British Virgin Islands, 18,000 Pictures Later

Our team completed a BVI assignment with success. We kept some 18,000 images, among which 6,000 were taken underwater.

With the help of Tortola Marine Management  yacht chartering company and Last Stop Sports, a watersports company, a team of four spend almost a month down South. A mini website is already available here, and multimedia presentations and resulting articles are underway.

"We truly rediscovered the beauties of this archipelago - comments Danielle Alary - we worked extensively on the wreck of the R.M.S. Rhone and throughout the islands. I am eager to produce multimedia presentations on this subject, it will be fascinating."

Michel Gilbert at work, 22 meters below the surface. He is photographing the wreck of he R.M.S. Rhone, a mixed (sail and steam) vessel that sank in 1867, off Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands. (Photo D. Alary)

Off to the British Virgin Islands, With a Full Schedule

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary left today for a 27 days assignment in the British Virgin Islands. This major project involves two magazine articles, three multimedia presentations production and two lectures.

"This will be our 7th trip to the archipelago - says Gilbert - we will need every minute of our stay to complete the mission."

Gathering more than 10,000 digital images and tons of information, the couple will come back to a most busy schedule as articles and multimedia programs need to be ready for the fall of 2008.

SUB-IMAGES Completes a 3-Projector Museum Multimedia Program

SUB-IMAGES completed the installation of a 3-projector, all-digital presentation system along with a brand new digital version of their award-winning ICE HAVEN production at the Seal Interpretation Center of the Magdalen Islands. This 4-month project involved hundreds of hours of planning, digital photo enhancement and programming.

The company provided a turn-key program to the museum and, as usual, deadlines and budgets were met and the quality level was... SUB-IMAGES level, i.e. excellent.

"Using Watchout™  provided the best image quality and programming flexibility". - says Danielle Alary, project leader and Director.

The Seal Interpretation Center offers a unique experience to the visitors, explaining, in plain truth, the ecology and the interaction between man and the seal population that visits this area yearly.

Danielle Alary putting the finishing touch to Ice Haven, a 3-projector WATCHOUT digital presentation that is now a permanent exhibit at the Seal Interpretation Center of the Magdalen Islands.
(Photo M. Gilbert)

Michel Gilbert putting the finishing touch to the alignment of the three projectors used to present Ice Haven, a multimedia document produced by SUB-IMAGES.  (Photo D. Alary)

Danielle Alary  makes final adjustments to Ice haven, the WATCHOUT multimedia production she directed. (Photo M. Gilbert)

The multimedia presentation room at the Seal Interpretation Center of the Magdalen Islands.
(Photo D. Alary)

SUB-IMAGES Multimedia Productions - Now Available in  HD

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary announced that from now on, every production done by their company, SUB-IMAGES, will be done using Watchout™  software, as usual, but in Full HD resolution (1920 X 1080).

"This will allow us to bring the very best quality to our audiences. - comments Alary - Also, contrary to Blue Ray or other HD video technology, our images are brought on screen without any form of compression. This system delivers the highest quality possible."

HD will be used in conjunction with other formats depending on the needs of the customer and the targeted audience. For a while, all future programs will be produced in both SVGA and HD resolution to accommodate the largest customer base.

Beneath the Sea - Honouring the Pioneers

Armand Zighan, the  founder of Beneath the Sea (BTS) dive show held in Secaucus New Jersey was delighted with the 2008 edition. Honouring another diving pioneer, Dr. Sylvia Earle, the restless group of volunteers brought to the Jersey and Big Apple audience a show they will not forget.

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary presented their most popular underwater photography workshops and they also gave two lectures, one on photo technique and the other one about the life of Greenland and harp seals on the ice pack of the Gulf of St-Lawrence.

Michel also jumped on stage for a demonstration of his talents as a musician along with fellow underwater image maker, Leandro Blanco.

