• The Maldives is home to thousands of faros, which are mini-atolls within the larger Maldivian atoll.
  
• Ribbon worms (a.k.a., Nemertean worms) can reach lengths of 160 feet. One such ribbon worm is called the Football Jersey worm, because of its striking similarity to the pattern on an American football.
  
• Earth's oceans contain about 324 million cubic miles of seawater.
  
• Many fishermen in Sri Lanka fish from stilts, so as not to frighten away their quarry.
  
• The Humber Estuary discharges about 66,000 gallons of water per second into the North Sea, which is the largest input from any British river into this sea.
  
• The Fangtooth, with its large head and giant, syringe-like teeth, has been recorded at depths of 16,380 feet, which is known as the Abyssal Zone (only the Hadal Zone is deeper).

1. An Introduction, which talks about physical and chemical features of oceans (spotlighting unusual aspects of the oceans like the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, as well as explaining how sound travels through water);
   
2. Ocean Environments, which discusses areas that compose the oceans (from ocean floor sediment to seamounts and guyots);
3. Ocean Life, which examines marine animals found in the various zones (including coral, birds, bugs, fishes, mammals and everything in between); and,
   
4. The Atlas of the Oceans, which contains detailed maps of the oceans and illustrates, for example, the zones, basins, and rises within them.
   

Dive Zero is a brand new "youth-oriented scuba diving/extreme sports video magazine." Filmed in high-def, this video magazine has the same components as a traditional, print magazine -- gear reviews, trip reports, destination profiles, etc. -- except the content sits on a DVD, and you "read" the magazine by watching your TV.

Recently, I viewed the premier issue. At just under an hour long, the Dive Zero team has assembled a very engaging product that was both entertaining and informative -- which is more than I can say for most of the stuff I see on TV. If you like looking through your dive magazines during lunch breaks, while traveling, or at the beach, a DVD video magazine probably isn't going to interest you. However, if you believe the static nature of a magazine doesn't lend itself to the beauty of the dynamic, underwater world, getting your dive news via a high-def DVD will really appeal to you.

Dive Zero Issue #1 opens with "A Day In The Life," a profile of 20-year-old videographer Justin Bongers, who lives on Grand Cayman. Working for Ocean Frontiers, Bongers shoots footage of the island's east end diving and assembles it for visitors to purchase. The segment follows Bongers through a portion of his day filming both fish and guests. Although I would've liked to have seen more of Bongers in post-production (How does he assemble the footage so quickly for guests?), "A Day in the Life" is an interesting peek into the life of a dive professional.

The next section is called "Spot Check." It profiles a Canadian dive site known as Pavilion Lake, one of only three freshwater coral lakes in the world. Looking more like piles of spilled concrete than the Caribbean's coral formations, the coral footage in this segment is, nevertheless, excellent. Moreover, the segment includes practical tips (like how to get there), and some fast facts about the Lake. It sure looks like a cool, "secret" dive spot.

The third segment, "Trick Tips," was my favorite. Featuring half a dozen tips divers should know -- from how to replace a mask underwater, to how to do the frog kick -- this section was fast but thorough. Moreover, the hosts of this section seemed relaxed, knowledgeable, and confident in front of the camera. Old-timers may feel uncomfortable with teens giving them tips on diving, but the information was accurate, and their delivery was casual, yet careful. More, please!

Rounding out the premier issue is:

• "Mixed Tape" -- Ryan Lohr takes viewers on a tour of a Cayman wreck, the Doc Polson.
• "Danger Zone" -- This montage from Wakefest 2006 has nothing to do with diving, but is, nevertheless, very cool.
• "Paradise" -- This photo essay of Grand Cayman covers some of the many bars, restaurants, and dive shops available for visitors.
• "Tune Up" -- The Dive Zero team profiles two new BCs, two new regs, some deck shoes, a dive computer, and a new mask.
• "Hot Spot" -- Ian Oppen dives the underwater cliffs in Canada's Kettle Valley River.

What's the verdict? I believe the Dive Zero team has something brilliant on their hands. Being able to see a specific dive site in moving images is a powerful way to learn whether you want to visit that destination. In this regard, I believe Dive Zero is more intriguing than a traditional print magazine. If you're curious to see what Grand Cayman, Pavilion Lake, or Kettle Valley is like, Dive Zero has the goods, and many of their high-def shots will likely impress you.

