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10/06/2007: "SHARK PROFILE AGAINST WHITE WATER"
(My camera log) Monday 22 Feb 1988. Big seas during last two days prevented diving. The ten foot swell dropped to seven foot today. Lots of white water and waves breaking over Little Seal Rock.
Perspex camera housing jammed film after only 10 feet possibly due to 48 fps (slow motion) being used. Film was 125ASA Fuji. Zoom lens set at 12.5mm at f5.6 (possibly one stop under-exposed anyway).
Stills exposed were about 16 frames exposed. Exposures should be OK. Lots of excitement on this solo dive as I faced 12 to 20 grey nurse. Had the feeling I was looking at a scene no one else in the world had viewed – although it won’t remain all that exclusive for much longer, days perhaps as (the USA TV film crew with Peter Benchley) are expected here this week.
Second dive was filming attempt with Sea Tite housing 5.9mm lens with 500 ASA Fuji 25 fps at f11 should be OK. J.E. (Jocelyn) exposed some movie film – (that which follows a brief close-up u/w head and shoulders shot of her).
This film stock will be quite grainy – perhaps dramatic looking.
In summary the sea was still a bit on the wild side – the stills will be the best part – providing sediment doesn’t cloud the subjects too excessively.
Above water a clear sky with a north-east breeze. Over the weekend it had been a southerly blowing. Brian Davies (local fisherman and Jocelyn's boyfriend) kindly provided (loaned us) his boat and motor again, a Quintrex with brand new 25 HP Evinrude. Nice guy.
Footnote: Brian Davies passed away Christmas 2006 from complications not helped by his moderate to often excessive alcohol use. He had been depressed long-term by the decline of reef fish and lobsters in the region. I was filming his sea talents above and underwater on 16mm for a short film we hoped might encourage him one day to become an eco tour guide at Seal Rocks, his home town.
Brian rented (and in recent times rarely paid) for a tiny cottage under a tree where I often put my small tent. The huge tree had stinging leaves! Brian occasionally cooked lobsters and abalone for people his own age who he'd meet on the beach by chance. His illness may not have been helped by a six month working holiday in Japan handling and breathing toxic chemicals.
