It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of friend, fellow diver and photographer Kam Arya. Kam had been battling with cancer for the past couple of years, but in typical Kam style downplayed his condition. Kam passed away on Saturday 1st July with his family around him, at the Royal Surrey Hospital, Guildford.

Tributes received from those who knew Kam were in universal agreement that the world has lost a real gentle man and friend. This is summed up by the following email …

What very sad news about Kam. He was a real gentleman and always so humble. I had a feeling that he downplayed his condition when we last exchanged emails.

 

I have very fond memories of Kam when in Bali on one of Len’s trips. Kam was sharing a cabin with Bert, next door to myself and Carol.  As Kam had brought ‘good’ coffee with him, we persuaded him to make us a cup after dinner and joined them both in their cabin. There was lots of laughter and too many late nights!

 

I will be away and not able to be at Kam’s funeral, but will be thinking of him, his family and friends that day. A great loss of a lovely man.

Kam was always active whether through swimming, cycling or diving. For his 66th birthday he cycled across America on Route 66, an astounding 2400 miles … quite a feat. Always the optimist Kam had a positive view of life and made friends wherever he went. Kam greatly supported Photosub over the years and served on the committee as Club Treasurer and will be missed by all who knew him.

RIP Kam

The Photosub 2016 AGM & Social Meeting was held at Martha and Anthony’s home near Southampton.  There were 14 of of us in total, enjoying some lovely food and puds, recent images and a slightly longer than usual AGM – we had a bit more to cover than usual.

Some great projected images were provided by Martha, Anthony, Joss and Cat Briggs, a visitor to Photosub and hopefully soon to be a new member.  It’s hard for me to put my finger on exactly what happened, but as the evening moved on, so the meeting evolved into a somewhat boisterous, rebellious and irreverent affair.   Wholly enjoyable, and a great evening!

My thanks, as ever, to everybody for coming along and to those that brought images to share.  Particularly thanks go to Martha and Anthony for hosting the evening for us and for feeding us so well (with the help of some unnamed pudding providers).

The key points from the AGM were:

• It was agreed that subscriptions for full members remain at £15, and we have added a second membership category of Social Member at £8.  This is for people who were diving members but can no longer dive.   This is because about half the club’s outgoings are for meeting costs and this was agreed as a fair arrangement. 2017 subscriptions are now due.  Electronic payment to the Photosub bank account if possible please (HSBC; account # 61212605; sort code 40-27-07).

• It was agreed that the Splash-In has a competition period of approximately four weeks, as it did in 2016, timed to allow images to be judged for the BBQ meeting.  The area to be dived will remain anywhere in UK or Irish waters.  For 2017 the competition period will be the month of July with a deadline for images to reach Keith by midnight 31 July.

• As part of the Splash-in event, Pat will be scattering some of Len’s ashes at Selsey on Sunday 23 July.  We hope as many club members as possible can be there.  Timing and details to be arranged.

Other 2017 plans:

• Godfrey and Judith will host the BBQ on 12 August
• Roger and Wendy will host the May meeting, date tba
• Joss will host the November meeting, date tba

And a reminder to let Bob Soames have menu choices for the annual dinner on 18 March and send payment to the Photosub bank account, letting Kam know.

Club members met on Saturday 19th November for the annual Open Digital Competition. The evening was hosted at Martyn and Sue Guess’s house, near Cranleigh, and attended by 25 members. Congratulations to all who navigated successfully to the venue, and for braving the inclement weather.

After the usual socialising and excellent food (thanks to Sue), 32 images were projected. The winners had been pre-judged by Simon Rogerson, Editor of SCUBA magazine. Unfortunately Simon could not attend but provided a set of notes which were read out at the meeting.

Thanks to all at Photosub for entrusting me with the task of judging your competition. Sorry I can’t join you tonight; anyone unhappy with my decisions will have to hurl your buns at me from longer distance than usual. There were plenty of lovely photos this year, and I did agonise over the placings before making my final choice. Take-home lessons? Beware of oversharpening, watch out for digital noise and if you’re entering a relatively common or ‘easy’ subject, the key to success is originality. Well, that’s enough pontificating from me. Have a great evening and if you didn’t win or get mentioned, don’t worry about it. Competitions are silly things… almost as silly as judges. Big love, and have a great Christmas.

