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Charlotte: What equipment do you use?
Tani: I dive with high pressure tanks, Suunto Cobra air integrated computer, Aqua Lung regulator, BC, Gates Trilaminate Dry suit, many other thermal layers under my dry suit, my camera and most important all my dive training and education. I am currently training to be a Divemaster and get certified for rebreathers so I can get up close and personal with larger sea life.
 Charlotte: Can you tell me about your upcoming projects?
Tani: I am a Featured Artist at a gallery in Juneau for the biggest art show of the year December 3rd, 4th and 5th featuring my sea lion painting “Steller’s Ballet” and many other of my underwater paintings both realistic and whimsical. Most of my paintings are exact duplicates of my photography, but I also like to paint scenes with many whales, sea lions, halibut, salmon and other creatures you are likely to see up here, frolicking in the Alaskan waters.
Charlotte: Please tell us about the Web sites you are involved in...
Tani: I am involved with several Web sites both in the designing of and being a webmaster. It is very time consuming and challenging work that constantly requires continuing education, research and time. There are plenty of rewards for doing such work after you see all of your effort show up live on the World Wide Web, and that first email to the web master asking you for links, questions about the artist or photographer, Dive Center you are in charge of! It is quite a job!
Charlotte: Is there a dive destination you haven't been to yet but are dying to explore?
Tani: Fiji. I have a brochure on "Turtle Island" in Fiji that I occasionally stare at and dream about in the dark, Alaskan winter months. Maybe some day I will be on the island in one of the private bungalows, swinging on a hammock! Eating fresh fruit from the trees and fish from the sea!
They say you have your own private boat and captain to take you diving any where around the area at your beckoned call, supply tanks and what ever else you need for diving, anytime. Now that sounds like a good way to spend a few weeks!
Charlotte: What's your favorite animal to photograph/film and why?
 Tani: Sea lions. They are just so graceful, all the twists and turns with no warning, it’s as if they had no bones, are not subject to any restrictions as we are, and just dance. I could never get tired of watching them and being completely enthralled in there underwater ballet, strength and size.
It makes photography of them always different and challenging. You get the best expressions from the different characters they have, each shot is so unique. They all seem to have there own agenda; there own ideas about what to do with you, the photographer/diver. If it be play, charges, blowing bubbles, showing you there pearly white LARGE teeth and snorting! It is always different, that is why I like them so much.
Charlotte: What is your favorite underwater destination and why?
Tani: My favorite destination would have to be Funter Bay Alaska, Station Island. It is only accessible by boat. It is indescribably beautiful, it connects to two other little islands at low tide, each different, each beautiful.
There is a perfect cove, soft shell/rock beach in a V shape that descends into the water full of kelp and sea life, and then drops off to a wonderful wall where sea lions swoop down behind you; the octopus play and Orca swim through the pass.
I would go there often to write, think, day dream, or just play with the fish in the shallow cove in my dry suit or what ever I happened to have on. I’d often come back to the dock soaking wet from head to toe. They would just shake their heads at me, knowing where I had been.
 Charlotte: What do you suggest guests bring on a trip to Alaska in terms of diving equipment like rebreathers or photography/film equipment?
Tani: There are many great wall dives that you are guaranteed to see wonderful life, a Underwater Park to explore. If you are boat diving, explore some of the historical ship wrecks, the outer coast with better visibility, different and more abundant whales, sea otters and fish. You are almost guaranteed to see bears on shore at sunrise or sunset!
For diving equipment you would need regulators that are rated for cold water or they will freeze up and free flow, a dry suit is required, weight belt or integrated weight system, neoprene hood, dry or wet gloves and ankle weights. Most of these are available to rent at local dive shops but you might just prefer to have your own gear.
Juneau, the capital of Alaska, has a wonderful dive center, Channel Dive that has all the equipment you would need, including rebreathers if you are already trained and certified. Nitrox, guided tours of local dive sites, ship wrecks and smaller island dive tours are also available. The owner, John Lachelt is a professional underwater photographer and can take you on a photography tour depending on conditions to get the best shots.
Charlotte: Any parting words for our readers?
Tani: Thank you Charlotte for you interest and opportunity to tell my story! I hope to see many of your readers up here in
Alaska, diving with the sea lions, and quite possibly me, as I dive with
Channel Dive quite often, taking pictures along the way!
 Thank you Tani!
Tani Bell Photography
Ron Church Web site
Destination Alaska
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