2006 - 1st Annual Wetpixel.com and DivePhotoGuide.com
International Photo Competition
... in association with Our World-Underwater
Over $25,000 in prizes!
Wetpixel.com and DivePhotoGuide.com have teamed up to celebrate the beauty and delicacy of the marine environment by developing the first instance of a new, annual, international underwater photography competition. For our inaugural event, only digital entries were accepted (images taken from digital cameras or scanned from film.
Photographers competed in six categories to win more than $25,000 in prizes, including premium dive travel, underwater photography equipment, and more, and 15% of entry proceeds will be donated to marine conservation efforts.
Winners were announced on stage at the 2006 Our World-Underwater festival in Chicago, Illinois (February 24-26, 2006).
[archived contest rules] [contest feedback]
2006 Winners and Prizes
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All prizes were donated from our wonderful sponsors, without whom this contest would not be possible.
- Every place winner (Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd) will receive a 1-year subscription to both Fathoms Magazine and Ocean Realm Journal
- Every place winner and honorable mention winner will receive an Ikelite PC dive light
- Entrants who specified that they are professional shooters are tagged as "(Pro)", below.
In addition to the above prizes...
- All entrants will receive one free, digital issue of Dive Chronicles Magazine,
- All entrants in the Compact Camera category will receive one free photo lesson from reknowned underwater photographer, Marty Snyderman, via TheUnderwaterphotographer.com
- Random entrants will receive the following prizes:
2006 WINNING ENTRIES

Best of Show
"Shark in Motion"
by Christopher Guglielmo
West Caicos - Turks & Caicos Islands
Description: Caribbean Reef Shark with slow shutter speed and a twist of the zoom lens
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture: f11
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D100
Housing: Aquatica
Strobes: Ikelite DS-125 (2)
Accessories: Nikon 16mm lens |
Underwater images larger than a 7x5 inch picture area.
The "Traditional" divisions allow for the adjustment of brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness only. Cropping, cloning, and other digital manipulation is not allowed in this category. This restriction on digital manipulation will enable people who are not as savvy at Photoshop to compete on more-or-less even ground as those with more experience. It also highlights composition and lighting skills by not allowing cropping and cloning.

1st Place
Wide-Angle Traditional
"Shark in Motion"
by Christopher Guglielmo
West Caicos - Turks & Caicos Islands
Description: Caribbean Reef Shark with slow shutter speed and a twist of the zoom lens
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture: f11
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D100
Housing: Aquatica
Strobes: Ikelite DS-125 (2)
Accessories: Nikon 16mm lens |

2nd Place
Wide-Angle Traditional
"Island Cruising"
by Justin Gilligan
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Description: Black Tip Reef Shark, half/half image, island in background.
Shutter speed: 1/250
Aperture: f16
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon F60
Housing: Sea and Sea
Strobes: Two times, Sea and Sea YS 120 duo |

3rd Place
Wide-Angle Traditional
"Reef Patrol at Sunset"
by Jose Alejandro Alvarez
Grand Turk , Turks & Caicos
Description: A pair of jacks start his daily hunt as the reef became darker at the end of the day.
Shutter speed: 1/8th
Aperture: f8
ISO: Fuji Provia ISO 100
Camera: Nikon N90s with 24-50mm
Housing: Aquatica
Strobes: 1 Nikonos SB105
Accessories: Strobe Diffuser |
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Hon. Mention
Wide-Angle Traditional
"Barakuda"
by Tibor Dombovari
PNG, Kimbe bay
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture: 6,3
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70s
Housing: SUBAL
Strobes: Two Ikelite DS125
Accessories: DX Nikkor 12-24mm, set12mm |

Hon. Mention
Wide-Angle Traditional
"King Abdulah's Tank"
by Alex Dawson
Aqaba, Jordan
Description: The wreck of an M42 duster
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture f5,6
ISO: 50
Camera: Nikon F90X
Housing: Hugyfot |
Underwater images larger than a 7x5 inch picture area.
The "Unrestricted" divisions have no rules regarding digital manipulation. Anything goes, but as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make.

