Our World Underwater: '06 | '07 | '08Deep Indonesia '07 | '08Under The Blue '07
OUR WORLD UNDERWATER: 2008
Best of Show Borut Furlan (Slovenia)
"Shark & Diver"
3rd Annual Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide International Underwater Photography & Video Competition Winners
IN ASSOCIATION WITH OUR WORLD UNDERWATER
Over $50,000 in prizes awarded
Wetpixel.com, DivePhotoGuide.com and Our World Underwater are proud to announce the winners of the 3rd annual international underwater photography & video competition. Winners were announced during the Friday & Saturday night film festivals and exhibited all weekend to a packed crowd at Our World Underwater in Chicago.
WE THANK ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND CONGRATULATE ALL THE WINNERS!
Name
Prize
Borut Furlan
Slovenia
9 day live aboard trips to Soccoro Mexico with Solmar V
7 day live aboard trip to the Solomon Islands with Bilikiki Cruises
Wide Angle Unrestricted Special Mention:
Olaf Veltman (Netherlands)
"Toyota"
Compact Camera Gold:
Julie Lucas (USA)
"Boobie"
Compact Camera Silver:
Bill Goodwin (USA)
"Shrimp in Sponge"
Compact Camera Bronze:
Veronica Frontado (USA)
"Leaf at Surface"
Compact Camera Honorable Mention:
Erwin Kodiat (Indonesia)
"Eel Being Cleaned"
Compact Camera Honorable Mention:
Karen Doody (USA)
"Two Anemone Fish"
Environment and Conservation Borut Furlan (Slovenia)
"Shark & Diver"
Environment and Conservation Silver:
Aaron Wong (Singapore)
"Anthias in Net"
Environment and Conservation Bronze:
Carol Grant (USA)
"Manatee Tails"
Environment and Conservation Honorable Mention:
John Scarlett (USA)
"Manatee Diver Faceoff"
Environment and Conservation Honorable Mention:
Andre Seale (Brazil)
"Split Survey"
Super Macro
No winning entries this year. Please read Judges' Statement below.
2008 Slideshow of Winning Images From The Our World Underwater Film Festival
B) Video
General Gold: Micahel Boom (USA) "Komodo, Beneath The Waves" Silver: Gyula Somogyi (Hungary), "The Vision of the Oraculum" Bronze:Shawn Heinrichs (USA), "Sardine Run"
Conservation Gold: Mark Santa Maria (USA) "Choice For Change" Silver: Paul & Kelly Wags (Australia), "A Call To Action " Bronze: Simon Spear (UK), "Porbeagles in Peril "
Gold Conservation Video Winner "Choice For Change"(by Mark Santa-Maria)
Gold General Video Winner "Komodo: Beneath The Waves " (by Mike Boom)
Congratulations again to all the winners!
Winning images will be published by supporting media partners worldwide, and Divefilm.com will be podcasting the winning videos as episodes of the iTunes-featured DiveFilm Podcast Video and DiveFilm High Definition Podcast Video.
As with all Wetpixel & DivePhotoGuide events, 15% of proceeds will be donated to marine conservation efforts.
OWU 2008 - Judges' Statement
Determining the final ranking of so many fine images is always a difficult task for photo contest judges. Aside from the sheer quantity of images that merit commendation, judges inevitably have personal likes and dislikes that vary from judge to judge. Heated disputes are common, and through passionate pleas, convincing arguments, and eventually, acceptance (either epiphanic or grudging), the final list of winning images takes form, organized beauty materializing out of jumbled chaos.
This year's entries and winners were stunning and varied, showing that underwater photographers are continuing to push their creativity past those imposed by conventional photography at a rapid pace. Because we have both "Traditional" and "Unrestricted" categories, the OWU contest is designed to reward both those who know how to harness the power of digital workflow and those who prefer to create their art at the time of the shutter click.
Congratulations, everyone, for another year of fantastic imagery! We thank all the participants worldwide and we'll see you next year!
Additional notes:
Each year, we notice patterns among the submissions that should be addressed. This year in particular, we had an unusually high disqualification rate in the Traditional categories. In fact, our original Best of Show ended up being disqualified due to excessive image manipulation, which caused all of the judges much heartache because the image was so beautiful and would have done well even in its complementary Unrestricted category. We hope that by sharing some of our insights into the collective body of this year’s entries, next year’s participants will avoid some of the more common problems we saw in many images.
Excessive manipulation
The contest rules emphasize that our contest is a “photography” competition, and not a photoshop contest. One of the most difficult actions for a judge to have to take is to pass up an otherwise extraordinary image because it was over-sharpened, over-saturated, overly noise-reduced, or over-filtered in some other way. Our advice is to try to make your images look as natural as possible. Make your changes in Photoshop / Lightroom / Aperture, and then back off a bit.
Traditional category rules
Our Traditional categories specifically mention that we do not allow cropping, backscatter removal, or any selective work to be done. This year, we disqualified nearly half of our Traditional winners for breaking those rules (which we verified by RAW image audits). Please be sure to follow category rules; if you find that your image needs a little more editing than usual, you may want to consider entering it in an Unrestricted category.
Super macro
The judges unanimously decided not to award any prizes to entries in this category. Many of the entries either did not follow the "Traditional" rules, or did not meet the definition of "super macro" as defined in the category rules. The images that did qualify weren't quite up to the bar we have set for an entry to win (it's a fairly high one!). The Super Macro category was a new one this year, which may have been one reason for the problems. We urge you to slap on your teleconverters and Macromates for next year's contest, and we look forward to seeing your (tiny) submissions!
Sharpness
If you have an eyeball in your photo and it is blurry, your photo will compete less favorably against a similar photo with a sharp eyeball. Remember, a sharp eyeball is a sharp photo.
Backgrounds
Many photos featured interesting animals in interesting poses, but lacked separation and contrast with the background. Unless you are trying to capture camouflaged behavior, try to isolate your subjects by moving your camera to avoid cluttered backgrounds, or by lowering your f-stop to blur it.
Animal Harassment
Please don't harass animals. If an image looks like it might have been taken while an animal was under duress, we may disqualify the image or ask the author to clarify how the shot was taken. Unfortunately, this affects certain subjects more than others. Here are a few examples of images that have bad first impressions: puffed puffers, swimming bottom-dwellers, boxer crabs on colorful corals, [certain] starfish on certain corals, and divers touching animals. The judges are professional underwater photographers and magazine editors, and have a good sense for what is required to get a photo. They may not agree with each other regarding the boundaries of diver-animal interaction in the water, but Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide photo contests explicitly state that there is to be no animal harassment whatsoever.
Again, we congratulate all the winners and encourage everyone to get out there and keep shooting. We can’t wait to see next year’s entries and winners!
CATEGORIES
Note that the Environment and Conservation category allows for both topside and underwater images, while all other categories are underwater-only. Categories have been modeled from those used in The Digital Shootout, which Wetpixel has been involved with for the past few years.
Macro Traditional: 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.
Macro Unrestricted: 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.
Super Macro Traditional:
Any underwater image of a 24mm x 36mm (0.95in x 1.4in) 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.
Wide Angle Traditional: 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. 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.
Wide Angle Unrestricted: 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.
Compact Camera: 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.
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.
VIDEOS
Video (General): Any film five minutes or less in duration, and at least 50% of the footage must be shot underwater.
Video (Conservation): Marine Conservation themed films, five minutes or less in duration, and at least 50% of the footage must be shot underwater. Conservation videos will be expected to have a conservation message or emphasis, which can be explicit or subtle.
JUDGES (Stills)
Eric Cheng
Eric Cheng is an underwater photographer who has become known around the world for his expertise in underwater imaging. He has meticulously documented his travels 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 has placed some of his work in the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum. Eric also leads trips and has given workshops and seminars in locations around the world.
Eric owns and runs Wetpixel.com, the premiere online resource for underwater photographers. Hosting over 6,150 registered underwater photographers internationally, Wetpixel's friendly community offers breaking news, reviews, features, community forums, image galleries, photo contests, photo expeditions, and more.
Dr Alexander Mustard is both a marine biologist 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. 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. Alex is also the brains behind Magic filters - filters designed specifically for available light underwater photography with digital cameras.
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.
Tony Wu
Since 1995, Tony has combined his love of visual art with his interest in the marine world through underwater photography, and he has concentrated on using his photographs and writing to encourage others to appreciate and protect the beauty of the oceans. Tony is currently Associate Editor of FiNS Magazine in Asia, and his photographs and essays appear regularly in periodicals and newspapers around the world.
Tony’s images have received international awards in Japan, Europe and the US, and his first book, Silent Symphony, received the award for “Best Book of the Year” at the 28th annual Antibes Festival of Marine Images in France. In recent years, Tony has been doing his best to keep up with the younger generation by starting up a blog and podcast, providing near real-time updates of his trips and experiences. See more of Tony's work at: http://www.tonywublog.com
JUDGES (Videos)
Ric Frazier
Born and raised in Texas, Ric’s photographic journey began with participating in and shooting the skateboarding scene. Many scrapes and scars later, swimming with the sharks seemed like an equally stimulating experience. This led this aqua man to pursue his interests at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. Over Ten years later, having become one of the most skilled, experienced and versatile underwater photographer in the world, Ric has redefined the art of underwater photography shooting everything ranging from people, props and sets, to ocean life. With a focus on advertising and editorial, Ric offers a relaxed and efficient working environment however complex or simple the shot or campaign. Recently he has shot for advertising clients such as Bayer, Mcdonald’s, MTV, and Shell Oil, as well as recent editorial clients Elle, ESPN, GQ, People, and Shape.
