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Our World Underwater 2013

Best of Show by Sam
Best of Show

PHOTOGRAPHER
Sam Cahir

CATEGORY
Wide Angle Unrestricted
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, Vincent Laforet, Keri Wilk, Mary Lynn Price, Steve Douglas, Eric Hanauer. They went through thousands of images and videos taken by novice to professional photographers and videographers from around the world.


$40,000 in prizes were awarded to the winners, who represented more than 15 countries.  Congratulations to Sam Cahir who won Best of Show for his 1st place image from the Wide Angle Unrestricted category.


Winners were announced live on stage during the Our World Underwater film festival in Chicago (February 15 & 16, 2013), 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
Ice bubbles by Jonas Thormar (Denmark)
Jonas Thormar
Denmark

"Ice bubbles"
Location: Lake, Jutland, Denmark
Silver
The Life by JOAQUIN GUTIERREZ ()
JOAQUIN GUTIERREZ

"The Life"
Location: Tenerife
Bronze
Swimming in the Sunset by Nicholas Samaras (Greece)
Nicholas Samaras
Greece

"Swimming in the Sunset"
Location: Chalkidiki / Greece
Macro Unrestricted
Gold
Colorful Reflection by Todd Bretl (United States)
Todd Bretl
United States

"Colorful Reflection"
Location: Anilao, Philippines
Silver
TOTEM by domenico roscigno ()
domenico roscigno

"TOTEM"
Location: LEMBEH
Bronze
flying eight legs by Alan Lo (Hong Kong)
Alan Lo
Hong Kong

"flying eight legs"
Location: tulamben, bali, indonesia
Wide Angle Traditional
Gold
David and Goliath by Octavio Aburto (United States)
Octavio Aburto
United States

"David and Goliath"
Location: Cabo Pulmo, Mexico
Silver
Yellow, Red and Blue by David Salvatori (Italy)
David Salvatori
Italy

"Yellow, Red and Blue"
Location: Scilla (RC), Italy
Bronze
Tarpon Feed by Glen Cowans ()
Glen Cowans

"Tarpon Feed"
Location: Grand Cayman
Wide Angle Unrestricted
Gold
Paris the Mako shark by Sam Cahir ()
Sam Cahir

"Paris the Mako shark"
Location: Neptune Islands, South Australia
Silver
Cloud of Tadpoles by Eiko Jones ()
Eiko Jones

"Cloud of Tadpoles"
Location: Campbell River BC Canada
Bronze
Make Room for Me! by Amanda Nicholls (Cayman Islands)
Amanda Nicholls
Cayman Islands

"Make Room for Me!"
Location: Eden Rock, Grand Cayman
Honorable Mention
Pelican Trio by Justin Gilligan (Australia)
Justin Gilligan
Australia

"Pelican Trio"
Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Compact Cameras
Gold
My personal carpet by federica bambi ()
federica bambi

"My personal carpet"
Location: Cabilao Island (Philippines)
Silver
Sea horse and wreck by Dany Weinberg (Israel)
Dany Weinberg
Israel

"Sea horse and wreck"
Location: Eilat- Israel, mosquito wreck
Bronze
Goby on whip coral by Amir Stern (Israel)
Amir Stern
Israel

"Goby on whip coral"
Location: Red Sea
Novice
Gold
Enamored by Graceful Flight by Sami Abdelmalik ()
Sami Abdelmalik

"Enamored by Graceful Flight"
Location: Socorro Island
Silver
Boundless by Katy Danca Galli ()
Katy Danca Galli

"Boundless"
Location: Deep Water Cay, Bahamas
Bronze
Godmother by Alex Rush (Russian Federation)
Alex Rush
Russian Federation

"Godmother"
Location: Thailand, Richelieu Rock
Commercial, Conceptual & Fashion
Gold
Taking the Spotlight by Shawn Heinrichs (United States)
Shawn Heinrichs
United States

"Taking the Spotlight"
Location: Philippines
Silver
Perfect Harmony by Shawn Heinrichs (United States)
Shawn Heinrichs
United States

"Perfect Harmony"
Location: Philippines
Bronze
Wonder(ful) Water Woman by Pauline G (United States)
Pauline G
United States

"Wonder(ful) Water Woman"
Location: Indoor Pool, California
Honorable Mention
Lady of Orda Cave by Viktor Lyagushkin (Russian Federation)
Viktor Lyagushkin
Russian Federation

"Lady of Orda Cave"
Location: Orda cave. Ural. Russia
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.

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
Shawn Heinrichs10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trips aboard Febrina
YS-250 or YS-D1 Strobes from SEA&SEA
Sam Cahir9 day trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V
$1000 Cash
Octavio Aburto9 day trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V
Jonas Thormar10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trips aboard Febrina
Todd Bretl7 and 10 day Siren Palau or Komodo itineraries
federica bambi7 and 10 day Siren Palau or Komodo itineraries
David Salvatori7 Day Red Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards
Eiko Jones7 Day Red Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards
Dany WeinbergYS-250 or YS-D1 Strobes from SEA&SEA
domenico roscignoYS-250 or YS-D1 Strobes from SEA&SEA
Katy Danca GalliYS-250 or YS-D1 Strobes from SEA&SEA
Sami AbdelmalikYS-250 or YS-D1 Strobes from SEA&SEA
Glen CowansYS-250 or YS-D1 Strobes from SEA&SEA
JOAQUIN GUTIERREZ7 day packages to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort
Amir SternW2 5 or 7mm and W3 3.5mm fullsuit from Waterproof
Alex RushW2 5 or 7mm and W3 3.5mm fullsuit from Waterproof
Alan Lo+10 Subsee Magnifier with custom adapter from ReefNet
Nicholas Samaras i-torch Pro 4 from I-DIVESITE
Pauline G i-torch Pro 4 from I-DIVESITE
Amanda Nicholls i-torch Pro 4 from I-DIVESITE
Prize Details
9 day trips to the Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro), aboard Solmar V
10 day Papua New Guinea live aboard trips aboard Febrina
7 and 10 day Siren Palau or Komodo itineraries
YS-250 or YS-D1 Strobes from SEA&SEA
7 Day Red Sea Live Aboard Trip with Cassiopeia and Andromeda Live Aboards
DS-160 Strobes from Ikelite
7 day packages to Norway at Gulen Dive Resort
W2 5 or 7mm and W3 3.5mm fullsuit from Waterproof
i-torch Pro 4 from I-DIVESITE
$1000 Cash

$1000 Cash

Signed Books from Wyland
+10 Subsee Magnifier with custom adapter from ReefNet
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.

Vincent Laforet

Vincent, a three-time winner at the prestigious 2010 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, is a DGA director and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who is known for his forward-thinking approach to image-making and storytelling. In addition to having been commissioned by just about every important international publication--including Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek, and Life--Vincent is considered a pioneer both for his innovative tilt-shift and aerial photography and in the field of HD-capable DSLR cameras.

In 2005, American Photo named him one of the "100 Most Influential People in Photography," and his work has been recognized in the Communication Arts and PDN annuals and by the World Press Photo Awards, the Pictures of the Year Competition, the Overseas Press Club, the National Headliners Awards, and the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.

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.