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Candice Landau

@scubascribbles

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Above-and-below water imagery for dive operators, resorts, luxury properties, liveaboards & tourism boards 🌊
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I'm still amazed by the burrow this Lembeh mantis shrimp created for itself. While I've seen many peacock mantis shrimps while diving in the Pacific Ocean, until this day, I'd never seen one that had created what I can only describe as a bird's nest surrounding its burrow.

Is it something Lembeh mantis shrimps do? If so, why? Or perhaps it's a stolen burrow? Or worse, perhaps this fellow was simply trying to reinforce its burrow against divers attempting to prod it into a photogenic position 😭 this is after all a macro diving hub. And yes, this practice happens and I can't tell you how cruel I think it is. If an animal isn't behaving for your camera in the way you want it to move on. And if it's your guide doing this ask them not to. Tell them you want to capture animals behaving naturally even if it means you have to sit in one place for five minutes. It helps to explain this before you ever dive with a new guide so you don't have to have the sometimes awkward conversation after the fact.

Though I of course hope the latter hypothesis is not the reason for this nest-like burrow, one thing is certain: Animals are a neverending source of surprise. Or perhaps it's just that we humans don't give them the credit they deserve and don't see them as the sentient beings they are.

Photo taken on Olympus TG-6 using a @krakensports strobe.

#animalbehavior #lembehstrait #peacockmantisshrimp #animalwelfare #weirdanimals taken in Lembeh Strait by @scubascribbles

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2 days ago

One of my favorite photos from my recent trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 💙 with @reef.smart and @diveantilles

Spoiler: no divers harmed in the making though the frog fish attempted to lure 'em in.

#frogfish #underwaterphotography #photographerforhire #travelphotography #tourism taken in St. Vincent and the Grenadines by @scubascribbles

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5 days ago

These photos were all shot on a $550 camera.

That's right, not my Canon R5 but rather, an Olympus TG-6.

Earlier this year in Indonesia, my R5 housing flooded on day one of a trip I’d been looking forward to for a year. So, with little other choice, I pivoted. I captured the entire muck diving experience instead on a camera no bigger than my hand. These are a few pictures just to give you a taste.

Of course, none of this is to say that gear doesn't matter. My R5 is the better camera, no questions asked. But, after spending a lot of time learning to use the TG-6's camera settings on semi-manual, after learning how to use a snoot properly, and after learning how to frame a shot, I can confidently tell you that this little thing is still a powerhouse.

If you’ve got a TG-6 (or a TG-7) sitting in a drawer gathering dust because you're saving up for that "big rig" or think you just can't do what the "real photographers do," think again and then do this:

- Stop using the built-in underwater presets
- Shoot semi-manual and save your settings to your C1 and C2 menu to easily switch between them
- Shoot RAW so you can edit more easily in Lightroom (though try to take shots that don't need much editing)
- Use a strobe and a spotlight for macro, use two strobes for wide (and an M52 lens)

At the end of the day you don't need the most expensive gear to shoot photos you can be proud of. You just need to know what you're working with. If you want the ultimate crash course, check out South African photographer, @katejonkerphotography 's Olympus TG-6 course. It's phenomenal.

Strobe @krakensports
Snoot @krakensports
Spot light @orcatorch by @scubascribbles

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6 days ago

New dive stickers for purchase!

In 2024 I taught myself to use Procreate so that I could learn to make stickers. Two years later and that goal has become a reality.

You can now purchase my stickers on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScubaScribbles

For larger or custom orders please message me. I'd be happy to supply dive shops, operators and everyone in-between.

Stickers are all made using high quality vinyl and are waterproof. Though I've yet to test them underwater they've held up well for months now on my water bottles and on my car without tearing, peeling or fading.

Any purchase you make goes toward supporting a real artist who has NOT used AI to generate these but who rather enjoys the process of making art.

