Vivian and Peter really acknowledge each other’s presence and it’s simply wonderful. They are one of the most adorable duos we have shot and our photography session ended in a lifelong friendship with these cute souls. Looking forward tofuntimeswiththem.
There’s less that two weeks to go before the return of the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), and the region’s biggest dive show is shaping up to be another epic event. This time around, the show is dedicated to cephalopods—octopuses, squid, cuttlefish, nautiluses—with a celebration of marine life behavior, so attendees can expect some fascinating talks on those marvellous mollusks as well as presentations on the weird and wonderful things that animals get up to.
If those topics sounds familiar, that’s because “Cephalopods” and “Animal Behavior” are two of the categories in the ADEX Voice of the Ocean Photo+Video+Art Competition, which is hosted this year on DPG’s Underwater Competition platform. One of the highlights of the show will be the live judging event for the competition: The finalist entries will be presented to an all-star judging panel that includes Berkley White, Erin Quigley, Franco Banfi, Kate Jonker, Kay Burn Lim, Nicolas Remy, Tobias Friedrich, and William Tan, as well as VIP guest judges—and legendary National Geographic shooters—David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes.
Needless to say, alongside the presentations and on-stage events, visitors can expect halls packed with the leading diving equipment manufacturers, underwater imaging gear brands, and resort/liveaboard operators, not to mention tourism boards, training agencies, and marine conservation organizations.
The event runs from April 4th–6th and tickets are available here. Check out the press release below and head over to the ADEX website for more information.
PRESS RELEASE
ADEX Ocean Festival Singapore 2025, Dedicated to Cephalopods + Celebrating Marine Life Behaviour
Singapore, April 4-6, 2025 – The highly anticipated ADEX Ocean Festival Singapore 2025 will be held at Suntec Singapore from April 4 to 6, 2025. Marking its 31st year, ADEX remains the platform for divers, conservationists, and ocean enthusiasts to come together, share their passion, explore innovative solutions to ocean challenges, support conservation efforts, discover the latest in diving technology, photography, videography, and much more. This year’s festival promises three days of exciting events, inspiring talks, and must-see attractions for divers of all levels.
ADEX Voice of the Ocean Photo + Video + Art Competition 2025
One of the most awaited highlights of ADEX 2025, the Voice of the Ocean Competition, will return with the live judging event with entries in five categories: Animal Behavior, Cephalopods, Waterscapes, Artwork, and Short Film. This year’s edition celebrates marine life behavior with a special focus on cephalopods. The panel of judges includes Berkley White, Erin Quigley, Kay Burn Lim, Nicolas Remy, Robert Stansfield, and William Tan, with special guest judges David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes joining in as well. Each category will have multiple prizes, including the Best of Show award. More details on VOO 2025 – ADEX.
Surface Interval – Health and Fitness for Diving Enthusiasts
For the first time, the Surface Interval zone will be a key feature at ADEX, focusing on divers’ health and fitness. Attendees can explore booths offering medical consultations on breathing issues, posture correction, and diving-related injuries. This area will also feature a hypnotherapy workshop for divers with phobias like fear of sharks etc. The latest Surface Interval Magazine will be launched during at ADEX Ocean Festival 2025.
Dive Tank and ADEX Mermaid Festival
ADEX Ocean Festival 2025 will once again feature the ADEX Mermaid Festival, where skilled mermaids and underwater performers from across the globe will stand a chance to be voted ‘The ADEX Most Voted Mermaid of the Year’, based on audience votes. The Dive Tank will also host underwater rugby matches and live painting performances by ocean artists, providing unique underwater experiences.
Scuba Try-Outs and Technology Demos at The Pool
The Pool area will provide attendees the opportunity to experience scuba diving for the first time through guided try-outs. This area will also be the stage for the latest advancements in dive technology, giving visitors a firsthand look at new diving gear demonstrations.
Industry Experts
ADEX 2025 will feature insights from leading experts across multiple fields, including Tek diving, conservation, underwater photography and videography, new dive technology, education, freediving, and marine life research and much more. There will be three dedicated stages focused on conservation, Tek, and underwater image/film/book, where speakers will share groundbreaking insights, discoveries, and experiences.
The festival will bring together top international dive brands under one roof, with exclusive deals and offers for visitors. Explore a wide range of booths showcasing the latest in dive gear, dive apparel, accessories, global dive destinations and more.
For the floorplan, click HERE. Exhibitors list available HERE
Exciting Lucky Draws and Giveaways
Attendees will have multiple chances to win exciting prizes from vendors through daily lucky draws.
