Email Address:
Password:
Sponsors
Wakatobi
MV FeBrina
SEA&SEA
Nai\'a
Worldwide Dive and Sail
Cassiopeia & Andromeda Safaris
DiveTech & Cobalt Coast Resort
Captain Don\'s Habitat
Rainbow Divers
Bilikiki Cruises
Gulen Dive Resort
Canon
Nocturnal Lights
Wyland

Our World Underwater 2011

Best of Show by Anatoly Beloshchin
Best of Show

PHOTOGRAPHER
Anatoly Beloshchin

CATEGORY
Commercial, Conceptual & Fashion
Gold
6TH ANNUAL OUR WORLD UNDERWATER INTERNATIONAL UNDERWATER PHOTO & VIDEO COMPETITION

HOSTED BY DIVEPHOTOGUIDE.COM & WETPIXEL.COM


The Our World Underwater international underwater photography and video competition has become one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. The competition celebrates and highlights the art of underwater photography as well as the beauty of the ocean. Underwater photographers and videographers have become the unsung heroes of the most important ecosystem on earth. During a time when the oceans are in crisis, a growing global community of scuba divers and photographers have become the eyes and ears of the ocean, helping to educate and inspire the rest of the world.


Thousands of entries from underwater photographers around the world, from novice to professionals compete annually in what has become the “Superbowl” of international underwater imagery events. This year over $75,000 of world-class prizes were awarded.

Congratulations to Anatoly Beloshchin from Russia. who won Best of Show for his 1st place image from the new Commercial, Conceptual and Fashion category.

Winners were announced live on stage during the Our World Underwater film festival in Chicago (February 18 & 19, 2011), and will be published by supporting media partners worldwide. You can enjoy the winning images below. Winning videos will also be broadcast as episodes on the iTunes-featured DiveFilm Podcast Video.

As with all UnderwaterCompetition.com events, 15% of entry proceeds will be donated to marine conservation efforts.

The judges and staff at DivePhotoGuide.com and Wetpixel.com congratulate all the participants - the level of imagery was outstanding. The winners, who represent 19 countries, should be proud for producing the best underwater images f the year!

 



Winners
BEST OF SHOW
Best of Show by Anatoly Beloshchin

Commercial, Conceptual & Fashion
Gold
Anatoly Beloshchin Russian Federation
Macro Traditional
Gold
Looking at me by Shen Collazo (United States)

Shen Collazo
United States

"Looking at me"
Location: Blue Heron Bridge- Palm Beach.
Silver
Fluorescent fireworm by David Barrio (Spain)

David Barrio
Spain

"Fluorescent fireworm"
Location: Gran Canaria, Spain
Bronze
Moray by Keri Wilk (Canada)

Keri Wilk
Canada

"Moray"
Location: Solomon Islands
Honorable Mention
DEEP THROAT by Esteban Toré (Spain)

Esteban Toré
Spain

"DEEP THROAT"
Location: Eilat (Israel)
Macro Unrestricted
Gold
Prying eyes by Uwe Schmolke (Germany)

Uwe Schmolke
Germany

"Prying eyes"
Location: Indonesia
Silver
Parrotfish and shrimp by Fabien Michenet (France)

Fabien Michenet
France

"Parrotfish and shrimp"
Location: Raiatea, French polynesia
Bronze
The Dragon Stare by Christian Loader (Indonesia)

Christian Loader
Indonesia

"The Dragon Stare"
Location: South Australia
Honorable Mention
Garden eel closeup by EunJae Im (South Korea)

EunJae Im
South Korea

"Garden eel closeup"
Location: dauin, philippine
Honorable Mention
Star is Born by Wayne  MacWilliams (United States)

Wayne MacWilliams
United States

"Star is Born"
Location: Bonaire
Super Macro Traditional
Gold
Skeleton Shrimp by Indra Swari Wonowidjojo (Indonesia)

Indra Swari Wonowidjojo
Indonesia

"Skeleton Shrimp"
Location: Flores
Silver
Posture by Mark Fuller (Israel)

Mark Fuller
Israel

"Posture"
Location: Eilat Red sea
Bronze
Bokeh Triplefin Blenny by Will Clark (United Kingdom)

Will Clark
United Kingdom

"Bokeh Triplefin Blenny"
Location: Talumben, Bali
Honorable Mention
Bubble Coral Shrimp by Maxim Tomashevich (Russian Federation)