The results were as follows:

1st Place:  Rhinopias by Martin Guess

This is an object lesson in backlighting – a dramatic subject approached from the optimal angle and highlighted with multi-directional light. Some of the success of the image is simply finding the subject and this strong angle, but I have to say the execution is faultless, especially with the backlighting illuminating the ridge of the fins. I may be wrong, but I think there is a touch of front lighting here, all that is required to show off the amazing colouring. 

2nd Place:  Cleaner shrimp on moray eel by Joss Woolf

The flowing form of the eel’s head compliments the cleaners as they dance across its neck. The precision of the lighting and the elegant, natural composition made this a close contender. It’s impossible to get every detail in focus, but the softness of the eel’s eye was, for me, a slight imperfection that detracted from the overall effect.

3rd Place: Grey Seal by Gill Marsh

A popular subject, quality and originality is key to competition images of grey seals. In this case, it’s all down to the photographer’s success in capturing a wonderful mid-water pose. I wasn’t sure about the black and white, but it does have the effect of concentrating your attention on the subject. Always ask yourself: why does an image merit the B&W treatment… does it really reveal more about the subject?

Commended

Seahorse by Martyn Guess

A subtle and intimate portrait, with muted directional lighting. Shows similar photographic precision to that of the winner, but it’s been done so much the effect is diminished.

Squirrelfish and sponge by Joss Woolf

With its strikingly original lighting, I found its skewed symmetry memorable, but slightly disconcerting.

Hammerheads by Pash Baker

From the hue of the water and the lack of parasites on the sharks, I’m guessing this is Red Sea, where getting any sort of a photo of a hammerhead is an achievement. The image is sharp and nicely balanced, but what a shame the sharks can’t be persuaded to swim in a more attractive formation!

The Len Deeley Trophy

In memory of Len Deeley, founder and driving force behind the Photosub club, Pash Baker and Jo Horrocks have created a trophy which will be presented on an annual basis. The basis for the award has not yet been decided, but ideas so far include “valuable contribution towards the club”, “photo of the year”, or a criteria which could change on a year by year basis. Ideas from members are welcome and should be sent to the current chair, Bob Soames.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all those who took part for making it such a successful competition; to Simon for taking the time to judge the images, to Martyn and Sue for their hospitality, and to various others who helped leading up to and during the evening.

To commemorate 25 years of Photosub, the club successfully held an underwater photography exhibition at “The Brew House”, Guildford. Underwater images from many club members were on display, and feedback from the public and staff has been very positive. 

A big thank you to all who prepared and provided images. Thanks to Martha, Anthony, Kam and Bob for setting up the exhibition. A particular thanks and recognition needs to go to Bob Soames who worked tirelessly to bring the exhibition to life. Bob took over from the initial preparatory work of Len Deeley and provided considerable effort and organisation to ensure the exhibition was successful.

Below are a few images from the exhibition room, and in particular the fitting tribute to Len Deeley.

Len Deeley

A selection of Len’s image on display at the 25th Anniversary Exhibition

A few panoramic shots from the exhibition room are below …

A Guest Book was available in the exhibition room for feedback and comments. The following comments were left by club members and other visitors.

To commemorate 25 years of Photosub, the club is holding an underwater photography exhibition from Sat 17th September to Sat 1st October 2016 at “The Brew House”, Guildford. Underwater images from many club members will be on display. Entry is free and there is a cafe on site for refreshments.

Times: Mon to Sat 10.00am-4.45pm, Sun 11.00am-3.45pm

Location: The Brew House, Guildford House, 155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ

Tele: 01483 444 751

The dates of this year’s Photosub Splash-In competition are being extended to include THE FIRST 4 WEEKENDS IN JULY.   This will give as many members as possible the chance to get in the water and take some pictures, hopefully avoiding other commitments and the worst of whatever the weather has in mind for us.

So, eligible images must have been taken anywhere in the UK or Ireland between the 1^st July and 24th July 2016 inclusive.  

( Just for clarity, Photosub members’ images taken on Whirlwind in the Red Sea WILL NOT be eligible!!! ) 

This is a projected image competition and, if you choose, manipulation software can be used without restriction.  You may enter up to 3 images into the competition.  Full rules are on the Photosub web site.
 
The Photosub Splash-In is a unique competition because we always ask an experienced non-underwater photographer to judge the images for us, and this can result in some interesting and unexpected results! 

