Western & Central Pacific
TRUK: THE ART OF UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Images of Lost Ships
Dates: Sunday 11th May - Sunday 18th May 2014 (8 days)
Leader: Shannon Conway
Group Size Limit: 15 plus leader
Imagine descending on to one of the world famous wrecks in Truk Lagoon, maybe the San Francisco Maru or the Fujikawa Maru, ships that last saw the light of day in 1944. The wreck lies before you, clearly delineated but eerily shadowed by its violent past. Wreck photography poses challenges that are somewhat different to working with other subjects. So who better to have with you to achieve that master image: the ultimate wreck shot? Shannon Conway!
Why Truk? Why Shannon? Why Odyssey?
With the help of an experienced and acclaimed photographer at your shoulder, who can teach the secrets of producing stunning images, you will soon find that the ‘Art of Underwater Photography’ suddenly gets much easier. Shannon believes that there is no substitute for having your own workshop right on your doorstep so that you have the time to practice what you have learned and the opportunity to go back again and again to work towards achieving that perfect image. He will help you evaluate the range of underwater photography and computer equipment and programmes available and explain the many techniques, methods and styles of contemporary underwater photography. Shannon will be available to critique your work and suggest ideas for improving your images. He will present optional talks and workshops relating to the Art of Underwater Photography, sharing his approach and experiences with you.
Shannon Conway is a professional underwater photographer creating images for the advertising, editorial and fine art market. He has an energetic passion for his photography and the patience to capture the peak of the action. You’ll quickly understand how Shannon obtains such remarkable images time and again – he puts a great deal of effort, energy and research into every shot and he does not give up! Shannon is a popular leader and his enthusiasm is infectious.
Originating from Poole, on the Dorset coast of England, Shannon has always been fascinated by the ocean, spending most of his childhood summer holidays in Bournemouth with his grandparents, searching rock pools for marine creatures. Shannon and his wife Amanda moved to Fremantle, Western Australia, in 2006 in the search for crystal blue waters and sunny skies. After changing from a previous working life in IT, Shannon now focuses on his new career, sharing his passion by teaching underwater photography.
Shannon is a very successful underwater photographer, and has won a variety of awards from the Western Australian Underwater Photographic Society and the British Society of Underwater Photographers. He has also been awarded the top slot on many Photoquests and was the winner in the underwater category of the prestigious Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and Papua New Guinea Nature and Landscape Photographer of the Year award in 2007 and 2008.
An Art of Underwater Photography trip is not about how much you know, how much equipment you use or even how much experience you have. The trip is about making wonderful images, about achieving your potential and, ultimately, having a huge amount of fun. Being amongst a group of like-minded friends who are also keen and eager to improve their photography is a huge advantage over taking a trip with the general diving public.
Truk is simply the finest wreck destination in the world for underwater photography. Bikini may have the finest wrecks but, as they require decompression diving, they are not the first choice for most underwater photographers. And remember, wrecks don’t move, so you can plan those shots knowing when and where the light will strike. You can plan when and where to place your model (or not, as the case may be), how to light the shot and where you want to be. You can even do the dive all over again if you wish! The wreck will still be waiting for you …
Odyssey is simply Truk’s finest liveaboard and the first choice for comfort and facilities. With the co-operation of others on the trip and a little organisation there is the chance to dive a wreck simply in buddy pairs so that you could have the entire wreck to yourselves without others in the shot!
If you enjoy a flexible dive trip with opportunities to dive early morning through to late evening, if wrecks inspire, and you enjoy the company of like-minded divers, this is a trip for you.
For details of Truk diving and Truk Odyssey please see the Truk section of our website.
Example Itinerary
Sunday 11th May: Evening arrival at Truk. Transfer to Truk Odyssey.
Sunday 11th May – Sunday 18th May: 7 nights with five and a half days of diving the wrecks of Truk Lagoon.
Sunday 18th May: Disembark Truk Odyssey after breakfast with a day at leisure followed by a late evening departure to the airport.
Monday 19th May: Very early morning departure from Truk to Guam.
Important: The basic itinerary involves the shortest timeframe that can incorporate the cruise, but as the journey to Truk and back is a long one many people like to spend more than a week there. It is possible to arrive in Truk before the start of the cruise and stay at Truk Blue Lagoon Resort (either with or without diving) and it is also possible to stay on after the cruise ends (again, either with or without diving).
For example, by arriving in Truk on the morning of Friday 9th May, you can have a couple of days to acclimatize, test out your gear and dive or relax at Truk Blue Lagoon Resort before joining Odyssey on the Sunday. If you leave Truk on Tuesday 20th May by the afternoon flight, instead of very early on Monday, you will benefit from a bit of post-cruise catch up! This itinerary is obviously longer and more costly, but is more ‘time efficient’. Longer stays on Truk can easily be arranged.
For details of Truk Blue Lagoon Resort please see the Truk section of our website. Please note that airport transfers will also be required as Odyssey only provides transfers on Sundays.
Please note: The number of nights required at Truk Blue Lagoon Resort may vary subject to flight schedules. We will book these for you and confirm the additional cost when flight schedules are confirmed approximately 10 months prior to departure.
$3800 (provisional price, to be confirmed) (Truk/Truk)
Includes:
• Airport transfers in Truk.
• 7 nights cruise on Odyssey with full board (except dinner on the last night) on a twin/share basis, including non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
• 5 full days diving (up to 5 dives a day, including night dives), plus up to 3 dives on the last day, cylinders (Nitrox or air fills) and weights; local VAT at 5%
• Services of Shannon Conway as leader.
Please note: A Chuuk State cruising tax and dive permit fee, currently US$30 per person, is not included in the package price and will be collected on Sunday before the boat departs from the dock. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.
Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger you can avoid paying any supplement for the boat. Cabin-mates will be allocated on a first-come first served basis. If you prefer to have a guaranteed twin cabin to yourself a £1070 (provisional price, to be confirmed) supplement applies (the two single cabins, for which there is no supplement, cannot be pre-booked as we will be utilizing them to solve rooming problems).
Deposit: £500, with an additional £1500 due 12 months prior to the trip departure.