Maxim Tomashevich
Russian Federation

"Bubble Coral Shrimp"
Location: Mabul island, Malaysia
Wide Angle Traditional
Gold
Mangrove Crocodile by Keri Wilk (Canada)

Keri Wilk
Canada

"Mangrove Crocodile"
Location: Solomon Islands
Silver
Squid Fiesta by Chris Gug (United States)

Chris Gug
United States

"Squid Fiesta"
Location: Lighthouse Reef, Belize
Bronze
Under Ice by Gazzaroli Claudio (Switzerland)

Gazzaroli Claudio
Switzerland

"Under Ice"
Location: Switzerland
Wide Angle Unrestricted
Gold
Dive Buddies by Mark van Coller ()

Mark van Coller

"Dive Buddies"
Location: Port St Johns / South Africa
Silver
SKULL and DIVER by Aaron Wong (Singapore)

Aaron Wong
Singapore

"SKULL and DIVER"
Location: Cenote Mexico
Bronze
raggy in the kelp forest by dennis vandermeersch (Belgium)

dennis vandermeersch
Belgium

"raggy in the kelp forest"
Location: capetown, sa
Honorable Mention
Threertles by Pedro Carrillo (Spain)

Pedro Carrillo
Spain

"Threertles"
Location: Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Honorable Mention
Crocodile by Keri Wilk (Canada)

Keri Wilk
Canada

"Crocodile"
Location: Solomon Islands
Novice
Gold
Cleaning the eel by Bruno Moors (Belgium)

Bruno Moors
Belgium

"Cleaning the eel"
Location: Bali, Seraya secrets
Silver
Surprise! by Tina Rast (Germany)

Tina Rast
Germany

"Surprise!"
Location: Anilao, Philippines
Bronze
Juan Pablo 4 by Christian Vizl (Mexico)

Christian Vizl
Mexico

"Juan Pablo 4"
Location: Ixtapa, México
Commercial, Conceptual & Fashion
Gold
Sea Princess by Anatoly Beloshchin (Russian Federation)

Anatoly Beloshchin
Russian Federation

"Sea Princess"
Location: \"Aktun Ha\" cave entrance. Mexico
Silver
Underwater fantasy by Anatoly Beloshchin (Russian Federation)

Anatoly Beloshchin
Russian Federation

"Underwater fantasy"
Location: \\
Bronze
Planetarium by Bartosz Strozynski (Poland)

Bartosz Strozynski
Poland

"Planetarium"
Location: Wel River
Honorable Mention
Alice in Waterland by Elena Kalis ()

Elena Kalis

"Alice in Waterland"
Location: The Bahamas
Honorable Mention
Pause by Mark Tipple (Australia)

Mark Tipple
Australia

"Pause"
Location: Bronte beach, Sydney
Honorable Mention
Army Water Polo Team by Zac Macaulay ()

Zac Macaulay

"Army Water Polo Team"
Location: United Kingdom
Compact: Wide Angle
Gold
C-47 by Oktay Calisir (United Kingdom)

Oktay Calisir
United Kingdom

"C-47"
Location: Turkey - Bodrum
Silver
Manatee magic by Leena Roy ()

Leena Roy

"Manatee magic"
Location: Crystal river, florida
Bronze
Religious Experience by Matthew Tworkowski (Australia)

Matthew Tworkowski
Australia

"Religious Experience"
Location: Under Flinders Pier in Australia
Compact: Macro
Gold
Say AAAH! by Marcus Commodore (Canada)

Marcus Commodore
Canada

"Say AAAH!"
Location: Koh Ha, Thailand
Silver
The parent by Tamás Szabó (Hungary)

Tamás Szabó
Hungary

"The parent"
Location: Red Sea, Egypt
Bronze
Flame under water by Tamás Szabó (Hungary)

Tamás Szabó
Hungary

"Flame under water"
Location: Corfu island, Greece
Honorable Mention
Furious by Tamás Szabó (Hungary)

Tamás Szabó
Hungary

"Furious"
Location: Red Sea, Egypt
Video: General
Gold
General Video
Simon Spear
"Circle of Life"
Silver
General Video
Zsolt Sasdi
"Blue Eden"
Video: Conservation
Gold
Conservation Video
Simon Spear
"Hope"
Silver
Conservation Video
Edward Snijers
"Scheldt Estuary"
Bronze
Conservation Video
Josh Jensen
"Galapagos, Evolution to Extinction"
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.

