Why Anilao?
Macro Capital of the Philippines
Anilao is world-famous for macro life. Frogfish, nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, blue-rings — perfect subjects to practise composition, focus, lighting, and patience.
Calm, Controlled Conditions
Sheltered bays and predictable conditions mean you can focus on camera skills, not survival diving. Ideal for learning buoyancy-critical photography techniques.
Subjects at Training Depths
Most photographic subjects are found between 5–25m, allowing long bottom times and repeated attempts — exactly what underwater photography needs.
WHY CHOOSE BLUE RIBBON?
Learn From an Actual Fulltime Professional Photographer
We work with Gary Tyson, a professional underwater photographer. Courses can be tailored to your camera system, experience level, and goals — from compact cameras to full-frame mirrorless rigs.
Dedicated Camera Room & Drying Facilities
Owned by a photographer
Jon’s Anilao footage has been featured in multiple international documentaries — and that passion drives how we support photographers and videographers every day.
What You Learn
Camera Skills for Any System
We teach techniques that work across all camera types — from Divevolk housings and smartphones, compact cameras like the Olympus TG-7, through to mirrorless and full DSLR systems. The focus is on understanding your tool, not being limited by it.
Buoyancy, Positioning & Subject Approach
Learn how to control your position, approach subjects calmly, and shoot without damaging the reef — the foundation of sharp photos, regardless of camera size.
Lighting, Composition & Visual Storytelling
How to use natural light, strobes, or video lights effectively, avoid backscatter, and compose images or footage that tell a story — tailored to your experience level and equipment.
Course Structure
Academic & Pre-Dive Briefing
The course begins with a focused theory and equipment session where we look at your specific camera setup and goals. We cover camera configuration, basic imaging principles, dive planning, and safety considerations, all tailored to the type of shooting you want to do — macro or wideangle— and the equipment you’re using, from phones to full DSLR systems.
Two Open Water Dives
You’ll then complete two open water dives focused entirely on underwater imaging. These dives are slow, deliberate, and objective-driven, giving you time to practise buoyancy, positioning, subject approach, lighting, framing, and camera handling in real Anilao conditions.
Photo Enhancement / Editing
After the dives, we move into image or footage review, editing, and enhancement. You’ll learn basic post-processing workflows, how to improve colour, contrast, and sharpness, and how to select and refine your best shots — turning raw captures into finished images
Course Prerequisites
Certification: SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Scuba Diver, or equivalent.
Minimum age: 18, or 10 years old with parental consent.
You need to complete a Medical Form to make sure you are safe for diving, please review it prior to your course
Gary's Photo Gallery
Meet Your Instructors
Gary Tyson
Gary Tyson is a professional underwater photographer and videographer with a background in military and commercial photography. His work has been published by National Geographic, and he has spent decades refining his craft across land, sea, and challenging environments worldwide.
Now based in the Philippines, Gary focuses on underwater imaging and visual storytelling, working with everything from smartphones and compact cameras to full professional photo and video systems. His teaching style is practical, adaptable, and equipment-agnostic — helping divers capture better images while maintaining excellent buoyancy, control, and respect for the marine environment.
Jonathan Venn
Jon is the founder of Blue Ribbon Dive Resort in Anilao, Batangas, established in 2010. With over three decades of diving experience, he combines his background as a technical diving instructor with a deep passion for underwater photography and video.
For more than a decade, Jon has worked extensively in macro photography and underwater video, refining techniques for lighting, composition, camera control, and subject approach. Known for discovering new dive sites around Anilao, he has spent countless hours documenting rare critters and unique behaviors both shallow and deep.