#newyorkunderwaterphotographicsociety — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #newyorkunderwaterphotographicsociety, aggregated by home.social.
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Predators: The Survivor — A Tiger Shark with a Broken Jaw (Maldives)
Most of us have a specific image of what defines an apex shark—speed, power, and dominance. But off the coast of Fuvahmulah, I spent time with Luana, a resident tiger shark navigating the blue with a severe, permanent jaw injury. This film is a study of her quiet resilience and how she has adapted to a life that, by all logic, she shouldn't have been able to sustain.https://scubahanknyc.com/2026/04/24/tiger-shark-with-a-broken-jaw-maldives/
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Light, Shadow and Sea – A Black and White Short Film
This month, I presented a short film titled “Light, Shadow and Sea” at the New York Underwater Photographic Society meeting. Focusing on black and white, the film explores underwater contrast and texture, capturing diverse marine environments and emphasizing mood over color. It serves as an exercise in illuminating the subtleties of underwater life.https://scubahanknyc.com/2026/03/25/light-shadow-and-sea-a-black-and-white-short-film/
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Marine Life Close-Up: The Eyes Project
Last week, I had the chance to present my latest project at the New York Underwater Photographic Society (NYUPS) meeting. The theme was “EYES”—a challenge that pushed me to look through my archives with a very specific focus.
As divers, we often get caught up in the wider scene or the specific behavior of a subject. But for this project, I wanted to strip away the distractions and focus purely on the “windows to the soul” beneath the surface. From the alien gaze of cuttlefish to the textured detail of rays and crustaceans, isolating the eyes changes the way you connect with the animal.
I put together a short montage to capture these fleeting connections. You can check out the full video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRRJfCv8lic
What started as a monthly challenge became a solid reminder. Underwater photography is worth the effort for that split second when you lock eyes with another creature. In that moment, you realize you’re both just passing through the same space.
#bigAppleDivers #NewYorkUnderwaterPhotographicSociety #NYUPS -
Life on the Ocean Floor – Dauin
I recently shared this short film at our monthly NYUPS gathering in New York City. The meeting is a chance to show personal projects, discuss creative choices, and learn from one another’s approaches. This film came out of that same mindset – keeping things simple and letting small moments speak for themselves.
“Life on the Ocean Floor” focuses on the incredible biodiversity found in the sand and rubble. These are the heart of Dauin’s world-famous diving sites. These areas might look like a barren “desert” to the untrained eye. However, they hold an amazing concentration of life if you know where to look.
Featured Marine Life:
- The Partnership: Watch the tireless work of a blind shrimp and its Goby protector [00:10].
- The Nursery: An Anemonefish fanning its eggs with constant devotion [00:45].
- The Miniature Titan: The vivid, flashing rings of a Blue-ringed Octopus as it glides across the sand [01:45].
Gear Behind the Shots:
To capture these tiny subjects, I relied on a high-magnification setup:
- Camera: Panasonic GH5
- Lens: OM 90mm (excellent for that 2:1 macro reach)
- Housing: Nauticam
- Location: Dauin, Philippines (Silver Reef Dive Resort and Atmosphere Resort & Spa)
Dauin rewards the patient diver. Even a patch of sand that looks empty at first glance can hold a surprising amount of life if you take the time to look closely.
#Dauin #featured #macro #NewYorkUnderwaterPhotographicSociety #NYUPS #Philippines -
Caribbean Reef Life in Tobago – Short Film for NYUPS
This week, I had the pleasure of presenting my latest short film at our monthly gathering for the New York Underwater Photographic Society, or NYUPS.
NYUPS is a free, monthly meetup in NYC for divers who are passionate about underwater photography and video. We get together to share images, short films, and exchange tips and tricks we’ve been learning in the field. Lately, we have been meeting at Fred’s, a great spot on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It’s open to everyone—no membership, no fees—just a group of people who love to shoot underwater and talk about it.
