Publications | Brian Cassey Photographer Cairns Australia

Manus Island and Papua New Guinea …

August 4, 2013July 30, 2013

Thanks to Kevin Rudd and his new ‘Pacific Solution’ for asylum seekers I got to spend all of last week in Papua New Guinea and Manus Island for News Ltd.

In Port Moresby we met, photographed and spoke to local Muslims, Bangladeshi shop keepers and local Papuans and listened to their opinions about Rudd’s plan. The images made several spreads in News Ltd publications and front pages of the ‘Courier Mail’ and the ‘Daily Telegraph’. I also photographed the PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill (and one of my images of him appeared in todays edition of ‘The Australian’ 30th July.)

Manus Island itself was a revelation. When Manus is mentioned these days most are only aware of the ‘hell hole’ asylum seeker detention centre (at which we managed to get ‘detained’ ourselves for some time!).

In reality Manus is a beautiful tropical island almost on the Equator and home to fifty thousand of the most delightful, beautiful and cheery residents you could imagine. My time on the island (apart from the detention centre incident and difficulties with communications) was an absolute delight.

As well as making images of departing asylum seekers and arriving politicians, I worked on a picture essay entitled “The Other Side of Manus” to contrast the reality of Manus island with it’s perception as just a dismal detention centre.

So far ‘The Australian’ has run the entire “The Other Side of Manus” essay at … http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/galleries/gallery-e6frg8zf-1226687067192?page=1 … and the ‘Courier Mail’ is planning to run it in their print edition later this week.

A great and rewarding weeks work in more ways than one …

Below are some of the images and a copy of one of the front pages – from the top – just three chosen from “The Other Side of Manus” essay of 25, an image of a family living inside a WWII bunker in Port Moresby and the front page of the ‘Daily Telegraph’ on the 22nd July.

All images © Brian Cassey

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“From Mansions, To Cages, To Coffins — Hong Kong’s Rotten Property Ladder” …

July 4, 2013June 29, 2013

“From Mansions, To Cages, To Coffins — Hong Kong’s Rotten Property Ladder” … that’s the title that my new story – text, photos, pic essay and audio – is running under in the article published this week in the ‘Global Mail’.

The piece is the culmination of a couple of trips to Hong Kong and months of research and planning … however, the result made all the effort worthwhile.

Pretty grateful that the guys at the ‘Global Mail’ thought my journalistic work in both words and images worthy of publication (and payment of course!). I’m also grateful to the poor of Hong Kong I visited, who accepted my appearance with grace – if not always with outright enthusiasm.

This is the first publication of the wider story of the poor of Honkers which includes the relatively new phenomenon of “Coffin Homes”, the more established rooftop shanty villages, the evictions from old industrial buildings and the homeless – and follows on from my original work on “Cage Homes” (which was published on ‘CNN World’ and in the ‘Daily Mail’ amongst others.)

Below is a screen shot of just the first few pars and
images from the story … you can find the complete story on the ‘Global Mail’ at http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/from-mansions-to-cages-to-coffins-hong-kongs-rotten-property-ladder/626/

Images and Text © Brian Cassey

“Better Pictures” Mag

July 3, 2013June 27, 2013

Nice interview spread in the current “Better Pictures” magazine – a 3 page feature on photojournalism and I entitled “Inside Story”.

The articles tells of the challenges of photojournalism in this day and age (from my humble perspective) – and a little about my history in photography and the kit I use.

Good to see my images of Hong Kong Cage Homes, Carol Mayer’s portrait, the Fiji coup and the Holi Festival in Rajasthan used … but not fussed about the text and blocks encroaching on the images look!

Although “Better Pictures” is mainly a publication for enthusiasts any little bit of profile building never goes astray!

Below are images of the three pages of the magazine … images © Brian Cassey

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Head On Festival and Portrait Prize …

May 22, 2013May 21, 2013

Travelled down to Sydney for the launch of the five week long “Head On Photo Festival” and the announcement of the 2013 “Head On Portrait Prize” winners.

The Turner Hall at Sydney TAFE Institute was packed to it’s (very beautiful) rafters for the Festival launch, the “Head On Portrait Prize” winners announcement and also the announcements of the new “Head Off Landscape Prize” and the “Head On Momento Photobook Awards”.