Novice

Since participating in competitions is a way to progress one's photography, we have established a new Novice category. This category is specifically for amateur and novice photographers who do not want to compete with more established photographers. Ultimately the final decision to compete in this category is yours, however, we have established some basic guidelines and restrictions. 1. Have been shooting underwater less than 5 years 2. Never placed (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in a major competition 3. Never won more than $100 (value) in a photo competition 4. Never licensed an image for more than $100.

Commercial, Conceptual & Fashion

Any non-wildlife focused underwater images of commercial, conceptual or fashion related subjects.
Images can be shot in a pool or in the wild, but the primary subject should not be wildlife.

Compact: Wide Angle

Wide angle underwater images 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 sometimes 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.

Compact: Macro

Macro underwater images 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 sometimes 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.

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.

Prize Assignments
Anatoly Beloshchin  $1,000 Cash; 9 day trip to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V; SEA&SEA YS-250 Strobe
Simon Spear  9 day trip to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V; Nocturnal Lights 800i SLX; Mask & Fins set from Cressi 
Keri Wilk  10 day package to Indonesia at Wakatobi Resort of Pelagian Dive Yacht; Nocturnal Lights 800i SLX 
Tamás Szabó  10 day package to Indonesia at Wakatobi Resort of Pelagian Dive Yacht 
Oktay Calisir  10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trip aboard Febrina 
Shen Collazo  10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trip aboard Febrina 
Marcus Commodore  7 day Fiji live aboard trip aboard Nai'a 
Bruno Moors  7 day Fiji live aboard trip aboard Nai'a 
Uwe Schmolke  10 night package to Komodo, Raja Ampat, Thailand or Philippines with Worldwide Dive and Sail 
Mark van Coller  10 night package to Komodo, Raja Ampat, Thailand or Philippines with Worldwide Dive and Sail 
Indra Swari Wonowidjojo  6 night package to Vietnam with Rainbow Divers and Novotel Resort 
David Barrio  6 night package to Vietnam with Rainbow Divers and Novotel Resort  
Mark Fuller  10 day Solomon Island live aboard trips aboard Bilikiki 
Christopher Guglielmo  Red Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards 
Edard Snijers  Red Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards 
Zsolt Sasdi  5 night package in Grand Cayman with Dive Tech and Cobalt Coast Resort 
Fabien Michenet  5 night package in Grand Cayman with Dive Tech and Cobalt Coast Resort 
Aaron Wong  7 day package to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort 
Josh Jensen  7 day package to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort 
Tina Rast  7 night package in Bonaire with Captain Don's Habitat 
Leena Roy  7 night package in Bonaire with Captain Don's Habitat 
Will Clark  SEA&SEA YS-110a Strobe 
Dennis Vandermeersch  SEA&SEA YS-110a Strobe 
Christian Loader SEA&SEA YS250 Strobe
Bartosz Strozynski SEA&SEA YS250 Strobe
Matthew Tworkowski  SEA&SEA YS-110a Strobe 
Claudio Gazzaroli, Christian Vizi, Pedro Carrillo, EunJae Im, Elena Kalis, Zac Macaulay, Mark Tipple, Maxim Tomashevich, Esteban Toré Mask & Fins set from Cressi
Prizes
9 day trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V
10 day packages to Indonesia at Wakatobi Resort of Pelagian Dive Yacht
10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trips aboard Febrina
YS-250 and YS-110a Strobes from SEA&SEA
7 day Fiji live aboard trips aboard Nai'a
10 night packages to Komodo, Raja Ampat, Thailand or Philippines with Worldwide Dive and Sail
Red Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards

One week Red Sea live aboard packages aboard Cassiopeia or Andromeda.

5 night packages in Grand Cayman with Dive Tech and Cobalt Coast Resort
7 night packages in Bonaire with Captain Don's Habitat
6 night packages to Vietnam with Rainbow Divers and Novotel Resort
10 day Solomon Island live aboard trips aboard Bilikiki
7 day packages to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort
Canon 7D and lens package
800i SLX lights from Nocturnal Lights
Signed Books from Wyland
Judges
Dietmar Fuchs

Dietmar Fuchs is the editor-in-chief of Germany's largest scuba diving magazine, Unterwasser.

