nstead
Registered
One of the UK's best-known Underwater Photography Shops, Ocean Optics has put together an "Underwater Photography Stage" at their base near Basildon, about 30mins from London.
The stage is built in the filming tank of Action Underwater Studios, and is around six meters deep. The Water temperature is a very pleasant 28 degrees Celcius, and the tank is lit from above by a 5Kw light, which gives a fairly bright dappled light underwater. The Stage consists of a number of small artificial reefs, filled with "critters", as well as a small wreck, some jellyfish, and even a smiling Hammerhead Shark. Numbers are limited to four divers at a time, which means that the tank is never crowded.
Ocean Optics run Photography courses using the Stage, but they're also setting it up about once per month for practice sessions. I've been twice, and found it very helpful for trying out new techniques.
A 2-hour session in the tank costs £45, including air fills, but I know that they're trying to fill some spaces for this Sunday (31st Jan), so if you can get a group of 3 or 4 people together, you may well get a discount on the price. Tell them Neil sent you!
For more details, see the Ocean optics website.
Also check out Video footage of the Stage on You Tube
