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This article was featured in the
May / June 2011 issue of
California Diver Magazine!
Kevin Panizza owns Ocean Image Photography, which was founded in 2004 out of his love for anything of the Ocean.
Based in San Clemente California, he offers Fine Art Prints and Commissioned photo work.
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Ocean Image Story in the Spring Issue of the San Clemente Journal
Article in California Diver Magazine
January / February 2011 Issue
A Journey into Catalina Island’s Underwater Park
By Kevin Panizza / Ocean Image Photography
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Being lucky enough to dive several locations around the globe and seeing all of the diverse life above and below the water exotic locations have to offer, my wife and I still find Catalina Island as magical as anywhere else in the world. After all, we have to remember that our local waters and attractions are someone else’s vacation destination. When you think of it like that, you can get that feeling of seeing it for the first time just like someone who has traveled to get here.
Diving in Southern California can present some challenges in comparison to say a warm water location, but if you know where to go most of these differences seem to just fade away when one sees the beauty and abundance of life just beneath the waves.
Casino Point Catalina Island
One of those locations is the Avalon Underwater Park at Casino Point on Catalina Island. It seems to exist just for the pure enjoyment of diving even though it was created as a Marine Preserve. The City of Avalon has gone to great measures to make this spot as diver friendly as possible. They even added stairs that descend right into the water to make entries and exits as easy as possible. There is also an air fill truck and lockers to make your experience as convenient and enjoyable as possible.
The Casino
After entering the water from the stairs directly across from the Casino, you can make a short kick out to one of two buoys to make your descent. Deflate your BC and off you go!
Magnificent is a word that comes to mind. Kelp, kelp and more kelp. A beautiful, magical kelp forest right in front of you teaming with life. If you are a camera buff, this is the place for you. The visibility ranges from 15 feet to about 100 feet depending on the time of year, but has much to offer from macro subjects Like Hermit Crabs and Nudibranchs to 300 pound Black Sea Bass.
A diver in the kelp, just offshore Casino Point.
Most of the life is fairly approachable with even some of the locals swimming right up to you to check you out! On any given dive, you can see Bat Rays, Kelp Fish, Horn Sharks, Octopus, Garibaldi, Kelp Bass, Opal Eye, Sea Urchin, Sheephead, Scallops, Wrasse, Senoritas, Spiny Lobster, Treefish,, Sea Cucumber, and much more if you take a flashlight and explore all the nooks and crannies.
Photographer in Catalina
The Garibaldi is most interesting. The male does flips and clicks to attract a mate. Once she is adequately impressed she lays her eggs, he fertilizes them and then chases her off to guard the eggs solo until they hatch. If you happen upon one of these egg patches, the Garibaldi will become very aggressive and try to chase you off. A brave little guy to be sure.
The kelp is, as my wife puts it, “Like Flying through a Forest”. You can cruise through it from the minute you enter the water to about 50 feet on the outside where there is a large sandy area. This is the place to hang out if you want to catch a glimpse of the Great Black Sea Bass who have recently made an impressive comeback after many years of absence.
Colorful Garibaldi at Catalina Island.
There are also a couple of wrecks to explore in the deeper areas of the park. There are two or three that reside within the park and a couple that are outside of the boundaries. If you want to dive those, you must first obtain permission from the Harbor Master. You can also visit one of the dive shops on the Island and purchase a map that will guide you in the right direction.
Traveling to Catalina Island is like traveling back in time to a Mediterranean Island with all of its quaint hotels, shops and restaurants. There are ample activities from Golfing to Kayaking. They even have a brand new zip line for those of you who are not faint of heart! You can check with the Catalina Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Bureau or online to get more information on a visit to the Island.
Catalina Island is easily accessible from several ports and harbors up and down the Southern California Coast. You can check with your local dive shop to see which operation is best suited to your individual needs.
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Words & Photos by Kevin Panizza
Kevin Panizza owns Ocean Image Photography, which was founded in 2004 out of his love for anything of the Ocean. Based in San Clemente California, he offers Fine Art Prints and Commissioned photo work.
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This article was featured in the
January/February 2011 issue of
California Diver Magazine!
Only a few select articles are posted online – read
more about diving Southern California in our next
print issue. Subscribe today by clicking here.
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NEW ARTICLE IN THE OC REGISTER / SUN POST NEWS
Thursday, November 15, 2007 Business Watch: Ocean Image Photography
By DEBBIE L. SKLAR
FOR SUN POST NEWS
Owner: Kevin Panizza
Your Title: Owner / Photographer
Age: 44
Name of business: Ocean Image Photography
When did you open this Business: A photographer since 2004 and started the Web gallery and commissioned work this past year.