Born in Germany in 1958. Dietmar was a Jet-Pilot in the German Air Force from 1978 –1982. 1982 –1984  he became a Divemaster/1st Officer on a Swiss Treasure-Hunter in the Caribbean. 1984 –1985  Dive Instructor and Charterboat-Captain in Caribbean. 1985 – 1993  Studied Marine Biology in Munich Maximilian University and in 1994 earned a Master in Marine Biology with a Rolex Award for »Strombus« Research. From 1988 – 1993  Dietmar was Editor in Chief of Swiss Scuba-Magazine »Aquananut«. Since 1994 Dietmar has held the position of Editor in Chief of German Scuba Magazine »Unterwasser«. In 2008 Dietmar also launched UW-Photo-Magazine »Fifty Fathoms«.


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

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/

Howard and Michele Hall

Howard and Michele Hall are wildlife filmmakers who specializes in marine wildlife films.  Working as a team Howard and Michele have produced and directed many television films including a National Geographic Special, three episodes of the PBS series Nature and the five-hour PBS series Secrets of the Ocean Realm. Their television work has resulted in seven Emmy Awards.

The Hall’s are perhaps best known for their underwater IMAX films.  In 1994 Howard directed the first-ever underwater IMAX 3D feature, Into the Deep, and in 1998 he directed and Michele produced the IMAX film, Island of the Sharks. The Hall’s returned to the IMAX 3D format in 2005 when Michele produced and Howard directed the Warner Bros. IMAX feature Deep Sea 3D, a film that has grossed $90 million at the box office.  In 2009 the Hall’s followed Deep Sea 3D with the award-winning sequel, Under the Sea 3D. 

Howard and Michele have participated in many other underwater IMAX productions in various capacities and in 2002 their underwater production team was featured in the MacGillivray Freeman’s IMAX film Coral Reef Adventure.

Matt Weiss

Matt Weiss is the owner, publisher and editor-in-chief of DivePhotoGuide.com, a leading underwater photography media publication with over 50,000 worldwide monthly readers.  Matt has been working full time at DPG since 2009, and for years was the world’s only full time underwater photography editor.  Matt also helped found the New York Underwater Photographic Society, where he currently serves as the co-president. 

Matt spends over a third of the year in the field shooting assignments and running workshops for numerous print and digital publications.  In 2011, Matt co-founded Scuba Diver Through The Lens, the world’s first international underwater photography print magazine that will be published quarterly beginning in 2012 and distributed in New York, Munich and Singapore. 

VIDEO JUDGES
Eric Hanauer

Eric Hanuer published his first underwater image and article, in Skin Diver magazine,  in 1977.  Over the past 30 years, his photos and articles have been published in magazines, books, posters, and CDs worldwide.  He has written guidebooks to the Red Sea and Micronesia, as well as an oral history of diving in America (ehanauer.com).  Recently Hanauer began shooting underwater video, and his work has been selected for showing in festivals, on the internet, on iTunes, and in TV commercials.

Born in Stuttgart, Germany and raised in Chicago, Eric was educated in the Chicago Public Schools, then earned a BS in Physical Education at George Williams College, and an MS in Physical Education at UCLA. His wife, Karen Straus, is also an active diver and underwater photographer. They live in San Diego. More about Eric can be found on his website  www.ehanauer.com

Mary Lynn Price

Mary Lynn Price is a video journalist and producer, founder of DiveFilm.com. She is the executive producer of the iTunes featured podcast, DiveFilm HD Video, and is a founding organizer of the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition. She teaches video editing and storytelling on land and at sea, and is an Apple certified pro in Final Cut Pro 7.  More about Mary Lynn can be found at her website, marylynnprice.com.

Steve Douglas

Steve Douglas is a certified Apple Pro for Final Cut Pro 6 and underwater videographer. A winner of the 1999 Pacific Coast Underwater Film Competition, 2003 IVIE competition, 2004 Los Angeles Underwater Photographic competition, and the prestigious 2005 International Beneath the Sea Film Competition, where he also won the Stan Waterman Award for Excellence in Underwater Videography and 'Diver of the Year,' Steve was a safety diver on the feature film "The Deep Blue Sea," contributed footage to the Seaworld Park's Atlantis production, the History Channel's MegaDisaster show, and his first, recently aired National Geographic special segment on Marlin.  Steve is a feature writer for Asian Diver Magazine and the Final Cut Pro editing websites, www.kenstone.net and www.lafcpug.org and continues to conduct filming and editing seminars for both private and group audiences.  A regular speaker and presenter for many dive clubs,  Steve is one of the founding organizers of the San Diego UnderSea Film Exhibition and leads both underwater filming expeditions and African safaris.