Summer Diving in Key Largo 2011

 Hello Bloggers! Last August due to a confluence of personal events, I left my home, Key Largo, of nearly 18 years and for an undeterminable amount of time and shifted my operations to the high plains state of South Dakota. Knowing I would not be too heavily engaged in either scuba instruction or UW photography during the winter months of 2011/2012 while there (here) I 'saved' blog topics knowing I would have time then (now) to blog. I saved three topics: the first about diving in Key Largo in my later months while still there, the second topic is about the 'high plains' and the third is about my dive trip to Roatan in February 2012 which was well in the works by May of 2011.

Today on the high plains we are experiencing our first blizzard-like weather of the winter (mercifully it has been a mild winter up until now) and in my mind a great time to blog about the first of these three topics. And as predicted, I have the time. Here goes!

I have always loved diving in Key Largo during the months of July and August. Mainly because it is swimsuit or swimtrunk weather. No need for neoprene, much less dry suits. I can put on just my swim trunks and scuba and go diving. Water temp in the mid to upper 80s and seas are typically flat calm. No surge, little or no currents and great vis to see and photograph the sites! Perfect in my view. I have also, regardless of the time of year, loved to dive with people I have dove with before. Such as former students either classing or diving with me again as their guide, and long-time enough customers to have also become friends with. Any dive professional can appreciate why.

By late June of 2011 I knew I was leaving Key Largo. I stayed until mid August because of the diving and the bookings with the above-mentioned that ran into August. It was well worth staying on for! Included in this blog are pictures of those diving conditions, those, affectionately referred to as 'my guyz', that I met and or dove with and pics of things we saw or did during and after our times diving together. My thanx to Ali, Steve I, (legends)Spence and Neal, Professor Matt and his 'kids', Steve M and Steve W, CJ, 'the Ryans' and Alan and Anne B!!

I also thank the owners, boat crews and staff of the following dive charter companies: Ocean Divers, Scuba-Do, Pleasure Diver, Blue Water Divers and (new to me) Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Suzette and staff pictured). All of whom took great care of me and 'my guyz'!! Thank you so much, you are all great.

Here is a 'roll of 24+1': 

Hope you enjoyed the post.  Stay tuned if you can and catch my next blog about the high plains.  Coming soon I hope! 

with Aloha, lg

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BOOK II: "Advanced Underwater Photography"

Hello Everyone!

I am thrilled to announce the publication of my second book on underwater photography!

This book is a sequel to my first book: "The Beginner's Guide to Underwater Digital Photography' and its goal is to help an underwater photographer advance in their underwater photography. 

My favorite chapter in the book was written, more or less, by several of my students of UW photography where-in they share their thoughts and some things that are in their minds when engaged in their UW photography during the time they are actually taking a photograph.  The book holds samplings of some of their (most) wonderful images. I whole-heartedly thank them for their contributions and believe the book's readers will too.

I also thank Craig Alesse, Publisher (Amherst Media), Barbara Lynch-Johnt, my editor and Kate Neaverth, Sales and Marketing Manager, for their faith, efforts and work in bringing this book to life!

I am very excited about this book and it is available at Amazon and here is the link: 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608952533?ie=UTF8&tag=larrygatesunderw&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1608952533

Be the 'first kid on your block' or 'diver on the dock' to get a copy and enjoy!  The book is informative, written in 'regular guy' terms and with some humor.

Thank you all, lg


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"March Madness" Key Largo style

Hello bloggers, scuba divers, UW photographers and friends!

When I hear the term 'March Madness' it is in reference to the basketball tournaments. It reminds me of my days playing BB and of the spring season in South Dakota which invariably meant we'd suffer one last blizzard during that time. Now days the term has a new meaning to me and in pictures I thought I'd share it with all of you.

We had a wonderfull spring break this year in Key Largo, during the month of March which continues into this month and as I type. I was fortunate in that I dove with several of my regular 'guyz' and some new to me. I will let the pictures tell the story. In no particular order thank you for the wonderfull dives and times to: Andrianna,Mike, Greg, Connie, Rob, Thao, Steve, Chris, Adam, Denis, Julia (and friends) and Jannie!

I like the Key Largo version of "March Madness".  Hope you do too.  Here is a 'roll of 24': 

If you want to leave a comment; 'mouse- curse- and- click' over the time stamp below and it will open this post in a new window enabling you to do so.