Absolutely thrilled when Head On director Moshe Rosenzveig announced that I was ‘Winner of Second Prize’ in the portrait award for my image “Stockman”. I was joined up on stage by Jonathan May who made the amazing winning image and third place winner Matthew Reed.

“Stockman” (Dominic Ngakyunkwokka) is just one image from the series “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” originally made for a story by ‘The Australian’ journalist Michael McKenna (who also features in the series). You can see the entire “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” collection of prints at the Global Gallery in Paddington Sydney from the 29th May till the 9th June, as a “Head On Festival” featured exhibition. Please come along for opening night celebrations and a drink or two from 6pm.

The day after the Global Gallery exhibition launch I’m orf to Kuala Lumpur where another image from “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” – “Roustabout (Perry Ward) – is a finalist in the “2013 Kuala Lumpur International Photography Awards” and will be exhibited at “Galeri Petronas” in the Petronas Towers KL from the 23rd May till 23rd June. Winners announcement is 5pm June 1st.

The exhibition of the “Head On Portrait Prize” winning images and thirty seven other Portrait Prize Finalists can be seen at the State Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney until the 23rd June.

There are galleries of winning and finalist images from the Portrait, Landscape and Book Prizes on the web here at ‘TimeOut’ , here at “Fairfax News” and here at “Photojournalism Now”

Here (below) is how my “Stockman” image is displayed in the State Library of NSW – image © Brian Cassey

“Vignette” Exposure …

May 1, 2013May 1, 2013

One of my images from a past trip to the Torres Strait has been selected to currently feature as the ‘Vignette’ magazine “Photo of the Week” … pretty pleased with that !

‘Vignette’ magazine is an International quarterly focusing on photographic practice from all around the planet. The aim of the mag is to ‘Inspire International Imagery’ and it features work from a diverse range of photographic disciplines by some of the Worlds most prestigious and talented photographers.

The image is of a young girl – Hedda – the daughter of a performer, backstage at the indigenous ‘Hidden Republic’ concert on Thursday Island off the tip of Cape York. It had previously been selected as a Finalist in the ‘Moran Photographic Prize’.

Below is a grab of the ‘Vignette’ web site page featuring the image.

Image © Brian Cassey

NPPA “Best of Photojournalism” Win …

February 4, 2013January 29, 2013

About this time last year – on a whim, a wing and a prayer – I sent a couple of images into the US based ‘National Press Photographers Association’ – “Best of Photojournalism” awards … and promptly forgot about it. As you do …

No ‘you’re a winner’ (or even ‘placegetter’) email arrived so you just get on with life …

Then … just last week I got a Facebook message from photojournalist colleague Ted Mcdonnell who had arrived back from a gig in Timor Leste and gone through his pile of mail where he found his new copy of the NPPA mag “News Photographer”. There gracing the inside cover (see below) he found my portrait of beautiful burns survivor Carol Mayer and the news (to me) that it had WON the “Portrait” category for ‘A single photograph that captures a unique aspect of a local figure’s character and personality. This should not be a public figure who is regularly covered in the news, but rather a local heroine, hero, or community member’.

Carol certainly falls easily into that category … ! (and the nicest part is she gets as excited as I do with the successes her portrait has achieved – Nikon Walkley, Kellicutt International US, International Photography Awards (IPA), Head On Portrait Prize, International Color Awards, International Loupe Awards, Queensland Multi Media Awards etc … )

Pretty stunned about the news .. despite the fact it was announced a few months ago … but, if I’m honest, a bit miffed that I wasn’t told at the announcements. I emailed NPPA and a reply from Thomas Kenniff reckons I should have got an email as all Winners did.

The moral is ? Try and remember to check awards and competition results … just in case!

Below is the inside cover page of the NPPA magazine “News Photographer” with the result – a click on that will take you to the NPPA site.

Carol Mayer image © Brian Cassey

Cape York Cattle Muster Essay …

January 14, 2013

Have now found time to post a new photo essay from the Cape York mustering trip – “Cattle Muster Cape York” – to the web site of my collective ‘fotostrada’ under ‘Latest Stories’. The new essay is in addition to the “Aak Puul Ngantam Stcokman” essay of portraits posted earlier.

