MARIA MUNN'S COLUMN: Capturing Cornish Magic - Part 1

Those of you that know me well are aware that I used to have a huge fear of diving in temperate waters. However, after attending the PADI and Scubapro days this year I have got to grips with diving in the UK and Ireland – I’m no longer the sunshine diver that I used to be! I'd always been inspired to dive Cornish waters after reading Mark Webster's book "Beneath Cornish Seas", and it’s those very waters that provide this week’s focus.

I've decided to change the focus a little (pardon the pun) and include the photographic work of Peter Smetana. I went diving with Peter at Cornish Diving College a little while back and his photos show what can be achieved with just a compact camera in it's housing using either the built-in flash or shooting with available light. He has a Canon Ixus 700 in a Canon housing.

There were quite a few sites to choose from and I was still apprehensive about all the colourful subjects that Patryk, Peter and Nick from Cornish Diving College were passionate about. The area of Falmouth is peppered with beautiful dive sites off the shore and this particular afternoon the guys chose to take me to Pendennis, one of the most popular sites just outside of Falmouth, and one with a breathtaking view of sweeping ocean vistas from the top of the hill from where the access is. Clear blue skies, calm flat waters - was I in England? Time to pinch myself, yes I was really here…

The Silver Steps, which this site is fondly known as, and the panoramic views of the sloping boulders glistening in the sunshine with little rock pools nestled in their midst made me really excited to explore. Down the steps, over the rocks and I was in… and the gorgeous vistas continued just as soon as I put my head in the water. Kelp forests of all different shades and hues greeted me in the shallows, gently dancing in an underwater breeze. A few fin kicks and I was away from the shore, surrounded by beautiful kelp, all different rainbow colours and heading to deeper water. I say deeper but I never got beyond 4m in over an hour's dive time here. The photographic opportunities were immense with both wide angle and macro opportunities aplenty.

Pipefish

Blennies and shinnies nestled in the kelp, and at one point I had the fright of my life - a pipefish raced past me to go back into its little den, its cute little nose left poking out. I had my camera and strobe with me, but most of the time these little creatures were so well hidden in their surroundings, that it was far easier to use just Peter's camera. Colours were abundant with purple sea lettuces providing a home for a wealth of flora and fauna. A John Dory popped past. After seeing a beautiful photography by Linda Pitkin from the British Society of Underwater Photographers, I'd always wanted to see one of these in real life. I found a gorgeous strawberry anemone. Little spider crabs hid in the kelp leaves and I found one wrapping its long spindly legs around a pink-tipped anemone. Yellow sponges provided gorgeous abstract photo opportunities by focusing just on the textures of it. I'd been diving for less than 10 minutes but I already knew that I wanted to return. Needless to say I didn't manage to venture far enough to see the site’s famous wrecks or anything further than 30ft from shore, there were so many interesting things to see closer in.

Falmouth provides the perfect opportunity for those divers keen to dip their toe into UK waters. With its stunning topside scenery as well as deserted beaches and stunning dives, it is the perfect getaway for all the family. It left me with a new-found passion to discover more UK dive sites as well as a passion to return. Special thanks must go to Nick and the team from Cornish Diving College as well as Peter and Patryk for looking after me.

Next stop will be Portland next weekend with PADI and Fathom & Blues. If you are free make sure you pop along.

Have a snaptastic weekend.

Maria

For more information on compact cameras and techniques, don’t forget to grab a copy of Maria’s award-winning book “Underwater Photography for Compact Camera Users”, join her on one of her free demo days in London and Leeds, or treat your compact to a fabulous day of learning in a fun and relaxed style in tropical 32 degree indoor pools. Visit www.oceanvisions.co.uk for more information.

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