Your competition images need to be sent to Keith Lyall by Friday 29th July at the latest.

Photosub held a social meeting last Saturday night, very kindly hosted by Joss at her house in East Finchley.  Despite the inclement June weather, seventeen members and guests attended and enjoyed the usual informal socialising, excellent food and company, and sharing of projected images.

The projected image subjects were Nudibranchs and Shoals, as chosen by Joss, and about half a dozen of us treated the gathering to some excellent images.  It has to be said that there were some interesting interpretations of the subjects, including a ‘shoal’ of fish in the tentacles of a jellyfish and some fish-like nudibranchs. However, all good and entertaining stuff!  Thanks to everyone who brought images along.
 
I am sure you will be aware that this was our first meeting since learning of Len’s death.  This has been shocking and unhappy news, and we took some time to reflect on it, share our thoughts, express our feelings for Len and Pat, and to recognise Len’s fantastic contribution to Photosub, to underwater photography generally and to the enjoyment we have all had from our hobby.
 
We reflected on the great success Len had made Photosub into, and the desire we all have to ensure this continued.  And we agreed the need for some ongoing recognition of Len’s role and achievement in establishing Photosub and that the committee would look into this.

It is impossible to replace Len, his loss to the club is huge.  Some changes to the running of Photosub are now required to ensure its continued success.  We agreed that a few volunteers are needed to work with the committee to make these adjustments and to help with activities and events.  My sincere thanks to Martha and Keith for your offers of help, they are very much appreciated. 
 
If any other members would like to help with the running of the club or its activities, please could you let me know by return, it would be much appreciated.  Thank you. 
 
In closing, I’d like to thank everybody that came along and, especially, those who made the meeting happen.  To Joss as a great host and for treating us to some lovely food.  To those kind people (I’m sorry I didn’t find out who) who provided some very nice puddings.  And also to Martha and Anthony for providing and operating the projection equipment for us. Thank you all very much.
 
Our next meeting will be the annual BBQ and Photosub Splash-In Competition results meeting at Jo and Keith’s house on 6^th August. 

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the death of our friend, fellow photographer and diver, Len Deeley. Len was taken ill on Wednesday evening 15^th June 2016, with aortic dissection and was operated on at St Georges, Tooting but suffered a massive stroke. Len passed away on Thursday 16th June 2016. Our condolences and thoughts are with his beloved wife Pat and family this sad time.

Len began diving as a member of 562 Para Sqn. T.A. back in 1970 with BSAC London Army 328 Branch. When Len left the T.A. in 1975 he joined BSAC East Ham Branch 604. However, Len really settled into serious diving when he became a member of the Billericay Sub Aqua Club (1620) in 1980 when it formed.

In 1981 Len joined the British Society of Underwater Photographers, where he got to know many underwater photographers, some of international status. This was an invaluable part of a learning process, which helped him develop his underwater photography.

In 1986 Len moved from Essex to Surrey and joined Cranleigh Sub Aqua Club and Godalming Photographic Club, with whom he developed an interest in other forms of photography and printing techniques. This led to his own darkroom and, latterly, digital imaging. Len also joined The Royal Society of Photography (RPS) and earned an ARPS distinction in the Applied Category using underwater images taken with slide film. This was followed in 2006 when Len achieved a Fellowship distinction with the RPS in the Nature category with digital prints.

Having the right type of diving is so important for underwater photography and that is unlikely to be found with a normal diving club. In 1988 therefore Len formed Photosub Underwater Photography Club. Our club, with a membership of circa 50 people, provided the backdrop for much of his diving. Len was the heart, sole and driving force behind the success of this highly social club, organising many events including meetings, competitions, presentations and the annual meal. Len and Pat opened up their home on so many occasions as the venue for regular club meetings.

Len had been on the lecture circuit of the Surrey Photographic Association since 1993 and regularly give talks, slide shows and lectures, including photoshop technique and how to produce digital audio visuals.

Len regularly organized diving trips for underwater photographers to locations worldwide, such as Red Sea, Indonesia, French Polynesia, Galapagos, Cocos Islands, South Africa, Mozambique, Philippines, Cuba, etc.

By building up successes with entries in various British Photographic Exhibitions affiliated to the BPE Crown Awards scheme Len achieved the BPE1 award certificate in March 2007, BPE2 in April 2007 and BPE3 in May 2008.