Sponsors
The Official Country Partner for ADEX Ocean Festival 2025 will be the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB) while the ADEX Dive Destination Partner will be Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board with DAN World joining as the Official Dive Safety Partner. PADI takes on the role of Official Bag Sponsor, while SEACAM is named the Official Dive Underwater Housing Partner. KAYASUBA will be the Official Mermaid Tail Partner, and Mermaid Federation International (MFI) will sponsor the Dive Tank. More amazing sponsors are coming in to support the Voice of the Ocean Photo + Video + Art Competition, the Mermaid Festival, and the daily lucky draws.
Be a part of Asia’s largest dive show!
This year, ADEX Ocean Festival 2025 is dedicated to cephalopods and celebrates the remarkable behaviors of marine life. ADEX is more than just a dive show. It is a gathering of ocean explorers, conservationists, and tech pioneers who are shaping the future of diving and marine conservation. Connect with experts, discover cutting-edge gear, or listen to the stories from our oceans and join a community dedicated to protecting it.
Event Details
Event Name: ADEX Ocean Festival Singapore 2025 Dates: April 4-6, 2025
Venue: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre Website: www.adex.asia
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:
Sony has announced a telephoto lens with a unique focal range, the FE 50 – 150mm f/2 GM lens which is the world’s first lens to have a maximum focal length of 150mm and f/2 aperture. The lens is lighter, weighing at about 1340g. This the company’s second f/2 zoom lens in the GM series.
The zoom range of this lens, 50-150mm and the f/2 fixed aperture along the entire zoom range, makes it a great lens for wedding, portrait and event photographers where the subject can be isolated with a shallow depth of field. Unfortunately the lens does not have internal image stabilization.
Image via Sony
Similar to Sony’s range of G Master series of other lenses, the FE 50-150mm f2 GM lens produces stunning images of very high resolution and beautifully smooth bokeh. This will make this lens a great choice for professional photographers who already work with the Sony Alpha camera system. This lens will also be a great choice for professional video makers because of its stunning cinematic results and great clarity.
The lens comes with Nano anti-reflection coating, that will help to reduce flare and ghosting significantly even in backlit situations. The lens also comes with four extreme dynamic linear motors for faster and accurate focusing.
Some of the most important features of this lens are:
Focal length – 50 to 150mm, E mount lens
Maximum aperture – f/2
Aperture blades – 11, rounded aperture
Lens elements – 19 elements in 17 groups
Filter size – 95mm
Image stabilization – No
Internal focusing and zooming – Yes
Aperture, focus and zoom rings
Weather and dust sealed
Weight – 1340g
The lens seems to be quite expensive, priced at $3,899.99 and is available to pre-order now. The estimated shipping date is towards the end of May, 2025. More details about this lens can be found here.
We have more news for you to read if you are interested at this link here.
The Art of the Personal Project is a crucial element to let potential buyers see how you think creatively on your own. I am drawn to personal projects that have an interesting vision or that show something I have never seen before. In this thread, I’ll include a link to each personal project with the artist statement so you can see more of the project. Please note: This thread is not affiliated with any company; I’m just featuring projects that I find. Please DO NOT send me your work. I do not take submissions.
Throughout my 27 years of freelancing, I’ve constantly needed book projects to maintain my sanity.
Back in October 1999, my talented editor/designer/wife Jodi and I ambitiously published my first photography book, Back on the Farm. It was self-funded and wholly terrifying…but also thrilling. We printed 4,000 copies and I figured that if we could sell them all within 10 years, the book would be a success.
Two months later, the book had sold out and a new side business was born.
Over the next ten years, we published seven more photography books about various South Dakota subjects, including a children’s book written by Jodi, and books about the Missouri River, small towns and World War 2 veterans.
After that furious decade of publishing, our three busy kids needed more of our time and the books took a backseat. But it didn’t take long to realize that these book projects had been my main creative outlet. The freedom that book photography offered was something I sorely missed as my stable of advertising clients grew and my assignment work squeezed out any spare time for book projects.
I’d been photographing western South Dakota for my fine art catalog for years, and I always knew that another book was hiding among those images. I assembled the bones of the book during the pandemic and shot the remaining 60% of the photos between 2020 and 2024.
We published West River in October 2024. The book is a tribute to ranching families and the amazing landscape they inhabit, as well as a few other uniquely western South Dakota tidbits. The title is derived from how the Missouri River splits the state into halves, known by residents as East River and West River.
We are planning to publish East River in late 2027, and it will be an equal-sized companion piece to West River.
With these new book projects to work on, most of my sanity has returned! They’ve been great fun to plan and execute, and in turn I believe these personal projects make my corporate work better
Greg Latza is a freelance photographer based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The majority of his work is for agricultural, industrial and energy clients, most notably Tractor Supply Company and Kubota.