This set of images were made during the mustering operations – by horse back, helicopter and quad bike, on the remote property out from the indigenous township of Aurukun. The stock they are mustering, numbering about 5000, are the remnants and descendants of a failed cattle venture in the 1990’s. The participants are a mix of elder experienced former aboriginal stockman, young indigenous men from Aurukun keen to learn the ropes, a white family of head stockman, wife and cook and two daughter Jillaroos, a teacher for the kids and a ‘roustabout’ – all of whom are directly involved in the day to day hands on mustering operation.

The venture is an attempt to provide sustainable employment and a sense of pride in the indigenous town – and break the cycle of booze, drugs, violence and welfare dependency.

They have already had some success with the sale of mustered stock fetching record prices at a recent Mareeba cattle auction.

The work was made for ‘The Australian’ newspaper with text by journalist Michael McKenna and was published over four pages (including page 1) of ‘The Weekend Australian’ edition (see earlier post below.)

Posted below are just three images from the complete essay which can be found in full at http://www.fotostrada.com/#/latest-stories/cattle-muster-cape-york/BCAurukunAPN24

Images © Brian Cassey

“The Australian” … Best …

December 22, 2012

… another ‘Best of 2012’ collection … this time from “The Australian” newspaper.

I’m fortunate to have half a dozen images amongst “The Best of the Australian 2012” collection … and my ‘fotostrada’ colleagues Sam Mooy and Kelly Barnes also weighed in with a dozen pics between them.

I’ve posted below a screen shot of the first page of the collection … my image of 79 year old Herbert McLean from Hopevale on Cape York Peninsula … and the complete gallery can be accessed here at … http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/galleries/gallery-e6frg8zf-1226541844275?page=1

Ain’t Nature Grand …

October 10, 2015November 19, 2012

Sometimes nature can make you feel so damn humble …

Such was the case with this weeks total solar eclipse that tens of thousands experienced in Cairns and far north Queensland.

I was assigned to cover the event (unusually) for one of ‘the wires’ AAP. Even before receiving the ‘gig’ from AAP I had scouted out possible sites for the best place to get the best images of the phenomena … and booked a site at Ellis Beach a year ago.

The morning of the event saw high tension as the sun disappeared behind a large cloud bank immediately after sunrise. The assembled throng of scientists, tourists and locals on the beach waited patiently for the next hour or so until – with less than two minutes before totality – the clouds parted and the total eclipse was viewable in all it’s majesty.

Totality lasted just over two minutes – but as I shot away a mental list of all the images I wanted to make – it seemed more like just a few seconds. I really would have liked a moment to reflect on the wonderful show that nature was displaying but that’s a down side to the job!

For the closeups of the total eclipse I brushed off my many years old squeeze focus 1200mm (600 + 2x) Novoflex lens – originally the first choice of football photographers in the UK many years ago. A 77mm heavy duty neutral density filter screwed handily to the front and it was easy to lock the completely manual lens at ‘infinity’. The first time I’ve used this particular lens in anger in many decades! It performed well …

Gratifyingly my images have appeared around the planet … thanks to AAP syndication … including the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Times of India, the South China Morning Post as well as in more far flung places such as Brazil, Bulgaria and Poland and many more.

Would relish the opportunity to cover another total eclipse … anytime!

Below I’ve posted just two of the many images I made of Wednesday’s spectacular show …

Images © Brian Cassey and AAP (2012)

Aak Puul Ngantam Portraits …

November 19, 2012

The complete portrait set – “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” – is now up on the web site of my collective ‘fotostrada’ at “Latest Stories”.

The set includes portraits of all the individuals involved in the cattle venture on Cape York Peninsula, indigenous and otherwise, made as they returned from a morning muster.

I’ll let the portraits speak for themselves …

Another photo essay on the work of APN including mustering on horseback, helicopter and quad bike and other images, will be posted on ‘fotostrada’ soon.

Both essays will be added to my personal web site when the current site refresh is completed any week now.

Below I’ve posted just two of the set which also link to the full set.

Images © Brian Cassey 2012

Aurukun and the Grog …

November 9, 2012October 16, 2012

With Queensland Premier Campbell Newman’s decision to roll back the indigenous alcohol management plans the excrement hit the proverbial fan! I travelled to Aurukun (via Weipa and a two hour drive each way) on the western tip of Cape York with Brisbane based journalist Jamie Walker for ‘The Australian’ last week – where we covered not only the alcohol issue but also the final declaration of the Wik Native Title Determination.

