passionate without a clue

Replies 1-6 of 6

Ákos Lumnitzer added 2003-09-03

Hi there,

It sounds like you are pretty keen, however, there is a real world out there and most certainly not an unreal world as far as diving employment is concerned. Learning to dive is easy, as is to progress up the ladder in most diver training agencies to a higher (instructor) level that could enable you to work in the industry. Salary? Well, don?t expect to be able to pay a mortgage and diving trips to many exotic locations from an average so-called ?professional? diver salary. Most people who are keen about diving and filming/ photography (I actually do happen to know quite a few) are either in a full time job ? diving/ filming etc. whenever free time allows ? or are not in the most admirable financial positions. There are perhaps a small handful of professional underwater photographers and cinematographers, who are actually making a living of some kind from their underwater photography, but it is an incredibly limited market with a heck of a lot of competition and your images/ films would have to be portraying unusual behaviour, unusual species of marine life or anything quite extraordinary to get any sort of acclaim with publishers etc. And publishers most definitely don?t like to pay a lot of money.

It?s the same with the professional diving industry. There is an oversupply of instructors, dive masters and qualified (once again so-called) professionals. If you are qualified as an instructor, perhaps you could get a job somewhere like a livaboard, or a nice tropical island, but again the hours you work and the financial compensation gained are two different things and you would more than likely need to have other diving-related skills, especially if in a remote location.

Experience is best gained by experiencing diving in various conditions and remembering that it is not necessarily all the courses your friendly dive shop owner would perhaps want to push you through (while the learning can at times be useful), but the diving itself that will make an experienced diver in the end. And in any hobby/ sport etc, nothing beats experienced experience, no matter what some presently employed dive industry professionals or their advocates may want to suck one into believing.

All I could say from both personal experiences and observations is that good luck to you; do plenty of research, don?t get your hopes too high, but at the same time if you are determined enough and have some common sense about you, you may just get lucky and succeed.

Cheers

Tim Hochgrebe added 2003-09-03

I have to agree with Akos view ... it's very very hard to make a living in the diving industry, whether you are a dive instructor or an underwater photographer, videographer.

However ... some do - I for example sort of manage to almost make some money with underwater videography sometimes ...

But it helps have another job - or a wife/partner that makes loads of $$$

I think if you really really really want to, you will be able to make it.

Good luck and if there's anything I can do to help - ie what camera to buy, where to go, how to start ... just email me or continue this thread.

See you underwater ...

Tim

Tim Hochgrebe
http://www.underwater.com.au
Dive in, Explore ... and Save!

divesight added 2003-09-11

Cheers Sam, Perhaps you could look at doing a Marine Biology/Aquaculture course at Uni/College to enhace you prospects for employment. My daughter like you has a passion for " All at Sea " and she is now mixing work and play by doing a degree in Marine biology... Wish you luck!
Catch you in the Soup

Ecomaniac added 2003-10-01

Samanta,

First and foremost in its important to become confident in you’re diving before taking on photo/videography, as this requires lots of concentration in its own right. Courses are great to do, but don’t be bullied by dive shop owners to do course after course, get some dives under your belt in different conditions, find a buddy who is experience in all kinds of conditions. I started underwater filming after 7 years of diving (not saying you should wait that long) now my diving comes naturally so I can focus on my subjects and getting the right shots. Learn about the environment and the wildlife you wish to see/photo/film study their natural behaviour. If you require any assistance please make contact, I built my own underwater housing so can give some assistance if required. I am currently putting together ideas for a documentary series. Good luck and happy diving. Underwater is a wonderful world that needs our help to protect its many treasures.

Dave

Rowena added 2003-10-02

Dave - would be interested in having a chat - do you have an email address?

Rhawnt@yahoo.co.uk (although am local to NSW! the address confuses everybody!!)

Wandy Hochgrebe added 2004-01-25

Hi All,

I couldn't agree more with Dave. Sometimes it seems that there is so much emphasis on becoming an instructor in an as short as possible time. People might be great instructors, but have not done an awful lot of diving in waters that have waves and is colder than 25 degrees Celsius. Different conditions and temperatures are just so important to experience. It makes you a better diver. And that will make you a better photographer.

The other thing is to know what you are looking at. At least read up on marine biology (or study) or if there is a particular critter you are interested in try to speak to experts.

Cheers and good luck!
Wandy

Replies 1-6 of 6

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