In the beginning there was a hole in the wall that allowed light from outdoors to pass through into a room that was completely darkened. This ray of light projecting on the opposite wall created obscure views of the scene outside. Thus was born the first camera.

Then came a small wooden box with a small hole in the center with a glass lens that allowed light to pass though. The image was projected to the opposite side of the box and recorded on a sheet of pewter coated with light-sensitive compounds. Thus was born film.

Now comes digital. Many of us “purists” swore we would never change from film to digital. Many of us have eaten our words. Including me.

Has film lost its usefulness? Not yet.

Has digital reached the quality enjoyed by films? Yes.

Digital has created new rewards for underwater photographers. The ability to review images on the spot and correct errors in succeeding photos has enabled us to become better photographers.

Going one-step further, with the help of computer software programs we can enjoy digital improvements to our photos. Is this wrong? No. Creative touch up work is acceptable as long as you don’t re-create the scene, such as adding fish that weren’t there. Keep the end result honest.

Are you ready for the rewards of digital imaging? If so, keep posted. My next newsletter will discuss how to select underwater digital imaging equipment appropriate to your needs and budget.

Two ways to get your certification:

1. Private one-on-one instruction from Joe Liburdi and Craig Oberlin in Orange County.
2. The Underwater Imaging Academy Digital Week, September 19-September 25 with instructors Joe Liburdi and Andy Sallmon in La Paz.

Nearly everyone has heard of Apple’s iPod, the small audio and, most recently, video player smashing sales records. In order to transfer media from your MAC/PC to your iPod, you use a free program called iTunes. iTunes seamlessly and easily accesses Apple’s library of music and video allowing the user to purchase media in prices ranging from $.99 to a few dollars.

In addition to TV re-runs and pop music, short audio or video segments on a variety of topics including news, technology, and education called “podcasts” can be retrieved via iTunes. These podcasts are almost always free. Some are from home-based amateur podcasters while others are professionally produced. Two podcasts of particular interest to digital photographers are “Photoshop TV” and “Adobe Photoshop Killer Tips” both professionally produced by the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

Photoshop TV is an hour-long podcast, produced weekly, covering tips and techniques for using Photoshop to enhance your digital images. Adobe Photoshop Killer Tips is a brief daily vignette on one specific Photoshop tip or technique. Both are video podcasts so you can easily see the steps involved with the results.

In addition to downloading the media to your iPod, you can use iTunes to listen or view this podcasts on your MAC/PC. So even if you don’t have an iPod, you can use iTunes to improve your Photoshop skills. You can download iTunes from www.apple.com

Recently Adobe released a version 2.0 slimmed-down version of their PC-based Non-Linear Video editing Premiere Elements software. Affordably priced at an MSRP of $99.00, I picked up a copy for $39.99 after rebate from a local high-tech retailer.

Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 shares many of the features of its bigger brother, Premiere Pro 2.0, including unlimited video and audio tracks, the ability to burn DVDs with custom titles using your own video, photos, text, and moving backgrounds; and the ability to preview hundreds of different effects and transitions before you apply them.

You can capture media from virtually any device, including DV and DVD camcorders, unprotected DVDs, digital still cameras, MPEG-4 video recorders, even cell phones. Audio support includes the ability to convert audio to industry-standard Dolby® Digital stereo. Like all Adobe products, you can try out Adobe Premiere 2.0 before purchasing it by downloading it from www.adobe.com

Craig Oberlin is a PADI Instructor and Trainer/Instructor at the Underwater Imaging Academy. He is the webmaster of JoeLiburdi.com and our computer tech guru.