Weedy Seadragon's photostream  

I have a few dive videos on YouTube: my channel is AquaticBuddha.

I became interested in photography when I was 15 and living in Singapore. I used a Pentax Spotmatic (nothing 'auto' about it - just 'spot'-matic, whatever that means) and had an 80 -210 lens. I took animals, kids, and travel pics mostly. For many years following this I didn't have a camera.

In June 2007, whilst travelling in Malaysian Borneo, I learned to dive (Mabul, Sipadan). I always said I wouldn't because of sharks. Ironically, I continued to surf and swim. After my first dive I was completely hooked and did a bit more diving with photographers around Mabul. In my training and in these dives soon after, I learned the wonders of muck and macro diving.

I thought diving in NSW would be boring compared to Borneo. I was very wrong. I bought my scuba gear, met some divers, and started regularly getting wet.

I have wanted an u/w camera for a while now but had to wait until January 2009. This was frustrating but okay as I've become a better diver and that certainly helps the photography.

I am really interested in sharing what I see with terrestrial humans who, like my former self, really have no idea what wonders lie so close just under the waves. I strive to communicate the beauty I see, and the wonder I feel, and in a small way help put value on these things just for existing (as opposed to being a resource).

The photography also helps me remember and extend my diving adventure. As my buddy Thierry says, "Its the dive after the dive".

Oh, and I love this Flickr networking thing; viewing others' insane pics, learning about other critters and places, and stumbling upon people with a passion to share.

Snap ya later.

PS: If you are a dive photographer, please try to be aware of where your fins, etc.