Click http://www.seelifethroughthelens.com/workshops.php?sess=1  to see workshop dates

I spent a week in the Scilly Isles with some of the guys and girls from Divelife in Manchester, we had a fantastic few days before the weather turned and I managed to get these fabulous sunset images

I am getting close to finishing the “How to…. Shoot Water” and I though I would share some of the droplet photos I’ve been playing around with, it’s not as easy as it looks!!

In this new feature I ask my favourite photographers the top ten questions burning in my mind! If you have any questions you would like to ask top photographers please email me helen@seelifethroughthelens.com

  This month, to introduce the new feature, I was lucky enough to catch up with Martin Edge. Martin is probably the best underwater photography tutor in the world and certainly taught me everything I know! His passion and encouragement has been a great inspiration to me and I was really pleased he agreed to answer a few questions to launch this newsletter feature. 

When did you get your first camera and what was it?

I was a diver first and didn’t have the faintest idea what an F stop was but wanted to take some photographs of what I was seeing! In the late 1970s I borrowed a Nikonos 3 and was taught all about ISO, shutter speeds, F stops etc by a friend of mine whilst on surveillance of a vice squad operation! I took the Nikonos to Minorca where I was supposed to be diving for a week but the compressor had packed up so I spent all week with the camera snorkelling and came back with 5 slide films that all came out – I was hooked! 

When you started out, what were you taking photographs of?

Anything underwater on a 35mm lens. You had to guess the focal length and aperture, set it and shoot!

When and how did you become a Pro Photographer?

I became totally obsessed with underwater photography and read everything I could, which was precious little at the time! As fate had it I stumbled across some major ideas about shooting underwater such as shooting at eye level or up and I immediately started to win competitions. I wrote an article for a dive magazine and was asked to do a regular spot in the 1980s. I was then asked to run a workshop which I did in someone’s pool in their back garden, we developed the slides in a shed at the end of the garden! That led onto writing an article for Sport Diver which at the time was run by Peter Rowlands, so it was a great honour for me and I’ve written an article for the same magazine every month for the last 22 years! I was asked to put together a series of articles and make into a book which I did. The book is now in its’ 4^th edition and has been translated into 6 languages.

What’s your “don’t leave home without” camera accessory?

My camera jacket! At the last count it has 17 pockets and has been known to carry 25kg of camera equipment when checking in to go abroad!

What’s your favourite photo subject / location?

Light (he says with absolutely no hesitation!) The St John’s caves in the Red Sea are fantastic for shooting light. 

Why?

Because it’s all about the light, both underwater and on land.

What’s your all time favourite photograph you have taken?

My jellyfish

 Where / what would you most like to photograph that you haven’t done yet?

Cenotes in Yukatan, I’m really excited because we’re going there next June.

Who inspires you?

My first hero was David Doublet, I like Chris Newburt’s work too. On land it has to be Joe Cornish, David Noton and I like the way Jonathan Critchley processes his work.

What’s the best bit of advice you have ever been given and by who.

If you want to achieve your ambition you just gotta go for it, if you have the will to do it, you will! My mum said that!

A massive thank you again to Martin for letting me delve into his history and find out what makes him tick.

Looking to improve your landscape photography but don’t know where to start? See Life Through The Lens run Landscape Photography workshops in and around Dorset and Hampshire and will show you the way to make stunning images in camera without the need of lengthy post processing skills.  You will have the opportunity to shoot 2 dawn locations, 2 day locations and 2 sunset locations on the workshops with both formal training and on location tuition which is tailored to your individual needs. The courses include 2 nights Bed and Breakfast accommodation and some refreshements on location. I am pleased to announce that the 2011 workshop dates have been arranged and are on the website for your perusal http://www.seelifethroughthelens.com/workshops.php?sess=1

If you have any questions about these workshops please do not hesitate to contact me on helen@seelifethroughthelens.com or 07866 440740 

Due to changes being made on facebook I have now added a See Life Through the Lens Photography PAGE. Check it out to enter the Monthly Challenge and all the latest news

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