Sterling Zumbrunn
Aliases: sterlingz
Role: Underwater photographer, Backscatter team member, Wetpixel Moderator, gear reviewer, Digital Shootout workshop leader
Location: Monterey, California
Website: sterlingz.net (personal), noodletron.com (technology blog)
First appearance: 2010-02 ([1])
Flickr: sterlingz
Biography
Sterling Zumbrunn was an underwater photographer and technology journalist based in Monterey, California, who worked at Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo alongside Berkley White, Jim Decker, and Russ Sanoian ([2]). He served as a Wetpixel Moderator ([3]) and was one of Wetpixel’s most prolific article contributors in 2010, authoring approximately 46 articles covering gear announcements, trade show coverage, conservation topics, marine science, and event reporting. Uniquely among major Wetpixel contributors, he had zero forum posts, contributing exclusively through articles and occasional forum comments.
His personal website (sterlingz.net) was frequently linked from Wetpixel articles by Adam Hanlon when referencing Sterling’s work ([4], [5]). He also maintained a Flickr account (“sterlingz”) where he published event photography, including images from the Blue Ocean Film Festival ([6]).
In March 2011, he co-founded Noodletron with Eric Cheng, a technology, photography, and social media website. The two shared a passion for cameras, mobile computing, workflow efficiency, and tools for working smarter. The site launched with an iPad 2 review and covered apps for Mac, iOS, and Android platforms ([7]).
By 2014, Sterling was identified as an “underwater photographer” associated with The Scuttlefish ocean website, co-authoring a comprehensive beginner’s guide to underwater photography techniques and gear for The Wirecutter ([8]).
Contributions
Gear Journalism
Sterling was a knowledgeable gear journalist who combined technical expertise with practical underwater testing. His articles spanned cameras, housings, lenses, strobes, and accessories:
Camera and housing reviews: He published comprehensive reviews on Backscatter’s website, including an extended review of the Canon T2i (EOS 550D), which he called “the most exciting SLR offered from Canon this year.” The review covered current housing choices and was based on testing by eight individuals across multiple environments worldwide. He found the camera provided “exceptional performance and amazing value” as an ideal step-up from compacts, noting tradeoffs in “performance, ergonomics and construction” versus the Canon 7D ([9]).
He also reviewed the Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera and PT-EP01 housing for Backscatter, testing the system at Cocos Islands, the Digital Shootout in Bonaire, and California’s Channel Islands. He introduced the EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) camera as “Honey - I shrunk the SLR … and the price!” and evaluated third-party dome ports from Zen Underwater, concluding the E-PL1 bridged the gap between compacts and SLRs ([10]).
Gear news coverage: He wrote extensively about new product announcements, including:
- Canon Rebel T2i announcement, with detailed analysis of its 18MP sensor, 1080p video at 30p/25p/24p, and implications for underwater housings ([11])
- Three articles tracking the Canon 5D Mark II firmware 2.0.3 update, covering the addition of 24p/25p frame rates and manual audio controls ([12], [13], [14])
- Aquatica Mini Dome 100 (4-inch BK-7 coated glass dome, $699), port adapters for Subal and Sea & Sea housings, and the TLC underwater tripod for video SLRs ([15], [16], [17])
- Nauticam NA-550D housing details, highlighting new locking latches, lens release lever, fingertip ISO paddle, and compact size ($2,500, available June 14, 2010) ([18])
- Panasonic 8mm fisheye lens for Micro Four Thirds, noting it as “the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable digital fisheye lens” and its significance for underwater applications ([19])
- First underwater footage shot with the Panasonic 8mm fisheye in an INON X2 housing for the Panasonic GF-1 ([20])
- INON snoot accessories for S-2000 strobes, offering six beam angles from 16 to 105 degrees ([21])
Trade Show and Event Coverage
Sterling provided extensive on-site coverage of major industry events:
Beneath the Sea 2010: Represented Backscatter at the show, where Aquatica displayed the Mini Dome 100 at their booth ([22], [23]).