Address: San Clemente and the Internet
Hours: Because we are Internet-based, we are open 24/7 and available weekends and evenings for event photography.
Telephone: 949-533-5421
Web site: www.ocean-image.net
Q. Type of business?
A. Fine art photography, portrait, event and stock photography.
Q. Describe your business.
A. We offer fine art photos through our Web site and we are available for commissioned photo work. Everything from special events such as birthday parties to family portraits on the beach. We have a unique 'Fly on the Wall' perspective and style. Wedding photography is in the future as I am partnering with another local photographer for these events.
Q. Why did you choose this type of business ?
A. I was a musician for many years and found a new creative outlet through my photography.
Q. Do you have a degree or special training in this business?
A. I took several classes throughout my years in school and I actually learned how to develop my own film and print using a darkroom. For the last several years, I have been taking online classes and have been mentored by two nationally recognized photographers. Everything we do now is digital.
Q. What were you doing before you started this business?
A. I was a musician for many years before moving into electronic component sales.
Q. What's the hardest part of this business? The best?
A. Finding clever and effective ways to market is proving to be quite a challenge, but the fact that I get to photograph beautiful people and beautiful places makes it all worthwhile.
Q. How many employees?
A. Two; myself and my wonderful wife Wendy who takes care of all of the office work.
Q. Who hires you?
A. Orders for the art photos come directly through the Web page. I am represented by two stock photo agencies who commission me to take specific photos to be used in advertising print and Web-based.
Q. Was there a large investment? Do you have partners?
A. The initial cost of setting up the business licenses and all that goes with it, along with the Web page and equipment investments was substantial but has proved worthwhile.
Q. What is your online store?
A. It was started because people started noticing my photos and were asking how they could purchase them. Now, we get orders for the basic images offered and special sizes from all over the world. It also serves as a 21st century business card.
Q. Advice to others interested in doing something similar?
A. If you have a passion for this type of work, just go for it. If you sit around and think about how to do it, it will never happen.
Q. What kind of equipment do you use?
A. I use All Canon equipment topside. I have a Canon 10D and a Canon 5D with all the best lenses. I use an Olympus set-up with an underwater housing and strobes for the underwater photos.
Q. Any awards?
A. No awards but my work has been featured on the cover of The San Clemente Journal, the front page of The Sun Post News for the Orange County Register and in articles for the Dana Point News, The San Clemente Journal, banners on El Camino Real in San Clemente and The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal.
Q. Future goals?
A. I would like to eventually open a studio and gallery in San Clemente.
Q. What do you like to take photos of?
A. Everything. I love it all.
Q. Anything in SC that people would recognize?
A. I have a few banners along El Camino Real. The under the pier shot, the butterfly and the sandpiper are among a few.
Q. What's the coolest assignment you ever did?
A. I had to shoot first and second cathedrals in Lanai, Hawaii. They are old underwater Lava Tubes that have formed caves. Pretty scary at first, but well worth the adventure.
NEXT FRIDAY
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS: If you have business news, notes or events, get in touch with Andrew Good. His column will run next Friday: agood@ocregister.com
Sklar is a local journalist. Her Business Watch column appears every other Friday in the Sun Post News. E-mail her at Debbiesklar@cox.net.
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Thursday, November 15, 2007
By FRED SWEGLES
SUN POST NEWS
Looking for a holiday gift that uniquely says "San Clemente?"
Tonight, take a few minutes to stop by Casa Romantica, where you can meet artists and photographers who contributed to a new coffee-table book titled "San Clemente, the Spanish Village by the Sea."
It gets better. The 108-page book, priced at $65, is actually a fundraiser for Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. That's where your dollars go.
The Chamber of Commerce and the Heritage of San Clemente Foundation got together to recruit local artists and photographers to assemble their talents into an artistic book about the town.
From 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, the Casa hosts an ice cream social and book signing. It's at the Casa – 415 Avenida Granada – and admission is free. There will be a continuous slide show of photos and art from the book. You can also check out the grounds of Casa Romantica, built by San Clemente founder Ole Hanson in 1928 as his personal home. The city purchased it in 1989, restored it, created a foundation to operate it and turned it into a cultural center.
The book is a collection of local artists' and photographers' perspectives of San Clemente. There are three sections – photos of San Clemente by local photographers, interpretations of the town by local artists and historical photos of San Clemente contributed by the Historical Society.
"This is a project which brings together the very best spirit of various San Clemente organizations," said Wayne Eggleston, founder of the Heritage foundation.
