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Underwater Photographer of the Week: Paul Pettitt

Underwater Photographer of the Week: Paul Pettitt

How did you get started in underwater photography?

My wife started diving first with the Stevenage Sub-Aqua Club in the mid-1990s. I got bored hanging around waiting for her, so I thought I might as well give it a go. I began diving when I lived in Auckland, New Zealand in the early 1990s, with my first open water dive being at the Poor Knights Islands.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

Tell us about your image which was a runner-up in the British Waters Macro category of the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019.

This picture of a sea hare was taken just before the major restoration works commenced on Swanage Pier. The subject was crawling along a broken pier leg, and was perfectly positioned for me to take a picture. These creatures are often mistaken for nudibranchs, but are a different group of sea slugs. The colour of the sea hare tends to adhere closely to the colour of the weed on which it feeds. It’s my quest to promote the beautiful sea life we have here in the UK.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt
Paul's image of a sea hare was recognised as a runner-up in the British Waters Macro category of the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019.

What came first – diving or photography?

Diving by about 20 years. I didn’t even know how to use a camera when I started. I began with a compact and had no idea how to use it so I bought a DLSR instead.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

What’s in your underwater photography kitbag?

Currently I use a Nikon D500 in a Nauticam housing. I have an old set of Inon strobes, but I hardly ever use them. The usual selections of lenses are: 60mm, 105mm and Tokina 10-17mm plus a 1.4 tele convertor. I also have a fitpro +10.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

Favourite location for diving and underwater photography?

Dorset in the UK. I think it is very a underrated location, as is all of the UK. Many divers opt for the colours of Egypt overlooking what we have on our doorstep.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

Most challenging dive?

The Mulberrys in the UK, which are relics left over from the second World War in Selsey. I got caught up in someone else’s line as I went over the side of the rib. I lost my buddy and had to spend the next 20 mins cutting myself free of line before I could surface and alert the boat.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

Who are your diving inspirations?

Ken Sullivan. For those who don’t know Ken, he is a founding member of the Stevenage Sub-Aqua Club that was established more than 50 years ago. When Ken started diving, he made his own underwater camera housings. He is still diving well into his eighties and has amassed an incredible portfolio of award-winning photos.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

Which underwater locations or species are still on your photography wish list and why?

I have never photographed whales, as the opportunity has never arisen. I’d like to photograph them in UK waters, mainly because I do not have any for my catalogue and also because I think it would be a privilege.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

What advice do you wish you’d had as a novice underwater photographer?

Try not to copy others. Find your own style and work on perfecting it.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

Hairiest moment when shooting underwater?

I was on a shallow solo dive under Swanage pier trying to capture a tompot blenny when suddenly, I was engulfed in a vortex of bubbles as my regulator house blew. Luckily, I was only at three metres so I was able to make my way directly to the surface.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

What is your most memorable dive and why?

It was my first dive in Kimmerage Bay. I was knocked out by the sheer beauty and colour of the reef.

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul Pettitt

Paul Pettitt

Underwater Photographer of the Week Paul PettittPaul Pettitt is a published award-winning photographer who learnt to dive while living in New Zealand in the early 1990s. Paul has a base in Dorset and is currently concentrating on promoting the beautiful diversity in the UK.

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@adefrutos63
#askmark How do you handle follow on dives when your last one has been very stressful due to a shortage of air?
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver
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Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
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The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

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Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.
00:00 Introduction
01:19 Scuba.com
02:13 Unboxing
03:51 Specs
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Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.
00:00 Introduction
01:19 Scuba.com
02:13 Unboxing
03:51 Specs
09:40 Review

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This week on the podcast, Professional Dive guides in the Phillipines are in hot water after a tip off that some are accepting payment for engraving names in coral, leading to authorities to quadruple the reward money for any information on the culprits. LL cool J has recently told the Guardian that the anamatronic shark in Deep Blue Sea almost drowned him. And a former Navy diver has decided to become the first to swim the English channel, on his back.



https://divernet.com/scuba-news/conservation/dive-pro-accused-of-carving-corals-for-cash/
https://www.scubadivermag.com/ex-navy-diver-set-to-swim-channel-backwards/ 
https://www.scubadivermag.com/fake-shark-parked-ll-cool-j-under-water/ 
https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/jamaica-shark-attack-decapitated-jahmari-reid-latest-457708-20240830 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg794yvkm5eo


Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join
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OUR WEBSITES

Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/scubadivermag
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

This week on the podcast, Professional Dive guides in the Phillipines are in hot water after a tip off that some are accepting payment for engraving names in coral, leading to authorities to quadruple the reward money for any information on the culprits. LL cool J has recently told the Guardian that the anamatronic shark in Deep Blue Sea almost drowned him. And a former Navy diver has decided to become the first to swim the English channel, on his back.



https://divernet.com/scuba-news/conservation/dive-pro-accused-of-carving-corals-for-cash/
https://www.scubadivermag.com/ex-navy-diver-set-to-swim-channel-backwards/
https://www.scubadivermag.com/fake-shark-parked-ll-cool-j-under-water/
https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/jamaica-shark-attack-decapitated-jahmari-reid-latest-457708-20240830
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg794yvkm5eo


Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join
Gear Purchases: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/dive-gear
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUR WEBSITES

Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/scubadivermag
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/scubadivermag
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/scubadivermagazine

We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS5FRUEzOUYxQTE4OEIyMTI3

Guides Were Paid to Graffiti Coral #scuba #news #podcast

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