The same goes for gear reviews. While I can get a lot out of a blurb in a magazine about a new BC, for example, seeing people interact with gear is, in my mind, far superior. (That said, I hope Issue #2 provides more close-ups, especially for small items like a dive computer: I want to see the bells and whistles in detail, and high-def should afford that.)

However, where a print magazine trumps a video magazine is in the level of detail that accompanies most print mags. In my opinion, Dive Zero needs to offer more concrete details for divers -- How many dive sites are there? What's the best time of year to go? What's the price of that dive computer? As the Dive Zero team learns how to balance concrete, detailed information with underwater footage fun, Dive Zero will become indispensable to traveling divers.

In short, Dive Zero is filled with great underwater images and good overviews of some cool dive sites and new gear. While their new, cutting-edge format might not appeal to some people, I believe this is "the magazine of the future." Moreover, as the producers provide more information in their DVDs -- maybe with the ability to switch on and off crawl text that offers details about what's onscreen? -- Dive Zero will grow in popularity and their subscriber base will grow drastically.

If you want a sample of what the video is all about, check out their teaser on YouTube or some of the short videos they have on their site. If you're ready to buy your own copy, the premier issue is available on their site for $18 (international shipping is free for the first 100 orders!). I can't wait to see what's in Issue #2.

Recently, we told you about Cool Waters, Emerald Seas: Diving in Temperate Waters, the new book by Irish photographer John Collins. This breath-taking, 173-page hardcover is a tribute to the marine environment in the world's "cool waters" -- the temperate seas (between 4° and 20° C) sandwiched between the tropics and the polar regions. Recently, I got to see this magnificent book up close, and I was blown away by the beauty of Collins' rich images and the passion in his accompanying narrative. If you believe diving in temperate seas is a dull, lifeless experience, think again: the cool seas are the ocean's most productive, creating a rich, colorful, kaleidoscopic ecosystem brimming with life. The mesmerizing images in Cool Waters prove it.

In order to create Cool Waters, Collins and his Nikon D2 visited Ireland, Scotland, Vancouver, Tasmania, and South Africa. After diving and shooting in these locations, Collins selected 120 "interpretative" images that he felt best demonstrated why cool water is "captivating, wondrous, and worthy of our protection."

What's an "interpretive" image? Rather than worrying about capturing a fish (or a wreck) in profile for easy identification (thus, creating a "documentary" image), Collins shoots portraits of the creatures and the marine-scapes -- interpreting them, capturing them in their element, giving them life and expression. Not only are the colors in the images striking, but the subjects of the shots feel incredibly alive. For example, page 51 features an intriguing image of a scorpion fish carrying a pipefish in its mouth. Looking at the scorpion fish's face, you can literally see it thinking, "What am I going to do with this thing now that I've got it?" Every picture in the book tells a little part of a story, and you want desperately to turn the page to see what happens next.

Cool Waters is divided into six chapters. Each chapter begins with a few thoughtful paragraphs explaining what's special about that chapter, and what Collins finds rewarding about its subject. For example, the first chapter, "Undersea Journeys," tells of Collins' first dive and why he finds the static animals underwater the most enchanting. Collins' writing is clear, descriptive -- even lyrical. Many underwater photographers work with writers who prepare the accompanying text. It's a testament to Collins' passion and skill, therefore, that he wrote the narrative himself. It's rich, evocative, and very descriptive. Reading it makes you feel as though you're diving right alongside Collins.

The next chapter, "Exploring Cool Waters," discuses the three-dimensional freedom diving provides, as well as the productivity of temperate waters. The accompanying images, many of them macro shots, are extraordinary: the bubblegum-pink brooding anemones, for example, are bizarrely beautiful, and the oh-so-delicate lace coral appear to be the most fragile thing on earth. A later chapter discusses the seas' seasonality and boast some amazing shots of anemones and kelp forests ("The Ocean's Rhythms"). Collins also details his visit to Dyer Island to photograph great whites, but "Face to Face" showcases dolphins, seals, and other fish, as well. "Wrecked At Sea" discusses wrecks and explains their importance -- both historically and ecologically. The accompanying photos of the conning tower and the periscope of the U-260, or the Tahsis' loft rifle are absolutely brilliant. The final chapter, "Sea Dreams," is a gallery of images that don't quite fit elsewhere, but are too special to overlook. The macro-macro shots of a biscuit star and of a white-spotted rose anemone have an Alice In Wonderland quality to them and are just so cool!