Blue Ocean Film Festival 2010 (Monterey): Provided comprehensive multi-day coverage of the festival, writing six articles. He photographed David Doubilet’s “Below” exhibit opening reception, documenting Doubilet with Congressman Sam Farr, Frans Lanting, Christine Eckstrom, and Jennifer Hayes ([24]). He covered the opening ceremonies ([25]), spotlighted conservation films “The Majestic Plastic Bag” and “Willem and the Whales” ([26], [27]), reported on MacGillivray Freeman’s $35 million “One World Ocean” campaign ([28]), covered the Blue Carpet Awards ([29]), and wrote about the industry technology showcase featuring Gates video lights, Panasonic 3D cameras, and Backscatter’s exhibit with Jim Decker ([30]).
DEMA Show 2010 (Las Vegas): Covered the show alongside Adam Hanlon and Norbert Wu, visiting exhibitor booths and the Image Resource Center. Sterling and Adam spent the show meeting manufacturers and digging out new products to report on ([31], [32]). He also helped organize the annual Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide cocktail party on Eric Cheng’s behalf ([33]).
Digital Shootout
Sterling was a staff member and workshop leader at the Digital Shootout from 2010 through 2013, teaching Lightroom and Photoshop post-processing. He was part of a core instructional team alongside Berkley White, Erin Quigley, Mary Lynn Price, and Jim Decker:
- 2010 (Little Cayman): Provided live coverage of the event for Wetpixel ([34], [35])
- 2011 (Bonaire, Divi Flamingo): 10th anniversary event with 60 guests; Sterling gave seminars on post-processing alongside the team. Listed as workshop leader in registration announcements ([36], [37])
- 2012 (Little Cayman): 11th year, 80 participants and staff; taught Lightroom and Photoshop ([38])
- 2013 (Bonaire): 60 participants and nearly 20 staff; served as guest speaker alongside Berkley White, Joel and Jennifer Penner, and Ed Meyers ([39])
Conservation and Marine Science
Sterling wrote on conservation and marine science topics, reflecting both personal concern and Wetpixel’s editorial mission:
- Covered the Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil spill, reporting on Philippe Cousteau Jr.’s underwater dive into the spill for ABC and directing community members to SkyTruth’s Gulf Oil Spill Tracker ([40])
- Traveled to the Gulf with Philippe Cousteau and contributed DSLR footage of oil spill impacts to CNN in support of a Larry King Live telethon raising funds for United Way, National Wildlife Federation, and The Nature Conservancy ([41])
- Wrote about the Jacques Cousteau centennial (June 11, 2010), honoring Cousteau’s legacy as pioneer of underwater photography and conservation ([42])
- Reported on Dr. Eugenie Clark receiving Bonaire’s Lifetime Achievement Award ([43])
- Published a call for Wunderpus photographs for Conservation International researcher Crissy Huffard’s photo-identification study ([44])
- Covered dangers facing shark divers at Guadalupe Island from escalating encounters with great whites ([45])
- Reported on the new Marine Protected Area around Cocos Islands, Costa Rica; one of his photographs was used by Conservation International for the article’s illustration ([46])
Book and Publication Reviews
- Reviewed Sea of Light by Richard Salas, a coffee table book on California’s Channel Islands marine life. Sterling noted his own experience diving the Channel Islands and praised Salas’s understanding of light from his training at Brooks Institute ([47])
- Promoted issues of X-Ray Mag, Underwater Journal, and Underx Magazine ([48], [49], [50])
Filmmaking and Video
Sterling contributed DSLR video footage to collaborative projects:
- Contributed additional footage (with Jim Abernethy) to Eric Cheng’s “Shark Bite GoPro” film, which became part of the DiveFilm HD podcast series (then the #1 Sports & Recreation Video Podcast on iTunes) ([51])
- His Gulf oil spill footage aired on CNN’s Larry King Live telethon ([52])
Wetpixel Expeditions
Sterling participated in several Wetpixel-organized expeditions:
- Isla Mujeres sailfish (January 2010): Joined Eric Cheng and Tony Wu for sailfish photography; assisted Cheng with 3D video capture using dual Canon 5D Mark II cameras with Canon 15mm fisheye lenses ([53])
- Cenotes and whale sharks, Mexico (August 2010): Dived cenotes (Chac-Mool and Kulkulkan) with Eric Cheng, Wolcott Henry, Alexis Tabah, and Nathalie Ssi-Yan-Kai. Eric Cheng photographed Sterling in a shimmering halocline at Cenote Kulkulkan ([54])
