Things are picking up momentum here as we reach the end of the first week.

Today we had boats going for Mantas, sharks, macro, reef and channel dives.

One of our guests, Sheila, spoke up about wanting to dive with each of the pro’s during the week and today she received her wish – on her boat were three pro’s as well as Bill and Patricia.

She posted a facebook status talking about the ratio of pros to divers on her boat, the ratio was one-to-one for three tanks.

The conditions keep getting better, the chatter in the dive shop was about the water clarity and strong presence of life – everybody came back happy from the Caverns and southern walls, it was stunning this morning.

We drifted to the Caverns along Gilman wall and met Bill’s group at the amphitheater.

We had big fish, schools of fish, avalanches of reef fish parading down the wall and all kinds of cleaning activity at the cavern pinnacles. The reef was bustling today and all but one of our pro’s were at the site filling their SD cards.

So far we’ve learned how to keep our gear in good working order, the use of natural light, how to shoot models, about non DLSR photography and all about Manta Rays. We’re winding up the first week and expecting a full house this weekend and a pumping final week for this year’s Fest.

Guest Media

We have our first submissions from contest participants, Judy Bennett, who’s never missed a Manta Fest who’s also one of last year’s winners, dropped off some of her work to share with you.

Judy Bennett – DSLR

 Sheila Ott – Point and Shoot

Manta Fest Education and Media

Today we have two classes and one media presentation. Julie Hartup from Manta Trust is offering up everything she knows about Manta Rays, while pro presenter Ray Bullion is hosting a non-DSLR photography workshop on the Mnuw. Later in the evening Marty Snyderman’s media presentation was on “Sharks in the Wild”.

Julie Hartup

Did you know that a lot of scientific data is gathered by studying Mantas at fish markets around the world?

That’s how little we understand about these creatures.

How long is their gestation period? When do they reach sexual maturity? How often do they mate/breed? What drives their behavior?

These questions are being answered by scientists in the field, like Julie. Manta Trust has researchers all over the world collecting data and reaching out into the diving and fishing community to gather information as fast as they can to lead conservation efforts.

Her life work is dedicated to the protection of these animals with her PhD project throughout Micronesia and the Marianas islands.

Ray Bullion

Point and shoot photography is defined by Ray Bullion as “non DSLR photography”.

Today’s technology packs a lot of features into a palm-sized camera system, and with external strobes a lot can be done with these devices.

Ray is educating guests on features, use of as well as lighting with these smaller photography systems.

This is a photography contest for everybody, there’s small action cameras that will be dropping media and gunning for prizes along with these point and shoot cams.