CAPTURE YOUR ADVENTURE!
Learn Underwater Photography the Easiest Way--
with Cathy Church and her Great Staff.
Classes to suit ALL levels and ALL cameras!
Cathy has been teaching underwater photography for over 40 years. She doesn't just throw facts at you, she adjusts her teaching to match how you learn and she loves watching YOUR photos get more and more beautiful.
1. Do you teach Land Photography, Video or Image Editing?
2. Can I learn with any camera?
3. What is a class like?
4. Should I bring samples of my past photos?
5. Should I learn with Staff or Cathy?
6. Can I get PADI specialty Certification?
7. How much does it cost? How do I reserve space?
8. What Scuba gear is best to use during the photo course?
9. What type of photos can I expect?
1. Do you teach Land Photography, Video or Image Editing?
Yes we do. We teach all types of photography, videography as well as digital image-and video-editing (Photoshop, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, iMovie and more). You can have a private or semi-private class with one of our instructors or attend an evening group class. As always you will learn in a fun relaxed atmosphere.
2. Can I learn with any camera?
You can learn how to take pictures underwater with any camera that can be used underwater. We can help you to get the most out of your point and shoot camera or the most advanced SLR. If you need a camera with manual adjustment controls, add-on wide-
angle lens accessories and an external strobe, we can show you the best options. Avoid frustration and increase your shooting pleasure from the very beginning!
With new systems changing so quickly, we don't try to remember where every button is on every model, so please bring your camera manuals to the lesson. The concepts remain the same but the menus and terms change with each manufacturer.
Need to rent a system? We recommend learning on the Olympus E-PL2 (the EPL3 housing will be out in a few months), but we also have the Olympus XZ-1. Students get 50% OFF rentals used during classes!!
(Gretchen Myles enjoys a lighting tip from Cathy in the classroom.)
3. What is a class like?
Digital classes are offered at our photo centre at Sunset House in Grand Cayman. Typically they include about two hours in the classroom, plus an hour and a half for a shore dive, weather permitting. Or you can charter Cathy's new private dive boat, MY Photo Journey, for diving on sites beyond Sunset Reef.
(Christine Smith pretends to be interested in what her good friend Cathy is pretending to say at the water's edge at Sunset House.)
Classes usually start at 8.30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Topics vary to meet your needs and can include an introduction to digital concepts, the basics of photography, camera settings, optimum menu settings for underwater use, strobe aim and exposures, camera handling and diving with a camera.
You can cover the basics in one class or divide it into two. The first class can emphasize how to take exciting close-ups of beautiful small creatures such as hermit crabs and Christmas tree worms. In the second session you will photograph scenes of sponges and corals with friendly fish at greater distances with sunlit backgrounds.
In advanced sessions we can move on to creative strobe lighting and improving your composition. You can also learn about underwater image editing -- as a brief overview during a regular class or in more detail in a dry lesson.
(Christine Smith takes the leap after a last-minute tip from Cathy.)
4. Should I bring samples of my past photos?
Yes, if you have already taken pictures with your camera underwater, bring some earlier photos if you can, so that we have a better starting point. Bring both good and bad -- either on your laptop, thumb drive or CD/DVD. It isn't absolutely necessary, but it helps to identify camera problems and previous good and bad techniques
5. Should I learn with Staff or Cathy?
Cathy is a superb instructor who brings over forty years of teaching experience to your lesson. She knows how to adjust the teaching style to match your learning style and knows how to change her explanation to match your interest level. This is especially apparent underwater where she can sense subtle needs and help you adjust your technique. In spite of the time she has spent with students, she is as enthusiastic today as she was when she first started. She gets excited to see your photos get better with each adjustment and is quick to compliment and make sure that above all else, YOU are having FUN.
She loves teaching even the most basic beginner as they have no bad habits to undo. She starts her lessons with her famous "This is the front of the camera and this..."
Cathy has a wonderful and friendly staff who are eager to help you have a great time with your underwater camera. Addie and Tee have worked with Cathy and are knowledgeable, patient and enthusiastic.
6. Can I get PADI specialty Certification?
We offer the following PADI specialties: Digital UW Photography I, Digital UW Photography II and UW Videography. The certifications require completion of one, two and three dives respectively. There is an additional charge of US$40.00 for each certification.
7. How much does it cost? How do I reserve space?
US $60 per hour per person with our instructors.
(50% off for family member second person)
$125.00 per hour with Cathy. Call for rates for additional students.
We will ask for a deposit of US $60.00 per session with a staff instructor or $125.00 per session with Cathy. We accept Visa, MC & Discover. Your deposit is refundable up to 48 hours before your class is scheduled, but is fully refundable due to weather conditions preventing a dive.
Call us to book your classes now: 1-607-330-3504 / or email
9. What type of photos can I expect?
Here are a few recent student photos. Except for the turtle and puffer fish, these are examples of typical scenes that everyone can expect to enjoy on virtually every dive. We see a turtle on about one dive in five and puffers only occasionally. We also have a wreck and a mermaid and lots of other scenes and characters and a surprise or two or three, also.
I generally ask my students in advance if they would like their photos posted here and they have all said yes, so if I missed asking you and you do not want this photo used here, please let me know.
We look forward to helping YOU get wonderful photos underwater, too!
Revised December 17, 2011