Suzanne Sease is a creative consultant and former ad-agency senior art buyer. She works with both emerging and established photographers and illustrators to create cohesive, persuasive presentations that clients can’t resist.
Suzanne offers something rare: an insider’s perspective on how client’s source creative talent. Her deep understanding of the industry is underscored by her impressive resume: 11 years as senior art buyer at The Martin Agency, seven years as an art producer for Capital One, and stints with the art-buying department at Kaplan-Thaler and the creative department at Best Buy, where she applied her expertise to reviewing bids to see which were most likely to come in on budget. Over the years, Suzanne has worked with a wildly diverse range of clients, including Seiko, Wrangler, Bank One, AFLAC, and Clairol Herbal Essence. Now, as a consultant, she is equipped to problem-solve for her clients from an unusually dynamic point of view.
As a longtime member of the photo community, Suzanne is also dedicated to giving back. Through her Art of the Personal Project column on the popular website aphotoeditor.com, she highlights notable personal projects by well-known and up-and-coming photographers. The column offers these artists excellent exposure while reflecting Suzanne’s passion for powerful imagery.
Eileen And Brian’s Florienta Gardens And Karura House Wedding Celebration
From the moment we met this sweet couple, we knew their wedding was going to be something special. The two of them were so in love and had such a positive outlook on life, that it was impossible not to get swept up in their happiness. Their wedding day was truly beautiful, full of warm smiles and heartfelt laughter. We are so grateful that we were able to be a part of it! We are absolutely thrilled to showcase here a few highlights from Eileen and Brian’s big day! A Real Wedding In Kenya.
Hugues Oyarzabal, a surfing legend who pioneered photography from inside the barbell of the wave, died on February 21st. He was 39 years old. The New York Times reports that Oyarzabal took his own life after a lifelong battle with bipolar disorder.
“His physical and psychological suffering took its toll,” his parents told The New York Times. “He has chosen to leave us, to rediscover the peace and serenity he has been unable to find over the last few years.”
In an era before the ubiquity of GoPro and other “action” cameras, Oyarzabal led the innovative charge on bringing the viewer as close as possible to the action. As early as 2001, the French-born surfer captured images from inside the tubes of waves by strapping a mini-DV camcorder in a jury-rigged waterproof housing to the front of his surfboard.
Other notable highlights from Oyarzabal’s career include becoming one of the first to take on the big, dangerous waves of Teahupo’o, Tahiti and Western Africa. The Times has a great profile honoring his life.
Well over a decade ago, I wrote an article predicting the death of the DSLR. I got quite a lot of criticism for such an idiotic prediction, and yet, here we are today, with only one company, Pentax, still making DSLRs and even then to a fairly niche market. My article was about the fact that companies would stop making them, not that DSLRs would suddenly disappear, and that has proved to be true.
The rise of mirrorless cameras was a juggernaut that, like the rise of digital, was unstoppable and inevitable. However, just because a technology is redundant doesn’t mean that it becomes irrelevant.
The technology in DSLRs may not be as feature-packed as current mirrorless cameras, but the sensors were, in many cases, as good. In fact, some modern mirrorless cameras still share the same sensors as their older DSLR equivalents.
Today, I want to examine why buying or owning a DSLR in the mirrorless era still makes sense.
Mirrorless cameras far outnumber DSLR sales these days. By FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫
The Cost of DSLRs is Attractive
Does it seem to you that the price of cameras has increased exponentially? I think that whilst the price of high-end professional cameras has not increased much from the DSLR days, there seems to be a dearth of cheaper, budget-friendly mirrorless cameras.
Back in the DSLR days, there were excellent cameras such as the Nikon D5000 that could be bought for well under $1000, with a lens. There is very little in that price range today.
However, if you are looking to get into photography or you are on a tight budget, there is now an incredible range of used DSLRs on the market. Not only that, many camera companies have had to update their lens mounts to enable newer technologies, and so the used lens market is equally as buoyant.
For newer photographers looking to start learning without spending a king’s ransom, there are some amazing deals to be had. For $200-$300, you can get an 18-24mp pixel, well-specced DSLR body, and a little more will get you a decent lens to go with it.
High end DSLRs can be had for less than the price of a budget mirrorless. By AS Photography
For more advanced photographers who want something a bit higher grade, a few hundred dollars will get you into the Nikon D4 or Canon EOS 5D IV, both incredibly robust and capable cameras.
There has never been a better time to invest in a DSLR, especially if money is a little tight.