It's easy to look at a book and point out its flaws or shortcomings. Consequently, the hardest reviews to write are those covering books that are simply excellent. For me, Cool Waters was that kind of review. It's a big, beautiful, bold book with unbelievably rich, incredibly textured photos. The thumbnails featured in this review simply don't do it justice. In fact, the fish portraits are vibrant. The static creatures Collins loves burst with detail. The wreck shots of ancient, useless, "dead" things are, ironically, totally alive. If you like to look at beautiful images, this book is for you. Moreover, if you want to learn what's so special about temperate waters, this book is for you. Finally, if you're a budding photographer and you want to improve your technique, pick up a copy of this book and study the images within; this book is for you, too.

Reading Cool Waters is as close to diving as you can get -- barring an actual dive boat or maybe an IMAX theater. Collins has created a gorgeous, compelling document that clearly shows the beauty of the undersea world -- and that there's a whole lot more to diving than just tropical climes.

A few weeks ago, we told you about Below Freezing: The Antarctic Dive Guide. Recently, I got my hands on a copy of this colorful little book, and I'm very impressed with it. This excellent Guide -- really, the only Guide of its kind -- is written by Lisa Eareckson Trotter, the first person to learn to dive in the Antarctic and a long-time crew member aboard Lindblad Expeditions' Endeavour. Having logged over 400 hours diving in area waters, Trotter's experience in and love for the region shines through on each and every page.

Featuring plenty of easy-to-read maps, and ultra-clear descriptions of 25 dive sites off the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia Islands, the Guide also sports hundreds of sparkling, eyebrow-raising photos -- most of which are vastly different from marine life images in other dive guides. Published by WILDGuides, a non-profit organization focused on wildlife conservation, the book carefully and lovingly describes the joys of diving in Antarctica's waters, while it simultaneously details the hazards of this bitter, harsh environment. In short, the 116-page soft cover book is one of the most unusual -- and one of the best -- dive guides around.

Trotter opens with a brief history of Antarctic diving (first dive: Willy Heinrich, 1902, who used a brass Siebe diving helmet and a canvas suit) and then provides a concise overview of Antarctica, the 5th largest continent. Trotter swiftly moves to the obligatory "How to Get There" section, but -- unlike most other Guides -- this section is surprisingly engaging. After all, while everybody pretty much knows how to reach, say, the Caribbean, I'd wager that very few people have even an inkling of how to reach Antarctica. (Hint: you'll likely leave out of Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile). Given the range of tour operators working in the region, from large cruise ships to small yachts, Trotter also provides practical tips on how to choose the operator that's right for you.

Understanding what her readers have come for, Trotter quickly gets to the diving. Understatedly claiming that Antarctica is "one of the most extreme diving environments on the planet," she underscores the minimum requirements divers must have (Advanced Open Water and Dry Suit Diver) and explains that diving here isn't like diving, well, anywhere else. While she admits that the area's ice diving isn't the 3-foot-wide-hole-in-the-ice diving you probably imagine it to be, she describes the abundant precautions local operators take to ensure diver safety. She also explains the kinds of equipment and topside gear you should expect to carry with you on a dive adventure in the Antarctic. Although lengthy, the list isn't all that surprising -- well, except for the Leopard Stick. More on that later.

Next comes "What to Expect," which explains typical marine life and underwater conditions, as well as your body's responses to diving in brain-freeing waters. She dismisses face numbness by saying it "usually lasts for about 2 minutes, after which a diver generally cannot feel the parts of the face exposed to the water." in other words, the pain is temporary. Asserting that although divers become used to the numbness, they frequently chew their mouthpieces to bits, since they can't feel their jaws at all. For many people, this section will serve as a bit of a reality check -- a cold bucket of water in the face.

Next, readers are treated to a "Special Note About Leopard Seals," an engaging treatise on the area's apex predator, and the only animal of which divers should be wary. Although only one human has died from a leopard seal attack, Trotter maintains that vigilance and preparation are key in not becoming the second victim. Hence, the need for a Leopard Stick.

