Come and join us on a five-day workshop for beginner and intermediate underwater photographers/videographers among the tropical reefs of Cozumel. Any experience level and type of camera — from GoPro or point-and-shoot to mirrorless and DSLR — welcome!
There’s plenty to see and shoot: January is prime time for eagle ray encounters! In addition, we will have the chance to see turtles, nurse sharks, stringays, moray eels, and reef formations in stunning visibility that typically reaches 100 feet (30 meters) or more. Smaller creatures include colorful fish – including the endemic splendid toadfish – and critters such as gobies, blennies, a variety of shrimps and colorful sea slugs, and more (see here for a gallery).
The workshop consists of 2 dives and a photo or video seminar and image/video review each of the 5 dive days. In addition, there will be two night dives, for a total of 12 dives.
The seminars cover topics such as wide angle and macro, exposure, composition, lighting, and post-processing. In addition, participants have the opportunity to have their photos and videos reviewed. There is nothing more inspiring than spending time with other underwater photographers and videographers, getting feedback, and discovering how everyone has their own perspective and style!
Organized in collaboration with Dive N’ Surf, Redondo Beach, California.
US$1,960 Divers/workshop participants
US$1,060 Non-divers (partipants are welcome to bring non-diving partners, friends, family members, etc.)
US$635 Single supplement
Rates are for a standard room. Rates for room upgrade on request (see here for room options).
Deposit: $600 to reserve your spot
Balance: due on November 1, 2024.
Reserve your spot! Call Dive N'Surf: (310) 372-8423
The workshop is about learning how to create stunning underwater photos and videos of all that Cozumel has to offer. The great visibility, generally easy dive conditions, and range of subjects provide the perfect opportunity to develop skills to take home with you for capturing and editing high-quality underwater images and footage to share your next dive adventure.
The workshop includes 1 pre-trip dive meeting to prepare for the trip, discuss camera and dive equipment selection, and address any questions that may arise. In Cozumel, it consists of 5 days of 60- to 90-minute presentations and guest image reviews. Instruction takes the form of PowerPoint presentations, group discussions, and demonstrations of photo and video editing workflows, etc.
Participants should bring their own laptop computer and get Adobe Lightroom Classic (a basic Photography plan is US$9.99/month, and a 7-day free trial is available). The demonstration of photo editing workflows will rely on Lightroom Classic and cover topics such as how to organize and manage images, adjust white balance and make underwater photos “pop,” remove spots, and much more. The demonstration of video editing workflows will use a variety of apps and cover organizing and trimming footage, lighting and white-balance adjustments, transitions, audio editing, etc.
We will be staying at the 5-star all-inclusive Iberostar Resort, meaning that all food, drink (including alcoholic), and activities (like snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing) are included.
The hotel is located 12.5 miles south of Cozumel airport, facing the Marine Park forming part of the second largest coral reef in the world. Some of the best dive sites, such as Palancar Reef and El Cedral, are only a 10-minute boat ride away.
Accommodation is in fully equipped bungalow-style rooms with easy access to the hotel’s three pools and the extensive white, sandy beach.
We will be diving with Dressel Divers, an international dive operator with a dive shop inside the resort. Their Cozumel operations get 5 stars on Tripadvisor based on almost 3,000 reviews.
The easiest way to get to Cozumel is to get a flight from LAX to Cozumel Airport. The hotel provides a free airport transfer that runs every 20 minutes.
If you are planning to fly on January 18 (the start of the workshop), the best options are to go with United (departing LAX at 5:37am, arriving CZM at 3:40pm) and American (departing LAX at 6:00am, arriving CZM at 3:59pm). A good return option on January 25 would be United (departing CZM at 4:42pm, arriving LAX 9:55pm).
Alternatively, it is possible to fly into Cancun or Tulum and then take the ADO bus (or a taxi) to Playa del Carmen, take a ferry (ca. 1 hour) to Cozumel, and then a taxi to the hotel (or vice versa). This is a good idea if you are planning to combine the workshop with some time elsewhere in the area, such as the bull sharks and cenotes around Playa del Carmen.
Sat., Jan. 18 Check-in between 3pm and 6pm. Welcome and briefing around 6pm.
Sun., Jan. 19 2 dives (8:15am and 10:15am); back at hotel for lunch; free time until seminar and image review* (ca. 5pm)
Mon., Jan. 20 2 dives (8:15am and 10:15am); back at hotel for lunch; free time until seminar (ca. 3pm) and image review, 1 night dive
Tue., Jan. 21 2 dives (8:15am and 10:15am); back at hotel for lunch; free time until seminar (ca. 3pm) and image review, 1 night dive
Wed., Jan. 22 2 dives (8:15am and 10:15am); back at hotel for lunch; free time until seminar and image review* (ca. 5pm)
Thu., Jan. 23 2 dives (8:15am and 10:15am); back at hotel for lunch; free time until seminar and presentation of participants’ best images and videos* (ca. 5pm)
Fri., Jan. 24 Free day to relax, enjoy the resort, and dry your dive gear. Alternatively, get in a few additional dives on your own (US$57.50 for a 1 tank dive, US$105 for 2 tank dives), as long as you are not flying within 18 hours.
Sat., Jan. 25 Check out and departure.
* If you like, you can go for a third dive at 1:15pm (not included in package price). You will be back around 3pm – in time for the seminar around 5pm, but it’ll be a busy day.
To reserve your spot, call Dive N'Surf: (310) 372-8423