Friday, November 13, 2026 7:30pm - James Emery - Shaping Light: Advanced Macro Techniques
In-person at Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo (Monterey) and online by Zoom
Join NCUPS Board Member James Emery for a deep dive into the fascinating world of underwater macro and muck diving. This presentation will move beyond the basics, exploring advanced lighting setups—including snoots and backlighting—alongside creative techniques like long-exposure panning and specialty lenses. Whether you are looking to cleanly isolate a tiny subject in the muck or add dynamic motion to your macro shots, this talk will provide the technical insights and creative inspiration needed to elevate your underwater imaging.
James Emery is an award-winning underwater imaging specialist and the Marketing & Media Manager for Backscatter Underwater Photo & Video. Drawing on 16 years of professional media production experience, he specializes in advanced lighting techniques, macro, and Close-Focus Wide-Angle photography. James regularly leads international photography workshops in global muck diving capitals like Indonesia, and is dedicated to helping fellow photographers unlock their creative potential underwater.
In-person:
Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo
225 Cannery Row, Monterey, California
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 893 7939 3061
Passcode: 040283
Mini Competition
Some big changes here too. Read the full details on our website on the competition page. But the quick big ticket items:
Still Photo and Video competitions each month. Enter either or both!
Competition will be judged with comments provided instead of the old voting approach.
NEW DEADLINE for entry. Since we’re using judges, we need to get images to them and give them time to actually do the judging. So, going forward, please submit your images via the link below (or on the the competition page) by the 15th of the prior month. So, for November, you would submit by October 15.
All of the minicomp themes are on our here with convenient upload links. You can upload your picture for any month at any time UP UNTIL the deadline.
November Minicomp
November’s theme is Creative (weird lenses, backlit, close focus wide angle, silhouette, colors, flouro, long exposure …). Those images were due by 10/15. There will be no minicomp submissions for December. Best Photographer and Best Shot will be judged instead.
And remember, entering is a good idea. For 2026, we have 2 BIG annual prizes:
Best Photographer. $100 prize for the person with the highest cumulative score during the year.
Best Shot. Another $100 prize will be awarded to the best photo of the year (based on the first place winners during the January to November time frame).
NCUPS Background
The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that promotes interest in underwater photography. The club has been active since 1957, sponsoring educational events on both underwater photography and video while promoting awareness of the underwater environment and pertinent ecological issues. NCUPS serves the greater San Francisco Bay area, including Silicon Valley. FEIN 94-3278015
