06/08/2026
✨ July Photo Challenge – Negative Space Odyssey
Sometimes the strongest images come from what you leave out.
This month inside The Underwater Club, the challenge was to resist the instinct to get closer and fill the frame and instead give the subject room to breathe. Negative space can create mood, scale, isolation, mystery and simplicity. It can make a tiny subject feel enormous… or make the ocean feel endless.
👏 This month's showcase features:
📸 Elena Markushina () Fresh from a macro workshop in Tulamben with Lilian Koh, Elena framed one of her all-time favourite subjects — a wonderfully characterful little orange frogfish. Set against a wash of deep blue water, the negative space lets that bold pop of colour and the frogfish's cheeky expression command the frame.
📸 Maryline Renault () Maryline leaned into the "space" and "odyssey" side of the theme, setting a delicate nudibranch perched on a hydroid against a black background scattered with "sparkling stars." The result is almost alien and cinematic — the subject and its twig read like a rocket powering off into deep space, pure 2001: A Space Odyssey. A brilliant reminder that backscatter, used deliberately, can become the whole story.
📸 Dyana Wu () A luckily-timed cloud of silt became the entire story here. Shooting with a new OM-1 II and 90mm macro, Dyana caught a tiny goby's wide, emoji-like eyes peering out from a soft pink haze. The dreamy bokeh wraps the subject in negative space and lets those eyes do all the talking. 🥺
💡 What stood out this month wasn't just the empty space — it's how differently everyone used it. Some created mood and isolation, others told stories of scale, mystery, even outer space. Proof that what you don't put in the frame can be every bit as powerful as what you do.
20/07/2026
Thinking about booking your first liveaboard? 🚤📸
A liveaboard can completely change the way you experience diving—but if you’ve never done one before, it’s natural to wonder what it’s like onboard, and how to prepare for it.
In this series of Member Trip Reports by members of The Underwater Club, Julie Jones () shares her first-ever liveaboard experience aboard the renowned Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, exploring Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef.
Julie will give an honest account of what it’s like to live onboard for several days, how the trip is organised, what a typical diving day looks like, and, of course, the underwater photography opportunities—from vibrant coral gardens and reefscapes to sharks, turtles and macro subjects, and even drone photography!
If you’re considering your first liveaboard, or are thinking to experience the Great Barrier Reef with one of Australia’s most respected dive operators, Julie’s presentation will give you a realistic idea of what to expect.
🗓 Register now to join Julie’s live presentation on 22nd or 23rd July (depending on your time zone).
https://theunderwaterclub.com/
20/07/2026
Looking for a dive destination that’s a little off the beaten path? 🌍📸
Some of the world’s most rewarding underwater photography opportunities are found in places that few divers think to visit.
In this series of Member Trip Reports by members of The Underwater Club, Dr. Elodie Camprasse (.on.ocean) takes us from the clear waters of Lake Malawi—home to more fish species than any other lake on Earth—to the vibrant reefs of Tanzania (Mafia Island, Pemba Island and Zanzibar).
More than just a travel diary, Elodie will share the practical insights underwater photographers care about most: the marine life you can expect to encounter, the best lenses to pack, visibility, logistics, accommodation, and what surprised her most along the way.
If you’re curious about exploring these little known dive destination, this is a presentation you won’t want to miss.
🗓 Register now to join Elodie’s live presentation on 22nd or 23rd July (depending on your time zone).
https://theunderwaterclub.com/
16/07/2026
Is Misool really worth the hype? 🌴📸
For many underwater photographers, Misool sits right at the top of the bucket list. But what is it actually like to photograph—and how do you make the most of a trip there?
In this series of Member Trip Reports by members of The Underwater Club, award-winning underwater photographer Stephanie Doniger shares insights from six trips to Misool, including three stays at Misool Eco Resort and her most recent visit in December 2025 / January 2026.
Stephanie will showcase the breathtaking wide-angle opportunities that have made Misool legendary, while also touching on its macro life. She’ll compare the experience of staying at Misool Eco Resort versus diving the region from a liveaboard, helping you decide which option might suit your own photography goals.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Raja Ampat or dreaming of returning, you’ll come away with practical advice and plenty of inspiration.
🗓Register now to join Stephanie’s live presentation on **22nd or 23rd July** (depending on your time zone).
https://theunderwaterclub.com/
16/07/2026