Hello I’m Jayvee: All Around Geek, Diver, Photographer — and I’m Joining SNUPS!

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at April 12th, 2012

Hey guys, back to reality! This post is long delayed. Sorry about that. If you want more real time updates, I’m almost always online on Twitter (@jayvee) and Instagram (@jayveef).

Anyway, we’ve been working on a huge event — it’s basically Year II of SNUPS, the biggest underwater photo competition in the Philippines. Now, you don’t need to be a professional photographer to join. There are categories suited for beginners as long as you can bring a camera down 2 feet with tupperware (you’ll be amazed with the things you can find — after all it’s the Philippines!).

In this case, we took the iPhone 4s down. Have a look at the video and share it with friends who may be interested! =)

Dates:

Cebu
April 20-24 2012

Anilao
May 4-8 2012

Take your iPhone 4s underwater (up to 300 meters!!!) with Patima

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 19th, 2012

As a guys who likes to take photos underwater, I tend to keep my choice of camera brands within the confines of the “1-Way Test” … which simply begs the question “Can I take it underwater?” So I’m more inclined to invest in photography equipment which you can wet. The geeky appeal of it all is trying to figure out how to keep electronics from staying dry at 100 ft below the surface and the concept is challenging. Well, we did it for an iPod, so what’s stopping us from taking the iPhone down?!

So when I got an iPhone 4s from SMART, I really had no intention to take it down. Well, I knew it could be technically done with a special consumer-rated case from Lifeproof (Howard did a review on it on Technoodling recently) and Gabe Mercado did give me a demonstration at 5ft deep in salt water.

But the question is, can you take the iPhone 4s down to recreational SCUBA depths of 60-120ft? Well, Patima’s new casing exclusively for the iPhone 4s allows you to do so. Not just into recreational depths … but up to 300 meters folks.

Exclusive for camera or video functions of the iPhone 4S
- Rated to 300meters, anti-moisture and anti-dust purposes
- Simple operation with 4 buttons
- Compact Size and light weight
- Material – CNC milled Aluminium Acetal, Stainless Steel
- Finishing – Anodized after Barrel, Sanding and coating
- Color – Silver
- Size: 185 x 70 x 40mm
- Weight – 400g on land
- Available controls: Rec Button, STOP button, Program Confirm Button, Camera/Camcorder mode Button and Power Button

PRICE: PHP 15,000.00 via Splash UW Imaging located at the 2nd Floor Greenhills Shopping Mall (across Krispy Kreme)

OK looking at the shots, I’m really wondering how exactly will you unlock the iPhone with the three buttons? The three buttons + home is obviously used for the camera, gallery and photo / video switch (again not sure how you’re going to switch). I’ll probably get an explanation how it works and hopefully a run-through. I don’t see any slots for strobes or video lights so you pretty much have to do a DIY config to get this thing working 100%. Nonetheless, I don’t think Patima designed this to be your primary underwater camera, but still. It delivers.

This Patima case doesn’t seem to be compatible with other iPhone models.

A Life Underwater

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at September 7th, 2011

A rogue with an eye for salvage – and the ladies – Ray: A Life Underwater is an affectionate portrait of one man’s deep sea diving career, told through his extraordinary collection of marine artefacts.

Like a modern-day pirate, 75-year-old Ray Ives has been scouring the seabed for treasure his whole life.

The former commercial diver has plundered the deep for over fifty years, bringing to the surface anything that glittered — even gold.

In a shipping container near the water, Ray tends his museum of cannon, bottles, bells, swords, portholes and diving gear.

He even still takes to the water in a 1900s diving suit.

Produced and Directed by Amanda Bluglass www.amandabluglass.co.uk
Editor and Director of Photography: Danny Cooke www.dannycooke.co.uk
Dive photography: Neil Hope www.divingimages.co.uk
Soundtrack: Tony Higgins www.tonyhiggins.org

The journey underwater reflects the awe of parallel worlds. When man looks to the stars, he sees a longing for his knowledge to fill the vacuum of space. If a man closes his eyes underwater, it is in all likelihood that this is the same feeling. Of weightlessness. Of conquering new frontiers. Of being where the human body was not built to be.