This month’s theme was Close Focus Wide Angle (CFWA), and I put together a short edit from a recent trip to Speyside, Tobago. The waters there are incredibly nutrient-rich, and every dive feels packed with life—turtles on the sand, stingrays dusted in sediment, and fast-moving reef fish weaving in and out of the frame. CFWA fits Tobago well because you can stay close to your subject while still keeping the wider reef in the story.
The film, titled “Caribbean Reef Life in Tobago,” opens with our dive guide filming a turtle, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the edit: observing the vibrant, busy life of the reef.
I hope you enjoy this two-minute glimpse into the incredible underwater world of Tobago!
Shooting Details
Camera: Panasonic GH5 | 14–42 + Nauticam WWL1-B
Location: Speyside, Tobago
Dive Op: Tobago Dive Experience
Theme: Close Focus Wide Angle Shooting in Tobago#NewYorkUnderwaterPhotographicSociety #NYUPS #Stingrays #tobagoDiveExperience #tobagoScubaDiving #TrinidadAndTobago #Turtles
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Caribbean Reef Life in Tobago – Short Film for NYUPS
This week, I had the pleasure of presenting my latest short film at our monthly gathering for the New York Underwater Photographic Society, or NYUPS.
NYUPS is a free, monthly meetup in NYC for divers who are passionate about underwater photography and video. We get together to share images, short films, and exchange tips and tricks we’ve been learning in the field. Lately, we have been meeting at Fred’s, a great spot on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It’s open to everyone—no membership, no fees—just a group of people who love to shoot underwater and talk about it.
This month’s theme was Close Focus Wide Angle (CFWA), and I put together a short edit from a recent trip to Speyside, Tobago. The waters there are incredibly nutrient-rich, and every dive feels packed with life—turtles on the sand, stingrays dusted in sediment, and fast-moving reef fish weaving in and out of the frame. CFWA fits Tobago well because you can stay close to your subject while still keeping the wider reef in the story.
The film, titled “Caribbean Reef Life in Tobago,” opens with our dive guide filming a turtle, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the edit: observing the vibrant, busy life of the reef.
I hope you enjoy this two-minute glimpse into the incredible underwater world of Tobago!
Shooting Details
Camera: Panasonic GH5 | 14–42 + Nauticam WWL1-B
Location: Speyside, Tobago
Dive Op: Tobago Dive Experience
Theme: Close Focus Wide Angle Shooting in Tobago#NewYorkUnderwaterPhotographicSociety #NYUPS #Stingrays #tobagoDiveExperience #tobagoScubaDiving #TrinidadAndTobago #Turtles
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NYUPS Is Back — Spiny Devilfish
On September 30, 2025, NYUPS (New York Underwater Photographic Society) – the imaging arm of Big Apple Divers – held its first meetup since the pandemic pause, filling the back room at Fred’s on Amsterdam Ave. Hosted by Larry C., Mike R., Adam S., and myself (Hank), it was standing-room only. Around ten presenters shared their underwater images. Most were stills. The energy was exactly what you’d hope for. People were excited to talk only about underwater photography and videography.
My screening: Spiny Devilfish Courtship (Dauin, Philippines)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QqCfP2QoVE
I presented a 2-minute short about Spiny Devilfish courtship. It was filmed in front of Atmosphere Dive Resort in Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines. It’s a quiet behavioral story – glances, approaches, rejection, persistence – ending in a tense, sandy flare-up. I shot these clips with a Gopro Hero 11
Gear: GoPro Hero 11 + Backscatter Action Cam Sharp Wide Lens
About NYUPS (and how to join in)
NYUPS is a NYC community for underwater shooters — monthly themed shares, friendly critique, and bite-sized talks. The next meeting is planned for late October 2025; the date will be posted on the NYUPS Facebook group.
Share a short video (≤2 min) or 5–10 photos and tell us what you want help with—color balance, macro focus, pacing, lighting… anything. Kindly follow the submission deadline so we can queue everything in advance.
Also, attendance is free. In appreciation for the venue, we ask each guests to order at least one food item and one drink.
#DiveClub #NewYorkUnderwaterPhotographicSociety #NYUPS #spinyDevilfish #UnderwaterVideo