UKDIVING
Above : Nudi Creran . A trip to Scotland ’ s west coast would usually include a dive or two in Loch Creran . This shot was taken in the narrows just upstream from the bridge ( careful monitoring of the tidal flow is required ). The surprise for me was finding several examples of Flabellina pellucida around 75-100mm long – bigger than usual and big enough for me to spot !
Below : After several years using film underwater , this was one of my very first digital images . Taken off Lundy Island in 2006 . A compass jellyfish with several juvenile fish sheltering in the tentacles .
Capernwray is a good spot to dive when en-route to and from diving in Scotland . This is especially true on the return leg when all the kit gets a good wash in fresh water . There are plenty of resident fish , including trout but the stars for me are the sturgeon , which seem quite happy living there .
Above : Porthkerris has been a regular dive location for me , and the Helford River estuary makes for some easy diving , with plenty to photograph . Mating groups of sea hares are not uncommon , and this trio made for an ideal close focus wide angle shot . The expression on the face of the individual at the front says it all .
He bought a second hand Nikonos camera [ a range of underwater 35mm format cameras designed for underwater photography , launched by Nikon in 1963 ] after just a year of diving . However the camera flooded while being handled by a friend and Arthur ’ s photographic ambitions went into a long hiatus . He decided to get behind a camera again after encountering a juvenile humpback whale off Newfoundland in 1999 and feeling the immense frustration of not being able to record the event .
Arthur has always been a member of BSAC , qualifying as an Advanced Diver and joining RAF Brize Norton and later RAF Lyneham Sub-Aqua Clubs , both Special Branches . “ My diving was initially about wreck hunting , often ending with an entry of ‘ HMS Vicinity ’ in the logbook ,” Arthur says .
In time he became a highly respected photographer , with plenty of success in the annual Splash-in organised by the British Society of Underwater Photographers ( BSoUP ). He also took over as Chair of the Bristol Underwater Photographic Group ( BUPG ), which became a hothouse of creativity on his watch .
Ultimately , his goal was to show that cold water seas can be just as colourful as tropical reefs . He still gives talks on diving to photographic groups that culminate in a section on British seas . “ I think that photography helped me become a better diver , more aware of my surroundings ,” he concludes . “ It ’ s a wonderful way to share the beauty of the sea .” �
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