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The defining moment of last year’s Kona Classic Underwater Photography and Art Festival occurred at night …
Like a coven of neoprene-clad cultists, we’d gathered at dusk, on the back decks of dive boats, to await the winged ones. We all did final equipment checks -- strobes charged: check; film loaded: check; camera preset: check. Bret LeMaster, a divemaster more famous for his tank-free exploits, dropped over the side to place lights in the water. These lights act like a beacon for Kona’s manta rays. Almost every night, they showed up in a sheltered cove by the airport, and the faithful were here hoping to capture a winning photograph.
Each boat had a famous photo pro aboard — the likes of Marty Snyderman, Jim Watt, David Fleetham, Doug Perrine, Bob Talbot and others -- to dispense last-minute advice on exposure, composition, lighting. Then the mantas showed up and the show went into full swing. Divers entered the water accompanied by the high-pitched squeal of strobes charging up. As we settled on the bottom in a wagon-train circle around the lights, the mantas, some with wingspans of 12 to 14 feet, were already somersaulting in the beams of light, inhaling enormous gulps of the tiny organisms attracted to the lights. They swooped close over heads, between divers, and up and down the lighted water column. All the while, camera strobes were going off as if it were the beginning of the Super Bowl, or Tom Cruise had just shown up on the red carpet. Between the bluey-white of the light diffusing through water and the light-saber flashlights and strobes, it looked as if we’d all descended into a moment torn from the celluloid filmstrips of Close Encounters.
The mantas just kept swooping closer and closer. Photographers were nailing shots of manta mouths so agape that you could see other divers through the openings in the winged creatures’ gill slits. In the end, about seven or eight mantas had arrived as planned and later, on the dive boats, the groups of photographers were abuzz with talk of prize-winning images and in awe at such an encounter. Frankly, those of us who would later judge the contest were convinced that the opportunity for the winning shot certainly must have presented itself on this dive (it ultimately had). And this was just one dive during a week spent underwater, rubbing elbows and getting advice from the best in the business, and swapping tales at numerous social events.
The most amazing thing happened during this photography competition — everyone involved became excited by everyone else’s top images and improvement. Photographers, upon finding a cool creature or photo subject, would tap their tanks and show the other photographers. They all supported each other with advice and encouragement, no matter what the skill level of photographer (heck, a first-time shooter won the point-and-shoot competition last year). No cutthroat competition here. Just a bunch of bubble-blowing snappers gathered for a common goal: to become better photographers, celebrate great images and image-making and enjoy some world-class diving.
This year, it’s going to be the same thing, only better. The prizes are more incredible: live-aboard trips, camera equipment, Body Glove wetsuits, BCs, regs, PADI gear and other great swag. Each day you’ll get one-on-one time with world-famous pros such as David Fleetham, Jim Watt (prepare your digital questions for Jim), Doug Perrine, Marty Snyderman and others, plus you’ll get to dive with them too. There will also be a film festival featuring a special preview to be announced soon.
One of the most successful events last year, the Body Glove Kids Day Snorkeling Treasure Hunt is back with a vengeance, promising even cooler prizes for any kids in the crowd.
As a highlight of the show, marine artist and Kona-crazed diver Wyland will make a guest appearance, emceeing the Art Festival, featuring local artists and kids, and giving away some more great prizes for the winners.
Kona is the ultimate place for divers. Dive flags litter the sky. The town is devoted to undersea adventurers and the waters off its shores are a gathering ground for turtles, whales, mantas, dolphins, sharks and myriad endemic creatures that will cause divers, and especially photographers, to shudder with anticipation of the next dive.
Topside it’s just as incredible. Besides a bunch of memorable restaurants and bars all within walking distance of the host hotel, the Big Island has 12 of the world’s 16 climate zones. So there will be loads to shoot when you’re not obsessing over marinelife.
The week ends with a gala and the top prizes are given out by the photo pros and judges. Last year the bar was set pretty high (the manta night dives are back, too). But the sea is fickle -- you never know when she’s going to open up and give you the ultimate shot. Chances are, though, it’ll happen here. And your new friends, the ones who squint through a viewfinder with you, will all applaud with admiration as you step up to collect your prize.
Kona Classic Underwater Photography and Art Festival
Sponsored by Body Glove and Sport Diver
When: May 10-17
Where: Kona, the Big Island, Hawaii
Rundown: One-on-one time with photo pros: Jim Watt, David
Fleetham, Doug Perrine, Marty Snyderman and others — both on
the boat and at the light table
Top Prizes: Gear, trips, cameras and more
Film Festival
Body Glove Kids Day Snorkeling Treasure Hunt
Art Festival featuring local artists
Guest appearance by Wyland
Daily events, seminars and presentations
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