Finally, we get to the dive site descriptions. Trotter discusses 25 dive sites, providing great maps, site conditions, history, and lots of stunning color photos of beautiful -- and often bizarre -- marine creatures. She includes a "what you might see" section broken thoughtfully into "above 7 meters" and "below 7 meters." There's also a valuable legend for each dive site, indicating, for example, if kelp is present; if you might encounter leopard seals; or if the surge is potentially dangerous. Though brief, Trotter's dive site descriptions give a sense of what each site is like.

The only criticism I have for this book is that the descriptions of the dive sites aren't very colorful. Trotter is a biologist and immunologist by training, and I think her writing often feels a bit clinical. Accompanying the text are so many awesome photos of marine life; I wish she had let the beautiful images inspire her to draft some more descriptive prose, painting pictures of the dive sites, as opposed to merely recounting them ("The descent to the bottom can be interesting, as there are often quite a few pelagic creatures..."). While adequate, the cool nature of her writing is sometimes a bit drab for a travel guide describing one of the most unusual and vibrant places on the planet.

Despite that tiny nit-pick, however, the book is truly an excellent resource that carefully outlines what visitors need to know, how they should prepare, and what they can expect to see. If you're considering a trip to the Antarctic, Below Freezing is a must, as it'll certainly help you decide if the time and money involved in planning and undertaking such a trip is right for you. Even if you're NOT planning on hitting the Antarctic any time soon, this stunning book will give you an additional perspective on this brutal, beautiful environment and make you respect Trotter and the other divers who regularly brave these icy waters. My hood is off to Trotter; I can't wait to read what she writes next!

A few weeks ago, we told you about Beth and Shaun Tierney's book called Diving The World. According to the book's publisher, Footprint Travel Guides, Diving The World "takes the underwater adventurer on a magical tour of many of the world's top dives. Over 200 prime sites have been carefully selected, reviewed and photographed..." Come on, I thought; how could one book accurately and adequately describe so many dive sites? Surely, I felt, the Tierneys must've dashed off a quick paragraph describing the country; slapped down a sentence or two about each dive site; tossed in a few photos; and then moved on to the next destination. I wanted to see for myself. Consequently, I recently got my hands on a copy, and all I can say is:

Wow.

What an amazing book.

Unlike most travel guides -- which simply paint a picture of what you might see upon arriving at a given destination -- Diving the World provides abundant, visceral, concrete descriptions about the places in the book. Moreover, the Tierneys include colorful, personal anecdotes about each destination, so reading their book feels more like peeking into their private memoirs as opposed to paging through a published travel guide. Ultimately, the hefty 352-page book meticulously and exquisitely details 220 dive sites scattered among 19 different countries. Filled with excellent maps, breathtaking photos, and practical information on various dive sites, countries, and cultures, Diving the World is less like a travel guide, and more like a love letter to some of the world's most beautiful, untouched locations.

In the book's introduction, the Tierneys provide tips on topics such as:

• how to plan for -- and pack for -- a dive trip;
• where divers are more likely to see specific marine species -- including the "nasties" -- in various locations; and,
• which airlines are have the most liberal excess baggage policies, and which have the most comfortable seats.

Like so many things in life, however, once the introductions are out of the way, the relationship starts to bloom. Moving from Australia to PNG, to the Solomon Islands, to Fiji, and far beyond, the Tierneys effortlessly and concisely take the reader on a mini-dive-trip, describing each of the countries they showcase as though they've lived there for years. In each country's Essentials section, for example, the couple provides tips on getting around the country; hints about language; helpful doo-dads about laws, customs, safety, health, costs, and more. Quite simply, they lay out all the facts that any traveler -- diver or otherwise -- needs to know.

Then we get to the good stuff: the Dive Log. After briefing us on the region's diving, generally, the Tierneys hit details about specific dive sites -- highlighting "must-do" dives with stars -- and provide information on depth, viz, currents, preferred boat style, and whether the site is appropriate for snorkelers. Amazingly, the various sites' narratives are more descriptive and thorough than many dive briefings I've received. Along with the words, of course, are glorious color photos of the representative critters you can spot during the dives. (The couple work as photojournalists in their "other" life.)

However, if you don't like the Tierneys' opinions, you don't have to take them: they've included plenty of "Tales From The Deep" -- first-person accounts from professional divers and fellow travelers explaining what's special about particular dive sites, marine animals, or countries. Some of these accounts are so descriptive and evocative that I felt as though I were reading an adventure novel as opposed to a travel guide.

