"The two week photo workshops in Nuweiba gave even more spectacular results than last years.  This time the groups explored the outside sites of Pipelines and Sinkers, which provided some stunning photographic opportunities with the gorgeous pink soft coral overhangs that these sites are so famous for. My wish for a frogfish worked and a gorgeous large one arrived on Day One on the House Reef and by the end of the first week was sitting right on top of the pinnacle, posing for everyone!   

As ever, the house reef was teaming with life and everyone during the two weeks couldn't believe how many different subjects they saw including Pgymy Pipe Horses at just three metres in the sea grass.  A huge well done to everyone who took part with a special well done to Ambrose Stickney for completing his Deep Dive and passing his Advanced Course and to Alex Cook for passing his Advanced too and seeing a huge green turtle on his Underwater Photography Dive with Noeleen.   

These sites are absolutely perfect for learning about different underwater photography techniques using natural light, wide angle and macro techniques as well as video.  All future courses will come with an accompanied CD to help course guests get an idea of the wonderful underwater scenery that awaits them."

The next course with Maria is 6 - 13 October at Emperor Nuweiba.

Email reservations@emperordivers.com for more details and don't delay as these are seriously sought-after courses.

Guest divers' showcase...

  Overall Week 1 winner, Vicki Wusche

   Best overall Week 2 winner, Gill Gibson

   Fish in a rope by Bob Parsons

 Fish shoal by Russell Dunn

 Hermit crab by Bibi

  Lionfish at Sinkers by Dave Cook

 Lionfish at Sinkers by Sue Wadman

 Pipeline by Ambrose Stickney

 Puffer fish by Dale Turland Ord

 Sinkers by Mark Glynn

 Sinkers by Zara New

 Turtle by Emperor Nuweiba dive guide, Noeleen

Remember we told you about Nuweiba's alternative tentacles on June 10? Well, dive centre manager, Jim Pickup, did. The photo we had turned out NOT to be a mimic octopus but thanks to Jane Morgan, editor of Dive Online, we know that mimic are indeed to be found in Nuweiba as Jane wrote and told us...

"Just read your post re the mimic at Nuweiba.. it certainly does exist.. I have several pictures of it and the marble shrimp.. infact they are also in the June issue of DIVE in an article I wrote on Nuweiba."

You can read Jane's article here and to prove the point, here are Jane's photos:

Gary Ball, Marsa's Dive Centre Manager reminds everyone, "Do pass in your good pictures to us for our 'just for fun' pic of the week competition (this one won hands down!). All the winners go into our end of year draw to find Picture of the Year and the chance to win a brilliant prize.

For your chance to not only take fantastic photos but to dive with a great team, contact Emperor Divers today.

• 13/11 - 20/11: Emperor Superior - Simply the Best from Safaga. £280
• 19/11 - 26/11: Emperor Superior - Simply the Best from Safaga. £280

• December  Night Diver (3 dives)    Cost: 75 Euro (usually 150 Euro
• January   Digital photography  (Level 1 & 2)*  Cost: 60 Euro (usually 120 Euro) 
• February  Videography (3 dives)   Cost: 75 Euro (usually 150 Euro)
• March      Enriched Air Nitrox Diver (2 dives)   Cost: 50 Euro (usually 100 Euro)

You can use these courses to familiarise yourself with the techniques, knowledge, planning, organisation, potential hazards and safety skills for various areas of diving. The Specialty Course is a safe and supervised introduction to that area. We do ask that you complete one day's recreational diving before taking a specialty course to check weights, buoyancy and equipment.

There is no manual needed for the Videography course and the cost of the camera rental is also down by 50%. So in February, you can make some great savings as it will be 75 Euro instead of 150 Euro excluding tax.

Email reservations@emperordivers.com today and save your place!

Due to a sell-out success for the 16 September dates, a second week has now been confirmed, which runs smoothly on from the first. You can now book to arrive on 21 September with the course starting on Tuesday 23 September.

Details are just the same as the first course, see below...However, you might want a fast-track link to get this booked info@emperordivers.com

Start date: 16 September (FULL) NEW date: 23 September
Course cost: 120 Euro per person

Learn how to use your compact camera to take your underwater photography to a new level. Emperor Divers and Ocean Visions are continuing their successful Underwater Photography Courses aimed at beginners with digital compact cameras who want to learn and develop their skills from a shore base rather than liveaboard.

Mark Harrison

For more information, contact reservations@emperordivers.com


Royal Photographic Society award for photo instructor
Maria Munn of Ocean Visions has been awarded a Licentiateship from the Royal Photographic Society for her own portfolio, which was submitted recently. Interestingly, four of the ten photographs submitted were taken with a compact camera and a variety of Inon Lenses and Strobes. There will be Inon Equipment available for guests to try out at the Nuweiba Photo Workshop to show guests how their photos taken with a compact camera can stand out from the rest.

Date: 15/05 - 22/05/2008
Cost: Liveaboard 1075 Euro pp + Course 160 Euro pp

Emperor Divers has launched a new liveaboard safari where you can choose to learn about the fundamentals of underwater ecosystems and why marine life behaves the way it does. Why are some fish monogamous and others polygamous and why should that affect their colouring? No prior knowledge is needed.

On the same safari, Peter Bergquist, a well known underwater photographer featured in a number of international magazines and books, will lead a new digital underwater photo course teaching the basics of underwater photography for beginners and intermediates, so no prior knowledge is needed.

So you can take both or one or the other - now that's variety!

The Eco and Photo courses run side by side and take place on Gold Fleet liveaboard Emperor Majesty with air-con ensuite cabins and salons, a large dive deck and sun deck, Jacuzzi/hot tub plus two towels and a bathrobe each!

Email info.safaris@emperordivers.com to book your place today.