Here’s a shot taken while scuba diving in the Denver Aquarium. This was one of the most unusual dives I have ever done! As part of the requirements for the Underwater Photography Certification with SSI, we had to do a dive and take photographs with our instructor – and the closest place in Colorado was the aquarium.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the director of scuba volunteers who introduced us to our dive master Dave. He oriented us to the procedures for diving in the large tank by the restaurant in the facility and then helped us get geared up for the dives. Because the aquarium tanks are a closed system, we weren’t allowed to use our own gear – a precaution against contamination which is a danger to the fish. I usually wear a 3mm wetsuit in the tropics, but the water was cold and we forced ourselves into Michelin Man-like 5mm suits and were fitted with the rest of the equipment provided by the aquarium – all done behind the scenes and above the water in the large tank.
We were lead to a platform above the water where we donned our fins, masks and BCDs and then slid in to the large tank. As soon as we descended we realized how close we could get to our subjects. We also realized while looking out through the windows of the aquarium that we were part of the entertainment for the people eating lunch! We waved at kids while we shot our photos and harassed the captive fish (just kidding about the fish).
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That sounds like the funnest thing ever. I would’ve had to try some mermaid moves. 🙂
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Mermaid moves! There was one diver in our group who was having some buoyancy problems, but in her case she looked more like an upside-down turtle. The instructor had to grab her and drag her back down towards the bottom of the tank. Also – geared up in those thick black wetsuits, we look more like James Bond in “Thunderball!” 🙂
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“taken while scuba diving in the Denver Aquarium”—Well, you certainly got my attention with that!
What a cool experience. I’m sure you were every bit as exciting to the onlookers as the fish. 🙂
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It was very cool, Carrie! The kids seemed much more interested in us than the fish.
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Haha, I bet.
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That is a very special experience of getting the Underwater Photography Certification! What a remarkable shot of the blue fish, Cathy! 🙂 The clarity is incredible.
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Thanks so much, Amy. It was a really fun time!
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What an incredible experience, Cathy! Lovely colors in your photo. I have a photo from an aquarium as well, but not one with me in the water. (Not enough room in the tank where I took the photo.) 🙂
janet
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It was quite the unique experience, Janet. We’ve actually considered volunteering at the aquarium. They use volunteer scuba divers to clean and maintain the tanks, but its quite the time commitment and we never seem to get around to doing all the work to get that to happen (although we do have all the proper dive certifications to do so).
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My son and I were once at the aquarium in Baltimore when divers went into the tank. It was wonderful for my 6 year old son. We met the divers at the top of the tank and one of them gave my son a stingray tooth. He still has it! It was such a treat, as it was I’m sure for the visitors who watched you that day.
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Thanks so much, Elyse! What a kind comment. I suspect we did inspire some of those future divers or marine biologists that day. It was really fun to wave at them and see their bright faces through the glass. It was a part of the experience I hadn’t anticipated until we were actually in the tank!
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Lovely capture. That must have been quite an experience. I’ve only dived a handful of times, and all of them in the ocean. Nice to know you had so many subjects right there to photograph. And it must have been odd to likely be the subject of someone else’s photo (as the people looked on).
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It was a bit odd, Susan. I hadn’t thought of being a subject until I got in the tank and saw all the onlookers! Great experience, though!
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What a cool experience, Cathy. I would have found that entertaining. 🙂 Beautiful shot!
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Thanks so much, Amy. It was one of those very unique experiences that I’ll always treasure!
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You certainly captured my attention when you said you were diving IN the aquarium. Thanks for the details. What an interesting experience that must have been!
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Thanks, Leon! Yes – IN the aquarium. Quite the unique experience! It was such fun.
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Wonderful photo, but for me, the story captured my attention!
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Thanks, Frank. Glad you enjoyed the story. It was a memorable experience!
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Beautiful photograph. What a perfect response the Aquarium dive gave you. 🙂
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Thank you so much! And thanks for the follow, timelesslady!
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