anemone in fluorescent green

Friday, February 13, 7:30pm: Fluorescence Photography with Jim Decker

In-person at Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo (Monterey) and online by Zoom

Learn all about the wacky world of fluorescence photography! If you loved tripping out  relaxing with your favorite beverage staring at a Jimi Hendrix blacklight poster, then fluorescence photography is for you! I’ll go over the science (not too much don’t worry), gear, and techniques on how to create new exciting images with the same old boring subjects.

Note is that meetings are moving back to the 2nd Friday of the month.  And BIG news, the meetings are going to be hybrid: in person in Monterey at Backscatter and simultaneously on zoom.  If you can get there in person, it should be a great time.

Meeting - Friday, February 13, 2026

In-person:
Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo
225 Cannery Row, Monterey, California

Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81280731347?pwd=pwk8YelNZOtMgLSQwEDzGuM0KDJRsE.1

As the CEO of Backscatter, Jim is one of the top experts in the world on underwater photo and video equipment and shooting technique. From SLRs to compacts and handycams to broadcast video, Jim has shot video and photo systems from all the major underwater manufacturers and has been a consultant on many of the designs seen in the water today. Jim has also consulted with many professional photographers, production companies, resorts, and magazines including Mythbusters, Discovery Channel, Sport Diver Magazine, Scuba Diving Magazine, Into The Drink, National Geographic, Freshwaters Illustrated, and many more.

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 March, you would submit by Feb 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.  

February Minicomp

February’s theme is “Super Macro”. Those have to already have been submitted. And in fact, they’ve already been judged. Come to the meeting to see the winners.

The  March competition is Nudibranchs.  And those images are due by 2/15.  Get them in on time, please!  Please name your files like this 01YourName.jpg.  Upload March entries here.

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

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