- Bahamas goliath groupers/sharks/dolphins (September 2010): Part of the 2nd Wetpixel Bahamas expedition aboard Jim Abernethy’s vessel, alongside Eric Cheng and others. Sterling reported seeing 30 goliath groupers in a group and provided photographic evidence ([55])
- Isla Mujeres sailfish (2012): Joined Shawn Heinrichs’s Blue Sphere Media trip as part of a group from Backscatter, chasing baitballs over multiple days ([56])
- Raja Ampat/Misool (November 2010): Helped promote the Wetpixel expedition to Misool Eco Resort, posting availability updates to forums ([57], [58])
- Ambon night safari (November 2010): Participated in Eric Cheng’s Ambon night diving trip ([59])
Awards
- First Place, Print, Sea & Sea Open Category, British Underwater Image Festival (BUIF) 2010 ([60])
Competition Coverage
- Reported on NCUPS SEA 2010 International Underwater Photographic Competition results (46th annual, won by Keri Wilk) ([61])
Timeline
- 2010-02: First Wetpixel article, covering Canon Rebel T2i announcement ([62])
- 2010-01: Joins Eric Cheng and Tony Wu for sailfish photography at Isla Mujeres, Mexico ([63])
- 2010-03: Represents Backscatter at Beneath the Sea 2010; writes multiple Aquatica product announcements ([64], [65])
- 2010-04: Reviews Sea of Light book; publishes call for Wunderpus research photos ([66], [67])
- 2010-05: Wins First Place at BUIF 2010 (Print, Open Category) ([68])
- 2010-05: Reports on Gulf of Mexico oil spill ([69])
- 2010-06: Travels to Gulf with Philippe Cousteau; DSLR footage airs on CNN/Larry King Live ([70])
- 2010-06: Covers Digital Shootout live on Little Cayman ([71])
- 2010-08: Provides multi-day coverage of Blue Ocean Film Festival, Monterey ([72])
- 2010-08: Dives cenotes and whale sharks in Mexico with Eric Cheng ([73])
- 2010-09: Joins 2nd Wetpixel Bahamas expedition; spots 30 goliath groupers ([74])
- 2010-10: Publishes comprehensive Canon T2i review on Backscatter ([75])
- 2010-11: Covers DEMA 2010 alongside Adam Hanlon and Norbert Wu ([76], [77])
- 2010-11: Joins Ambon night safari and Raja Ampat expedition ([78])
- 2010-12: Publishes Olympus E-PL1 review on Backscatter ([79])
- 2011-03: Co-founds Noodletron technology website with Eric Cheng ([80])
- 2011-03: Photograph published by Conservation International for Cocos Islands MPA article ([81])
- 2011-06: Digital Shootout 2011 workshop leader in Bonaire ([82])
- 2012-01: Joins Isla Mujeres sailfish trip with Blue Sphere Media ([83])
- 2012-06: Digital Shootout 2012 on Little Cayman; teaches Lightroom/Photoshop ([84])
- 2013-06: Digital Shootout 2013 in Bonaire; guest speaker ([85])
- 2014-07: Co-authors comprehensive beginner’s guide to underwater photography for The Wirecutter with The Scuttlefish ([86])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2010: Canon Announces New Rebel T2i ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2010: Blue Ocean Film Festival Industry Showcase ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 21, 2010: Larry King To Host Two Hour Special For The Gulf ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2010: Comprehensive Review Of Canon T2i On Backscatter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2010: Wetpixel Dema 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: David Doubilets Exhibit Below Launches Blue Ocean Film Festival ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2011: Technology Website Noodletron Launches ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 24, 2014: A Comprehensive Beginners Guide To Uw Photography ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2010: Comprehensive Review Of Canon T2i On Backscatter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 9, 2010: Review Of Olympus E Pl1 And Housing On Backscatter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2010: Canon Announces New Rebel T2i ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 3, 2010: Canon 5d Mark Ii Firmware 203 Release Imminent ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 15, 2010: Firmware Update 203 For 5d Mark Ii Now Live On Canons Servers ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2010: Canon Releases Updated 5d Mark Ii Firmware ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 24, 2010: Aquatica Announces New Mini Dome 100 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 25, 2010: Aquatica Announces Port Adapters For Subal