Stuart Philpott photography day just £100!

Around the end of August, every year, one of the most spectacular UK marine life events comes to our shoreline.

The strange looking Grey Trigger Fish (Balistes Capriscus) appear off the South Coast drifting along on the ocean currents.

The Royal Adelaide Shipwreck off Chesil Beach, Portland seems to be a hotspot for Trigger Fish activity. It's quite common to find 100 or more Triggers the size of dinner plates surrounding divers and photographers.

The remains of the Royal Adelaide wreck sits at about 16m, depending on tides, so there is plenty of time to take pictures. Bottom composition is mainly made up of pebbles so underwater visibility is usually between 5-10 metres. Most divers spend an hour or more (12-litre cylinder) in total awe.

This has to be one of the best kept secrets in the UK. There are not many places in the world where you can interact so closely with Triggers. They are non-aggressive (not like Titan Triggers) and are more than happy to come in close for macro or wide angle photo opportunities.

This year Underwater Photojournalist Stuart Philpott has decided to share this unique experience with a select few. He will be running four one-day workshops in association with Scimitar Diving. Stuart will personally guide the dives and offer advice on camera settings, recommendations, compositions, lighting etc so that photographers can get the best pictures possible. The events will be run as proper workshops and will probably be an early start/late finish.

Cost is £100 for the day and includes 2 x hard boat dives, lunch, tuition, guide, classroom time and PADI photo certification (optional). Speak to either Stuart Philpott or Scimitar Diving for more information or to book your place.

The workshop is open to photographers of all levels from compact camera users to DSLR owners.

The wreck is also a good spot for Tompot Blennies, Conger Eels, Pollack, Pout, Lobsters, Velvet Swimming Crabs, Edible Crabs sometimes John Dory and Cuttle Fish to name but a few species. The Tompot Blennies are particularly friendly and have even been known to nibble fingers.

Hopefully you can join Stuart for this truly memorable occasion. He has personally dived the wreck more than 200 times over the years (normally via the shore) and still keeps going back for more.

Obviously the workshops are subject to weather conditions and Trigger sightings (this is a natural event). In the case of rough weather an alternative site will be found. In the case of no Trigger encounters the workshop will focus on other local marine life species found at the dive site.

Workshop dates are September 8, 9, 23 and 25. Contact Stuart Philpott at adventurediving@yahoo.co.uk or Sarah at smudge@scimitardiving.co.uk. Hotel accommodation is also available.

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