SULAWESI PHOTOQUEST

Create and capture superb images in the Sulawesi Sea

Sunday 2nd October - Sunday 16th October 2005 (15 days)

Leader: Martin Edge

Group size limit: 12 photographers plus leader and assistant

The combination of reef vistas and coral seascapes in the Bunaken Marine Park with unique 'creature encounters' in Lembeh Strait offers an amazing series of photo-opportunities for the underwater photographer. Combine this with easy air travel on excellent airlines, very comfortable accommodations, lots of diving and Martin Edge and you have the ideal trip for those wanting to further their underwater photography skills.

Martin Edge has been leading underwater photo expeditions and courses for the last fifteen years and leading groups with Divequest since its inception in 1996. Working with aspiring underwater photographers is a great inspiration to Martin. Channelling enthusiasm, encouraging experimentation, calming those equipment mishaps is all in a days work for him. Nothing gives him more satisfaction than the seeing those expectations met with delight at the end of the day when the slide films return from processing! There is tension in the air. Photographers are edgy (excuse the pun) and full of eager questions, How long to dry?, When will we see them?, Where are they?, Can I have a quick look?  anticipation, trepidation, concern!

But things are changing in the world of photography. The digital photographic revolution is gaining momentum and there is no going back. Instant feedback of underwater pictures via the camera LCD screen takes no more than one second! (Remember the time when one thought that having a processed roll of E6 slide film returned before the end of a day's diving was quite an achievement?) Martin finds digital underwater photography a welcome challenge.

Some photographers (including Martin) continue to use both film and digital. Whilst there is nothing more satisfying to a passionate photographer than that feeling of elation at a pin-sharp, beautifully exposed, colourful image jumping out from a piece of film, the fact is that many are making the change from film to digital. Seeing the results at the time of capture is definitely a useful way to rapidly improve your underwater photography. Martin can view the image with the photographer at the time, make suggestions regarding composition, lighting angles and negative space, and then he can stick around until the shot is 'in the can'. All of this whilst underwater!

Although beginners to digital underwater photography have a tendency to be more interested in how they can use their creativity via a computer long after a shot is taken than at the time of getting the shot in the first place, Martin's aim is to get it right down there, under the water at the time! Every effort will be made to correct at the time of taking, before you return to the surface, reviewing the LCD thoughtfully and critically under the water before the end of the dive.

On a Photoquest, the leaning possibilities are endless as the ideal learning environment is created: a safe and accessible photo-friendly dive resort, dawn till dusk diving and E6 processing for film users. Photographers have a chance to plan their day's photo-dives taking into account their overall objectives, the dive sites and potential subject matter.

Is this Photoquest expedition for you? If you like to dive a different dive site every time you enter the water, if you like the extremes of depth or if you find yourself bored after a couple of dives on the house reef then this trip is not for you. But, if you enjoy a flexible and laid back dive trip with opportunities to dive early morning through to late evening, either from a boat or from shore, and you enjoy the company of like-minded divers, this is a trip for you.

Why take a trip with Martin Edge when you could go it alone? Firstly, he has no photo secrets at all. Everything he knows he shares with others, whoever they may be. Secondly, he dives and takes pictures with you, side by side. Where he goes, you go. What you shoot, he shoots. He will show you how to look for macro and wide-angle opportunities: how to use your eyes, mind, memory and imagination to enable you to 'see in pictures' and 'see in your mind's eye what the lens may see'. Limiting the trip to only 12 course members means that everyone gets plenty of 'Edge-time'.

Sylvia's role is one of   logistics manager and 'fixer'. She will model for wide-angle photographers, or be a buddy when required. She is a great creature spotter and has an excellent eye for an underwater composition. Join Martin and Sylvia for a trip of a lifetime!

Itinerary

Sunday 2nd October: Singapore Airlines midday flight from London (Heathrow) bound for Singapore (or morning flight from Manchester).

Monday 3rd October: Morning arrival in Singapore. Connect with morning Silk Air flight bound for Manado. Afternoon arrival in Manado. Transfer to Santika Manado Hotel for a 6 nights stay.

Tuesday 4th October - Saturday 8th October: Five days of 2- or 3- tank boat diving, including a full day safari to Bangka Island.

Sunday 9th October: After a leisurely breakfast, depart for Kungkungan Bay Resort for a six nights stay. Arrive at Kungkungan Bay in time for lunch. Optional shore diving in the afternoon.

Monday 10th - Friday 14th October: Five days of diving (3 boat dives daily and unlimited shore diving tanks).

Saturday 15th October: Morning at leisure before packing up and departing for the airport for a Silk Air afternoon flight to Singapore. Evening departure from Singapore on Singapore Airlines bound for London or Manchester.

Sunday 16th October: Morning arrival at London (Heathrow) or Manchester.

£2004 (non-divers: £1494) London/London

Includes:

" Scheduled flights London(Heathrow) or Manchester/Singapore/Manado/Singapore/London (Heathrow) or Manchester by Singapore Airlines and Silk Air.

" Airport/hotel transfers.

" 6 nights room and breakfast in a Superior Room at Santika Manado Hotel.

" 5 days of diving (3 days of 3-tank boat diving and 2 days of 2-tank boat diving) including lunch on diving days, dive guide, cylinders and weights with Thalassa Divers.

" 6 nights full board in Plantation House rooms at Kungkungan Bay Resort.

" 5 days of diving (3 boat dives daily plus unlimited shore diving tanks), dive guides on boat dives, cylinders and weights at Kungkungan Bay Resort.

" Services of Martin Edge as group leader and Sylvia Edge as assistant.

Upgrade to Deluxe Room at Santika Manado Hotel and Cottage Suite at Kungkungan Bay Resort: £144. Upgrade to Deluxe Cottage and Deluxe Room: £207.

Single Occupancy Supplement: £216. Single room supplement for an upgrade to Deluxe Room at Santika Manado Hotel and Cottage Suite at Kungkungan Bay Resort is an additional £150. Please note that, while we will endeavour to find a room-mate for those on the expedition who are travelling alone and would prefer to share accommodation, in the event of a room-mate not being available the single occupancy supplement will apply. Room-mates will be allocated on a first-come first served basis.

Deposit: £300

For details of the diving accommodation and flights, please see the Manado and Kungkungan Bay entries earlier in this brochure.

Note: Should two people travelling together apply for the last place on the tour, we may, at our discretion, increase the group size limit by one.

Note: Flights between London and Singapore are operated daily so it is quite simple to stop-over in Singapore if you wish.