We were only able to stay in the indigenous township for a matter of a few hours so there was little time for a social ‘chit chat’!

However, our efforts were well rewarded in Saturday’s Weekend Australian edition with a Page 1 story and large pic (of the very gracious Rebecca and Silas Wolmby), a spill to page 6 with another large image … and the whole of page 21 of the ‘Inquirer’ section with another two photos … all on the alcohol issue. We also scored page 3 and two pics in the Friday edition with the Wik Determination story.

Below I’ve posted a screen image of page 1 of Saturday’s Weekend Australian and also of Fridays page 3 of the Australian (with the image of delightful Aurukun school children and presiding Justice Andrew Greenwood). If you subscribe to the Australian you will be able to view these stories and pics online at http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

Good Weekend … The Last Days of Eden …

October 15, 2012

The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald weekend mag “Good Weekend” featured Saturday a four page story by Susan Chenery, accompanied by my images, on Restoration Island castaway and all round good guy David Glasheen.

Entitled “The Last Days of Eden” the story told of David’s life of isolation and his current battle to avoid eviction from his island paradise off the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula. I’ve been, indeed, fortunate to visit David several times on ‘Resto’ and he has made me most welcome every time.

Below I’ve posted a screen shot of the “Good Weekend” double page spread … and Susan’s story and more of my images can be found on the Sydney Morning Herald web site at … http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/the-last-days-of-eden-20121008-277yi.html

David’s fight to stay on the island has spread around the planet and much interest has been forthcoming from diverse parts and publications. My images have featured in some interesting countries … also below are just two screen shots of pages from opposite sides of the World … Colombia and Switzerland.

Images of David Glasheen © Brian Cassey

Dogs … Pooches … Woofers … Whatever …

September 21, 2012September 19, 2012

“The Dogs of Sai Kung” photo essay that I made in Hong Kong recently has been a bit of a hit with the Daily Telegraph in the UK.

Their glossy weekend magazine ran the pics as a full four page spread under the title “Barking Mad” using seven images and a very nice story by journalist Jessica Salter. (Thanks Jess !)

On the Daily Telegraph web site TWO of the images from the set starred – alongside images of Prince Will and Princess Kate, the Taliban in Afghanistan, Islamic protests against THAT movie, the Aurora Borealis through the polar ice and other pics from around the World – in the “Pictures of the Day” gallery for the 18th September.

The DT also ran another separate full gallery of seventeen Sai Kung doggy images under the title of “The Pampered Dogs of Hong Kong”.

Nice to get a good run with these images that, to be honest, were not a priority at the time on the Hong Kong trip … and were all made just on a nice Sunday at the very pleasant Sai Kung seaside.

Below I’ve posted – from top – two images of the Daily Telegraph magazine four page spread “Barking Mad” and one image each from the “Pictures of the Day” gallery and “The Pampered Pooches of Hong Kong” gallery.

The complete essay (twenty six images) can be found either on my my personal web site at … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=saikung

… or on the web site of my collective ‘fotostrada’ at … http://www.fotostrada.com/#/latest-stories/the-dogs-of-sai-kung/BCskDogs1

All images © Brian Cassey

“The Seventh Second” at the Clarions …

August 26, 2012

Queensland’s media congregated at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre last Saturday eve to recognise their collective achievements over the past twelve months … courtesy of the MEAA and The Walkley Foundation.

Approximately 300 attended “The Clarions” and celebrated awards across the spectrum of the states media – TV, radio, online and print. As is usually the case when the media congregate – the drinks flowed rather well.

Half way through the evening I was summoned to the stage to collect the award for “Best Sports Photograph” for the image I made last year at the Mareeba Rodeo – “The Seventh Second”. A little pleased about that!!!

Here’s the caption for the image –

“It’s The shortest ride in sport. Eight seconds is all it takes to record a ‘ride’ in the rodeo saddle bronco event.

Indigenous Bull riding specialist Elroy Josiah was a fraction of a second from ‘scoring a ride’ at the Mareeba Rodeo in far north Queensland when … at the 7 second mark … he gave his mount ‘Arrow’ a little too much respect and rein !

