aussie (Ryan Pedlow)

Forum username: aussie
Real name: Ryan Pedlow
Posts: 421
Active years: 2006–2016
Primary forums: Photography Gear and Technique, Photo / Video Showcase, General Chat, Trip Reports and Travel
Specialization: Canon DSLR systems, wide-angle and macro photography, Great Barrier Reef and Southeast Asia diving
Role: Wetpixel forum moderator (appointed February 2009)

Biography

Ryan Pedlow is an Australian underwater photographer based in Brisbane, Queensland. He was appointed as a Wetpixel forum moderator in February 2009 by Eric Cheng, alongside Darren Jew (photovan), Giles Shaxted, and Ellen Quale (ornate_wrasse). His moderator biography described him as having a background in marketing, diving most weekends, and being about to move to Cairns in tropical north Queensland to focus on his photography (^[1]).

Ryan was a regular diver on Australia’s east coast, particularly Norman Reef on the Great Barrier Reef, and traveled extensively in the Asia-Pacific region for diving. He started one of the most popular gear threads in Wetpixel history, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II discussion (142 replies).

Community Role

With 421 posts across a decade, Ryan was a consistently active participant. His post distribution shows broad engagement: 204 posts in Photography Gear and Technique (48%), 57 in Photo/Video Showcase (14%), 35 in General Chat (8%), and 34 in Trip Reports and Travel (8%). He also contributed to lighting discussions (19 posts) and beginner forum assistance (24 posts).

Ryan’s moderator appointment recognized his reputation as someone who “decided to give back to the community after all he has gained over the years,” as stated in Eric Cheng’s announcement article (^[2]).

Notable Contributions

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Thread

Ryan started the “Canon EOS 5D Mark II” thread (142 replies), which became one of the largest gear discussion threads on Wetpixel. Launched in September 2008 when Canon announced the camera, the thread drew contributions from major community figures including Drew Wong, Alex Mustard, and many others. The discussion covered weather sealing comparisons with the 1D series, the significance of the video capability, housing announcements from Sealux and others, and the camera’s impact on underwater photography (^[3]).

Canon 7D Adoption

Ryan was an early adopter of the Canon 7D for underwater use. In late 2009, he posted detailed first impressions with underwater sample images from Norman Reef, GBR, shot in a modified Aquatica 5D Mark II housing (adapted by Scubapix before the dedicated Aquatica 7D housing was available). He shared technical details including autofocus zone mode performance, ISO settings, and provided EXIF data with his sample shots. He shot with a Sigma 17-70mm for wide angle and Canon 60mm for macro, paired with dual Inon Z-240 strobes (^[4]).

Macro Lens Discussion

His “Which Canon Macro Lens?” thread (33 replies) generated an in-depth technical discussion about diopter optics, featuring contributions from Keri Wilk (SubSee creator) and Craig, with detailed analysis of achromatic design, chromatic aberration in sealed vs. wet diopters, and the physics of magnification underwater. The thread became a significant reference on wet diopter technology (^[5]).

Strobe and Battery Knowledge

Ryan started the “Sanyo Eneloops in Inons” thread (14 replies), discussing battery endurance in Inon Z-240 strobes for multi-dive weekends, a practical topic that resonated with regular weekend divers (^[6]).

Travel and Dive Reports

Ryan was an active dive traveler in the Asia-Pacific region:

• Bali / Tulamben — Posted trip reports and showcase images from Scuba Seraya in Tulamben, including pygmy seahorses, harlequin shrimp, boxer crabs, and ribbon eels. His “Bali 2010” showcase thread (21 replies) highlighted the macro diving at Seraya Secrets shore dive and the Liberty Wreck (^[7])
• Scuba Seraya practical advice — Started the “Full foot fins at Scuba Seraya?” thread (18 replies) with practical shore diving tips. Drew Wong contributed advice about walking barefoot at Seraya and buying duty-free alcohol for Indonesia (^[8])
• Byron Bay — Regular diving destination on Australia’s east coast
• Norman Reef, GBR — Primary underwater photography location
• Maldives — Discussed wide-angle shots with Tokina 10-17mm (^[9])

Article Engagement

Ryan was mentioned in 7 Wetpixel articles, including commenting on Martin Edge’s speaking tour in Australia and DEMA 2008 merchandise availability (^[10], ^[11]).

Equipment History

• Early system: Canon DSLR (model unknown), graduated to Canon 40D
• 2009: Canon 7D in modified Aquatica 5D Mark II housing (via Scubapix), later dedicated Aquatica 7D housing
• Lenses: Sigma 17-70mm (wide angle/general), Canon EF-S 60mm macro, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye
• Strobes: Dual Inon Z-240 strobes with Sanyo Eneloop batteries
• 2016: Last forum activity recorded February 2016

Activity Profile

• Peak years: 2008–2011
• Forum focus: Photography Gear and Technique (48%), Photo/Video Showcase (14%), General Chat (8%), Trip Reports (8%), Beginner Forum (6%), Lights/Strobes (5%)
• Style: Practical questions, image sharing with EXIF data, travel reports, community engagement