A candid snapshot of Michel Gilbert and National Geographic photographer David Doubilet at the Meet the Fish and Famous reception at Beneath the Sea. (Photo D. Alary)

Michel Gilbert on the drums at the Fish and Famous reception at Beneath the Sea. (Photo D. Alary)

Boston Sea Rovers - A First for Gilbert and Alary

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary were invited to speak at the 54th edition of the Boston Sea Rovers (BSR), the oldest scuba diving show in North America. “BSR is not the oldest of its kind; it is the most interesting from a history and location point of view.” commented Michel Gilbert.  All the most famous speakers have delivered lectures at the BSR. This might well become an annual pilgrimage for the couple.

Talks are already underway for a 2009 participation.

20 Years With the Manatees - Anniversary

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary celebrated the 20th anniversary of their first manatee encounter last January. introduced to the creature by author/filmmaker Joe Strykowsky, the couple has done a fair amount of work in the sirenian's realm.

"We have been here - Crystal River Florida - many many times to document the manatee's fate and behaviour. Our images are constantly published in North America and abroad. This creature means a lot to us."  commented Alary.

Spending 11 days in the area, the team collected thousands of images that will complement their already immense manatee photo bank.

Our World Underwater - Another Great Year

For the 15th time, Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary presented at Our World Underwater, one of the best known and well organized dive show in America.

"The workload was heavy and most interesting this year. - comments Alary - We gave two underwater photography workshops one lecture and we premiered our last Watchout™ production, Beyond the Horizon."

Attendance was on the  rise and the Saturday night Watchout™ production received rave reviews. This year marked the couple's 12th presence at the film festival, a record.

Pat Hammer, president of OWU mentioned that 2010 will mark the 40th anniversary of this unique event. Gilbert and Alary are already planning some unique material for the occasion.

Our World Underwater draws participants from most Midwest states and also from Canada. As one of the longest running shows in America it has become a legend among presenters as well as exhibitors.

The 40th edition promises to be a unique event as imaginations are already in overdrive regarding the program and events that will mark this important date.

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary photographed before the Saturday Night Film Festival at Our World Underwater.

British Virgin Islands Assignment

Our team will be heading for the British Virgin Islands next August.

This assignment will mark the return of Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary to the archipelago after an 9-year hiatus. During the 90's they spent more than six months during various trips during which they documented the underwater and topside scenery of this small country.

This time they are bringing with them a 20-year old model, Sophie Baillargeon, who worked with them in the same location when she was 6.

SUB-IMAGES will be producing a unique document that will incorporate images made 14 years ago and contemporary ones. "We are very excited by this project. The resulting article and presentations will have a very special flavour." comments Michel Gilbert, who will be the skipper on the trawler chartered for the occasion.

Guest speakers at Beneath the Sea

Next March, Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary will once again give workshops and symposia at Beneath the Sea.

They are bringing back their most popular underwater photography workshops on a beginner and advanced topics. "Those workshops are always sell-outs since they focus on a practical approach that allows participants to apply the concepts in their day to day diving adventures. Our goal is to instil  in them the u/w photography concepts and make them practice before they leave for their next trip." says Alary.

The couple will also lecture on the St-Lawrence Estuary ice pack and introduce an new lecture entitled An Image is Worth a Thousand Words.

World premiere of a new Watchout™ program at Our World Underwater

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary will again present original workshops, lectures and premiere a brand new multimedia presentation at Our World Underwater 2008.

For the 12th time, the couple will be part of the Saturday night Film Festival at  OWU in Chicago next February. Their new Watchout™ multimedia program entitled Beyond the Horizon captures the poetry and the magic of four world class diving destinations.

They will also present two underwater photography workshops and one symposium.

Last year, Gilbert and Alary received the Our World Underwater Award for their contribution to the show and the scuba diving community.

Lots of action at DEMA

The last DEMA show brought a lot of action.

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary were in attendance to gather material for their future u/w photography columns and they also worked on future projects with exhibitors and other attendees.

Held in Orlando, the show attracts people from all over the world.

Dan Orr, CEO of the Divers Alert Network, Michel Gilbert and David Doubilet from National Geographic at the NOGI awards banquet .  Mr Doubilet was receiving the Wyland Icon award this year. (Photo D. Alary)

DEMA launched the Be a Diver campaign at the show. It aimed at general public.

