HAWAII PHOTOQUEST

Lava tubes, Manta Rays and Martin

Saturday 23rd September - Sunday 1st October 2006 (9 days)

Leader: Martin Edge

Group size limit: 12 divers plus leader and assistant

Martin wanted something 'completely different' this year, so we came up with the idea of chartering a liveaboard boat which sails from Big Island (Kona), Hawaii! Hawaii is situated in mid-Pacific, between California and the Philippines, and the Kona Aggressor , has been chartered exclusively for our use. Lava tubes, maybe some fabulous pelagic encounters and fascinating macro life will be the subjects for our group of aspiring underwater photographers.

Martin Edge has been leading underwater photo expeditions and courses for the last seventeen 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 reviewing those images! There is tension in the air: anticipation, trepidation, concern! Will it be "David Doubilet get worried!" or "**** it's out of focus!"?

But things have changed rapidly in the world of photography. The digital photographic revolution is here 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 welcomes the challenge of digital underwater photography.

Some photographers (including Martin) continue to use both film and digital. Whilst there may be 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 have made the change from film to digital. And E6 processing is getting harder and harder to source. 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 getting the shot right 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. He doesn't aim to make you an expert in Photoshop, simply a better underwater photographer.

On this Photoquest, the leaning possibilities are endless as the ideal learning environment is created: a safe and accessible photo-friendly dive boat and the opportunity to dive from dawn until dusk, then do a night dive. Martin will guide you towards making a plan for your photo-dives, taking into account your overall objectives, the dive sites and potential subject matter.

Is this Photoquest expedition for you? If you enjoy comfortable liveaboard boats, the company of like-minded travellers and a flexible dive trip with opportunities to dive early morning through to late evening, then this is a trip for you. Lava tubes, some exciting pelagic encounters and fascinating macro life will be the subjects for our group of aspiring underwater photographers. Sneak up to a turtle resting quietly at a cleaning station or work on fish portraits or fish schools as they weave and shape-shift in the light. With a little luck we will have some fine sightings of Manta Rays, particularly at night, as they are drawn towards the lights of our boat to feed. Coral is not the main attraction in Hawaii, but there will be many other subjects to inspire, perhaps passing Spotted Eagle Rays or a pod of Short-finned Pilot Whales.

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 divers means that everyone gets plenty of 'Edge-time'. All this combined with a superb, dedicated dive boat all to yourselves. Imagine relaxing in the hot tub with a cool beer and chatting about the images you have taken and those you are yet to shoot!

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!

Kona Aggressor carries 14 passengers in six Deluxe Staterooms. Please see the Big Island, Hawaii entry earlier in the brochure for dive site and boat descriptions. The boat departs from the dock outside King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, a 460 room hotel in Kailua-Kona town. This full-service hotel comprises two six story blocks of rooms joined by a lobby and shopping mall. There are a variety of room types available from Standard Rooms overlooking the town, to Oceanfront Suites. All the air-conditioned rooms have private balconies, full bathrooms, coffee and tea making facilities, TV and in-room safe. Hotel facilities include a pool and whirlpool spa, sauna and beauty salon with massage facilities. Should you wish to arrive early for the trip or stay on for a few days after the trip, please call our office for details of room rates, which start at around US$100 (twin/share).

Itinerary

Saturday 23rd September: United Airlines morning flight from London (Heathrow) bound for Kona via Los Angeles. Arrive at Kona in the evening. Transfer to Kona Aggressor at Kailua-Kona dock for a 7 nights stay.

Sunday 24th September - Thursday 28th September: Five days of 'unlimited' diving, including night dives.

Friday 29th September: Morning diving is available. At 1300 the boat will return to dock and you are free to go ashore for sightseeing or shopping. In the evening there will be a cocktail party, before you are taken ashore. Dinner is not served on board and the evening meal will be taken at a restaurant of your choice ( this meal is not included in the holiday cost).

Saturday 30th September: Early afternoon departure on United Airlines bound for London via San Francisco.

Sunday 1st October: Evening arrival at London (Heathrow).

£2278 London/London (or £1636 Kona/Kona) in a Quad Cabin

£2478 London/London (or £1836 Kona/Kona) in a Deluxe Cabin

Includes:

" Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Los Angeles/Kona/San Francisco/London(Heathrow) by United Airlines.

" Airport transfers in Kona.

" 7 nights cruise on Kona Aggressor on a twin/share of quad/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night), including non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.

" 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

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

Important: The airfare component of the tour price is a typical economy fare available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking, based on your individual requirements (for example, you may want to extend your holiday, or travel from an airport other than London, or use a different airline). Our quote, which will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge, may be higher or lower than the airfare included here.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a guaranteed cabin to yourself a £904 supplement applies . Cabin-mates will be allocated on a first-come first served basis.

Deposit: £500

For details of the diving accommodation and flights, please see the Big Island, Hawaii entry earlier in this brochure.

Note: Flights between London and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington are operated daily, so it is quite simple to stop-over in one of these exciting cities before and/or after the cruise. Arrangements can be made for you to stay at the Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, Kona either before or after the cruise. Please contact the office for further details.