In 2009 Len was commissioned with a dive friend Karen Gargani to produce a book. The book, called Ultimate Diving Adventures, was released in UK in October 2009 with world wide publication thereafter. In March 2011 Len was awarded AFIAP distinction with the Federation Internationale Del’Art Photographique, and Len was awarded EFIAP distinction in May 2015.

Len was Chairman of Mid Thames AV Group and a regular attendee and entrant of AV Festivals. He was well known for his incredible underwater photography. His most recent success were for ‘Thistlegorm Remembered’ in the 2016 Peter Coles IAC International and for ‘A Compasionate Man’ in the 2014 Great Northern Festival. Both sequences received Special Judges Mentions.

Len was a big man in all ways and will leave a large hole in there lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him. We will all miss you Len, rest in peace.

Final Goodbye

On Sunday 23^rd July 2107, about 30 members of Photosub joined Len’s family at Selsey slip to remember Len Deeley, and to be with Pat when she scattered Len’s ashes in the sea.

It was an emotional occasion, with Godfrey Bevan and Bob Soames remembering Len with a few words before Pat scattered Len’s ashes, and some rose petals in the waters at the shoreline. 

It was a fitting tribute to Len, and East Beach, Selsey was a very appropriate place for his ashes to be scattered.  Len enjoyed diving on the Mulberries at Selsey and last dived there 2 years ago.

The assembled group then retired to The Lifeboat Inn, public house for refreshments.  The weather was kind to us on the day, with a mixture of sunshine and clouds and a south-westerly breeze, keeping the first drops of rain until most of us had departed for home again. 

Pat Deeley supported by family and friends

The gathering at Selsey slipway

Bob Soames leads the tributes …

… followed by long time dive buddy Godfrey Bevan

The final farewell …

Saturday 5th March 2016 was the occasion of our 25th Annual Dinner and was well attended with 31 members and guests (was 33 but two had to cancel due to illness). Members gathered at around 7pm and had plenty of time to mingle and enjoy a few drinks before the meal. We sat down for an enjoyable meal at around 8.15pm and after that the digital entries were projected. Our guest of honour Arthur Kingdon (with his wife Ann) attended the dinner and Arthur had judged the digital images in advance of the evening. This was no mean task as the change in categories certainly increased the overall numbers entered:

GREEN WATER CLOSE UP/MACRO 22
GREEN WATER WIDE 27
BLUE WATER CLOSE UP/MACRO 62
BLUE WATER WIDE 51

Arthur had clearly spent a lot of time and effort in his evaluation of the digital images (he received them numbered only with no authors names) and brought along envelopes with the winning images listed. After all digital images had been projected each envelope was opened in turn and the winning images were projected again in reverse order and Arthur gave a few comments on each of them.

Blue Water – Macro

1ST PLACE PASH BAKER

2ND PLACE BOB SOAMES

3RD PLACE DANIEL TAYLOR

HIGHLY COMMENDED KEITH LYALL

HIGHLY COMMENDED GILL MARSH

COMMENDED PETER TATTON

COMMENDED MARTYN GUESS

COMMENDED BOB SOAMES

COMMENDED ANTHONY HOLLEY

Blue Water – Wide angle

1ST PLACE NICK BLAKE

2ND PLACE MARTYN GUESS

3RD PLACE MARTYN GUESS

HIGHLY COMMENDED KEITH LYALL

HIGHLY COMMENDED GILL MARSH

COMMENDED ROB WHITE

COMMENDED MARTYN GUESS

Green Water – Macro

1ST PLACE KEITH LYALL

2ND PLACE ROB WHITE

3RD PLACE ROB WHITE

HIGHLY COMMENDED GILL MARSH

COMMENDED LEN DEELEY

COMMENDED DANIEL TAYLOR

COMMENDED CHRIS MCTERNAN

Green Water – Wide Angle

1ST PLACE NICK BLAKE

2ND PLACE NICK BLAKE

3RD PLACE ROB WHITE

HIGHLY COMMENDED ROB WHITE

HIGHLY COMMENDED MARTYN GUESS

COMMENDED KEITH LYALL

COMMENDED ROB WHITE

Prints

COMMENDED LEN DEELEY

COMMENDED LEN DEELEY