Dan Orr, CEO of the Divers Alert Network, Phil Nuytten, publisher of Diver Magazine, Danielle Alary and David Doubilet from National Geographic. (Photo M. Gilbert)

New Book Featuring our Work

New World Publications launched at the last DEMA show a new book entitled Diving Pioneers and Innovators. Featuring  series of 19 long interviews with prominent personalities of the scuba diving world.

This book is the brainchild of Bret Gilliam, a legend himself in the commercial and sport diving community. Bret enlisted collaborators, among them Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary.

The couple's interview with master black and white underwater photographer Ernest Brooks II caught Gilliam's attention. "We are proud to cooperate with Bret on this project as it is bound to become a reference book. We are fans of Mr. Brooks work and it was an honour to spend time with him."

This interview was previously published in Diver Magazine.

Bahamas Dolphins Project

Our team spent time on the Little Bahama Bank last summer on assignment for a story and multimedia program that portrays dolphins. Aboard the Dolphin Dream, Scott Smith and his crew guided us to of spotted and bottlenose dolphins that live in this area. To have a look at our mini site on this subject click here.

En Profondeur magazine December issue will feature the story and a multimedia program is already in the works.

A new lecture about this adventure has been added to our lecture program.

We plan to be back to complete our work; keep listening.

Beneath the Sea Workshops and Seminars Draw Enthusiast Crowd

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary were guest of the Beneath the Sea dive show for the 14th time last March. They gave two workshops on underwater photography  - one introduction and one meant for intermediate/advanced enthusiasts. They also presented two seminars, one on the Florida manatee and another on their 10 favourite dive sites around the world. All presentations received rave reviews and plans are already made for the 2008 edition of the show.

Beneath the Sea honoured Stan Waterman, legendary cinematographer and lecturer extraordinaire. The show recognizes the "Legends of the Sea", pioneers who made this sport what it is today. The list of guests at the banquet honouring Mr. Waterman as well as the Diver of the Year award recipients and Women Divers Hall of Fame new inductees read like a who's who in the scuba diving world. From Ernest Brooks II to Bob Hollis; Ron and Valerie Taylor, Bob Evans, Dan Orr, Wyland, Zale Parry, Bret Gilliam and many others, these recipients deserve to be recognized as key contributors in their respective fields.

The show was a great success and since it benefits children charities, there is no better way to experience and learn about diving from the best in the industry.

Michel Gilbert posing with Ms Zale Parry. This lady played the female character in the famous "Sea Hunt" TV series that brought so many people into scuba diving. (Photo D. Alary)

Michel Gilbert (front row to the left) and Danielle Alary (second row center) pictured with Diver of the Year Award new and past recipients.

Click above to visit the Beneath the Sea website

Michel Gilbert giving his intermediate/advanced level underwater photography workshop. (Photo D. Alary)

SUB-IMAGES Moves to WATCHOUT 3.2

SUB-IMAGES Communications, one of Canada's few accredited WATCHOUT producing companies has recently implemented V. 3.2 in its studio.  "With an entirely new programming interface and HD format support, this extremely powerful presentation software  allows us to go further in our multimedia productions." says Danielle Alary, Associate in charge of productions at SUB-IMAGES.

"WATCHOUT allows us to make presentations for small single screen programs as well as for panoramic, multi-screen extravaganzas. There is no limit and this is by far the best tool for those who are looking for the ultimate in image and sound quality." adds Michel Gilbert, Associate at SUB-IMAGES.

3.2

Great Success for New Production at Our World Underwater 2007

SUB-IMAGES premiered its latest big screen multimedia production at the Saturday Night Film Festival held at Our World Underwater in Chicago last February.  "Through My Eyes" received raving commentaries from the public as well as from other presenters featured at the Event.  Filmmaker Stan Waterman went on stage and said that it was "Pure poetry with exquisite photography and incredibly moving piece."

