Mike Valentine is an underwater film cameraman known for his work on popular movies like Bourne Supremacy and Casino Royale. He and his wife run a production company called ValentineFilms. Their passion lies in showcasing the underwater world’s beauty to a wider audience. This episode features a conversation with Mike, discussing his experiences and contributions to underwater cinematography.
Underwater artwork formations can be found off the southern tip of Japan. These geometric patterns are made by tiny puffer fish. The fish create these shapes during their mating rituals. The circles attract female puffer fish to lay eggs in the center. These patterns can be quite large, nearing 6 feet in diameter.
The Crown of Thorns starfish (COTS) can severely damage coral reefs, feeding on coral polyps. A recent effort in the Mioskon dive site, Raja Ampat, successfully removed 33 COTS, reducing their numbers significantly to just two during a follow-up dive in September. This reduction shows that the conservation measures are working. Ongoing monitoring and responsible…
A new book titled “Ultimate Dive Sites” by underwater photographer Todd Thimios is set to release soon. This book showcases some of the best dive locations globally, appealing to both professional and recreational divers. It features various destinations, from Antarctic waters with orcas to Raja Ampat, where manta rays glide. Thimios, a submersible pilot, shares…
The Underwater Awards Australasia 2025 photo competition is now open for entries. It focuses on underwater photography and videography from the Australasia region. Participants can win various prizes totaling over AU$70,000, including dive trips and underwater equipment. There are nine categories, such as Sharks and Conservation, for photographers to enter. The winners will be announced…
Miranda Krestovnikoff shares her enthusiasm for scuba diving, focusing on her experiences in the UK. She talks about how she began her scuba journey and her love for marine life. Her passion reflects the importance of ocean conservation and embracing local diving opportunities. Krestovnikoff encourages others to explore underwater habitats and appreciate the diversity of…
Samantha Falcucci is a passionate diver and marine science advocate. She became an Advanced Scuba diver at 17 and mentors in STEM. Samantha records microplastics as a citizen scientist at the Jersey Shore. She also led a Mars simulation as a trained analog astronaut. Her advice for conservationists is to creatively engage with the ocean.