1st Place
Wide-Angle Unrestricted
"Bat Fishes"
by Tibor Dombovari
PNG, Kimbe bay
Shutter speed: 1/400
Aperture: 11
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70s
Housing: SUBAL
Strobes: Two Ikelite DS125
Accessories: DX Nikkor 12-24mm, set24mm |

2nd Place
Wide-Angle Unrestricted
"Mangrove"
by Cor Bosman
Solomon Islands
Description: Soft Coral in Mangroves
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: F11
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D2X
Housing: Subal
Strobes: Sea & Sea YS90DX |

3rd Place
Wide-Angle Unrestricted
"Below Him"
by Alessio Viora
Papua New Guinea
Description: Salt water Crocodile and model
Shutter speed: 80
Aperture 11
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon F100
Housing: Underwave Igloo
Strobes: Subtronic |

Hon. Mention
Wide-Angle Unrestricted
"Dig In"
by Martin Heyn
Utila, Honduras
Description: Small Eagle Ray Feeding
Shutter speed: 1/90
Aperture f-22
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D100
Housing: Aquatica
Strobes: 2xSea&Sea 90DX
Accessories: 60mm lens |

Hon. Mention
Wide-Angle Unrestricted
"Octopus"
by Andy Lerner
Kona, HI
Camera: Nikon D-100
Housing: Light & Motion
Strobes: Sea & Sea YS-90 Duo |

Hon. Mention
Wide-Angle Unrestricted
"Tigers & Lemonshark"
by Alex Dawson
Tiger beach, Bahamas
Description: lots of sharks...
Shutter speed: 1/250
Aperture: f5
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70
Housing: Sea & Sea |
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Hon. Mention, Wide-Angle Unrestricted
"Underwater forest"
by Alex Dawson
Sweden
Description: Summer lake in sweden
Shutter speed: 1/250
Aperture f11
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70
Housing: Sea & Sea
Strobes: Subtronic mega color |
Any underwater image of a 7x5 inch or smaller picture area.
The "Traditional" divisions allow for the adjustment of brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness only. Cropping, cloning, and other digital manipulation is not allowed in this category. This restriction on digital manipulation will enable people who are not as savvy at Photoshop to compete on more-or-less even ground as those with more experience. It also highlights composition and lighting skills by not allowing cropping and cloning. Before selecting winning entries, we reserve the right to audit your original RAW or JPG files. Our judges are digital photography experts, so please do not submit cropped or manipulated entries in this category.

1st Place
Macro Traditional
"Seahorse"
by Noam Kortler
Eilat, Israel
Shutter speed: 1/250
Aperture: f/22
ISO: Fuji 100 ISO Sensia Slid
Camera: Nikonos V
Strobes: Nikonos SB 105 + Ikelite A100
Accessories: extension ring by Helix |

2nd Place
Macro Traditional
"True Frogfish"
by Ann Worthy
Papua New Guinea
Shutter speed: 1/125
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D2x
Housing: Nexus
Strobes: Ikelite 125 |

3rd Place
Macro Traditional
"Red Eyed"
by Alessio Viora
Lembeh Strait Indonesia
Description: Big redeye trevally
Shutter speed: 250
Aperture 25
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon F100
Housing: Underwave Igloo
Strobes: Subtronic |
| |

Hon. Mention
Macro Traditional
"Twins"
by Matthias Blättler
Lembeh Strait
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f19
ISO: Velvia 50
Camera: Nikon f100
Housing: Sealux CF-100
Strobes: Sea&Sea YS-300 and YS-90
Accessories: Minolta Dimage Scan Elite 5400 |

Hon. Mention
Macro Traditional
"Mandarins"
by Burkhard Ohlendorf
Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Description: Mating mandarin-fishes |
Any underwater image of a 7x5 inch or smaller picture area.
The "Unrestricted" divisions have no such rules regarding digital manipulation. Anything goes, but as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make.

1st Place
Macro Unrestricted
"Open Wide"
by Cor Bosman
Solomon Islands
Description: Cleaning Station
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: F9
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D2X
Housing: Subal
Strobes: Sea & Sea YS90DX |

2nd Place
Macro Unrestricted
"Watching the Brood"
by Victor Zucker
Solomon Islands
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture f22
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D-70
Housing: Nexus
Strobes: Inon 220 |

3rd Place
Macro Unrestricted
"Shrimp fish"
by Orhan Aytur
Sulawesi, Indonesia
Shutter speed: 320
Aperture: 20
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70
Housing: Sea&Sea
Strobes: YS-120, SB-800 |

Hon. Mention
Macro Unrestricted
"Juvenile Goby"
by Karl Dietz
Turks & Caicos
Description: A very tiny subject in its natural habitat.
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: F29
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70
Housing: Ikelite
Strobes: Dual DS-125’s
Accessories: 60mm w/Woody’s Diopter |

