22 - 28 April 2023 at Aiyanar Dive Resort, Anilao, Philippines
‘Ocean Geographic Ultimate Blackwater & Macro Masterclass’
This photographic Masterclass is for everyone interested in Blackwater & Macro photography – a workshop designed to sharpen your underwater photographic skills to competition standard. The six day program is challenging, fun and and your results measurable by the quality of your graduation portfolio. Stay with us at the stunning the Aiyanar Resort in Anilao, Philippines.
USD 2180 per person (deluxe room, twin share).
The masterclass is conducted by multi-award-winning underwater photographers - not ordinary experts but those that have won several awards from the most prestigious wildlife competition in the world – the UK NHM Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Michael AW, together with blackwater specialists Dennis Corpuz and Wowie Cai will be conducting this special focus workshop at Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort located in one of the best locations renowned for the most astonishing blackwater and macro critters.
Blackwater is the latest craze in underwater photography; it can be an entirely new experience and a very rewarding one too. Black water photography is exploring the open ocean at night to photograph planktonic critters but mostly of animals that migrate from deep water – the Twilight zone from over 200m to feast in the pelagic zone at night. At many levels, it is the most challenging form of photography which demand specialised equipment and techniques.
For the last five years, Dennis Corpuz, Wowie Cai and Michael have spent countless hours investigating safety aspects and the know-how for the best photo opportunities. While Blackwater exploration is the passion of Dennis and Wowie, Michael began shooting blackwater in 2007. This black water week with Aiyanar is a rare opportunity for you to learn from the experts with the experience and skills that have produced an array of successful multi-award-winning pictures.
The focus of this Masterclass is blackwater and macro techniques, composition, creative lighting, behaviour and post-production application. This customised program caters only to 12 participants and comprised of a portfolio competition. Prizes from Ocean Geographic Expeditions SEACAM, and Aiyanar.
The Workshop Venue: Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort;
This boutique style resort is established by a couple of passionate underwater photographers so you can expect a well-appointed camera room with individual work stations and a clean and sleek dive centre where maintained, private boats are ready to send us to some of the most productive photographic dive sites in the world! This little piece of paradise is ideally situated and has been designed with both top class quality and the utmost sympathy for the sloping forest backdrop. This is undoubtedly the ‘go to’ resort in the area, with the type of accommodation and facilities you would expect from a five star resort. You can expect gourmet meals and a very comfortable bed.
Our Underwater Studio: Right at the foreshore of Aiyanar, is Aniloa, arguably harbours some of the top dive sites in the Philippines. The amazing array of critters frequently encountered are boxer crabs, frogfishes, harlequin shrimps, blue ring octopus, pygmy sea horses, tiger shrimps, zebra crabs, mimic octopus, nudibranch overload – just about anything is possible! Aniloa also harbours some big secrets – luscious reef with massive sponges, soft corals and hard coral meadows. Sites are researched thoroughly to ensure dives are conducted at the optimum time.
The Workshop Package
Lectures and Critiques sessions
Ocean Geographic T-shirt
Graduation dinner
6 nights - full board Accommodation, twin sharing
15 boat Dives
Tank, weight & weight belt
Personalised service
Return Airport Transfers
Ocean view room is USD 2180 twin sharing
OG member discount applicable
12 spots only – sign up early: DEPOSIT IS USD $680
Special offers
OG Members discount of USD100 applies
*Group transfer provided on Day 1 to resort and Day 7 back to Manila Airport. Any other time, additional charges apply.
To express interest or if you need further information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you are ready to book please go to booking link
CLICK HERE to book your spot
NB. Booking is not confirmed until deposit is paid. Payment details for payment of deposit will be provided once booking is completed. Booking username and password is not the same as your OG username and password. If you are new trip client you can leave the existing client login blank and complete the booking . If you are an existing trip client please email us using link below and we will book you in
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This is your chance to learn from practicing Masters with proven track records.
All are published authors, editorial contributors, competition award winners, as well as jury members in major underwater photographic competitions.
The Masters:
Michael AW : author Materclass & Advanced Guide to Digital Underwater Photography, 4 times winner BBC Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer, 8 times winner Antibes World Festival of Underwater Pictures, 3 times winner Nikon International Photographic competition
www.michaelaw.com
Dennis Corpuz:
Wowie Cai:
Our base for this workshop is Aiyanar Resort
