Photography Workshop
This course focuses on the proper use of each of the participant’s cameras, whether recreational or professional coming from any brand. You will learn the theory, techniques and procedures of underwater photography as well as the editing process of your images.
- Location: Playa del Carmen, Q. Roo, Mexico.
- Min. level required: Open Water Diver.
- Capacity: 4 Divers.
- 3 Day Course.
We will also give you the best tips and tricks if you ever want to take your photography to a whole new level. We’ll discuss gear, editing software and, if you are considering underwater photography more seriously, we will be more than happy to help you out choosing a camera and housing that best suits your goals. We will personally take you through the right steps for you to develop your own personal style, you’ll be able to create stunning underwater compositions.
BOOKING
Reservation confirmations require a 50% deposit. We accept bank transfer, credit card or PayPal. Full payment must be settled in Mexican pesos at the daily USD exchange rate or in cash prior to the start of your dive activity. Deposits for reservations are non-refundable, in certain circumstances, such as unforeseen medical issues or emergencies, the course or dive activities may be rescheduled. Any cancellation less than 24 hours prior to your first day of diving will be charged in full.
SCHEDULE
You can customize your course or dive trip according to your preferences and schedule throughout the year, we are open for training and diving seven days a week. The schedule can be adapted and subject to change due to weather conditions.
Meet your Instructor: Ricardo Castillo
About the artist
Ricardo Castillo is a diver, instructor and expedition leader for more than 20 years. He spends most of his life exploring, diving, and teaching everything from basic scuba to cave diving and CCR. He organizes expeditions to take all the adventurers who dare to explore oceans and caves around the world, capturing unique moments through the lens of his camera either photo or video.
This journey as a photographer and diver has taken him through the world’s oceans and caves to places like South Africa, Mozambique, The Mediterranean Islands, Canary Islands, Maldives, Antarctica, Arctic, Iceland, Norway, Great Lakes, Cocos Island, Galapagos, Bahamas, Truk Lagoon, Hawaii, Cuba, Tonga, Fiji, Indonesia and countless trips along the coast, islands and submerged cave systems in Mexico. He has participated in television documentaries and films about cave exploration, shipwrecks and sharks. Recreational and technical diving instructor with more than 5000 dives, with his deepest dive to around 450 feet and the coldest one at -1.7ºC. Specializing in decompression, gas mixtures, nitrox, trimix, rebreathers, cave diving, and underwater photography and video. Instructor of the NSS-CDS, PADI, TDI, IANTD and DAN agencies.
His work has been awarded in different film festivals such as the 37th World Underwater Image Festival in France, the 14th International Underwater Film Festival of Serbia, the 34th International Underwater Film Series Sn. Sebastián Spain, 4th Human Rights Film Festival of Mexico. His photographs are displayed in places like the Chicago Museum of Natural History and he has published photos and articles in various specialized diving magazines. See more of his work here.
Special Events and Awards
Underwater Speleology Covers
Journal of the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society magazine covers.
2010 Official Selection of 37 World Festival of Underwater Image, France
Prize: » Dimitri Rebikof «
2010 Official Selection 14th International Underwater Film Festival, Serbia
Award : «Special Award»
2011 Official Selection at 34 International Film Series Submarine Sn, Sebastian Spain
Prize: «Gold railing»
Award: «Grand Prix Tours Loyangalani»
2011 Guests at 4 Festival Human Rights Film, Mexico
Mention: Hearing Record
2014 Tek Dive USA conference, Miami, Fl. Photography Contest
2nd Place cave photography “Hell Bells”
3rd Place cave photography “Light Kukulcan”
2014 Workshop of the National Spelological Society, Florida
Speaker: “Photograpy in the largest underwater cave systems in the world”
A conference about technical and challenges of taking pictures in Mexico underwater caves.
2014 Robb Report Mexico
Article “Inmersión en el Tiempo”
Underwater photos for: Rolex, IWC, Hublot, Panerai, Cartier, Omega.
Articles and publications
Daily Mail UK, 11 Photo Series and article about Crocodiles in Cuba
Mirror UK, serie de 11 fotos y artículo sobre cocodrilos en Cuba
Grind TV y Yahoo Sports USA, serie de 11 fotos y artículo sobre cocodrilos en Cuba
Earth Touch News US, serie de fotos y artículo sobre cocodrilos en Cuba
Wild Life Magazine Photo Publication
2019 Photo of American Crocodile
Part of a large mural depicting a Cretaceous era scene depicting various dinosaurs and reptiles within the Chicago Museum of Natural History’s dinosaur exhibit.
Photo Gallery
Included throughout the course:
Private instructor.
Classroom sessions.
Adobe Lightroom editing workshop.
2 full days of diving at the cenotes.
1 full day of diving at sea.
Transportation in Playa del Carmen.
Certification card.
Not included:
Flight to Quintana Roo.
Transportation from the airport.
Accommodation (Ask for our hotel agreements).
Personal diving gear.
Photography equipment.
Meals.
Alcoholic drinks.
Tips.
The unspecified.
Reminder:
Please don’t forget: diving insurance, diving certification card, diving gear including a 3 or 5mm wetsuit, dive computer, reel/spool, one primary light and a surface marker buoy. We recommend you to also bring personal hygiene items, sunblock, insect repellent, a hat and sunglasses.
Notes:
Please bring change of clothes & towels for cenote training days.
All courses are available in English or Spanish.