Hon. Mention
Macro Unrestricted
"Mr. Mom"
by Keri Wilk
St. Vincent
Description: A male banded jawfish brooding eggs. this was taken while free-diving
Camera: nikon d100
Housing: Light & Motion
Strobes: Ike 100 + ike 50 with slave sensor
Accessories: custom external macro adapter from ReefNet Inc. |

Hon. Mention
Macro Unrestricted
"Pygmy seahorse"
by Tibor Dombovari
PNG, Kimbe bay
Shutter speed: 1/30
Aperture: 29
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70s
Housing: SUBAL
Strobes: Two Ikelite DS125
Accessories: AF Nikkor 105mm+25mm ring |
Underwater images of all kinds, taken by point 'n shoot, non-SLR digital cameras.
In this category, no entries from scanned slides or digital SLRs will be accepted. Although there exist many great underwater images taken by point 'n shoot cameras, it is often difficult for them to compete with SLRs when it comes to image quality. In this category, digital manipulation is allowed, but as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make.

1st Place
Compact Camera
"Hidden Treasures"
by John Johnson
Oahu, Hawai'i
Description: A Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is revealed just below the surface as a wave ripples past, showing the wonders of the world above and below the waterline.
Shutter speed: 1/640
Aperture F4
ISO: 64
Camera: Olympus 5050
Housing: Olympus
Accessories: Inon Fisheye Dome for Wide Angle Lens |

2nd Place
Compact Camera
"Playing With Seaweed"
by Al Sweeting
Bimini, Bahamas
Description: Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Playing with Seaweed
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture F2.8
ISO: 100
Camera: Olympus C-3000Z
Housing: Olympus |

3rd Place
Compact Camera
"Pink nudi and shrimp"
by Judy Johnson
Anilao, Philippines
Description: Hypselodora bullocki nudibranch and shrimp
1/2000 f8.6 ISO 100
Nikon Coolpix 995
Homemade acrylic housing
Ikelite 125 strobes
ultralight arms |
| |

Hon. Mention
Compact Camera
"Pinjalo and Barracuda"
by Judy Johnson
PNG, Kimbe Bay, Walindi Plantation
Description: schools of pinjalo and barracuda
1/60 f4.7 ISO 100
Nikon Coolpix 995
Homemade acrylic housing
Ikelite 125 strobes
ultralight arms |

Hon. Mention
Compact Camera
"Carwash Grouper style"
by Cynthia Abgarian
Grand Cayman
Description: Tiger Grouper being cleaned
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture f2.8
ISO: 64
Camera: Olympus C5050 zoom
Housing: Olympus
Strobes: Inon |
| ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION |
Topside and underwater images of all kinds, taken by any camera, with a focus on the marine or lake environment and conservation.
Subject matter must address a marine or lake-related environmental issue. The goal in this category is to convey a real-world message. In this category, digital manipulation is allowed, but as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make.

1st Place, Environment/Conservation
Title: It all starts here
by Martin Oernroth
Stockholm archepelago, Sweden
Description: Our children's love and curiosity for the water world is the key to the future.
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f8
ISO: 100
Camera: Minolta 700si |

2nd Place, Environment/Conservation
"Face Your Enemy"
by Christopher Guglielmo
Homosassa Springs, FL
Description: W.I. Manatee stares at a boat's propeller
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture 3.8
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon D2X
Housing: Aquatica
Accessories: 10.5mm lens |

3rd Place, Environment/Conservation
"Condemned to die"
by Bela Nasfay
Island Rab (Croatia)
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: 11
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon F801s
Housing: Subal
Strobes: Ikelite ss400 |
| |

Hon. Mention, Environment/Conservation
"Dead Moon"
by Alessio Viora
Sardinia - Italy
Description: Sun fish diyng in a fish net
Shutter speed: 60
Aperture 22
ISO: 100
Camera: Nikon F100
Housing: Underwave Igloo
Strobes: Subtronic |

Hon. Mention, Environment/Conservation
"Papuan Hunters"
by Tibor Dombovari
PNG, Witu islands
Shutter speed: 1/250
Aperture: 8
ISO: 200
Camera: Nikon D70s
Housing: SUBAL Accessories: DX Nikkor 10,5mm + half gelatin gray filter |
JUDGES
Eric Cheng is the Editor of Wetpixel.com, and is rapidly becoming known around the world for his expertise in digital imaging. He has authored many web journals documenting his trips around the world, and has been published in numerous publications, both in print and on the web. In 2003, Eric was awarded a prestigious Antibes Festival award for his work with Wetpixel.com, the Antibes underwater imaging web site of the year, and in 2005, he won a category in the prestigious Nature's Best Magazine photo competition, which will place some of his work in the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum. Eric also leads trips and has given workshops and seminars at DEMA, SeaSpace, Digital Shootouts, and the Boston Sea Rovers Clinic. More about Eric at http://echeng.com.