I hope you enjoy! More coming soon... by @scubascribbles

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10 days ago

If you have GAS, this article is for you. That is, Gear Acquisition Syndrome, which someone recently told me, that like him, I have in spades (cheers @loicpravaz ).

That said, this is also more of a “how I pack list” rather than a what I pack. It provides a good dose of that too but the HOW, to me, is more interesting as it’s taken years to get to the point where I can take well over 150lbs of gear on my own, packed in logical ways.

I'm rarely stopped by TSA and this far all my gear has shown up undamaged. Though I've still had airlines delay a checked bag with this method my most important gear - the photography equipment - still makes it. I hope it helps!

If you're a cold water diver who travels with a drysuit and a camera boy do I have questions for you as this is about as far as I go.

To read the post head to my blog: scubascribbles.com Dive gear bags and bags for underwater photography gear by @scubascribbles

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12 days ago

Can't wait to share what I've been working on the past few months. Four islands later and we are into the editing and processing phase of our project in St Vincent and the Grenadines. More soon.

In the meantime, a big shout out to the incredible collaborators I got to work with for this project: @reef.smart @loicpravaz (also the photographer for this cool shot), @diveantilles and @dive_bequia

If you're a resort, dive operator or tourism board and are interested in hiring me to shoot your destination underwater DM me or email candice@scubascribbles.com

Otherwise happy diving! 🤿 taken in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by @scubascribbles

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17 days ago

When I realized my underwater housing would not be back in time for my dive trip aboard @catppalu I wanted to cry. Not only is it next to impossible for me to dive now without a camera (unless I'm teaching of course) but I don't feel I can do a story justice if I can't share photos from the trip. I want to show not just tell. And so, I turned to my old Olympus TG6 and gave it an eyeball.

The problem? I had no idea how to use it on manual settings and I knew from experience that photos taken on manual were so much better. And so, the day before my flight to the Bahamas I purchased an underwater TG6 course by @katejonkerphotography and blitzed through it in a day.

I was astonished. I'd shot the TG6 camera for a few years before upgrading but the course made me realize I'd barely skimmed the surface of its potential. Not only did the course show me how to use it properly on semi-manual for macro and wide as well as with strobes and video lights (different settings) but I also learned how to set custom settings and how to adjust the light balance to change the background contrast of the water. To think I'd only ever used it on the presents before...my mind was blown.

And while my Canon's underwater housing is finally back, I wanted to share a few photos to show you that the Olympus TG6 is still a little powerhouse. And of course to give you a taste of the amazing Exumas which is crazy close. You can read my upcoming story soon!

Also, thanks to @allstarliveaboards @chefkevinpurdy @catppalu for an incredible experience, @scubadivingmag for the assignment, @krakensports for the best video lights out there (my night dives were day dives), and @olympusunderwater for continuing to produce this amazing camera. Also to @backscattervideophoto for creating the wide angle wet lens for this rig and the tray that allows one to remove the lens and stow making it possible to switch between macro and wide on a dive. You've got the big rigs beat on that front. Also thanks to the boat staff: Bill, @ocean.jen @christopheroneill659 @victoriamarelli -- you guys did such a wonderful job!

@omsystemcameras.uk @omsystem.cameras by @scubascribbles

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5 months ago

My stickers are now for sale on @etsy! For those of you who don't know, this past year I've been learning to illustrate. It's been a long slow process but I've finally got three of my ocean advocacy stickers live for sale and one of my little black cat stickers. There are more to come but I wanted to start here not least because I'm trialing a new sticker printing company that doesn't have the toxic polices Sticker Mule has. Also these are in one of my new favorite styles: kawaii! Ugh so cute.

As I continue to learn to illustrate on digital I'm always open to requests. The next stickers will likely be scuba themed and I'll have some patterns for sale too soon.

If you'd like one of the above for yourself (my first print run is just 24 of each sticker), head on over to my Etsy shop: scubascribbles.etsy.com

And yes they're much better than my watercolors...so far!