And Sea And Sea ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 25, 2010: Aquatica Announces Tlc Tripod ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 2, 2010: Nauticam Announces Details Of Canon Eos Rebel T2i Housing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 1, 2010: Panasonic Announces 8mm Fisheye For Micro Four Thirds ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 22, 2010: First Panasonic 8mm Fisheye Underwater Footage In The Wild ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 2, 2010: Inon Announces Snoots For S 2000 Strobes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 28, 2010: Beneath The Sea 2010 Day 2 Coverage ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 24, 2010: Aquatica Announces New Mini Dome 100 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: David Doubilets Exhibit Below Launches Blue Ocean Film Festival ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 26, 2010: Blue Ocean Film Festival Opening Ceremonies Held ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 26, 2010: Spotlight On Blue The Majestic Plastic Bag ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 26, 2010: Spotlight On Blue Willem And The Whales ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 27, 2010: Macgillivray Freeman Launches Massive One World Ocean Campaign ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 30, 2010: Blue Ocean Film Festival Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2010: Blue Ocean Film Festival Industry Showcase ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2010: Wetpixel Dema 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 18, 2010: Dema Show 2010 Coverage ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 4, 2010: Save The Date Dema Party 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2010: The Digital Shootout Live Coverage Underway ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: The Digital Shootout Updates Website With Winners Galleries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2010: Registrations For Digital Shootout 2011 Open ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2013: Report From The Digital Shootout Published ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 26, 2010: New Perspectives On Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 21, 2010: Larry King To Host Two Hour Special For The Gulf ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 11, 2010: Jacques Cousteau Centennial Marked ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: Dr Eugenie Clark To Be Honored In Bonaire ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 26, 2010: Wanted Wunderpus Photographs ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2010: Danger On The Rise For Guadalupe Shark Divers ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 7, 2011: New Mpa Announced For Cocos Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 14, 2010: Seaoflight ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 7, 2010: X Ray Magapril 2010 Issue Now Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 1, 2010: New Issue Of Underwater Journal Available For Download ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 10, 2010: Issue 3 Of Underex Magazine Now Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 2, 2010: New Divefilm Hd Podcast Shark Bite Gopro ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 21, 2010: Larry King To Host Two Hour Special For The Gulf ↩
- Forum thread: Sailfish Report From Isla Mujeres January 2010 ↩
- Forum thread: Cenotes And Whale Sharks 2010 Mexico Trip Thread ↩
- Forum thread: Wetpixel Bahamas Goliath Groupers Sharks Dolphins Expedition 2010 ↩
- Forum thread: Isla Mujeres Sailfish 2012 Blue Sphere Media Trips ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2010: Space Now Available On Wetpixel Raja Ampat Expedition ↩
- Forum thread: Wetpixel Is Going To Indonesia In Novdec 2010 ↩
- Forum thread: Ambon Night Safari 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 13, 2010: Buif 2010 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 17, 2010: Ncups Sea 2010 Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 8, 2010: Canon Announces New Rebel T2i ↩
