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Our World Underwater 2012

Best of Show by Jeffrey
Best of Show

PHOTOGRAPHER
Jeffrey Hartog

CATEGORY
Commercial, Conceptual & Fashion
1st Place

The Our World Underwater international underwater photography and video competition has become known as the "Superbowl" of underwater imaging events. The competition celebrates and highlights both art of underwater photography as well as the beauty of the ocean.


This year the celebrity panel of judges included Alex Mustard, Berkley White, Brian Skerry, Keri Willk and Matt Weiss. They went through thousands of images taken by novice to professional photographers from around the world.


$60,000 in prizes were awarded to the winners, who represented more than 15 countries.  Congratulations to Jeffrey Hartog . who won Best of Show for his 1st place image from the Commercial, Conceptual and Fashion category.


Winners were announced live on stage during the Our World Underwater film festival in Chicago (February 17 & 18, 2012), 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.

Winners
Macro Traditional
Gold
Th Kill by Luc Eeckhaut (Belgium)
Luc Eeckhaut
Belgium

"Th Kill"
Location: Dahab Egypt
Silver
fairy snoot shrimp by Adriano Morettin (Italy)
Adriano Morettin
Italy

"fairy snoot shrimp"
Location: Adriatic Sea near Rijeka, Croatia
Bronze
on the feather by Adriano Morettin (Italy)
Adriano Morettin
Italy

"on the feather"
Location: Papua New Guinea, Bismark Sea
Macro Unrestricted
Gold
Unwelcome Mouthguest by Ross Gudgeon (Australia)
Ross Gudgeon
Australia

"Unwelcome Mouthguest"
Location: Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth WA Australia
Silver
10,000 Receptors by Jeffrey de Guzman (Philippines)
Jeffrey de Guzman
Philippines

"10,000 Receptors"
Location: Anilao Batangas Philippines
Bronze
Madame de Pompadour by Adriano Morettin (Italy)
Adriano Morettin
Italy

"Madame de Pompadour"
Location: Papua New Guinea, Bismark Sea
Honorable Mention
Cumanotus beaumonti by Christian Skauge (Norway)
Christian Skauge
Norway

"Cumanotus beaumonti"
Location: Gulen Dive Resort, Norway
Super Macro Traditional
Gold
Brown trout embryo by Anders Salesjö (Sweden)
Anders Salesjö
Sweden

"Brown trout embryo"
Location: Kallefalls fishfarming, Sweden
Silver
Is there none? by Stefano Proakis (Italy)
Stefano Proakis
Italy

"Is there none?"
Location: Eilat - Israel
Bronze
Baby Blenny by Mark Fuller (Israel)
Mark Fuller
Israel

"Baby Blenny"
Location: Eilat Red Sea
Honorable Mention
Ascidian Forest by Raimundo Fernandez (Spain)
Raimundo Fernandez
Spain

"Ascidian Forest"
Location: Moalboal, Philippines
Wide Angle Traditional
Gold
Stingray at the sunset by Gazzaroli Claudio (Switzerland)
Gazzaroli Claudio
Switzerland

"Stingray at the sunset"
Location: Grand Cayman
Silver
I am good by Carlos Villoch (Spain)
Carlos Villoch
Spain

"I am good"
Location: Guadalupe, Mexico
Bronze
From the sun by Pedro Carrillo (Spain)
Pedro Carrillo
Spain

"From the sun"
Location: Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Honorable Mention
Prospective by Stefano Proakis (Italy)
Stefano Proakis
Italy

"Prospective"
Location: Capo d\'Acqua - Italy
Wide Angle Unrestricted
Gold
Lady Of The Deep by Jacques de Vos (South Africa)
Jacques de Vos
South Africa

"Lady Of The Deep"
Location: Ras Mohammed Park, Sinai - Egypt
Silver
Photo Flirt by Bartosz Strozynski (Poland)
Bartosz Strozynski
Poland

"Photo Flirt"
Location: White Sea
Bronze
Grand Cenote 2273 by Christian Vizl (Mexico)
Christian Vizl
Mexico

"Grand Cenote 2273"
Location: Quintana Roo, México
Honorable Mention
Close look by Rui Guerra (Portugal)
Rui Guerra
Portugal