Stephen Frink is the world's most frequently published underwater photographer with editorial work appearing in Scuba Diving for whom he is Director of Photography and writes a monthly column on underwater photo trends and techniques. His work has also been published in a wide variety of general interest publications such as Natural History, Outside, Time, Newsweek, Islands, Travel and Leisure, Esquire, Fortune, Money, as well as numerous National Geographic publications. Frink has authored a coffee table book entitled Wonders Of The Reef, and teaches the Stephen Frink School of Underwater Photography in his home waters of Key Largo, Florida. Frink wrote a textbook for Nikon, The Nikonos System, and other books to which Frink was a major contributor include Underwater Paradise and Great Coral Reefs.
Clients for assignment photography over the past 22 years have included Nikon, Aqua Lung, Victoria's Secret, Mercury Marine, Jantzen, Dacor, R.J. Reynolds, Sea Quest, Henderson Aquatics, Club Med, major ad agencies, and scores of resorts and live-aboard dive boats throughout the world. Rolex Watch Company has also engaged Frink for product endorsement. More about Stephen at http://stephenfrink.com.

Dr Alexander Mustard is both a marine scientist and also a part of a 'new wave' of up-and coming young underwater photographers who have challenged our perceptions of what we see underwater, Alex has won many awards for his photography including being a multiple winner in both the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and World Festival of Underwater Photography in Antibes, France. Although increasingly dedicating more of his time to photography, Alex remains active scientifically continuing to publish papers, including, in 2005, in the prestigious journal Nature. His new book "The Art Of Diving", a collaboration with author Nick Hanna, is not just a photo collection but is an exploration of why we love to dive, and has been described by David Doubilet as "the best book about diving since Jacques Cousteau's The Silent World." He is founder of the Young Underwater Photographer's Group, the Digital Officer for the British Society of Underwater Photographers and a Co-Administrator of Wetpixel.com. More about Alex at http://amustard.com.

Berkley White is a leading expert in the field of underwater photography and digital image processing. As a professional photographer and instructor, he shares his in-field photographic techniques and digital methods through a series of select travel events each year. Berkley is the founder of Backscatter in Monterey, California, the largest specialty underwater photographic supplier in the US, and is the organizer of international photographic events such as the Digital Shootout. More about Berkley at http://backscatter.com
Other Information
If you aren't a member of Wetpixel.com or DivePhotoGuide.com, consider joining now!
Wetpixel.com is dedicated to providing the latest information on digital underwater photography and imaging. In 2003, Wetpixel.com were awarded the prestigious Antibes Festival prize for Best Website, and in 2005, Scuba Diving Magazine dubbed Wetpixel.com the Editor's Choice for Best Dive-Related Website. Our community of over 4,000 underwater photographers span the globe, living in more than 25 different countries and travelling to many more. We would love to have you join our community! You may also elect to join the Wetpixel.com mailing list for future announcements about photo contests, community events, and Wetpixel underwater photography expeditions!
DivePhotoGuide.com is a new resource for underwater photographers and videographers of all levels. The main feature is the world's most comprehensive global directory of dive operators, complete with criteria such as the size of the rinse tanks, presence of camera tables, charging stations and almost 100 other criteria. DivePhotoGuide.com also provides centralized calendars of all the competitions and festivals around the world, pro photo galleries, and breaking news. Come on by and check us out. Help 'kick the tires' and shape a new resource for the community!
Our world-Underwater is celebrating 36 years and being one of the largest consumer dive shows in the US. OW-U offers the public an opportunity to meet industry professionals. A chance for the non-diver to try scuba. A great way to kick off the diving season. People local and two and three states away come to OW-U for the weekend. The weekend is full of educational workshops, seminars, film festivals and manufacturers repair clinics. OUR WORLD-UNDERWATER host two huge film festivals, one Friday night and another Saturday evening. Many industry professional got their start at these festivals. There are over 200 booths for people to enjoy, displaying many travel destinations, equipment manufacturers and Midwest dive centers. OW-U is a great place to spend a weekend.
Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide.com would to thank our generous sponsors. Without their support, this photo contest would not be possible.
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