Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS)

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Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS) Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS) was formed in 1957 to promote interest in underwater photography.

NCUPS sponsors educational events on both underwater photography and video.

earned the 2025 NCUPS photographer of the year award.
12/02/2026

earned the 2025 NCUPS photographer of the year award.

earns 2025 photograph of year with this at a tide pool.
12/02/2026

earns 2025 photograph of year with this at a tide pool.

Join us next Friday, Feb 13th for a deep dive into the glowing world of Fluorescence Photography with Jim Decker. Whethe...
09/02/2026

Join us next Friday, Feb 13th for a deep dive into the glowing world of Fluorescence Photography with Jim Decker. Whether you want to learn the technique or just see some mind-bending images, you won't want to miss this.

We are also excited to announce the winners of both the January and February monthly competitions! A huge thank you to Thomas Anderson for judging this round. 🏆

📍 Where: In-person at Backscatter OR Online via Zoom ⏰ When: Friday, Feb 13th 💻 Zoom Doors: 7:00 PM 🎤 Presentation: 7:30 PM

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

Meeting ID: 812 8073 1347 Passcode: 780612

NCUPS has a new president: Becca BoringRaised on wreck diving and photography Becca Boring has been the Operations Manag...
08/01/2026

NCUPS has a new president: Becca Boring

Raised on wreck diving and photography Becca Boring has been the Operations Manager of Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo since 2013 and serves as a board member for The Breakwater Collective. She is passionate about documenting and helping others capture the beauty of the underwater world and proud to be part of the historic NCUPS community.

Welcome aboard the board.

In-person (and Zoom) NCUPS meeting. Friday Jan 9. 7:30pm. film medium. Speakers: Chuck Davis, Robin Robinson, Ryuijie, E...
05/01/2026

In-person (and Zoom) NCUPS meeting. Friday Jan 9. 7:30pm. film medium.

Speakers: Chuck Davis, Robin Robinson, Ryuijie, Effie Benjamin, and Joe Platko
Bringing it back to our roots: a discussion with a panel of talented underwater analog shooters including Chuck Davis, Robin Robinson, Ryuijie, Effie Benjamin, and Joe Platko.
We’ll check out some of their work and talk history, gear, technique and more. Come with questions! Snacks and drinks provided for those attending in person.

Zoom link:

https://ncups.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3eb0a21e2fd4932fa52d5dffc&id=1635845c18&e=532f9b74a1

Nov 11, Mackenzie Massey - God’s Pocket (Zoom)Mackenzie says: Fresh off a trip to the incredible God’s Pocket Resort in ...
11/11/2025

Nov 11, Mackenzie Massey - God’s Pocket (Zoom)

Mackenzie says: Fresh off a trip to the incredible God’s Pocket Resort in British Columbia, I’ll be sharing highlights from our underwater explorations — the incredible marine life we encountered, and a few elusive creatures we hoped to spot. I’ll talk about what makes this remote destination so special for divers and underwater photographers, from its dramatic seascapes to its vibrant biodiversity.
We’ll also cover the practical side: how to get there, what to expect from the conditions (spoiler: the water is cold and the currents demand respect), and tips for planning an extended trip in the region. God’s Pocket isn’t for beginners, but for experienced divers looking for a truly unique cold-water experience, it’s hard to beat.

By day, Mackenzie works in product management at Zygo which makes ultra precision optics and scientific instruments, putting an engineering background to good use. But when the workday ends, you’ll probably find him underwater with a camera in hand. He first got SCUBA certified back in Massachusetts between high school and college, but things really took off after moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2014. That’s when underwater photography became more than just a hobby — it became a passion. Since 2016, Mackenzie has been the President of the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS), helping connect fellow divers and photo enthusiasts.

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87493443113?pwd=wgrj2SVtV04bKFZjsEv68uL8t6TrtC.1

Oct 14: Brad Brown - Shooting 360 degree cameras underwater This month, our very own Brad Brown will show some of the r...
13/10/2025

Oct 14: Brad Brown - Shooting 360 degree cameras underwater

This month, our very own Brad Brown will show some of the results he’s gotten shooting one of the new 360 degree cameras underwater. And he’ll share a few tips and tricks too in case you’d like to be like one of the cool kids and give it a shot.

Come out (virtually) on Tuesday October 14 at 7pm to hear all about it.

Brad Brown - Everything everywhere all at once
Have you ever missed a shot because you just weren’t ready? Did a cormorant peck at your mask or an otter grab your fin? Usually, these events happen fast or they happen outside your field of vision. 360 degree cameras capture the entire sphere of events surrounding the camera, allowing the videographer to creatively reframe shots later.
Several years ago, Brad bought his first 360 camera as an alternative to the traditional GoPro action camera he was using to supplement the video footage collected using his larger housed camera. Brad will talk about the fun and the challenges associated with shooting and editing 360 footage generated below and above the water.

Brad’s interest in photography extends way back into the film era. His first legit job was as an intern at Sunset Magazine, lugging camera and lighting gear between architecture and food sets for the pros. His love for the ocean derived from frequent visits to Monterey as a child followed by scuba certification in 1990. The merging these passions came in 1993, when Brad purchased an Ikelite Aquashot housing into which he mounted carboard film cameras like you would find at a wedding reception table. After 30 years of film and digital still photography, Brad now shoots primarily video.
Brad will shoot any camera that helps him tell the story. This means incorporating footage captured on secondary drone an action cameras into his edits. His current primary camera is a Panasonic mirrorless. His prior cameras have been Canon SLRs.
Brad and his wife Susan have been active in NCUPS since the early 2000s and have both served as board members.

Zoom link:

https://ncups.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3eb0a21e2fd4932fa52d5dffc&id=9f8e4f7dd3&e=532f9b74a1

earned first place in the . The September theme was portraits.
13/10/2025

earned first place in the . The September theme was portraits.

Second place in the Sept goes to Leon Burda with this black water portrait
13/10/2025

Second place in the Sept goes to Leon Burda with this black water portrait

Third place honors go to in the Sept The theme was portraits
13/10/2025

Third place honors go to in the Sept

The theme was portraits

First place goes to with this friendly beluga whale. The August theme was black and white.
09/09/2025

First place goes to with this friendly beluga whale. The August theme was black and white.

Second place honors go to with this “flying turtle”. The August theme was black and white.
09/09/2025

Second place honors go to with this “flying turtle”. The August theme was black and white.

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