Well done Libby!

Libby came on my workshop to Nuweiba last year. She emailed me on Monday to say that she was placed as joint runner-up in Bristol's Underwater Photography Group with this wonderful picture of two ribbon eels. She shoots with a Canon Ixus and a Sea & Sea Strobe. Well done Libby!

Happy Snowy New Year! :)

Big snowy wishes to you all and here's wishing you a wonderful year ahead full of fishtastic diving and amazing photo opportunties. I never thought my garden would look so scenic or that Simba would enjoy eating the snow!

Despite the snowy start to the year, Alison and Mike from an even snowier Edinburgh still came down by plane for their course on Tuesday. We spent a wonderful day together until gone past 7 pm sharing conservation experiences and before they knew it, it was snowing again. I took them their diving equipment all dried out the following day ready for their flight back to Edinburgh and we all ended up trying to push the taxi out of the snow over a speed hump from the Sundridge Park Manor.

What an adventure! But there was more to come. Their flight ended up being de-iced on the runway itself when all the other flights from London City had been cancelled. Fortunately, they returned to Edinburgh last night safe and sound and exhilerated from a wonderful day. So enthusiastic, they've just emailed me to say that they are already playing with their cameras up in the snow!

I'm already excited about helping you all in 2010 so just get in touch to help you take beautiful underwater and overwater photographs :)

Wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas and New Year!

What an amazing year it has been, two more guests won Sport Diver's Photo of the Month, one made it to the final of the BSAC Amateur Travel Photographer of the Year Award, one on the cover of Scottish Diver, one in UWP, another in Diver and London Diver and two overseas competition places too! Phew ...... Well done all of you!

Unfortunately, I have had to pull out of Greenwich Market due to my old injuries being aggravated by the cold which left me unable to walk, so please forgive me. Just drop me an email at maria@oceanvisions.co.uk

Don't forget to check out the new Online Shop and sign up before the end of the year to receive your discount.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2010.

Happy Christmas Snapping :)

Come and Visit Greenwich Market every Sunday

Even though it was raining, it was great being back at The Artists Quarter at Greenwich Market on Sunday. Despite the weather, the aisles were packed in the morning and it was great meeting so many kids and bigger kids who loved Sharks and the Ocean. I'll be there this Thursday, 3rd and then on every Friday and Sunday up until Christmas. Come and see how your own images will look beautiful on crystal. Hope to see some of you there.

Daniel Norwood wins BSOUP Best Beginner 2009

I nearly passed out last night when my one day course guest Daniel Norwood won the British Society of Underwater Photographer's Prestigious Best Beginner of 2009 with this amazing portfolio. He shot the pictures using a Fuji F50 and an Inon Fisheye Lens as well as a Sea & Sea YS 110 Strobe. The pictures were mainly taken in Bali apart from the ribbon eel which was taken in Sipidan and the whale shark was taken in Western Australia. A whale sized well done Dan, looking forward to seeing more of your photos ...... Don't forget to come along to BSOUP on the third Wednesday of every month at the Imperial College at the Natural History Museum in London, they have amazing monthly talks and it is great to see everyone and get inspired. Look forward to seeing you there .....

Visions in the Sea Underwater Photography Festival

The annual Visions in the Sea Event proved to be an absolute class event for anyone wanting to learn about underwater photography at all levels. Inspiring talks were given by Martin Edge, Charlie Hood and my great mentor Cathy Church from the Cayman Islands with Orca Divers and Ocean Optics being fantastic hosts. The Shark Trust were there and it was fabulous to see Ali and John and to have a chance of a catch-up! A huge whale-sized well done to the winners of the Underwater Photography Competition there, especially to CJ Moran who scooped the Young Underwater Photography Prize. His picture here is absolutely incredible and a real inspiration to show that anyone of any age can take cracking pictures with a compact camera!

Daniel Norwood wins Sport Diver Photo of the Month!

Course Guest Number Three, Dan, emailed me at the weekend to say that he has won this month's "Photo of the Month" with Sport Diver. His photos are absolutely mind-blowing and I was so proud! He took this photo with a Fuji F50 and a Sea and Sea YS 110 Strobe. Just shows you what a punch these little pocket rockets can do!