Updated: Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Facilities: Courses: Miscellaneous:
Facilities:
Photo & Video Dive Deck

Large multilevel camera station with air guns.

    3 tier camera shelf with recharging facilities, 110v (2 prong straight pin) and 240v (Australian) socket.
    Dedicated fresh water rinse tubs.
  Cabins

110v (2 prong straight pin) socket.

   

240v (Australian) socket.

  Saloon

Public computer.
    1x video/DVD player and 2x flat screens.
  Competition Guest Photo Competition run every expedition.

Note: Guests are advised to bring adaptors for the electrical sockets to suit their individual chargers and USB digital memory card readers.
 Underwater Videography Course

The PADI Underwater Videography specialty is designed to give students an advanced understanding of video hardware, use, maintenance and diving techniques. Upon completing the course you will be able to; select your own underwater video setup, maintain setup and disassemble all video equipment, demonstrate correct shooting techniques and edit and produce your own video productions.

Course Advantages Use and tuition of video editing equipment.
  Guaranteed excellent results with professional advice.
Includes 3x training dives.
  Use of loan manual.
  All tuition.
  Use of editing equipment.
Optional Extras Indo-Pacific Reef Guide book AUD$70
  Price
Course Brief  
Module 1. Topics: reef awareness, buoyancy control, stabilisation techniques, camera maintenance and care.
Module 2. Topics: video unit setup and controls, shooting techniques, lighting (ambient and artificial).
  Training Dive 1 and 2: putting into effect all principles learnt in module 1 and 2 as well as topside shots to complement overall production.
Module 3. Topics: editing techniques and equipment, sound, produce short video with footage taken from training dives 1 and 2.

Note: Students receive 10% discount on manual from 'Ship Shop'.
 Underwater Photography Course

The purpose of the PADI Underwater Photography specialty course is to familiarise divers with skills, knowledge, planning, techniques and enjoyment of underwater photography. This course is designed to introduce the beginner and refresh the experienced to all underwater photographic principles. Upon completing the program you will be able to; select your own underwater camera setup, maintain setup and disassemble all camera equipment, demonstrate correct shooting techniques, apply strobe and available light photography, expose and compose your photos with greater success and appeal.
Course Advantages Use and tuition of camera and editing equipment.
  Guaranteed excellent results with professional advice.
  Avoid the hassle of traveling with bulky equipment.
  Try before you purchase your own system.
Includes 2x training dives.
  PADI manual.
  All tuition.
  Use of camera and editing equipment.
Optional Extras Indo-Pacific Reef Guide book AUD$70
  Price
Course Brief  
Module 1. Topics: reef awareness, buoyancy control, stabilisation techniques, camera maintenance, light and film.
Module 2. Topics: available light exposure, strobe exposure.
  Training Dive 1: putting into effect all principles learnt in module 1 and 2 with critique from instructor and other students.
Module 3. Topics: photographic art, composition, subject matter, modeling.
Training Dive 2: applying all principles learnt in module 3.
Module 4. Topics: presentation of photographs with critique from instructor and other students.

Note: Students receive 10% discount on manual from 'Ship Shop'.
 Underwater Naturalist Course

Those who venture underwater are in a unique position to observe and interact with organisms entirely different form those on land. But as the saying goes knowledge is the key to understanding. The PADI Underwater Naturalist course increases the level of awareness and knowledge divers have of the aquatic environment. Enabling you to better understand and appreciate the sub aquatic marine environment.
Course Advantages Expand your awareness of the marine environment.
  Identification of local marine organisms.
Includes 2x training dives.
  Use of loan manual.
  All tuition.
Optional Extras Indo-Pacific Reef Guide book AUD$70
  Price
Course Brief  
Module 1. Topics: basics of marine life, coral reefs, coral marine algae, sponges, other cniderians, comb jellies.
Module 2. Topics: shells, nudibranchs and squids, marine segmented worms, crustaceans, echinoderms.
  Training Dive 1: pre dive workshop discussing anticipated marine life encounters, conduct practical dive putting into effect all requirements from PADI training manual, post dive workshop discussing the varieties of species identified on the dive.
Module 3. Topics:reef fish.
Training Dive 2: pre dive workshop discussing anticipated marine life encounters, conduct practical dive putting into effect all requirements from PADI training manual, post dive workshop discussing the varieties of species identified on the dive.
Module 4. Topics:sharks, turtles, snakes, seabirds, whales.

Note: Students receive 10% discount on manual from 'Ship Shop'.
 Camera Rentals

During your Mike Ball Dive Expeditions you can discover the thrill of underwater photography. Spoilsport has a range of underwater photographic facilities you can take advantage of. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions cater for all levels of interest from those just wishing to take home some great quality snapshots to those wishing to partake in a PADI Underwater Photography specialty course.

With the assistance of our onboard Photo and Video Pro, along with extensive camera rental equipment and services you will be taken care of in every way. With our free public access computer you can view your results instantly allowing you to learn from and appreciate your days work. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions vessels take you to exciting and beautiful dive sites with some of the best diving in the world. Full onboard tuition and user friendly and reliable equipment is available.
Camera Options: Olympus 70/70 - 7 mega pixel digital camera and housing.
 

Olympus 720w - 7 mega pixel digital camera and housing.

  Olympus MJU 600 - 6 mega pixel digital camera and housing.
  Sony P100 - 5 mega pixel digital camera and housing.
  Digital download - camera data collection by photo and video pro saved to disc.
 

Price
Holiday Video

If you like the idea of a no fuss approach to capturing all the memories of your Mike Ball Dive Expeditions adventure, then this is for you. On the last evening of your expedition your photo and video pro will present the week in total on DVD. All the expedition highlights, both above and below the water, will be professionally edited with music and made available for purchase. Re-live your adventure at home.

Video Options:

Standard Holiday Trip DVD or video - includes highlights of your expedition above and below the water (approx 35mins) plus fantastic footage of underwater highlights from the other Mike Ball Dive Expeditions destination (approx 8mins).
 

Trip Package (Nth America NTSC only) - includes Standard Holiday Trip on DVD and video.

  Personalised Holiday Trip DVD or video - includes Standard Holiday Trip DVD or video plus exclusive personal video taken by your onboard photo and video pro (approx 15mins). Have the onboard photo and video pro create your dive holiday, providing long lasting memories in full colour and motion.
  Personal Holiday Photographs - your onboard photo and video pro will spend a dive taking exclusive underwater photos of you. Package includes cd.
  Photo CD - includes photographs of your expedition above and below the water plus additional 'Best Of' photographs of Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.
  Price

Note: VHS copies can be made in both PAL and NTSC format to suit your location.