Blue Heron Bridge
WORKSHOPS
Join me for a 1:1 or 1:2 macro photography workshop at one of the best macro dives on earth. Blue Heron is known for an abundance of unusual and exotic critters that are hard or impossible to find elsewhere outside of the tropical Pacific. The shallow depth and variety of subjects makes it a perfect spot to work on your underwater macro skills. Frogfish, seahorses, batfish, stargazers and octopus are all superstar Blue Heron subjects but countless crustaceans, pipefish, blennies, nudibranchs and more are all present and awaiting your lenses.
We will meet at the Phil Foster Park lot before the start of the dive, which will be dictated by high tide. That will give us time to go over techniques you are interested in working on, whether that be black backgrounds, close focus wide angle, portraits, or any other imaging style. I will help find subjects and provide in water instruction as to how to photograph each subject. To make communication underwater easier, I’ll bring a dive slate with me and will tow the required diver down flag.
It is of course easiest if you have your own gear, but if not, there are several full service dive shops (Pura Vida Divers and Force E Scuba) within 30 seconds driving distance of Phil Foster. They both rent all scuba gear + tanks.
GUIDED DIVES
I am also available to guide/subject spot. I live close to the bridge and dive it regularly so I know the layout of the dive site and have become adept at finding many of the critters who make their home there. I do not have a camera on these dives. I will help put you on a subject, and while you are busy photographing, will do my best to locate the next one in the immediate area. NOTE: I am not a certified Divemaster.
If you are interested in joining, please email me through the contact form below or directly via email at matthew@9milesnorth.com
Workshop Cost: $200 per person, per dive OR $300 per person for two dives
Guided Dive Cost: $150 per person, per dive
“I’d dived Blue Heron Bridge once before and enjoyed it but when I dove the site with Matt, I was blown away. He knows where to find all the seahorses, frogfish, stargazer, etc. I must have seen at least 5 species I’d never seen in 25 years of snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean and Atlantic”- Derek Singer, Washington
“A critical aspect of UW photography is maximizing time with your subjects. Flying cross country to dive BHB, it made sense to have a guide who is a photographer, knows the dive site intimately and can find amazing subjects. My time with my buddy Matt led to considerably more encounters, more time with subjects, and a few more keepers to take home. And of course great company to nerd out with between dives”- Aaron Halstead, California
“As a first-timer diving the Blue Heron Bridge, and with new camera equipment, I was really grateful go have Matt’s expertise and positive, supportive energy during several guided dives and a workshop. beyond helping me problem solve my new gear, Matt shared some very valuable lighting tips and other underwater imaging techniques. Not to mention: his critter spotting skills are truly impressive! By the end of the experience, I not only felt more comfortable with my camera system, but I came away with several images I’m proud of. I highly recommend Matt’s experience and I’m looking forward to working with him again as soon as possible”- Justin Perkinson, Virginia