After the specific site reviews, the Tierneys close with a section called "Drying Out," which provides details on local dive centers/liveaboards, accommodation, restaurants, car rentals, and topside attractions. Then, it's on to the next country.

Of course, nothing in this world is perfect, but I can only think of two things about Diving the World that turn me off:

1. The book contains about half a dozen two-page spreads advertising various dive operations. At each chapter's end (where the couple provides tips on where to eat and which dive centers to go with), sometimes the advertised company gets a nod, and sometimes it doesn't -- which suggests to me that the Tierneys put together an objective guide. (Note to Footprint: get rid of those ads!)
2. The book is light on the Caribbean and skips the Mediterranean entirely. In their introduction, the Tierneys write that "Getting around the Mediterranean or the Caribbean is simple. Getting to destinations that are just that bit further takes research and planning." Hence, the reason for this book. While I suppose that's true, I feel like many of the extraordinary dives covered in these pages are out of reach for many divers. (Of course, it's not the Tierneys' fault that diving is an expensive hobby.)

Otherwise, the book is absolutely top-drawer. Truly, it's a must-have for anyone who dives. Not only is it a comprehensive trip-planning guide, it's a manifesto arguing the underwater realm is worth protecting. Beth and Shaun Tierney's Diving the World is, at once, the most comprehensive dive guide ever published and the most lovingly-put-together personal diary ever made. If you doubt me, pick up a copy and flip through it. Immediately, you'll learn two things: (1) that I was right; and (2) that Diving the World belongs on your bookshelf.

Last week, we mentioned exercise physiologists (and husband-and-wife-team) Jessica and Jaime Adams. The couple -- avid divers, former DAN interns, and scuba and fitness instructors -- recognize that scuba diving isn't just about floating; in fact, it can be quite a workout, and if your body isn't prepared for the strain of that workout, there can be consequences -- discomfort, fatigue, or worse. To that end, the Adamses developed Fit for Scuba, a manual that explains how to become a safer, more fit diver, better prepared to handle tricky boat entries, choppy seas, and heavy gear.

This week, I got a copy of the book. Although slim (only 138 pages), the book is packed with dozens of exercises that just about anyone can perform. Overall, it's well-written, well-organized, and well-presented (with photos that clearly demonstrate each of the exercises described). Moreover, at under $15, the book is a real bargain.

In addition to making divers more physically fit, the Adamses are trying to make divers more mentally fit. Knowing you're capable of pulling yourself into the inflatable at the end of the dive, for example, means that, during the dive, you can concentrate more on what's going on around you. In short, fitness breeds confidence, and a confident diver is a safer diver.

There are a number of really good things about this book:

• It's not just about floating, folks. The authors clearly explain why increased fitness can lead to better, and safer, diving.
• There are photos for each and every exercise to show you exactly what you need to do.
• The Adamses link specific muscle groups to specific dive-related activities. If you have a problem rising from a seated position while wearing your gear, for example, the Adamses explain that you need to target your quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, erector spinae, and other muscles. They then link those muscles to specific exercises.
• The book provides practical tips for "planning your workout and working out according to your plan."
• In addition to the ample gym-based exercises the book provides, there are plenty of exercises that can be done at home (or even in the office!) to improve your strength, flexibility, and stamina. As someone who hates going to a gym, I think this is great.
• Appendix 2 includes sample workouts, to get you started immediately. Later, if you like, you can modify the workout to suit your needs, and the couple explains how.
• The exercises range from easy stretches designed to increase your range of motion to moderately-involved lifting routines to increase strength. None of the exercises, however, are complicated Lotus positions or overly-involved routines.
• The book also touches on the importance of hydration and proper nutrition and how it relates to fitness.

There are a few things I had problems with:

• The photos, while useful, are black and white. I assume the publisher was trying to minimize costs, but the presentation would be nicer if the photos were in color.
• I would like to see diagrams of muscles, so I can visualize the muscle groups I'm working, as opposed to just the regions.
• I think one of the biggest problems divers encounter is cramps. While the Adamses explain that many of the exercises in the book will improve "finning," they don't explain specifically how to prevent or reduce cramping.
• We know good cardiovascular health is essential for effective gas consumption and decompression and that aerobic exercise helps reduce the chances of DCS. While the book highlights cardiovascular exercise and explains how it contributes to more efficient gas consumption, it overlooks cardio's relationship to DCS. Maybe the Adamses consider fitness only tangentially related to DCS and avoided it. Nevertheless, I think it deserved a mention.

