images (taken with a simple camera sans strobe) with subsequent ones taken with a strobe. The results were startling. The blue-grays of the marine life in ordinary light were transformed into all of the colors of the rainbow.

The series of pictures that followed revealed his love for, and level of expertise in, underwater photography, as well as his high regard for marine life. The show culminated in examples of macro photography in which he photographed coral in progressively closer ranges, revealing smaller creatures within the folds of the coral. It gave an intimate view of the symbiotic relationship shared by the many creatures of the depths.

Our thanks to Vince, Don and Nancy for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for this fascinating pursuit that explores the many kinds of wildlife beneath the water.

submitted by Sandy Norman

Don, Nancy and Vince