About Optical Viewfinders…
I will be honest with you, I love the electronic viewfinder on my Sony a7Rv. However, even today, it is exceptional, with a very high MP count and low lag. There are many that lament the demise of the reflex optical viewfinder for good reason.
They certainly had some major advantages, they were generally much brighter than EVs, did not suffer from lag, and some will say, gave you a connection to your subject – although personally I don’t subscribe to that. However, one of their biggest advantages is that they require little to no power, with the exception of the fairly limited exposure information.
There is still a lot to be said for an optical viewfinder. By Victor Ralda
There are some disadvantages that we should mention. Whilst bright, it could be a struggle in low light to nail focus. Modern electronic viewfinders can boost the gain and allow you to see in much lower light, however, this is at the cost of extra lag. It’s also worth noting that not all DSLRs had great viewfinders. On more budget cameras, particularly APS-C, the viewfinder was often smaller, with less coverage and less brightness.
With that said, there is still a lot to be said for a reflex viewfinder, especially given the cost of used DSLRs.
Durability and Handling is Superior!
As mentioned above, it is possible to buy a professional-level DSLR for a few hundred dollars these days. Whilst that might not be a good choice for a beginner, for experienced photographers who are using their cameras day in and day out, in all weather, it can make perfect sense.
The reason for this is simple durability. All professional DSLR cameras are built like tanks, sturdy, metal bodies, often made from lightweight magnesium alloys and high-level weather sealing.
A modern professional mirrorless camera will, of course, have all of this, but it will set you back $4000 plus for the body alone. As mentioned earlier a pro-level DSLR, even a late model, can cost less than $1000 and could easily last another 10 years if looked after. Even the mid-level DSLRs, such as the Nikon D800, were incredibly well built and came in even cheaper than the pro models.
Another advantage, to some, of the DSLR is the handling. Many mirrorless cameras can feel quite small in the hand, whilst even mid-range DSLRs feel chunky and often have very nice, deep grips on them. If you have larger hands, you may well find a DSLR more suitable.
Remember that I said that the viewfinder did not require power? Will it’s a little more complex than that.
Because the viewfinder is optical, the camera’s sensor does not need to stay on all the time the viewfinder is being used. This is one of the primary reasons that battery life is much better on DSLR cameras.
Battery life on mirrorless cameras has improved and will continue to do so, but it is still a long way off matching an older DSLR.
Like lenses, there are also plenty of used camera batteries on the market, as well as third party vendors, meaning you can power your camera for a lot cheaper as well as a lot longer.
In a similar vein to cost, there will be many photographers that are still shooting with their DSLRs. Social media and, to a certain extent, peer pressure can tempt people to part with cash they don’t necessarily have despite having a decent DSLR system already.
If your camera is giving you great results and is well-maintained, why feel that pressure to get on the GAS treadmill? There are arguments that as DSLRs become less and less common, it will be harder to buy accessories for them, however, that time is a long, long way off. Look at the number of film cameras and lenses still available on the used market. Even if something fails on your DSLR, there is a good chance there will be plenty of spares and repair models available, and there are always plenty of camera technicians to repair them for you. Even in the worst case scenario, you will only need to replace like for like, all your lenses will still continue to be valid.
The demise of the DSLR as a new camera has happened, and it is unlikely that there will be any renaissance. However, we had a good 20 years of the DSLR and there are literally millions of them available as used bargains. If you are looking to get into photography or perhaps get into more professional-level gear, yet are on a budget, a used DSLR system makes very sound financial and practical sense.
The Art of the Personal Project is a crucial element to let potential buyers see how you think creatively on your own. I am drawn to personal projects that have an interesting vision or that show something I have never seen before. In this thread, I’ll include a link to each personal project with the artist statement so you can see more of the project. Please note: This thread is not affiliated with any company; I’m just featuring projects that I find. Please DO NOT send me your work. I do not take submissions.
My initial basic idea was to stage a play as a photo and collage series.
In terms of content the series is a funky journey through the topics of our times to the outer edges of our collective cultural memory.
Mainly it is a homage to the theatre itself.
However, it has no stringent plot. I try to create constellations and relations between figures, in each image, that are full of tension and contradiction but don’t make a concrete statement – the plot is meant to arise in the viewer’s mind.
In response to recent developments, I embraced an analog approach. I’ve created stages like compositions with aquarelle paintings and populated them with illustrious figures related to each other through collage, like marionettes playing on a theatrical stage.
I draw my inspirations from across art history and various cultural influences. From the theatre, painting, photography and collage art throughout the centuries.
