downunderpix wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year.

We look forward to seeing you in the H2O in 2014.

Here is our  first Newsletter. If you would like to receive it regularly via email in the future please drop me an email to info@downunderpix.com

201311 dup newsletter

On Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th of October the Noarlunga and Southern District Camera Club are once again hosting the annual Photography Expo at the Arts centre, Port Noarlunga. The event continues to grow steadily, and 2013 will be no exception. All the stunning images on display will be by South Australian photographers, and include digital art, portraiture, black and white fine art printing, underwater photography, and wonderful scenes from Australia and beyond. We proudly announce Paul Macdonald among the exhibitors this year.

http://www.compassfoto.com/Compass_Photography/Photography_Expo_2013.html

Edithburgh Workshop Report Our first stop was the jetty, so we could check the dive conditions – it was lovely: the ocean was flat, and the water was crystal clear – consistent with the forecast. There is an old saying “A Picture is worth a thousand words”, so it was important for our workshop to have best water conditions for our participants to build on and improve their underwater photography skills and take their best underwater pictures. (…)

A Different Kind of Dragon

The leafy sea dragon (Phycodurus eques) is endemic to the waters of southern Australia and are closely related to seahorses and pipefish.  The leafy sea dragon is the South Australian Marine Emblem and they get their name from the leaf-like appendages on their bodies. They resemble pieces of seaweed, which makes them difficult for predators to find in their natural habitat of kelp and seaweed. Leafies are generally brown to yellow in body color with spectacular olive-tinted appendages. As an adult they can reach a total length of 35 centimetres.

The leafy sea dragon sucks up its prey using its long pipe-like snout and small mouth. Its    favourite food is mysid shrimps. Being slow moving, they rely heavily on camouflage for  survival, but also have long sharp spines along the side of the body. They are also able to change    colour to some degree. So much so that they blend in very well with their habitat. For novice divers Leafy sea dragons are extremely difficult to locate and many swim past thinking this majestic creature is just a piece of weed. With experience they are more easily spotted and once found are amazing to watch as their movements mimic the swaying kelp. They steer and turn by moving the tiny, transparent fins along the side of the head and move through the    water using the dorsal fins along the spine. Sea dragons have eyes that move independently of one another and the pattern around the eye is unique to each sea dragon. This pattern is used to identify individual animals.

Read more: A Different Kind of Dragon

Solitary_Islands – download the brochure

Paul Macdonald, South Australian Underwater Photographer will  be leading an underwater photography focused dive trip to the beautiful Solitary Islands on the 16th – 23rd April 2014. The cost  of $1245 per person includes 7 nights at Mullaway, 12 dives with Dive Quest, tanks/weights/airfills, return airport transfers (if required). Use your frequent flyers, arrange your own flights or take your car. Indicative return airfare costs – Qantas $504 or Virgin Blue $418 (per internet search 28/07/13).

The offer is limited to the first six payed up divers.

To book in email: info@downunderpix.com

downunderpix will  be proudly running an underwater photography course in Edithburgh.

Edithburgh is a magnificent location for easy shore based diving and completing your PADI Digital Underwater Photography course.

The cost of the course is $375 and includes 2 course and 2 practice dives Edithburgh Jetty (plus an option for a recreational night dive), two nights accommodation at Sultana Point Lodge and Breakfast each morning.

See the Edithburgh_Course Brochure for more information.