Ever since I can remember, folks have told my wife (Anita) and I that we “don’t act our age.”
I’ve always taken that as a compliment even though I’m pretty sure that’s not how it was always intended!
I mention this because last month, Anita suggested we get SCUBA licenses. A lot of folks get SCUBA certified, so that’s not that unusual…but Anita and I aren’t kids anymore. In fact, we had already had gotten certified a while ago (okay, it was three decades ago) before kids and careers had engulfed our lives. In fact, I found it pretty funny that our new SCUBA instructor hadn’t even been born when I earned my first SCUBA certification in 1985.
Anyway, Anita and I just got back from a cruise to the Caribbean and we went diving every time the ship hit a new port. Not only did we get to indulge our new SCUBA hobby in some wonderfully exotic locations, but I got to do some underwater photography that I’d like to share with you.
There were certainly some strange critters to see.
And the colors…wow, all you need is a strobe…and then some of the colors you see are just unworldly:
There was drama:
Underwater caves:
Sponges and fans:
And all kinds of colorful, vibrant and beautiful fish:
One of the things I love about photography is that it just never gets old. I mean there is just so much beauty in the world, in so many different places and much of it requires that you learn new techniques or master new equipment. For example, although I’ve done quite a bit of photography while snorkeling, I found that underwater photography while scuba diving to be much different. Now I’m excited to have a whole new world to explore!
Not all of my photos from this trip were taken underwater…
And one last photo… Anita and I were grabbing some lunch in Grand Cayman when we noticed a rooster running down the sidewalk. It started heading toward a KFC. Anita and I looked at each other and without a word she herded the beast toward the sign while I snapped off this shot:
Life should have good smile in it at least once a day!
Take care,
Jeff
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Debra Petre
14 Dec 2014I really enjoy reading your blogs and pining over your photos. These images you posted underwater are magnificent, so many vibrant colors and creative patterns. It’s funny that you mention getting certified for Scuba diving; my husband was just talking about doing the same thing (we’re in our 40’s). Not sure if you’re familiar with Brevard County, Fl, but if you could recommend any good/trustworthy places to get scuba certified, we would appreciate it. Enjoy your new discovery of underwater photography. Can’t wait to see more.
Jeff Stamer
15 Dec 2014Hi Debra,
Thanks for your compliments! It is always wonderful to know that folks appreciate my work and enjoy the blog! I hope your husband and you follow-thru and get certified…Anita and I are truly enjoying it. I am familiar with Brevard, but unfortunately I don’t have any experience with any of the scuba instructors over there. What I did was search for reviews on Trip Advisor. Then, as long as the instructor is PADI certified and the schedule and price of the class fits your needs, then I don’t think you can go wrong. Take care, Jeff