Motivations
Diving
The main focus of my website is not about me. It's about the ocean, what an incredible part of this planet it is, the creatures who live there and how amazing it is to be underwater. Although I have only been scuba diving for the past 10 years, in that time I have been fortunate enough to dive in some of the most spectacular places in the world; none more spectacular than Wakatobi Marine Park in Southeast Sulewesi, Indonesia.
paula.butler@wakatobi.com
http://www.wakatobi.com
Diving
The main focus of my website is not about me. It's about the ocean, what an incredible part of this planet it is, the creatures who live there and how amazing it is to be underwater. Although I have only been scuba diving for the past 10 years, in that time I have been fortunate enough to dive in some of the most spectacular places in the world; none more spectacular than Wakatobi Marine Park in Southeast Sulewesi, Indonesia.
paula.butler@wakatobi.com
http://www.wakatobi.com
Beginnings
Photography did not become a real passion for me until I discovered Underwater Camera Systems. I've been through a few of them and am currently shooting a Nikon D70 that I plan to upgrade this year. Equipment is always the issue for me because I promise that whatever I'm aiming my camera at underwater is an extraordinary vision, and the ability to capture it is a combination of equipment and skills (I hope to become much better.)
Current Events
With the persistent encouragement and the unwavering insistence of my friend, Henrik, I made my first trip to the Southern Hemisphere to dive the reefs of Wakatobi Dive Resort in Sulewesi, Indonesia. There were 8 others who joined me on the 3 flights that took 2 days to reach our destination. They all seemed to have as an amazing experience as I did. Recently, I left my corporate job to join the Wakatobi Dive Resort & Pelagian Yacht team.
Scuba Diving
My first dive course began in 1998, I signed up not because of a passion for diving but because my son Douglas was certified and we were on the way to the Yucatan for a vacation. I had promised myself years earlier to return to the area to spend time in several of the places that had intrigued me but did not interest my traveling companions. The list included watching the sun set on "El Castillo" in Chichen Itza and diving in the same places I had watched Jacques Cousteau (the coolest man ever) dive in documentaries as a kid. As a documentary "junkie" I have a long list of favorites, but up close to the top is Jacques Cousteau's "Sleeping Sharks of the Yucatan."
Photography
It was underwater photography that attracted me, I became a member of the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society and in fact joined their board before owning my first underwater camera. I've learned a great deal through my continued membership and have enjoyed some remarkable diving with other members of the group. You can too, check the links to the web sites of Wildlife Photographers of Silicon Valley and the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society. For photographic equipment, Backscatter on Cannery Row in Monterey is not so much a camera store as a way of life.
Current Position
Working with Friends
Wakatobi Dive Resort/Pelagian Dive Yacht
Having spent the past 17+/- years working on a career in banking and finance, I am happy to have joined the Wakatobi team. I very recently resigned/escaped from my position as a V.P. in the mortgage banking division of an International bank. Since I am also very interested in conservation and the protection of reef systems around the world, Wakatobi fits the bill as well. Wakatobi is where you can spend 5 1/2 hours a day underwater and still want more . . . .I can't wait to return and can wholeheartedly recommend it to every diver.
Working with Friends
Wakatobi Dive Resort/Pelagian Dive Yacht
Having spent the past 17+/- years working on a career in banking and finance, I am happy to have joined the Wakatobi team. I very recently resigned/escaped from my position as a V.P. in the mortgage banking division of an International bank. Since I am also very interested in conservation and the protection of reef systems around the world, Wakatobi fits the bill as well. Wakatobi is where you can spend 5 1/2 hours a day underwater and still want more . . . .I can't wait to return and can wholeheartedly recommend it to every diver.
Experience
2004 - 2007 Bank of America Sunnyvale, CA.
V.P., Mortgage Loan Officer
2002 - 2004 Washington Mutual Mountain View, CA.
Mortgage Loan Consultant
2002 Draper, Forrester & Associates San Jose, CA.
Tax Preparer, PTIN #P00256297
1999 - 2002 Hewlett Packard/Contract Palo Alto, CA.
Benefit Fund Investment Department
Other Positions
Marketing Director, Northern CA. Underwater Photographic Society
Founding Member, Wildlife Photographers of Silicon Valley
Board Member, Environmentally Aware Photographic Image Competition
Committee Member/Photographer, "Struttin' at the Grove" Santa Cruz
cameras
Nikon D70
Nikon F100 (film)Peripherals
Subal Underwater housing
Favotite Lenses
Nikon 60mm F/2.8
Nikon 105mm F/2.8 (not everyone loves this lens, but it is my favorite to shoot with or without diopters.)
Nikon 24mm F/2.0
I love playing around with both true wide angle and long lenses as well. It is more fun all the time because lens technology is getting better every day.
Nikon D70
Nikon F100 (film)
Subal Underwater housing
Favotite Lenses
Nikon 60mm F/2.8
Nikon 105mm F/2.8 (not everyone loves this lens, but it is my favorite to shoot with or without diopters.)
Nikon 24mm F/2.0
I love playing around with both true wide angle and long lenses as well. It is more fun all the time because lens technology is getting better every day.