Jason Heller from Divephotoguide.com wrote: "Michele & Danielle Gilbert gave a fantastic <<musical imagery poem>> on Manatees. Their Manatee show was touching and the best I've ever seen on the subject."

The exceptional image quality which has become the trademark of SUB-IMAGES delighted the 2,000+ audience.

Gilbert and Alary received the Our World Underwater Award for their contribution to the diving industry, underwater photography and to the OWU show.

Alary & Gilbert to Receive OWU AWARD 2007

Danielle  Alary and Michel Gilbert will receive the 2007 Our World Underwater Award for their lifelong commitment to the industry, the environment and the Our World Underwater dive show.

The award will be presented at the Saturday night Film Festival on February 10, 2007. For more information about the show, click here.

Click on one of the links above to download a short presentation.

 Gilbert and Alary to Give Workshops at Beneath the Sea

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary will give workshops on underwater photography at Beneath the Sea next March. BTS is the "New-York" area show. Held in Secaucus NJ, it gathers huge participation from the eastern part of the United States and Canada. The workshops are very popular and fill a need in the diving community.

 Gilbert and Alary to Be Part of Our World Underwater Speakers/Presenters

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary will again be part of the roster at Our World Underwater in Chicago next February. They will premiere a brand new multimedia presentation at the Film Festival as well as bringing new programs in the symposia agenda.

 DEMA Show 2006

The 30th edition of DEMA show was held in Orlando this week. Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary gathered information for their u/w photography columns and also plan future assignments. More to come soon in Diver and En Profondeur magazines.

 World Festival of Underwater Images in Antibes a Success

Michel Gilbert  and Danielle Alary were part of the jury for the high-level print, slides/digital and slide-show competition at the Antibes World Festival of underwater images last October. Dates for next-year's festival should be announced soon. For more information go to http://underwater-festival.com

BTS Workshops and Seminars, Great Success

SUB-IMAGES workshops on basic and advanced underwater photography as well as they seminars on the Cayman Islands and Honduras held at Beneath the Sea were a great success. Programs we presented to standing rooms and gathered praise of the audiences. Beneath the Sea is held yearly in Secaucus N.J. and is New-York's premiere scuba diving related exhibition and conference.

Titanic Director and Producer James Cameron, Danielle Alary and Michel Gilbert at the annual banquet of Beneath the Sea.

Gilbert and Alary Members of the Jury at the World Festival of Underwater Images in Antibes

Michel Gilbert  and Danielle Alary have been appointed as members of the jury for the 33rd edition of the World Festival of Underwater Images to be held in Antibes in October 2006. It is worth mentioning that they are both previous winners at this world-class competition, the most prestigious of its kind.

Gilbert and Alary to Teach at Beneath the Sea

Michel Gilbert  and Danielle Alary will present their popular photography workshops at Beneath the Sea next Spring. This scuba diving show held in Secaucus, just outside new York, attracts tens of thousands and the couple's workshops have always been very popular with both beginning and advanced u/w photographers.

Brand New Multimedia Presentation to Premiere at Our World Underwater Film Festival

Michel Gilbert  and Danielle Alary have completed a brand new multimedia presentation that will be premiered at the OWU Saturday Film festival next February. This promises to be both entertaining, spectacular and brings to the screen a fresh look at the underwater world.

Cayman Islands  to be Featured at Our World Underwater

Michel Gilbert  and Danielle Alary have completed the multimedia presentation and the lecture that will be premiered at Our world Underwater dive show next February. They shot more than 10,000 pictures on and around the three islands of the archipelago. An article for En Profondeur magazine has also been comleted and will be published in early 2006.

On Assignment in the Cayman Islands

Michel Gilbert  and Danielle Alary will spend 3 weeks on assignment in the Cayman Islands next August. on this 6th visit to this archipelago since 1984, they will visit all three islands and bring back the latest information and iconographic material on the reefs and the islands as well. This assingment will result in published articles in various magazines and also in an entirely new lecture/multimedia program that will be made available to dive and travel shows.

