Manta Ray Bay has been transformed into a Yap-size Top Gun academy of the underwater photo world – the best of the best from around the world are here. Presenting from the United States we have Marty Snyderman, from Europe, Frank Schneider and Japan we have Masa Michishiro. For the next couple weeks Bill will be hosting contest participants as well as the photo pros who will be presenting, educating and supporting the growth of the underwater photography community. The presenters are here and available to contest participants for tips and one-on-one workshops on anything underwater photography. I think everyone is going home a better photographer after two weeks of Manta Fest. Today is the kick-off of the diving after a gathering up on the Crow’s Nest bar last night at a manager’s meeting.  The red carpet has been rolled out and the entire resort is dedicated to the event and these photographers. This morning everyone got in the water and did a couple laps around the Caverns as a warm up for the next two weeks. More participants will be arriving later in the week and things will be picking up as the event rolls out.

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In the water

I think the last time Bill’s head got wet was when he dropped his beer mug in the pool, but Manta Fest has him knocking off the rust as a dive guide and showing everyone his underwater game, he still has it. A few solid macro scores rang in on everyone’s SD card before noon today. In the swim throughs there were strobes popping everywhere. At one point during the reef wall tour there was photographers taking pictures of photographers when I came around a corner and I got in on the action too. Over the next couple weeks I’ll be hopping around the Mnuw with my hand out for some SD card media leaks to keep you posted throughout the event. Manta Fest 2012 is off to a good start with more photographers arriving throughout the week. Things will be picking up steadily as the contest unfolds.