- Forum thread: Sailfish Report From Isla Mujeres January 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 28, 2010: Beneath The Sea 2010 Day 2 Coverage ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 24, 2010: Aquatica Announces New Mini Dome 100 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 14, 2010: Seaoflight ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 26, 2010: Wanted Wunderpus Photographs ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 13, 2010: Buif 2010 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 26, 2010: New Perspectives On Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 21, 2010: Larry King To Host Two Hour Special For The Gulf ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2010: The Digital Shootout Live Coverage Underway ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 25, 2010: David Doubilets Exhibit Below Launches Blue Ocean Film Festival ↩
- Forum thread: Cenotes And Whale Sharks 2010 Mexico Trip Thread ↩
- Forum thread: Wetpixel Bahamas Goliath Groupers Sharks Dolphins Expedition 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 16, 2010: Comprehensive Review Of Canon T2i On Backscatter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 8, 2010: Wetpixel Dema 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 18, 2010: Dema Show 2010 Coverage ↩
- Forum thread: Ambon Night Safari 2010 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 9, 2010: Review Of Olympus E Pl1 And Housing On Backscatter ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2011: Technology Website Noodletron Launches ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 7, 2011: New Mpa Announced For Cocos Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout ↩
- Forum thread: Isla Mujeres Sailfish 2012 Blue Sphere Media Trips ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2013: Report From The Digital Shootout Published ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 24, 2014: A Comprehensive Beginners Guide To Uw Photography ↩
- Canon Rebel T2i announcement (2010) (article) ↩
- Apple Aperture 3 release (2010) (article) ↩
- Canon 5D Mark II firmware 2.0.3 imminent (2010) (article) ↩
- Canon 5D Mark II firmware live (2010) (article) ↩
- Canon 5D Mark II firmware revised (2010) (article) ↩
- Aquatica Mini Dome 100 (2010) (article) ↩
- Aquatica port adapters (2010) (article) ↩
- Aquatica TLC Tripod (2010) (article) ↩
- Beneath the Sea 2010 coverage (article) ↩
- X-Ray Mag April 2010 (article) ↩
- Underx Magazine issue 3 (article) ↩
- Sea of Light book review (article) ↩
- Visions in the Sea 2010 (article) ↩
- Wunderpus photographs request (article) ↩
- BUIF 2010 results (article) ↩
- Gulf of Mexico oil spill (2010) (article) ↩
- Panasonic 8mm fisheye announcement (article) ↩
- Underwater Journal issue 16 (article) ↩
- INON snoots for S-2000 (article) ↩
- Nauticam NA-550D housing (article) ↩
- Jacques Cousteau centennial (article) ↩
- Larry King Gulf telethon / Sterling footage (article) ↩
- Panasonic 8mm fisheye first underwater footage (article) ↩
- Guadalupe shark diving danger (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2010 live coverage (article) ↩
- Dr. Eugenie Clark honored in Bonaire (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2010 winners (article) ↩
- David Doubilet “Below” exhibit at BOFF (article) ↩
- BOFF opening ceremonies (article) ↩
- Spotlight: The Majestic Plastic Bag (article) ↩
- Spotlight: Willem and the Whales (article) ↩
- MacGillivray Freeman “One World Ocean” (article) ↩
- BOFF winners announced (article) ↩
- BOFF industry showcase (article) ↩
- DiveFilm HD: Shark Bite GoPro (article) ↩
- Wetpixel Raja Ampat expedition (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2011 registration (article) ↩
- Canon T2i review on Backscatter (article) ↩
- DEMA party 2010 announcement (article) ↩
- Wetpixel @ DEMA 2010 (article) ↩
- NCUPS SEA 2010 results (article) ↩
- DEMA Show 2010 coverage (article) ↩
- Olympus E-PL1 review on Backscatter (article) ↩
- Cocos Islands MPA (photo credit) (article) ↩
- Noodletron launch (2011) (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2011 (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2012 (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2013 (article) ↩
- Wirecutter beginner’s guide to UW photography (2014) (article) ↩
- Sailfish at Isla Mujeres (forum, 2010) (forum) ↩
- Cenotes and whale sharks, Mexico (forum, 2010) (forum) ↩
- Wetpixel Bahamas expedition (forum, 2010) (forum) ↩
- Ambon night safari (forum, 2010) (forum) ↩
- Wetpixel Indonesia expedition (forum, 2010) (forum) ↩
- Isla Mujeres sailfish 2012 (forum) (forum) ↩