Bllue Bubbles Fiji Photography has launched the first underwater photography school in Pacific Harbour.
The school will be offering three unique courses, which can be taken separately, or in conjunction.
- Shark Specialty (US$350 – FJ$775.91)
This course will focus on the challenges of capturing fast-moving sharks in an underwater environment speckled with particles known as “backscatter.” Students will learn how to deal with erratic shark behavior and capture stunning shots.
- Coral Scape (US$325 – FJ$ 720.49)
This course will focus on the dive sites at Beqa Island and involve the use of a fish-eye lens to capture a larger view of a coral bommie. Students will work on lighting, composition, dealing with the current, and using the “pace” of the dive to create more artistic shots with slow shutter speeds and other techniques.
- Creative Macro (US$325 – FJ$ 720.49)
This course is designed for serious photographers who want to push their boundaries. It involves getting extremely close to the subject and magnifying the creature at levels much higher than what is visible to the naked eye. The relatively still shot offers opportunities for creativity.
Owner and director, Alison Clare Smith was delighted to be given the opportunity to begin a photography business in Fiji.
She thanked the support given by Investment Fiji.
The United Kingdom nationalist is a keen conservationist who has been sailing and diving in Fiji for more than 10 years. She is passionately attached to Fiji.
Ms. Smith is offering free media assistance to conservation bodies looking for underwater photography in Fiji, as well as resort-based workshops and private tuition on wide-angle and creative macro techniques.
“Fiji’s turquoise waters and beautiful underwater world attract thousands of divers from around the world every year,” she said.
She added the volcanic topography of our island archipelago has graced the country with vast soft coral valleys and seamounts filled with life.
“To many visitors, Fiji is the dream of a far-flung tropical paradise. Be speckled with shallow reefs, walls, sea mounts, and lagoons, scuba diving is important to the Fijian economy.
“A high percentage of visitors to Fiji will snorkel or dive, contributing a large amount of money to Fiji’s GDP and employing many Fijians,” Ms Smith said.
“I hope the launch of Blue Bubbles photography school can put Fiji firmly on the map for a growing segment of serious divers who wish to improve their photography.
Blue Bubbles to work with AquaTrek
Ms Smith said giving tourists the opportunity to dive with large numbers of bull sharks, silver tips, grey reefs, tawny nurse sharks, lemons and the occasional elusive tiger not only was economically significant for Fiji – it also shifts the balance.
“As human beings, Fiji’s shark population is worth much more to us, as protected species that we revere, rather than dead on a fishing trawler.”
Capturing a shark on camera
Capturing a shark on camera, over and over again, is exponentially more lucrative, than capturing it on a fishing line.
“The shark feed at the Bistro dive site is the unique draw of the area and almost all divers visiting Fiji will stop by to enjoy these incredible creatures,” Ms Smith said.
“I have dived all over the world yet my jaw still drops every time I see the size of the pregnant female bull sharks.
“I am excited to team up with Aqua-Trek.”
Ms Smith resides in Savusavu.
What is one place in Fiji you would take visitors to?
My favourite place in Fiji is the Southern tip of Taveuni as there is no sand to fight when doing underwater photography and it has a resident bull shark.
What is one place that is on your bucket list?
My bucket list is one day to build a house in Fiji so I can have 20 rescue dogs
What is your favourite place for coffee or pie?
I don’t eat pies but I’d love another sunset wine at the Grand Pacific and one of the vegan cakes at Mana Cafe, Suva.
Story: Waisea Nasokia
Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj