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Our World Underwater 2008

Best of Show by Borut Furlan
Best of Show

PHOTOGRAPHER
Borut Furlan

CATEGORY
Environment and Conservation
Gold

3rd Annual Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide International Underwater Photography & Video Competition

IN ASSOCIATION WITH OUR WORLD UNDERWATER

Over $50,000 in Prizes!

WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!

Wetpixel.com and DivePhotoGuide.com are proud to announce the winners of their 3rd annual underwater photography & video competition in association with Our World Underwater, which celebrates the beauty and delicacy of the marine environment. The competition has become the “Superbowl” of international underwater imagery competitions, with world-class prizes, celebrity judges, and the opportunity to have your images showcased to the world as some of the planet’s best. Congratulations to the winners!

 
Photographers & videographers competed in seven still-image categories and two video categories, to win more than $50,000 in prizes including premium dive travel, underwater photo/video and diving equipment and more! Dive packages to some of the top photo destinations in the world, including Socoros Islands, Wakatobi-Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Ambon-Indonesia, the Red Sea, Grand Cayman, the Solomon Islands and Vietnam and other prizes including camera housings, strobes, lighting systems, and other valuable items were awarded to the winners and announced during the 38th annual Our World Underwater show in Chicago. The competition included a category for images that focus on conservation and the marine environment, and one specifically for entries taken by compact digital cameras.

Celebrity judges included leading professional underwater photographers, cinematographers and editors: Eric Cheng, Berkley White, Tony Wu, Ric Frazier, Chuck Nicklin. and Mary Lynn Price.

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.

Congratulations again to all of the winners from around the world!

Winners
BEST OF SHOW
Best of Show by Borut Furlan

Environment and Conservation
Gold
Borut Furlan Slovenia
Macro Traditional
Gold
Urchin Abstract by Mike Roberts  (USA)

Mike Roberts
USA

"Urchin Abstract"
Location:
Silver
Eel in Sponge by Keri Wilk (Canada)

Keri Wilk
Canada

"Eel in Sponge"
Location:
Bronze
Goby on Coral by Todd Mintz  (Canada)

Todd Mintz
Canada

"Goby on Coral"
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Guenther Dietmar  ()

Guenther Dietmar

""
Location:
Macro Unrestricted
Gold
 by Anders Salesjö (Sweden)

Anders Salesjö
Sweden

""
Location:
Silver
 by Jorgen Rasmussen  ()

Jorgen Rasmussen

""
Location:
Bronze
 by Anders Salesjö (Sweden)

Anders Salesjö
Sweden

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Borut Furlan  (Slovenia)

Borut Furlan
Slovenia

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Alexey Stoyda  ()

Alexey Stoyda

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Beo Brockhausen  ()

Beo Brockhausen

""
Location:
Wide Angle Traditional
Gold
 by Douglas Hoffman  ()

Douglas Hoffman

""
Location:
Silver
 by Aaron Wong (Singapore)

Aaron Wong
Singapore

""
Location:
Bronze
 by Noam  Kortler (Israel)

Noam Kortler
Israel

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Noam  Kortler (Israel)

Noam Kortler
Israel

""
Location:
Wide Angle Unrestricted
Gold
 by Dale Sanders  ()

Dale Sanders

""
Location:
Silver
 by Aaron Wong (Singapore)

Aaron Wong
Singapore

""
Location:
Bronze
 by Olaf Veltman  ()

Olaf Veltman

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Jeffrey Hartog  ()

Jeffrey Hartog

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Olaf Veltman  ()

Olaf Veltman

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Dale Sanders  ()

Dale Sanders

""
Location:
Compact Cameras
Gold
 by Julie Lucas  ()

Julie Lucas

""
Location:
Silver
 by William Goodwin  ()

William Goodwin

""
Location:
Bronze
 by Maria Frontado  ()

Maria Frontado

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Margo Cavis  ()

Margo Cavis

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Karen Doody (United States)

Karen Doody
United States

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Erwin Kodiat  ()

Erwin Kodiat

""
Location:
Environment and Conservation
Gold
 by Borut Furlan  (Slovenia)

Borut Furlan
Slovenia

""
Location:
Silver
 by Aaron Wong (Singapore)

Aaron Wong
Singapore

""
Location:
Bronze
 by Carol Grant  ()

Carol Grant

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by John Scarlett  ()

John Scarlett

""
Location:
Honorable Mention
 by Andre Seale (United States)

Andre Seale
United States

""
Location:
Video Winners
Gold
Conservation Video
Mark Santa-Maria
Gold
General Video
Mike Boom
Categories
PHOTO
Macro Traditional

Any close-up image captured with a macro lens, where the reproduction ratio is between 1:10 and 1:1, or greater. 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 enables 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. Please do not submit cropped or manipulated entries in this category.

Macro Unrestricted

Any close-up image captured with a macro lens, where the reproduction ratio is between 1:10 and 1:1, or greater. Unlike the "Traditional" divisions, the "Unrestricted" divisions have no specific rules regarding digital manipulation. However, 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

Any image captured with a wide-angle lens (focal length 35mm or less in 35mm format). 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 enables 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. Please do not submit cropped or manipulated entries in this category.

Wide Angle Unrestricted

Any image captured with a wide-angle lens (focal length 35mm or less in 35mm format). Unlike the "Traditional" divisions, the "Unrestricted" divisions have no specific rules regarding digital manipulation. However, as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make.

Compact Cameras

Any image taken by a point-and-shoot, non-DSLR, non-interchangeable-lens camera.
Any camera with interchangeable lenses is not considered a compact, so images taken with such cameras must not be entered into this category.

Environment and Conservation

Underwater images of all kinds, taken by any camera, with a focus on marine or freshwater environment and conservation. Subject matter must address a marine or freshwater-related environmental issue. The goal in this category is to convey a real-world message.

VIDEO
Short Film

Any film five minutes or less in duration. At least 50% of the footage must be shot underwater.

Conservation Video

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
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.

Eric's underwater images can be found on personal website: http://echeng.com/travel/

Dr. Alexander Mustard

Dr Alexander Mustard is both a marine biologist and also as 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.

More about Alex at http://amustard.com

Berkley White

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. In recent years, Tony has devoted the majority of his time to the challenging disciplines of cetacean photography and documenting mass spawning aggregations of fish.

Tony’s images have received international awards in Japan, Europe and the US, including Grand Prize in Japan’s largest marine photo contest, first place in the underwater category of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, and the award for “Best Book of the Year” at the 28th annual Antibes Festival of Marine Images in France for his book Silent Symphony.

Keep up with Tony's activities at: http://www.tonywublog.com/journal

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.

Ric's website: Frazierproductions.com






Chuck Nicklin 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.

Chuck’s website:  http://ChuckNicklin.com

Prizes
Live aboard trips to Soccoro (Revillagigedos Archipelago) Mexico
9 day live aboard trips to Soccoro (Revillagigedos Archipelago) Mexico
Live aboard or resort trips to Wakatobi, Indonesia with Wakatobi Resort & Pelagian Yacht
7 day live aboard or resort trips to Wakatobi, Indonesia with Wakatobi Resort & Pelagian Yacht
Dive Papua New Guinea with Walindi Plantation Resort
7 day dive resort trips to Papua New Guinea with Walindi Plantation Resort
Live aboard trips to Ambon, Indonesia with Archipelago Fleet
7 day live aboard trips to Ambon, Indonesia with Archipelago Fleet
Live aboard trips to the Red Sea with Emperor Divers
7 day live aboard trips to the Red Sea with Emperor Divers
Dive Grand Cayman with Divetech @ Cobalt Coast Resort
7 day dive resort trips to Grand Cayman with Divetech @ Cobalt Coast Resort
Dive Vietnam with Rainbow Divers & Sunrise Beach Resort
7 day dive trips to Vietnam with Rainbow Divers & Sunrise Beach Resort
Underwater housings & strobes from Sea & Sea
Underwater housings & strobes from Sea & Sea, including 2 YS-250 strobes, 2 YS-110 strobes, TTL converters and gift certificates towards new MDSX housings
Dive equipment from Mares
Various dive equipment packages from Mares
Underwater video housings from Amphibico
Gift Certificates towards underwater video housings from Amphibico
Live aboard trip to the Solomon Islands with Bilikiki Cruises
7 day live aboard trip to the Solomon Islands with Bilikiki Cruises
Underwater focus lights from Nocturnal Lights
SLX underwater focus lights from Nocturnal Lights
Underwater torches from Ikelite
Underwater torches from Ikelite
Gift Certificates From Ultralight Control Systems
$100 gift certificates for accessories from Ultralight Control Systems
Signed Books from Wyland
Signed Books from Wyland
Signed Cpies of H2O by Howard Schatz