Our World Underwater - Outstanding  Success

Michel Gilbert was the master of ceremonies at the Saturday Night Film Festival of the 35th edition of Our World Underwater, the Chicago-based scuba diving show. Speaking to a full house, he had the pleasure of introducing guests like Stan Waterman, Adam Ravetch, Larry and Denise Tackett as well as Larry and Nancy Boucha.  This film festival also saw the world premiere of Danielle Alary's latest multimedia production: My Universe.  This compelling 11 minute presentation delighted the audience through its incredible image quality and poetic visual language. Michel & Danielle also presented three symposia: Belize, Gem of the Caribbean, Aventura en Honduras and the Japanese Garden of Hawaii.

Danielle Alary to Judge at the Antibes World Festival of Underwater Images

Danielle Alary has been appointed to be a member of the jury at the 31st. World Festival of Underwater Images to be held in Antibes (France)  October 27-31 2004. This is Alary's third participation in a jury at Antibes, a festival where she won an award a few years ago. This most prestigious film, video, photo and multimedia competition is by far the most popular event in this field. Drawing participants from more than 40 countries, the Festival has become an annual gathering of professional and amateur photographers and cinematographers from all over the world.

Gilbert and Alary Workshops at Beneath the Sea

Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary will be presenting two workshops at Beneath the Sea dive show in March 2005. Their first workshop, entitled: Underwater Photography Made Simple, is aimed at all those who want to learn a simple way to make extraordinary underwater images. Digital of film, it does not matter, participants will learn from seasoned pros. Their second workshop: Making a Picture - The next Level in Photography, will please those who have more experience and want to go beyond the pure technique and start to MAKE underwater images instead of simply take them.

SUB-IMAGES to Present on Honduras at  Our World Underwater

SUB-IMAGES' Michel Gilbert and Danielle Alary will present lectures at p Our World Underwater in January 2005.  The topics of their symposia will include a lecture on Honduras and the Bay Islands. Back from a 3-week stay in the country they will share with the participants the key discoveries they made on location. Spectacular images and a compelling multimedia presentation will please the audience.

MY UNIVERSE World Premiere at Our World Underwater

SUB-IMAGES will be premiering its latest multimedia production at Our World Underwater dive show in January 2005. Entitled My Universe, this spectacular digital work of art will draw the audience into the producer's universe. "I wanted to convey my own emotions, my own feelings and my own passion about the sea." says Danielle Alary, producer and programmer of the multimedia extravaganza.

SUB-IMAGES Team Back from Honduras - Articles, Lecture and Multimedia Presentation Ready

SUB-IMAGES' team is back from assignment in Honduras. Thousands of images and a lot of information have been used to prepare the resulting article, lecture and multimedia presentation entitled: Aventura en Honduras. Thanks to the help of Aggressor Fleet and the Institute of Tourism of Honduras, the material gathered was exceptionally good and the resulting program will definitely please audiences and readers. 

SUB-IMAGES on aAsignment in the Bay Islands of Honduras

SUB-IMAGES' team will spend three weeks in Honduras next July. They will cover the Bay Islands for various diving and travel magazines and gather material for an upcoming lecture and the accompanying multimedia presentation.

The diving portion of the trip will be carried aboard the Bay Islands Aggressor. "This vessel will be a perfect base to gather as many images as possible while on location." says Danielle Alary.  The multimedia presentation should be ready in the fall of 2004.

SUB-IMAGES Presenting at Our World Underwater Dive Show in Chicago

On April 24-25-26, SUB-IMAGES will be presenting a series of symposia and will participate in the Saturday night Film Festival at Our World Underwater, one of the most prestigious dive shows in North America.

Lecture subjects will include presentation techniques, the Cayman Islands, The Turks and Caicos Islands and a multimedia extravaganza entitled Sophie and her Coral Garden.

SUB-IMAGES a Hit at Beneath the Sea Dive Show

On the weekend of March 27-28-29, SUB-IMAGES presented a series of workshops and a symposium lecture at Beneath the Sea, East Coast's largest dive show.  A total of 9 hours of underwater photography workshops were give to enthusiast participants. SUB-IMAGES' owners knowledge and simple approach always bring excellent comments from students.