Despite these few concerns, though, the book is excellent. The Adamses provide lots of good, simple exercises that can make anybody more fit. Their explanations are clear, and the photos compliment the instructions perfectly. In Fit for Scuba, the Adamses present a manageable program that anyone can follow; it's your job to stick to it.

If you're interested in getting a copy, you can order one today through Buy Books on the Web or Amazon. Alternatively, it should be available in the DAN catalog in November or December.

Upon returning from my recent trip scuba diving in Grand Cayman, one of the first things I did was insert into my computer the CD that contained the 350 underwater pictures I had taken. Although I was pleased with many of the shots I captured with the Sea & Sea DX750G camera I rented, I was disappointed with others. One of the reasons I had rented the camera, after all, was to snap photos suitable for framing. However, I found many of the images needed color correction. Recognizing I'm not a professional underwater photographer, I understand I shouldn't expect endless, perfect images, though.

Neverthelss, I eagerly loaded the images into Picasa. While Picasa has some editing features built into it, it's really more of an electronic photo album; it's not ideal editing software. Nevertheless, I lightened, cropped, and copied some of the images onto a disc and took the disc to the Picture Maker so I could print them. I was pleased with the photos, but I was not amazed, so later that day, I went to Best Buy and bought Adobe's Photoshop Elements 4.0. Not Adobe's top-of-the-line photo-editing program, Elements is sort of a "Photoshop Lite." However, for my purposes it seemed adequate. Happily, the software I purchased was bundled with Premiere Elements 2.0 -- their video editing software -- and although it was priced at $149, after the sale price and the rebate, I brought home both applications for $69.

Is Elements 4.0 worth $69? In a word: absolutely. Although it's a bit tricky to use, it yields eye-popping results!

The Caveat

Let me first state that I've never used Photoshop before. Ever. So I'm not qualified to compare Elements 4.0 to its previous editions or to Photoshop, itself. (For a more comprehensive review, check out Connected Home. For snippets of reviews from the press, check out Photoshop's website.) However, after installing it, I opened it and started to poke around. It has a nice Organizer feature that allows you to view, tag, and order your photos. In the Organizer, you can also do some light edits, send photos to friends, and order images for printing. Coll, for sure, but many of these tools are available in (free) Picasa, too.

However, it's the Editor component of the application where you really get your money's worth. In Editor, you can radically adjust colors; cut bits out of one photo and paste it into another photo; erase unwanted, distracting blemishes from otherwise great photos; and much, much more. As I say, I'm a novice, so I can't speak about all the capabilities the program offers. What I really wanted to know is: how does it work for improving underwater images?

For Starters

I had been encouraged to use the smart tool in the Quick Edits, because it was a one-touch fix for photo processing. I played with that, and while it was nice ( and easy!), it didn't seem to be satisfactory for underwater images. I haven't played with it on topside images -- and it may be great for them -- but in my opinion, the one-touch quick fix is not appropriate for underwater shots.

Next, I decided to play with the hue, saturation, color casts, etc. This is where I ran into a problem. The manual that Elements provides merely explains what the tools in the software do; they don't provide step-by-step instructions for brushing up your images. I was completely lost. Elements 4.0 is simply not intuitive for the casual user. Darnit, I thought, was this a waste of money?

The Next Step

Then I remembered the tutorial Divester posted a long time ago about color-correcting in Photoshop. I was frustrated at first, because the post seemed long and complicated, but I chose one of the pictures that I felt was the best, followed the instructions carefully, and I was totally stunned: I had resurrected a previously-unusable photo. I quickly followed the process for a few more of the photos, and I was equally impressed. After a few edits, in fact, I found the process not that difficult, at all.

To show you what I mean, here are some photos. The first is the original; the second is what Picasa yielded; and the final is the Elements 4.0 result.

Original:

Picasa:

Elements (note that I brushed out the distracting black blob in the lower right-hand corner):

Original:

Picasa:

Elements:

Original:

Picasa:

Elements:

Original:

Picasa:

Elements:

Original:

Picasa:

Elements:

Original:

Picasa:

Elements:

Conclusion

There are a number of things I like about Elements 4.0.

