Not your average critter spotter

Mike Veitch · Issue 43, Jul/Aug 2008 · pp. 47–49

Underwater photographers know the importance of having a great critter spotter when diving in far flung regions of the world. As one of the more popular underwater photography destinations on the planet, Indonesia is home to some of the most proficient and famous critter spotters of all. Many photographers return to locations such as Komodo, Lembeh, and Bali in order to work with the same guides time and again. However, upon returning to a resort the following year, it is not uncommon to find these great guides have moved on. Reasons for this can be attributed to “burn out” or better income potential in a different business. A third reason is a little more in depth and not often discussed. With many dive shops there is little chance of upward potential for locally trained staff beyond the divemaster level as the price of becoming an instructor is too high for the local standard of living…