Blue Heron Bridge PHOTO Workshops - New Dates for 2026!

Instructor: Matthew Sullivan

What is included:

The workshop fee includes 3x Blue Heron Bridge dives, tanks, air fills, and weights to be provided by Pura Vida Divers. 

We will be using 80 cubic foot aluminum air tanks equipped with yoke valves; if you need DIN valves or would prefer Nitrox for a fee, please notify us several days before class. Pura Vida will need to know how much lead weight you would like. We will arrange the rental of tanks & weights for you, to be picked up the morning of the dive.

For any other diving equipment needs, please contact Pura Vida Divers directly and tell them you will be participating in the Reef Photo & Video photography workshop.

We take care of arrangements for the following which are included in your workshop fee (tips not included):

• dive weights, tank rentals, & air fills
  
• dive guides, diver down flags; dive boat when applicable
• classroom facilities

Take advantage of one of the finest macro dive sites in the world, our very own Blue Heron Bridge, located in West Palm Beach, FL. This 3-day clinic focuses on macro photography, and there may not be a better setting anywhere to hold this kind of course. The bridge is actually located on the intracoastal waterway, not the ocean. This protected area has a large tidal exchange, protection from the elements by the bridge structures, and an island (Phil Foster Park), creating a huge range of habitats, perfect for critter diversity.

A beautiful Lined Seahorse—one of the many wonderful creatures you're likely to find while diving Blue Heron Bridge. © Matthew Sullivan

The diversity of marine life at the Blue Heron Bridge dive site is unlike anything else in the tropical Atlantic. Unusual critters like seahorses, frogfish, pipefish, sea robins, batfish, stargazers, nudibranchs, and octopuses are common sightings. A host of juvenile species begin their lives in this protected area before moving out to the reef. Tropical angelfish, spadefish, barracuda, and jacks are found amongst the bridge pilings. Eagle rays and stingrays feed in the sand flats, and, if you're lucky, you might even see a manatee. 

In addition to photo instruction, this class includes a dive guide for every 2-3 divers. Our guides work for local dive operators or in the Reef Photo store and are extremely familiar with the Blue Heron Bridge dive site. Our guests can focus on taking pictures, and we'll lead you from subject to subject. No stress about dragging around a dive flag, navigation, or boat traffic; just relax and make pictures!

Conditions at Blue Heron Bridge are ideally suited for participants to relax and focus on photography. 

We'll begin Thursday night at the Reef Photo store with a briefing of the dive site, a rundown of how the workshop will be organized, and will spend time making sure everyone's rigs are working and ready to dive! 

Classroom topics will cover macro camera settings, focus strategies, and exposure tips. Once you've got a grasp on the basics, more advanced lighting, composition, and creative effects can be explored. Our staff uses Adobe Lightroom for image cataloging and editing, and a thorough digital workflow introduction is included.

© Matthew Sullivan

Bring:

• All of your dive gear other than weights & tank (if you need anything else, please pre-arrange for it through Pura Vida Divers.)
• A cutting device (for fishing line) and a compass.
• Laptop with image processing software installed for classroom sessions.  Adobe has a free 7-day trial for you.
• Your diver certification card; checking certifications over the internet is time-consuming and not always reliable.
• Your underwater camera gear.
• Memory card(s) for your camera.

Cancellation Policy:

Class sizes are limited and your workshop reservation is secured at the time of payment.  We want you to concentrate on improving your underwater photography skills, not worry about arranging dives.  Making these workshops as fun and productive as possible involves many contractual obligations on our part, therefore workshop fees can only be refunded if canceled 14 or more days in advance.