It’s not easy trying to capture an underwater paradise with just pixels, but our photo contributors do just that! Meet our UW enthusiasts— professional and amateur photographers whose images grace the Hello PH! site.
Bo Mancao – Philippines
“I always try to make sure that my equipment is not destroying or hurting the habitat. It is easy to forget sometimes, especially when you want to get ‘that shot’.”
Bo is one of the Philippines’ well-known UW photographers. His images and presence have graced dive expos like the Philippine Dive Expo (PHIDEX), Diving & Resort Travel Expo (DRT), the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX). Bo was born into a family of divers in Cebu, and learned to swim, spearfish, and scuba dive at a young age. After a career in information technology for several years, he returned to the sea and the diving world with renewed commitment. Today he is an Ambassadiver of PADI, freelances as a Divemaster & Ocean Videographer, and has a personal website documenting his work and growth as a photographer. < bomancao.com>
On sustainable diving: “Teaching ecotourism to scuba divers is not only about best diving practices. It’s about the whole picture; not only being mindful when underwater, but being mindful during your whole trip. For example, don’t throw plastics even while on land, not just in the ocean.”
Ranee Yu – China
“I’ve been seduced by diving.”
Ranee came to work in Manila in January 2015 and did her first dives in the Philippines in early 2016. A few months later, inspired by a shutterbug dive buddy, she bought her first UW camera, an Olympus TG4 —and the rest is history.
Why she does it: “It’s so fascinating to discover and observe colorful marine life in its natural habitat. This discovery has become my motivation. I record those wonderful moments and images and share them with my family and friends.”
On her photos: “I’m still a newbie in diving and UW photography, so I’m grateful that Hello PH! has selected some of my photos to publish on its website. I’m glad if I can share this underwater world with more people.”
Tres Fenix – Philippines
“Even if you are just an amateur, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get good photos —though it could be more of luck than on purpose.”
Tres holds a Marine Biology degree with Honors,. Though he spent much of his life in the culinary industry in the U.S., the call of his home country brought him back to the Philippines, where he’s still working through his diving fever. His goal is to see ALL the dive destinations in the Philippines, and to discover lesser-known sites. His UW photography is his way of documenting the journey.
Why he shoots: “I am still in the “overwhelmed” stage of every dive spot having worthy subjects to snap and identify. It’s great to be able to show to my former marine biology classmates and friends the kind of diversity I personally experience underwater.”
Best dive experience: “I was on a shore dive in Dauin. It was a drift dive, mostly sandy with scattered coral heads, but the visibility was excellent. Two schools of barracuda were on the left and right, fusiliers all around, pancake stingrays flurrying the sand, groupers wafting about, snappers hanging out on a rock, in the distance a turtle rising to the surface for a gulp of air, then a juvenile whale shark crosses over my head.!”
Cyron Sobrevinas – Australia
“Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light and you will know the key to photography.”
Cyron is a full-time photographer who runs his own business as a wedding photographer in Sydney, Australia. He’s an avid explorer, and tells us he’s done more than 50 plane flights around the world in 2016 alone. Landscape and lifestyle photography are his hobbies, and he often finds himself wandering around unique places or relaxing on a beach.
On finding home: “I grew up in Australia but when I finally met my extended family back in the Philippines and lost myself in their hospitable culture, I couldn’t stay away. Now I go back home at least three times a year to discover more of the Philippine’s hidden gems.”
Best dive experience: “In Malapascua, I was introduced to a whole new world of life and photography. I loved the science behind keeping your buoyancy and seeing sea creatures I would only have ever seen on the Discovery Channel. I got to see a turtle!”
Why he shoots: #itsmorefuninthephilippines IT REALLY IS! There are so many treasures here and I want to share that with all those I love and all those who dream to be here in paradise!
You can find Cyron’s work on Instagram: @CyronJoseph @CapturedFrames
Aldreane Cruz – Australia
“What you visualize will manifest into reality, sometimes even better.”
Aldreane studies in the University of Notre Dame in Sydney. Taking videos and photos has always been ahobby. He shoots for Hello PH! as an opportunity to refine his skills and experience the beauty of the Philippines.
Why he does it: “Taking part in an experience and capturing it satisfy me. I enjoy knowing that I made someone joyful and can look back to share and cherish those moments.”
Into UW photography? Find out about one of the Philippines top UW photography sites in this piece about macro photography in Dauin, Negros Oriental. <link the article of macro photography in Dauin>