APE contributor Suzanne Sease currently works as a consultant for photographers and illustrators around the world. She has been involved in the photography and illustration advertising and in-house corporate industry for decades. After establishing the art-buying department at The Martin Agency, then working for Kaplan-Thaler, Capital One, Best Buy and numerous smaller agencies and companies, she decided to be a consultant in 1999. Follow her on Instagram
All destination wedding photographers in Kenya know about TheElewana Collection Elsa’s Kopje. It’s a wild bush hotel inside Meru National Park surrounded by Nyambene Hills’ storied background. I have wanted to photograph at this venue for quite some time so you can imagine when Sara And Kyle reached out to us, I was elated to be able to travel to Meru to capture this amazing event for them.
I can go on and on about how beautiful The Elewana Collection Elsa’s Kopje is. As a Nairobi City County Wedding Photographer for over 10 years, I have photographed at nearly every major venue in Nairobianditsenvirons. We simply don’t have many properties in Nairobi that are comparable from a photography perspective. While the architecture is beautiful, the beautiful architecture alone is not unique to this wild bush environs. What makes this property ideal for weddings and events from a photographer’s eye is the magical perfect circular sunrise light. The light in every corner of this venue was easy to work with.
Sara and Kyle got married at Elewana Collection Elsa’s Kopje in Meru National Park. This was the first of a series of weddings we are photographing at the beautiful Elewana Collection Elsa’s Kopje over the next year. I loved the architecture and opulence of this wedding venue. The beginning of day started off in a wild bush chasing the magical sunrise. We photographed Sara’s bridal prep in her family room. This was my first trip to Meru since 2019 (we typically would go 3-4 times a year prior to the pandemic). Sara and Kyle placed a high value on photography, and I wanted to make sure that we captured this day in a monumental way for them both. We cannot wait to capture more of their family over the years to come!
Designed for use with a wide range of popular macro lenses—including the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro, Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8, Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro, and OM System/Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8—the diopter performs several functions, according to Nauticam. First and foremost, by significantly extending the focus range of your macro lens, the MFO-1 provides more flexibility for capturing subjects at various distances. Nauticam says this increased focus range greatly reduces focus hunting, allowing your camera to lock on to subjects even in difficult conditions.
Nauticam claims the second benefit is a higher-quality image, as the MFO-1 minimizes lens aberration, providing more-accurate color reproduction and increased clarity. Finally, you also get a magnification boost when using the MFO-1—though the amount depends on the lens you’re using. For instance, in combination with the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8, you get about 1.1x magnification, but when paired with the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro, you get as much as 1.6x magnification.
Like diopters such as the SMC-3, the MFO-1 features a standard 67mm thread and can be mounted to Nauticam flat ports via the M67 Spacer Ring for SMC/CMC (included) or using the M67 to Bayonet Mount Converter II and Bayonet Mount Adaptor for SMC/CMC (not included). As well as compatibility information, Nauticam’s MFO port chart (download) gives figures for working distance and maximum magnification.
When purchasing underwater photography equipment like the products mentioned in this article, please support DPG by supporting our retail partner—Backscatter.com.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Midrange Focus Optimizer 1 (MFO-1)
Introducing our newest Water Contact Optic, the Midrange Focus Optimizer, or MFO-1. The MFO-1 is designed to elevate your macro shooting experience by eliminating any noticeable focus hunting while ensuring crisper, sharper and more vibrant images.
Key Features:
Enhanced Image Quality: Say goodbye to the limitations of flat ports. The MFO-1 dramatically improves your image quality, providing more accurate color reproduction and increased clarity by minimizing lens aberration.
No Focus Hunting: The converter seamlessly adjusts the focus range of your lens, eliminating noticeable focus hunting and allowing for smooth, precise focusing even in challenging conditions.
Focus Range Conversion: For the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, the MFO-1 converts the focus range to an impressive 12.5cm – 114cm, giving you more flexibility to capture subjects at varying distances with ease.
Increased Magnification: For close-up enthusiasts, the MFO-1 converter slightly increases magnification, allowing for incredible detail at extremely close ranges. With the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, you can achieve up to 1.2X magnification at MFD, and with the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8, you’ll get up to 1.6X magnification.
Midrange Focus Optimizer 1 (MFO-1) Specifications
Dimensions
OD 70mm x H 26mm
Weight in air
218g
Buoyancy in water
Negative 150g
Magnification (*1)
1.2x
Working distance (*1)
12.5cm – 114cm
Body construction
Hard-anodized aluminum alloy
Lens construction
3 elements in 2 groups
Lens coatings
Anti-reflection Coating
Mont thread diameter
M67
Depth rating
100m
*1 Tested with Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