It was all that ‘Arrow’ needed and … sporting an dastardly evil grin … ‘Arrow’ dispatched Elroy and he was eating the Mareeba dirt.

For Elroy, who hadn’t been on a horse for 5 years as he usually is content to just ride bulls, you’d think it would have been a salutary warning. But Elroy is ‘hooked’ on the pain! “I love the riding,” he says, and adds, “I love feeling the pain, too. I’m not just saying that. Pain is my middle name.”

Then Elroy couldn’t wait to jump back on a bull … ”

The image was published as a double page spread in The Australian Weekend Magazine “Heart of a Nation” feature section with great text by journalist Ross Bilton.

The “The Seventh Second” image (© Brian Cassey) is below …

Instagrammification …

June 18, 2012

… is the title of a new book I’ve just published containing a selection of 80 images from my Instagram collection. Random images – no particular theme – and no text to speak of.

Just the images … all taken on the (now nearly antique) iPhone4

‘ INSTAGRAMMIFICATION ‘ is 7″x7″ (17.78cms x 17.78cms), available as a hard cover edition, soft cover or eBook … and … if you are interested there are more details and order information on my web site ‘Books’ page here.

‘Take’ Photography Magazine …

April 28, 2012April 17, 2012

Following on from the huge success of the universally praised initial edition of photography magazine ‘Take’, publisher Andrew Johnstone has just released ‘Take’ edition 2.

Really pleased and humble to be amongst the 26 photographers from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina and Italy featured in the publication.

Excellent work from all through the 122 pages of images … all wrapped in a great hard cover … and all for just a cent under twenty bucks! Particularly pleased to see works from Jonathan Clifford, Jon Reid and Katrin Koenning also featuring.

My set in ‘Take’ 2 is the pic essay “Soulless in Seoul” which portrays the plight of the homeless in Seoul, South Korea who are being evicted from the Seoul Railway Station. To see it, do yourself a favour and buy a copy of ‘Take’ 2. If 19.99 is beyond your budget my Seoul images can be found here either on my website or on the site of my collective ‘fotostrada’.

To get your copy of ‘Take’ 2 go to the Take Magazine Facebook page here.

Below is an image of the beautiful hard cover of the new ‘Take’ 2 magazine and images of my featured pages.

Rural Press Awards …

April 28, 2012April 17, 2012

… not a biggie – but gratifying nevertheless. Received the news that an image I made in the aftermath of Cyclone Yasi has been selected as the winner of the ‘People’ category of the “2012 Queensland Rural Press Photography Awards”. It will now be a Queensland representative in the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists “2012 Australian Star Prize for Rural Photography” and if successful there it will be an Australian entry in the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Photography Awards.

The image (below) of Atherton Tablelands farmer Shane O’Brien was made at the end of a day of clearing trees felled by Yasi’s power. Falling trees killed hundreds of head of Shane’s stock and the felled trunks made traversing and operating his cattle farm impossible. Despite the quick response to cyclone damage on the coastal strip of north Queensland, farmers inland from the coast on the Tablelands received little or no support.

It was published in The Australian newspaper on February 14th 2011 … full text of the story here.

Instagram, The Australian, and me …

June 27, 2012March 26, 2012

I’ve spent my entire career making images of other people from the back side of a camera. So it was a little daunting and very different to be asked to supply an image of myself “Instagramming” for an article in The Australian newspaper on the rise of the social media photography application.

“Instagram” has quickly grown to 27 million iPhone users in just 17 months … and a version for Android users is due to be realised any day now.

It is widely used on a daily basis by a growing number of Australia’s top photojournalists who delight in the creativity and competition that the app invites.

The article in The Weekend Australian – written by journalist Chris Griffith and published across the entire top half of page 7 on Saturday March 24th – tells of the rapid rise and the possible future for the “Instagram” app, and my experiences using it.

The main pic in the spread was an image I (reluctantly!) shot of myself using the iPhone at beautiful Mission Beach … and this was surrounded by some of my most ‘liked’ “Instagram” images. (I promise not to get into the habit of taking pics of myself!)

Below I’ve posted an image of the top half of page 7 showing how The Weekend Australian ran the story.

The text of the article can be found here … and The Australian’s gallery of some of my “Instagram” images – all taken on a now ageing iPhone4 – is here.