Let’s Dive ASIA!

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at August 8th, 2011

Diving in the Philippines is EPIC. But that doesn’t mean the SCUBA sites around Asia aren’t worth visiting. In fact, they’re fantastic. South East Asia is coral triangle territory so if I did have a bit more money I’d love to go on trips to the following places:
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‘Sharkwater’ is the best shark documentary I’ve seen. Spare an hour and a half to watch it here.

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at July 8th, 2011

Stunning underwater video from a guy who loves the oceans. And sharks. ‎’Sharkwater’ is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen that talks about why sharks are not the predators we’re made to believe. The fear of sharks is one of the most successful media hypes that has gone viral in the past 50 years because of military training videos, the media and Hollywood.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to SCUBA dive?

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at April 28th, 2011

A pink skunk clownfish (Amphipirion perideraion) hovers above its host anemone while scouting its surroundings. Photo by Jayvee Fernandez

I’m taking a few friends out diving this weekend in Puerto Galera. We’re doing a DSD course, more commonly known as the Discover SCUBA Diving or “Introduction Dive.” It’s a short half-day course for those who are iffy about SCUBA diving. People have different reactions towards being submerged into the flora and fauna of the ocean; it is so much different from snorkeling. The course’s main objective is to help you become more comfortable underwater while breathing from a regulator. The course consists of a classroom lecture about SCUBA, familiarization with SCUBA equipment, a confined water session with exercises and finally, the most exciting part — the dive!

I think SCUBA diving is one of the best ways to get away from the heat of summer as you’re (1) already in the beach and (2) enjoying the warm tropical waters of the Philippines. Puerto Galera is one of the best places to dive as it is very close to Verde Island, one of the centers of biodiversity.

We’re staying at GULI Diving (Facebook) at White Beach over the weekend and I’d like to thank Gus and Lisa for hosting us.

Enjoy our Tubbataha 2011 Video

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at April 26th, 2011

Hi! This is a short, 3 minute video summarizing our 6 day, 15-dive trip to Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea. Mantas, eagle rays, turtles, schooling jacks and barracudas and a visit to the ranger station.

video by Chie Clemente
edited by Jayvee Fernandez
music “Summer” by “Ike as in Dwight”

Dear Internet, I finally found it. Presenting the FUUUUUUU barrel sponge

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at April 19th, 2011

Taken in Tubbataha Reef, Philippines April 2011

AQUA OBSCURA at La Regalade

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 21st, 2011

Might I suggest a nice date place for you and your special someone? There’s a three star Michelin chef that runs the kitchen at La Regalade along Pasay Road, Makati. It’s a French Bistro. Good food. Serious wine. It’s also an art gallery. And between now and March 2, I will help provide the eye candy for your romantic evening with an underwater photo exhibit.

From left to right: myself, Jan Acosta, Marie Lat, Wowie Wong, Joshua Castro, Jules Terrado

Together with five other friends who shoot underwater, we’ve set up a 6-man exhibit titled “Aqua Obscura.” Opening night was a huge success with one of my photos being reserved for purchase. If you’re craving for French cuisine or just want to chill over a bottle of wine, I invite you drop by and have a look at the exhibit. It’s up till the 2nd of March.

Remembering 2010: Marking 102 Dives with video

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at December 28th, 2010

Probably the best investment I made this year was for a decent underwater video camera. I accumulated over 42GB worth of raw underwater footage and I must say that documenting my dives is easily the most rewarding experience this year, perhaps ever! As a volunteer for WWF Philippines I also donate all my videos to their coral triangle efforts.

So here they are, my top diving vids for 2010:

*Viewing advice*
Watching all of these videos could take a while. If you have time to spare, do grab a bag of chips and a drink. Enjoy!
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Finally, it’s complete: Sea & Sea DSLR housing with single YS-110 strobe

Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at December 22nd, 2010

Procured from parts found all over, I finally completed my first professional housing set up. I’d like to send out thanks to Wowie Wong, Jan Acosta and Jovic Santos for giving really good buying advice (and in Wowie and Jovic’s case … parts!).
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