Emmy Award-winning Chuck Nicklin has filmmaking experience in Imax, Omnimax, Circlevision, 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, Panavision, digital film and video formats. Feature film credits include The Abyss, The Deep, Never Say Never, For Your Eyes Only, and Love Is Forever.
Chuck began free diving in 1947 and SCUBA diving in 1953. He was the owner of San Diego’s Diving Locker, a retail dive business, for 42 years. Underwater videographers like Howard Hall and Marty Snyderman both worked at Chuck’s dive shop. Bob Talbot received encouragement as a teenaged videographer from him. Chuck’s son, Flip Nicklin has made a name for himself as an underwater photographer and videographer for National Geographic for the past 20 years.
Truly one of the pioneers of underwater cinematography, Chuck is actively involved in the diving, dive travel and underwater filmmaking communities. He continues to work hard at his art, while putting much time and energy into encouraging and assisting new videographers. Over the years, Chuck has dived all over the world, and continues to explore new dive destinations and visit his long-time favorites.
Chuck currently works in High Definition Video (HDV) format, and produces his own videos. In addition to his filmmaking work, he leads dive tours all over the world, and is always willing to take time on his trips to help out the newer underwater videographer. Chuck is one of the founding organizers of the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition.
Mary Lynn Price is a video journalist, underwater videographer, and pioneering video podcaster based in San Diego, California. Her work has appeared in nationally broadcast documentaries, award-winning news packages and educational productions. She is a certified Apple Pro in Final Cut Pro 6 and teaches video editing on land and at sea. She’s worked as onboard videographer and dvd producer for San Diego Shark Diving Expeditions, and as guest videographer aboard such dive boats as the Nautilus Explorer. She authored and co-produced with Marty Snyderman the DVD, “Sharks and their Kin with Marty Snyderman.” Mary Lynn produces videos for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library on Scripps diving history using Scripps Archives material and interviews with Scripps scientists and pioneers. She is also produces videos and podcasts for online news and travel organizations.
Mary Lynn is the producer of DiveFilm Podcast Videos, which are “Featured TV & Film Podcasts” and “Featured HD Video Podcasts” at iTunes, and are produced in association with Wetpixel. In 2000, she launched what was one of the first websites dedicated to showcasing underwater video, DiveFilm.com. Through these efforts, her editing seminars, and her work as a founding organizer of the San Diego Undersea Film Exhibition, Mary Lynn works to promote the creation of short underwater videos by filmmakers, amateur and professional alike, all over the world.
Eric Cheng is an underwater photographer who has become known around the world for his expertise in underwater imaging. He has meticulously documented his travels 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 has placed some of his work in the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum. Eric also leads trips and has given workshops and seminars in locations around the world.
Dr Alexander Mustard is both a marine biologist 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. 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. Alex is also the brains behind Magic filters - filters designed specifically for available light underwater photography with digital cameras. 
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 
Since 1995, Tony has combined his love of visual art with his interest in the marine world through underwater photography, and he has concentrated on using his photographs and writing to encourage others to appreciate and protect the beauty of the oceans. Tony is currently Associate Editor of FiNS Magazine in Asia, and his photographs and essays appear regularly in periodicals and newspapers around the world.
Born and raised in Texas, Ric’s photographic journey began with participating in and shooting the skateboarding scene. Many scrapes and scars later, swimming with the sharks seemed like an equally stimulating experience. This led this aqua man to pursue his interests at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. Over Ten years later, having become one of the most skilled, experienced and versatile underwater photographer in the world, Ric has redefined the art of underwater photography shooting everything ranging from people, props and sets, to ocean life. With a focus on advertising and editorial, Ric offers a relaxed and efficient working environment however complex or simple the shot or campaign. Recently he has shot for advertising clients such as Bayer, Mcdonald’s, MTV, and Shell Oil, as well as recent editorial clients Elle, ESPN, GQ, People, and Shape. 
Emmy Award-winning Chuck Nicklin has filmmaking experience in Imax, Omnimax, Circlevision, 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, Panavision, digital film and video formats. Feature film credits include The Abyss, The Deep, Never Say Never, For Your Eyes Only, and Love Is Forever. 
Mary Lynn Price is a video journalist, underwater videographer, and pioneering video podcaster based in San Diego, California. Her work has appeared in nationally broadcast documentaries, award-winning news packages and educational productions. She is a certified Apple Pro in Final Cut Pro 6 and teaches video editing on land and at sea. She’s worked as onboard videographer and dvd producer for San Diego Shark Diving Expeditions, and as guest videographer aboard such dive boats as the Nautilus Explorer. She authored and co-produced with Marty Snyderman the DVD, “Sharks and their Kin with Marty Snyderman.” Mary Lynn produces videos for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library on Scripps diving history using Scripps Archives material and interviews with Scripps scientists and pioneers. She is also produces videos and podcasts for online news and travel organizations.