"Close look"
Location: Cuba
Compact Cameras
Gold
\
Marco chang
Taiwan

"\"Spacecraft\" turn right"
Location: taiwan
Silver
In the sky. Red Djibouti Crab by Leena Roy ()
Leena Roy

"In the sky. Red Djibouti Crab"
Location: Djibouti
Bronze
Batfish Squadron by Stephen Holinski (Canada)
Stephen Holinski
Canada

"Batfish Squadron"
Location: Komodo, Indonesia
Honorable Mention
Lacey Rhino by Stephen Holinski (Canada)
Stephen Holinski
Canada

"Lacey Rhino"
Location: Tulamben, Indonesia
Novice
Gold
Goby in the Cave by Diego  Forero ()
Diego Forero

"Goby in the Cave"
Location: Taina\\\\\\\'s Cave ,Santo Domingo
Silver
Trendy squid by Andrea Pescarolo ()
Andrea Pescarolo

"Trendy squid"
Location: Anilao Philippines
Bronze
Hunt by Pietro Formis (Italy)
Pietro Formis
Italy

"Hunt"
Location: sharm el sheikh
Commercial, Conceptual & Fashion
Gold
Fire in the water by Jeffrey Hartog ()
Jeffrey Hartog

"Fire in the water"
Location: Ponce Inlet, Florida125
Silver
Kristina in Gold by Jeffrey Hartog ()
Jeffrey Hartog

"Kristina in Gold"
Location: Ponce Inlet, Florida
Bronze
Closed by Selmeczi Daniel (Hungary)
Selmeczi Daniel
Hungary

"Closed"
Location: Hungary, Pool
Video: General
Gold
General Video
Edward Snijders
Silver
General Video
Simon Spear
Video: Conservation
Bronze
General Video
Shawn Heinrichs
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.

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.

VIDEO
Short Film

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

Prizes
Jeffrey de GuzmanMandarin Siren Raja Ampat or Maldives itinerary
10 day Solomon Island live aboard trips aboard Bilikiki
Gazzaroli Claudio9 day trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V
Jacques de Vos9 day trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V
Ross Gudgeon10 day package to Indonesia at Wakatobi Resort or Pelagian Dive Yacht
Luc Eeckhaut10 day package to Indonesia at Wakatobi Resort or Pelagian Dive Yacht
Marco chang10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trips aboard Febrina
Diego ForeroMandarin Siren Raja Ampat or Maldives itinerary
Anders Salesjö7 day Fiji live aboard trips aboard Nai'a
Bartosz StrozynskiRed Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards
Carlos VillochRed Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards
Leena Roy7 night packages in Bonaire with Captain Don's Habitat
Adriano MorettinYS-250 and YS-110a Strobes from SEA&SEA
7 day packages to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort
Stefano Proakis7 day packages to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort
Christian Skauge800i SLX lights from Nocturnal Lights
Stephen Holinski800i SLX lights from Nocturnal Lights
Pietro Formis$100 Gift Certificate To Ultralight Control Systems
Selmeczi Daniel$100 Gift Certificate To Ultralight Control Systems
Prize Details
9 day trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V
10 day package to Indonesia at Wakatobi Resort or Pelagian Dive Yacht
10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trips aboard Febrina
Mandarin Siren Raja Ampat or Maldives itinerary
YS-250 and YS-110a Strobes from SEA&SEA
Red Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards
7 night packages in Bonaire with Captain Don's Habitat
7 day Fiji live aboard trips aboard Nai'a
10 day Solomon Island live aboard trips aboard Bilikiki
7 day packages to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort
800i SLX lights from Nocturnal Lights
Signed Books from Wyland
$100 Gift Certificate To Ultralight Control Systems
Judges
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.

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

Keri Wilk

Even at the age of 27, Keri has accumulated 17 years of underwater photography experience. Being formally educated as a mechanical engineer, he currently co-owns and develops products for ReefNet, has been a regular contributor to DivePhotoGuide.com since 2009, and does freelance work for several popular dive magazines.

Keri's photography has evolved to a tremendous degree since he took his first underwater shots. He began his career by shooting images to be used primarily in ReefNet's electronic marine life field guides, but soon grew bored of the monotony of clinical side-profile identification shots. Wanting more from his time underwater, he expanded his photographic horizons, hoping to capture images of interesting and unusual behaviors in the underwater world. His success in this field was impressive, winning him several international underwater photo competitions ñ while still a teenager.

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.