#animalstickers #oceanstickers #animalwelfare #oceanadvocate #conservationart #animalwelfareart #blackcat #blackcatart #sharkfinning #bettafish taken in Raleigh, North Carolina by @scubascribbles

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a year ago

Last month my camera was held up in customs in Vanuatu. It was an incredibly disheartening experience given I'd flown halfway across the world to take photos. But, it did mean I had time in the evenings. With that time I pulled out my new mini watercolor kit (a cheap Amazon purchase) and began painting screenshots from my DJI action camera.

Not only did it soothe my upset over not having a camera but it also reminded me that there are always more ways than you think to capture memories.

Now, when I look at each small watercolor I remember not only how I felt during that moment underwater or topside, but also sitting on my bed in my hotel room doing something for me, learning, being creative, channeling.

I never intended to show anyone these images as I was painting them which meant I could allow myself to be bad. I don't know watercolor very well (probably evident to those of you who do) but it's a start.

Next time around I'll take better paper and better paints and I'll keep making bad art so that one day maybe I'll be able to make good watercolor art.

PS: DM me if you want to know how NOT to get your gear held up in customs in Vanuatu.

Stationery by: @water_color_koi @sakuraofamerica @peterpauperpress @pentelofamerica @pentel_official @tombowusa

#scubadiving #vanuatuislands #watercolorsketch #watercolours #arttherapy #dailyart #underwater #history #wreckdiving taken in Espiritu Santo, Luganville, Vanuatu by @scubascribbles

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a year ago

A few more photos from Komodo. As you can probably tell, my macro shots turned out much better than my wide angle shots. This was because they were properly lit. So where an 8k lumen video light works perfectly at night, it does not even begin to suffice with a fisheye wide angle lens in the day. Had I had my strobes colors would be vivid and consistent and details sharper. Still I managed to get a few not too bad wide angles...anyway a reminder to have backups...something. Always goes wrong.

📷 Candice landau using CanonR5 in @aquaticadigital housing
🔦 @krakensports for video light
@aggressorliveaboards @aggressoradventures for liveaboard
@scubadivingmag for assignment taken in Komodo Islands, Indonesia by @scubascribbles

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a year ago

A few photos from my recent trip to Komodo. The night diving here is wonderful. Textures and colors are just second to none. Also encountered some of the strangest nudibranchs I have ever seen.

My night diving photos are better than day and wide angle as my strobes were not available. Video light bailed me out but as many of you know it's no substitute for strobes when capturing wide angle.

I'm still learning so much about taking photos and about editing them. Honestly the more I do it the less I feel I know. One of these days I'll fork over some money and buy a diopter for better macro shots and a monitor calibrated for print images. Editing on a regular monitor without a calibrator is insane. It's also unfortunate to have to learn all of this myself. There's so little online to teach me and so many people are secretive about their processes which really does just make it all trial and error for ages. Very frustrating.

Thanks to @aggressorliveaboards for the opportunity to capture the underwater world in all its glorious detail, and to @krakensports for keeping me in color when my strobes fail, and for night diving when they're essential. Their video lights are my favorite. Also to @aquaticadigital as always for making this all possible. I wouldn't be where I am today without you guys.

Look out for my Komodo feature in the December issue of Scuba Diving magazine. @ameliamau_designer did a great job helping to make it look beautiful! Scuba Diving marine life in Komodo taken in Komodo Islands, Indonesia by @scubascribbles

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a year ago

North Carolina in the fall. Here until at least February. Trees are beautiful! Where to next?! Taking suggestions...

So far in one year: Asheville, NC; Destin-Fort Walton, FL; Wilmington, NC; and Raleigh, NC. Wouldn't have been possible without @furnishedfinder as Airbnb is SO expensive even for long-term stays. Capitalism gone wild in this country 🤯 taken in Raleigh, North Carolina by @scubascribbles

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a year ago