Scuba Divers Plunge into Russia's Stunning Orda Cave

We posted a few photos from Russia's longest cave system in April, but the Daily Mail recently posted this article with a bit more information (as well as the video below) about the divers, the photos, and Orda Cave, the longest underwater gypsum crystal cave in the world.

It looks like the set of a Hollywood action movie but these images were taken by a team of expert cave divers in the depths of Russia.

A team of daring cave divers have produced an incredible photo-reportage of the longest underwater gypsum crystal cave in the world.

The Orda Cave in the western Urals region is three miles of eerily dramatic natural channels created by water so clear divers can see over 50 yards ahead of them.

Over a period of six months the intrepid team led by photographer and journalist, Victor Lyagushkin, 40, from Russia explored the water filled cave tunnels at temperatures barely above freezing.

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Stunning Photos: Scuba Diving Russia's Longest Cave

Incredible.




There's more...

Rust in Peace: Stunning Shipwrecks Captured on Camera Around the World

That's the clever title of this terrific photo set article about underwater photographer Alex Mustard and his discoveries.

Here's a taste.




Read the article and see more photos...

Wes Skiles Tribute Video

An absolutely breath-taking video tribute to the passions of the late, great Wes Skiles.


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Preparing for Ice Diving

In their latest episode, Talking Scuba host Jim Norton introduces viewers to Derek Wheeler and discusses a whole host of scuba diving topics: a New Years dive and resolution, redundant tanks, preparing for ice diving, and Our World Underwater.

Be sure to stick around through the whole episode to see Bob Shoemaker drop by with a very... shall we say... special holiday gift for Jim.


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Incredible Photos from Britain's Best Cave Diver

For all you cave finatics.


See them all.

Photo Essay: The First Sunset Divers T-Shirt

Last Friday (well, technically late Thursday evening for those of you who follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter) we released our most anticipated design and divers instantly began snatching them up.

We believe, like our other designs, that this shirt truly captures the essence of diving and the passion that connects divers worldwide.

Here's a behind the scenes look at the production of the very first Sunset Divers Scuba Diving T-Shirt.

(Click any image to enlarge)



















This new design is also available for ladies.

Be the first on your dive boat to have one!

Renowned Underwater Photographer Wes Skiles Dies While Diving

The dive community suffered a hard blow yesterday with news that esteemed photographer Wes Skiles had passed away during a dive off the Palm Beach County coast.

Renowned underwater photographer Wes Skiles died Wednesday while filming underwater off Florida's east coast, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thursday afternoon.

Skiles, 52 of High Springs, was pronounced dead after he was found motionless at the bottom of a reef Wednesday afternoon.

Skiles had been diving with others about three miles east of the Boynton Beach Inlet, said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera. The diver had been filming locally for National Geographic, she said.

Skiles apparently alerted the other divers that he was ascending because he was out of film, Barbera said. The others continued in the water but later decided to ascend.

"On their way to the surface, they found him at the bottom of the reef motionless," Barbera said.

The man was rushed to the surface, and CPR was administered.

Barbera said the man was taken to an area hospital and was pronounced dead.

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Skiles and his full service production company, Karst Productions, dedicated their work to giving the world an unparalleled view into underwater worlds far and near.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Skiles' family and friends.

Scuba Divers Explore Icy Underwater World of Lake Sassolo, Switzerland

We're not quite sure why this article insists on referring to the underwater ice formations as "eerie" -- we think they're beautiful!

These stunning shots show the beautiful and eerie underwater world of a Swiss ice-filled Alpine lake.

Taken in Lake Sassolo, close to the southern border with Italy, these were taken by diving photographer Franco Banfi.

Although the high altitude region is known for its sunny weather, the lake was formed by the run-off of the Alps surrounding it.

The giant ice structures dwarf the tiny divers as they explore the nooks and crannies of the icebergs.

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The Magic and Horrors of Encounters at Sea

An awe-inspiring, tragic, must-see presentation by Brian Skerry.


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Visit Brian on the Web at www.brianskerry.com

DivePhotoGuide Launches Free Online Underwater Photography Tutorials

For all you photo buffs...

The Web's premiere underwater photography site, DivePhotoGuide.com, recently announced the launch of a free series of comprehensive underwater photography tutorials written by professional underwater photographers.

Whether you're just beginning in underwater photography, simply looking to improve or fine tuning your established skills, the DPG underwater photography guide is designed to provide practical underwater photography tips, equipment requirements, and lighting techniques that you can put to use the next time you hit the water.

Underwater photography can be incredibly rewarding, but it does come with its challenges. Once you understand the properties of light underwater, how to work with your camera, and the general approaches to composition, you will begin to create great underwater images.

This comprehensive guide is comprised of many tutorials developed by experienced underwater photographers, including several professional photographers, to help you learn how to get the most out of your underwater photography.

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Hat tip: AquaViews

Beluga Whales Meet Divers at Arctic Rehab Farm

Oh my. It doesn't get much colder or more beautiful than this.

They don’t get visitors in these parts that often.

That’s because these beluga whales live under three feet of ice in the freezing waters of northern Russia’s White Sea.

But when some underwater photographers arrived, they certainly weren’t shy - as these stunning images show. The whales are not endangered but under threat from pollution and loss of habitat.

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We don't know about you, but these photos give us the chills.



And there's more where that came from. Be sure to read the entire article.

DPG's Top 10 Underwater Photography Stories Of 2009

Our friends over at the Dive Photo Guide have chosen what they believe to be the Top 10 Underwater Photography Stories Of 2009.

Another year has passed and once again a lot has happened in the underwater imaging world. Here are DivePhotoGuide’s top underwater photography stories of 2009 (in no particular order)

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What do you think?

Calling all underwater photographers...

An opportunity to get major exposure for your work is here. Dive Photo Guide has the details.

PADI is offering a unique prize to the winner of the PADI Diving Society's 2010 Member Card Photo Contest. The prize isn't cash or an expensive trip, but a chance to have your image be recognized by thousands of divers. How so? The winning image will be featured on the PADI limited edition Society membership card. Talk about exposure...

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Kei Shimada Photography

We were honored earlier this week to discover our new Wave Logo Flexfit Hat featured on the Kei Shimada Photography web site.


Very cool!