I have come a long way when it comes to diving. I have been curious about diving since I was in secondary school. I remembered watching it on TV and said to myself that one day I would want to experience the beauty of underwater world first hand.
Of course it was met with much scorn from my parents as they
viewed the sports as a dangerous activity.
I finally made my break when I managed to convince my
then-husband to dive. To cut story short- my first open water experience was
unpleasant. I raptured my eardrum and I was banned from diving for good 6
months.
That does not stop me from pursuing my interest. I managed
to get my license almost a year after the ear popping experience. I managed to
get my open water license and I continued my Advance Open Water PADI
certification soon after.
Although the interest is there, my skills are rather
appalling. I was definitely not a water baby. I hyperventilated whenever I
dived. My buoyancy was poor. I take rather really long for me to equalize
my ears – partly the fear that it might pop again and partly, very bad
technique. Despite all this, I continued diving.
I remembered cursing underwater photographer because they
take way too long when they are photographing an object. I find it a chore
waiting for them as I struggle to keep my buoyancy.
The old adage of
practice makes perfect rings some truth. With a lot of practice, I am more
comfortable underwater. I am more calm, I can equalize easily and my body is
much more streamline. I was getting
better at underwater marine life recognition. I am enjoying the diving much
more as my skill improves.
Underwater photography is a natural progression once I am
better at diving. I remembered a buddy borrowed the camera at Tenggol. I was so
busy capturing the octopus that I made the whole team waited the whole time
while I busy snapping the photos. I must
confess till today, I still make the whole team wait, just not as long:)
In 2012, I entered inaugural KR international underwater photography
competition in Lembeh for fun. I was not expecting anything, as all of the
participants are so competitive. They have the best equipment and they capture
really beautiful shots of the macro life. I felt so small. I remembered not
wanting to submit my entry but my buddy encouraged me to submit my photos.
Before the results were announced, they showed slideshow of
the entry photos. I watched with admiration how beautiful the other entry
shots. There is no way my photos comes near to those images. When they
announced the winner, I was so shocked that I came in first for the compact
camera category. Me? The winner of compact camera category? Yes, that's right.
I came in first. http://trip.underwater.kr/20121217/shootout-2012-result/lembeh-contest-2012-23/
That experience encourages me to be a better UW
photographer. I read more UW photography tips so I can capture more beautiful
images. I put more effort in improving the camera composition so the pictures
turn out beautifully.
I am saving my money so I can invest in better equipment. I
have made good friends along the way. We have a long list of dive sites we want
to do. With our improved equipment, it would be a waste if we did not dive
around the world right?
# Balqesh Abdullah
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