danielstassen

Forum username: danielstassen
Real name: Daniel
Posts: 222
Active years: 2008–2021
Primary forums: Lights/Strobes/Lighting Technique, The Galley: General Chat, Photography Gear and Technique
Specialization: Creative lighting techniques, snooting, diving physiology, Nauticam systems

Community Role

Danielstassen (Daniel) was a curious and community-oriented Wetpixel member who contributed across thirteen years. He was notable for bringing creative and unconventional topics to the forum — from investigating Keri Wilk’s revolutionary snooting techniques to exploring the intersection of fitness and diving physiology. Daniel started 66 threads, an exceptionally high ratio relative to his 222 posts, suggesting he was primarily a conversation starter who brought interesting questions and topics to the community rather than a high-volume commenter.

Daniel shot with Nauticam and Inon equipment and was active in the Southeast Asian diving scene, particularly around Raja Ampat and Lembeh.

Notable Contributions

• Selective lighting / snooting discussion: Daniel’s most impactful thread (56 replies, March 2010) was prompted by Keri Wilk’s winning images at the Our World Underwater 2010 competition. Daniel asked how Wilk achieved his dramatic selective lighting effects, proposing three hypotheses: full-frame camera with narrow torch beam, strobe with funnel attachment, or other methods. The thread became a significant early discussion of snooting technique, with Mike Veitch confirming it was snooting (not Photoshop manipulation), and therealdrew noting the contest’s “Traditional” division rules that prohibited digital manipulation beyond basic adjustments. The thread helped popularize awareness of snooting as a creative underwater lighting technique (^[1]).

• Exercise and diving physiology: Daniel started one of Wetpixel’s most memorable non-photography threads: “Should we exercise during a diving trip, or sit on a beach and read a book?” (46 replies, January 2009). As a self-described exercise enthusiast who dove frequently (sometimes monthly), he raised the question of decompression sickness risk from exercise during dive trips. Alex Mustard contributed a cautionary anecdote about a friend who developed DCS while maintaining triathlon training during a Micronesia photo trip. The thread gathered practical advice from divers worldwide (^[2]).

• Ideal computer discussion: His “Ideal Computer?” thread (22 replies, 2009) explored optimal computer configurations for photo editing and processing, a perennial topic for photographers dealing with large RAW files.

• Raja Ampat safety awareness: Daniel contributed to a sobering thread about three liveaboard sinkings in Raja Ampat during 2010-2011 (21 replies), raising safety awareness in a popular dive destination.

• Equipment sales: A 26-reply classified thread for his Nauticam ND7 housing, Inon Z-240 strobes, and Canon lenses documented his gear collection and transition period.

Equipment

• Nauticam ND7 housing (Nikon D7000)
• Inon Z-240 strobes
• Canon lenses (in later setup)

Activity Profile

• First post: July 2008
• Peak years: 2009–2014
• Threads started: 66
• Last appearance: March 2021
• Forum focus: Creative lighting technique, diving physiology and safety, general community discussion, Southeast Asian dive destinations