1. The price was right.
2. The results can be fantastic.
3. The Organizer is easy-to-use.
4. Even beginners can do the Quick Edits from the outset: straighten, crop, brush out blemishes, etc. You can figure it out just by playing with the program.

There are a number of things, however, that might frustrate the casual user:

1. The Standard Editing process (i.e., the Editor that's more than the Quick Fix) is not intuitive. The provided manual is more of "What's Inside" than a "How To." To understand and use Elements well, I think you either need to take a class or purchase a guide, such as Photoshop Elements 4.0: The Missing Manual.
2. When editing the images, they appear very small on the screen, and while I can tell that they're improved, it's hard to tell by how much they've improved.
3. The application takes a long time to move between the Organizer and the Editor. Admittedly, my computer is vintage 2002 <Gasp!>, and is generally slow, but I feel like Elements is an unusually slow-moving program.

The easiest way to explain what this book is about is to read it's complete title: The Helldiver's Rodeo: A Deadly, Extreme, Scuba-Diving, Spear Fishing Adventure Amid the Offshore Oil-Platforms in the Murky Waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Whew, that's a mouthful. Written by Cuban-born Humberto Fontova, who emigrated to the US when he was a young boy, the book is an in-depth look at Helldivers -- highly-competitive men who helped shape rig-diving and spear fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. With its over-the-top stories and limitless machismo, think of Hunter S. Thompson crossed with that really annoying guy on the dive boat.

Filled with adventure, danger, and huge fish, the story is quick, easy, and entertaining. However, in my opinion, Fontova's lumbering writing style and endless braggadocio watered down what could have been a great book.

Helldivers began as fishermen who excitedly jumped into the water when the first scuba units came on the market in New Orleans, and quickly turned fish-catching into a competition (a.k.a., a Rodeo). The Helldivers were amazed at the abundance and size of the marine life that was attracted to the oil platforms in the Gulf: amberjack, jewfish, grouper, and sharks as big as a man and wrestled from underneath the platforms by scuba diving fishermen using heavily-modded spearguns. The Helldivers aren't the only ones who were surprised by the size of their quarries: I was flabbergasted by some of the photos inside the book.

So how was the book, itself? As someone who has no experience spearfishing, I found it hard to get as excited as Fontova about his hunting. Nevertheless, I was interested in learning about how the sport evolved; Jacques Cousteau's involvement with it; what a "Cajun wetsuit" is (jeans and a flannel shirt); and about the dangers Helldivers face. Unfortunately, one of the dangers includes drinking heavily before diving to depths of greater than 200 feet, so I found myself nearly empathy-free when reading about men who got hurt.

However, I was fascinated by stories like Gerry Bourgeois', who wrestled a 450-pound jewfish up from 170 feet with one hand stuck in the fish's gills, and the other stuck in the fish's mouth. Suffice it to say, the story ends happily -- for Bourgeois, at least -- but you have to read the book to learn how he got his hands stuck inside the fish, and how he got them out.

On the flip side, I was totally disinterested in reading about the Bacchanalian bashes on Breton Island, annual parties the Helldivers throw where they fish, spearfish, dive, eat, drink, reminisce, and brag. <Snore.> In some ways, this book is more of a gift to Fontova's friends ("Hey, remember when we did that?"), than an adventure story.

I'm guessing Fontova would insist that my level of naivete surrounding his sport is what led to my relative disinterest in his book. I'm guessing he's partly right. However, IMHO, the best parts of the book were the spear fishing stories. What I disliked was Fontova's rambling writing style (this book could've eaaily been 50 pages) and reading about men who left their brains onshore before they got in their boats, drank excessively, and tried to out-do each other. Nevertheless, this was a fun, easy story -- certainly, an excellent beach read -- and I learned a lot about rig diving and spearfihsing.

Final grade: B-.

For other (more positive) reviews of the book, check out Amazon and Scubaboard. Also, to get a sense of Fontova's style, check out his piece called Squirrel Opener, or run a search on his name. He's a prolific writer.

Tim Simond has been traveling the world for the past 30 years. An avid scuba diver and photographer, Simond recently landed the job of a lifetime: he was paid to write a book about diving in some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. The result is a big, beautiful coffee-table book called Dive in Style.