Eggleston contacted artists and photographers, sold ads, wrote the preface and helped select photos and art work. Don Kindred did the layout. Chuck Narey helped pick photos and contributed several. There are advertisements to help with the costs, Eggleston said, but they are designed to be subtle and artistic, blending with the book's primary content.
If you can't make it to the Casa tonight, the book is on sale at the Chamber of Commerce, 1100 N. El Camino Real, and at Stanford Court, 106 Avenida del Mar.
Questions? Call the Casa at 949-498-2139 or call the Chamber at 949-492-1131.
San Clemente Sea Fest Art Fundraiser
Come out to the
San Clemente Seafest Sunday, October 7 and enjoy a great fall day. The Seafest features a Killer Dana Surf Contest and Arts & Craft Show at the historic San Clemente Pier area. While you're there, be sure to stop by the
Ocean Image booth and buy a copy of this beautiful poster for just $15.00ea (normally $35.00ea). $2.00 for each poster sold goes to the Surfrider Foundation!
San Clemente SeaFest 2007
I will be displaying and selling my San Clemente Pier Poster at the San Clemente SeaFest on Sunday, October 7th.
The poster will sell for only $15.00ea. on the day of the SeaFest only.
( Normally they sell for $35.00ea.)
$2.00 from the sale of each poster will be donated to The Surfrider Foundation so please purchase your poster and help keep our Ocean clean and healthy.
Mark your calendar - The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 19th Annual San Clemente Seafest on Sunday, October 7, 2007, sponsored by SunCal Companies-Marblehead Coastal, Fisherman?s Restaurant and Bar, Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, PennySaver, Killer Dana and the City of San Clemente.
The Seafest features a Chowder Cook-off, Fisherman?s Lobster, Killer Dana Surf Contest, Business Exposition, Arts & Craft Show, Entertainment provided by the Gemtones and a U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo Operation all taking place at the historic San Clemente Pier area.
The Seafest is famous for its Chowder Cook-Off Competition held on the historic San Clemente Pier. Area citizens, restaurants, and businesses contend for the best tasting chowder this side of New England. Visitors arrive from all over the county to sample the many unique variations of Chowder.
Individual Teams and Clubs & Organizations eagerly await the annual Seafest. These folks have favorite recipes, some passed down from generations. Contestants in the ?Individual Category? bring their friends and family and make a celebration out of the competition, including decorating their booths to suit their festive style, all to the delight of the attendees.
Spectators purchase tickets for tasting prior to and during the event and decide which contestants Chowder they would like to try. There are six tastes per ticket and tickets cost $6.00. Chowder tasting begins at approximately 10:00 a.m. and concludes at approximately 2:00 p.m.
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Front Page in the Sun Post News in the Orange County Register. Wednesday, August 8, 2007 San Clemente, in art and photosCommunity-based coffee table book will debut at Sunday's Fiesta as a Casa Romantica fundraiser.By FRED SWEGLES SUN POST NEWS  DISTINCTIVE: Here's a San Clemente sunset view that you may not have seen, with the Beachcomber Motel in the foreground. It's part of a coffee-table book that will benefit Casa Romantica. Photos Courtesy KEVIN PANIZZA If you invite a bunch of local artists and photographers to share their perspectives of San Clemente, you're apt to assemble quite a collection of images. That's what the Chamber of Commerce and Heritage of San Clemente Foundation have done, publishing a 108-page coffee table book – "San Clemente, the Spanish Village by the Sea" – as a fundraiser for Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. The book makes its debut Sunday at the San Clemente Fiesta Street Festival, at a booth in front of 128 Avenida del Mar. The price: $65, including tax. "This is a project which brings together the very best spirit of various San Clemente organizations," said Wayne Eggleston, founder of the Heritage foundation. "I wanted to design a project where the Chamber would be able to contribute in a meaningful way toward the Casa. This project exemplifies that spirit." Eggleston contacted artists and photographers, sold ads, wrote the preface and helped select photos and art work. Don Kindred did the layout. Chuck Narey helped pick photos and contributed several. The advertisements, Eggleston said, are subtly artistic, blending with the book's primary content. There are three sections – photos of San Clemente by local photographers, interpretations of the town by local artists and a collection of historical photos. After Sunday, the book will be on sale at the Chamber of Commerce, 1100 N. El Camino Real, and at Stanford Court, 106 Avenida del Mar. "We already have people ordering them and they haven't even seen them yet," said Lynn Wood, chamber CEO. "We got somebody from Arizona that came in. It arrives Friday (from the publisher). It's supposed to be just spectacular. We did really high-quality paper. It's going to be a really beautiful piece." Questions? Call the Chamber at 949-492-1131. Contact the writer: fswegles@ocregister.com or 949-492-5127 |
Ocean Image
949-533-5421