If you wish to follow my work on “Instagram” look for … @brian_cassey

Walkley Mag Splash …

April 28, 2012March 2, 2012

The Walkley Magazine has published my “Soulless in Seoul” pic essay (retitled “Sleepless in Seoul”) as a double page spread in the centre of this months new edition. A great layout and a great shop window.

The images in the essay show the plight of the hundreds of homeless who are currently being evicted from Seoul Railway Station and precinct by South Korea’s super efficient state rail authority Korail.

Bizarrely, Korail have stated that the homeless pose a ‘terrorist threat’. In the latest twist the newly elected mayor of Seoul has asked Korail to reverse the decision to evict – but Korail have no intention of doing so.

I came across the sorry story during a brief stopover in Seoul whilst returning from exhibiting my work “Cage Dogs of Hong Kong” at the Gwangju Design Biennale in the south of South Korea.

Below I’ve posted an image of the Walkley Magazine spread and one larger image from the essay.

The full “Soulless in Seoul” essay can be viewed on my personal website at https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=seoul … and on the web site of my collective ‘fotostrada’ at http://www.fotostrada.com/#/brian-cassey/soulless-in-seoul/BCSeoul1s

Cage Dogs & the Daily Mail …

April 28, 2012January 12, 2012

Plenty of response to the publication of Cage Dogs on CNN World – most notably from the UK Daily Mail. The Mail requested the use of ten images … and they ran with the story headlined “Cage Dogs of Hong Kong: The Tragedy of Tens of Thousands Living in 6ft by 2ft Rabbit Hutches – in a City with more Louis Vuitton shops than Paris” – not so sure about the ‘rabbit hutches’ reference!

You can read the Daily Mail article and see the images at … http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2084971/Hong-Kongs-cage-homes-Tens-thousands-living-6ft-2ft-rabbit-hutches.html

Clicking on the screen shot below will also take you to the DM article.

CNN World & Cage Dogs …

April 28, 2012January 11, 2012

Very nice to see my pic essay on the Cage Home People of Hong Kong – “Cage Dogs” – featured on the global CNN world web site this week.

CNN World say their aim is to ‘tell powerful, inspiring stories through photography and offer a behind-the-scenes look at emerging and established photographers.’

The images are used well – accompanied by nice text by CNN’s Elizabeth Johnson … and the comments on the story are … well … ‘interesting’ !

If you have a minute or three please take a look at “Cage Dogs” on CNN World at … http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/08/hong-kongs-poor-living-in-cages/

The images can also be found on my personal website at … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=cagedogs … and on the web site of my collective ‘fotostrada’ at … http://www.fotostrada.com/#/brian-cassey/cage-dogs—hong-kong/

Just one of the images from the CNN World Cage Home feature is below …

Geo France …

April 28, 2012December 9, 2011

A nice whole page publication in the current issue of Geo France Magazine. I haven’t a clue what the text is about – my French is zero – but my image of Kuku Thaypan elder Tommy George looks excellent. Tommy is the last of his tribe which hails from the Laura area of Cape York Peninsula – and when he dies his language and forty thousand years of history will die with him. Tommy was also the original driving force behind the, now firmly established, biennial Laura Dance Festival – and a wonderful gentleman.

Tough ‘Day at the Office’ …

April 28, 2012November 14, 2011

Another ‘reef story’ in the Australian gave me the opportunity for yet another day of underwater imagery (I need the practice!)… this time courtesy of the crew of “Passions of Paradise” at Long Bommie near Michaelmas Cay off Cairns.

Journalist Sarah Elks wrote of the latest findings that some corals are hardier than expected when faced with climate change … and the story and pic ran over six columns on page 3 today 14th November.

Once again I have to thank a long suffering ‘dive buddy’ … or, in this case. more like a dive ‘daddy’ – “Passions” Adam O’Malley … without whom I would have found it difficult to get an image! Also a thanks to ex pat Frauleins Judith and Claudia who endured a hard day snorkelling amongst the coral gardens.

As on previous underwater occasions I used – with my heart in my mouth – the Ewa-Marine flexible housing (model U-BXP100), this time with my shiny new (thank you Nikon) D700 and trusty old 17-35mm lens.

Below is a tear sheet of the image as used on the Australian page.