Covering 26 destinations around the world, the book features 743 eye-popping photos (all taken by Simond, himself) shot both above and below the water. According to the press release, "This is the first book to combine lifestyle inspiration with a practical guide to the fast-expanding universe of scuba diving." In other words, Simond visited a number of high-end hotels and liveaboards around the world and compiled his experiences into this book.

Thames and Hudson recently sent me a copy of the book for review. If you don't have time for the full review, let me sum it up in one word: Wow! For a more complete review, however, click the jump...

In the introduction, Simond stresses that Dive in Style is not a book about dedicated "dive hotels." Rather, it's a book about "wonderful resorts" for families...that cater to divers as well as tennis players, hikers, beach-lovers, etc. That said, however, each of the resorts Simond visits has a dedicated dive shop either on the premises or adjacent to the property. Moreover, four of the destinations he details are liveaboards. Ultimately, despite his protests, it's a book about destinations that may not cater exclusively to divers, but who consider divers among their top priorities.

Each of the destinations Simond profiles is divided into four sections. First, he briefly describes the Destination in a general sense ("...the Great Barrier Reef is home to an incredible diversity of marine life"). Second, he describes the Hotel in a fair level of detail, spotlighting its architectural design; discussing the layout of the property; mentioning the kinds of food and activities a visitor might expect; and providing several large, high-quality images of the resort. Third, Simond talks about the Dive Center that caters to the resort and mentions the highs ("They are highly conscious of safety") and the lows ("it's a shame that no courses are offered at such a flawless dive operation"). Fourth, he lovingly details the Diving; carefully describes several of the local must-dives; painstakingly outlines the kind of marine life you're likely to see; and clearly indicates the level of experience you should have to truly enjoy the destination. Then, it's on to the next destination...even before you're ready to leave.

There are a couple of things I really like about this book.

1. Of course, it discusses diving from the perspective of a seasoned diver who really knows what appeals to divers. Simond provides plenty of dive-oriented information: How does the dive center run its dives? What kinds of fish are you going to encounter? What are the boats like? When is the best time to visit?
2. The photos in the book are absolutely, unequivocally top-notch. I found myself staring at the pictures and muttering, "Ooh, that's pretty...". Moreover, there are none of those models-posing-as-they-stroll-along-the-beach shots. Although there are plenty of gorgeous pictures in the book, I think they look as though anybody could see that very same image in real life.
3. Simond has really done his research. He writes that he whittled the finalists down from a list of 125 candidates, and that the final choices were "based on merit only, and none of them paid to be included." Moreover, he includes tips about which rooms are the best; when is the best time of day to hit particular dive spots; and mentions some of the local marine life by name.
4. The resorts are from all over the world -- from Mozambique to Florida to Sardinia to Thailand. If you can't find something here to appeal to you...then you're not able to be satisfied.

There are a two little, bitty things I wasn't crazy about:

1. It'll be a long time until I'll be able to afford any of these trips. If you're a budget-diver, this book is a wish-list for you. (Admittedly, that's not really a flaw with the book, itself.)
2. Several of the resorts he spotlights are owned and operated by large, multi-national companies, like the Four Seasons. When I was looking through it, I couldn't help but think it was an ad for a handful of deep-pocketed hotels. Personally, I wanted to see more independently-owned establishments. (For example, if you were looking at a book of fun coffee shops to visit, and 1/4 were owned by Starbucks, and 1/4 were owned by Seattle's Best Coffee, I think you'd be similarly annoyed.) On the other hand, it isn't Simond's fault that many of the best hotels in the world are, in fact, operated by large, multi-national corporations. And the reason that they're the best is because they are well-run.

All in all, this is an awesome book that I think will motivate existing divers to consider some different dive destinations in the future. More importantly, I think it might encourage some non-divers to take up the sport.

In closing, I think the best thing that can be said about this book is this: My wife and brother-in-law got their hands on the book while I was out of town. Both of them told me independently that they spent several hours leafing through the book, looking at its pictures, reading the descriptions, and longing to slip away on vacation. My wife said we'd leave it out to peruse in the future. My brother-in-law said he wanted to get his own copy so he could look at it by himself. Remember: the book is called Dive in Style...and neither of them are divers. This book is for everyone.

The book retails for $40, but Amazon is offering it now for $25. For a few short excerpts, check out the Times Online's review of the book.