Jim Church School of Underwater
Digital Photography and Videography

Have you always wanted to take your underwater photographs and videos to the next level? Are you tired of seeing back-scatter in an otherwise great shot? Would you like to be able to edit all your great video footage into a masterpiece? Well maybe you should spend a week with the pros aboard an Aggressor yacht. Our workshops breakdown the basics and tweak the technical tips so that you have a memorable portfolio by the week’s end.

Photography Course

The “hands-on” teaching style of Jim Church continues with his close friends and associates Mike Mesgleski & Mike Haber. Like Jim, “Mike & Mike” are focused on their student’s photography the entire week. Topside, in between dives, they conduct daily group presentations in the salon and then work with you one-on-one with your camera equipment. Underwater, they will help you set up shots, check composition, find subjects and even pose for you. From digital point & shoot cameras to housed digital SLR systems, Mike & Mike will help you get the shot. After a week of their instruction and help, you're sure to take home some great underwater photos and have a fun time doing it!

The all-new Digital Darkroom is a new element that has has been added to the Jim Church School of Underwater Photography courses. The Digital Darkroom program is an add-on to the standard Photo Class lessons.  It’s twice the learnin’ in one package. Every one of us has spent many hours at the computer working on images, trying to improve them.  The Digital Darkroom program is designed to show you how to accomplish this correctly and efficiently. For example, cloning and repairing are not just about removing backscatter or sensor dust.  Sometimes it’s necessary to remove or reposition entire image elements such as divers, fish or even the sun itself.  Sometimes from one image to another.  We will be showing you how to easily do this.

We will demonstrate the following subjects using the most current versions of Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Bridge and Apple Aperture. This includes:

• Color Correction 
• Cloning and Repairing 
• Color Management 
• Adjustment Layers 
• Sharpening 
• Dodging and Burning 
• Cropping 
• B&W Conversion

Don’t wait, join us now. If you have any specific questions regarding the Digital Darkroom program give us a call at 305-613-8008 or email mikem@jimchurchphoto.com.  And if you’re ready to book, call Aggressor Fleet at 1-800-348-2628 or email us at info@aggressor.com to reserve your space.

Video Course 

With the increasing popularity of digital video and the advances in high definition video camera systems, Mike & Mike are bringing their highly effective hands-on teaching techniques to the world of underwater videography.  Another Aggressor Fleet exclusive.

Like their successful school of underwater still photography, Mike & Mike will conduct daily group presentations in the salon as well as work with you individually with your video equipment. Underwater, they will help you set up shots, find subjects and even pose for you.  After a week of their instruction and personal help, you’re sure to take home your underwater video masterpiece and have a fun time doing it! 

Among the many subjects that will be covered:

• Digital Basics
• A Look at Equipment (Camera formats, housings, ports, etc...)
• Camera Settings (Which functions are most important for UW shooting)
• Demystifying White Balance
• Composition
• Shooting Techniques
• Lighting
• Comprehensive Post Production - including editing with Adobe Premier and Apple Final Cut

	Check out Mike & Mike’s site, www.jimchurchphoto.com, for additional details. You can also watch a two minute movie from Mike & Mike’s site. Big Version (25.6 MB, Quicktime) Small Version (6.9 MB, Quicktime)

Mike Mesgleski has been teaching Underwater Photography for 20 years, helping students create thousands of beautiful images of our underwater world. He has been in business repairing underwater photo equipment since 1988. Among his awards, Mike is an inaugural year recipient of the prestigious SSI Platinum Pro certification. Together, Mesgleski and Haber operate Underwater Camera Repair, www.underwatercamerarepair.com, out of Miami.

Mike Haber, also a qualified instructor, is a professional photographer both topside and underwater. His base of operations starts in Miami and extends almost around the world. Mike’s studio subjects and nature images reflect the wide range of his photographic skill and creativity. Mike is also proud to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Marine Life Preservation Society. Together, Mesgleski and Haber operate Underwater Camera Repair, www.underwatercamerarepair.com, out of Miami.