The team also premiered its latest multimedia production: Lost in the Turks and Caicos. This was part of a symposium given to a standing room about the destination.

SUB-IMAGES Team Back From Turks & Caicos - Articles and lectures in Production

SUB-IMAGES team spent 3 weeks in the Turks and Caicos islands last August. Gathering more than 7000 topside and underwater images, we found the destination absolutely fascinating and the diving was simply spectacular.

Spending a week traveling from island to island, we sampled the culture, the people and the diversity beyond the tourist path. From Provo to North and Middle Caicos, Grand Turk and Salt Cay, we discovered a wealth of  activities that should be part of any trip to these islands.

We then lived for two weeks on the Turks and Caicos Aggressor II, diving on impeccable reefs and experiencing encounters like never before. From tropicals to turtles and mostly sharks, we found diving there to be among the best in the world.

Two articles have already been submitted to Diver Magazine and En Profondeur. More are on their way and the resulting lecture is already completed. Look for more material on this extraordinary destination in the near future.

SUB-IMAGES Produces Multimedia Presentation for International Executive School

SUB-IMAGES has been hired to produce a multimedia presentations for the CEREF, an international research and education center on financial and economic regulation. This program will highlight and illustrates the results of a 10-day seminar held in Montréal.

SUB-IMAGES to Market Autorun Products

SUB-IMAGES is now able to produce autorun CD-ROM based presentations for its broadening customer base. "Our customers will now be able to enjoy the presentations on large screens and also bring home a CD-ROM featuring the material they saw on the big screen." says Danielle Alary, co-owner and multimedia production specialist.

SUB-IMAGES on Assignment in Turks and Caicos

SUB-IMAGES is going on assignment in Turks and Caicos. This month-long project will result in various articles, multimedia presentations and future lecture topics.

SUB-IMAGES Premieres New Hawaii Multimedia Presentation

SUB-IMAGES premiered its latest multimedia presentation last March in New York. This 10 minute extravaganza illustrates the life on the Big Island, the island named Hawaii indeed. The youngest and largest of all Hawaiian islands, Hawaii boasts 11 climate zones out of 11 present on our planet. It also hosts a number of astronomical observatories atop Mauna Kea, a 13,796ft-hig volcano. Gilbert and Alary have again sown their mastery of photography, both above and below the surface. This multimedia presentation is now part of SUB-IMAGES' permanent portfolio.

SUB-IMAGES Presentations, Great Success in Chicago and New York

In April 2003,  SUB-IMAGES presented s series of lectures, workshops and multimedia programs at two prestigious dives shows. It was SUB-IMAGES' first public showing of it most recent work, all done in digital format.

In effect, many people, including A-V crews, inquired about the production tools used to prepare those presentations. Obviously, WATCHOUT(tm) software brought a lot of questions as it is the main secret behind the incredible quality of the images appearing on the screen. 

Audiences raved about the quality of the images and the presentations in general. The underwater photography workshops gathered  enthusiasts that learned from the team's experience and know-how.

SUB-IMAGES Wins Prestigious Award

In March 2003, a SUB-IMAGES production won a Grand Prize as a permanent exhibit at the Seals Interpretation Center of the Magdalen Islands. This Grand Prize, awarded by the Québec Ministry of Tourism, recognizes the exceptional quality of the 9-projector multi-image presentation produced by SUB-IMAGES for the Center.

SUB-IMAGES Rolls-In Digital Media

As of January 2003, SUB-IMAGES has produced more than 12 digital multimedia programs. The bulk of these programs result from the already available slide-based presentations. They were all converted and adapted  for the digital media. The quality has been preserved, as exemplified by the focus-group tests that were conducted to ascertain that there was no compromise on perceived quality from audiences.

SUB-IMAGES Goes Digital

SUB-IMAGES has completed the conversion of its production studio to digital format. Using the latest computer-based technology, the company is able to produce multimedia digital presentations for small or very large venues. The WATCHOUT(tm) system used by SUB-IMAGES is scalable, enabling the producer to use a single screen or multiple screens to complement large venues.