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We
have all become familiar with international underwater photographic
events, either having read about them in diving magazines
or having been fortunate enough to have taken part.
Algheromare
91, staged in Sardinia, Italy on 2-6 October was so different
to any event I have experienced in the past that I felt that
I must put pen to paper. As with most underwater photographic
competitions Algheromare 91 was sponsored by the local Tourist
Board, on this occasion in association with the Oceanographic
Institute of Monaco, CMAS, and the Federation of Italian Pescu
Sports Subaqua (FIPS).
A
total of nine photographers and their models/assistants were
invited to compete, one from each of Germany, Switzerland,
Great Britain and six from Italy.
Three
weeks prior to the competition, I received the rules and regulations
together with further information. The later included a note
to the effect that "the photographer will have to provide
.... boatman, bottles, weights and every necessary (item of)
equipment for the competition". Also included was a list
of local boat hirer's and their phone numbers. This prompted
me to contact the Tourist Board in Alghero where I was assured
that boats would be provided by the sponsor and bottles and
weights by a local diving operation. As it turned out we ended
up hiring these at a cost of nearly E2001
In
the meantime I had three weeks not only to prepare but to
find a model/assistant and put some ideas into practice. Having
dived this part of the Mediterranean previously I knew I would
have to go fully prepared and not leave anything to chance.
The
rules clearly defined two categories - Ambiance and Biology.
Six rolls of film would be provided and we would be required
to enter four pictures in each category. At this moment in
time I assumed, wrongly as it turned out, that the two categories
were open and I prepared accordingly.
We
flew Italian Airlines to Alghero via Milan and transferred
to the Hotel Faro situated just outside Alghero and overlooking
the bay of Porte Conta. Across the bay the stunning coastline
of Capo Caccia. Breathtaking high cliffs of limestone famous
for their grottos and impressive caverns of stalactites and
stalagmites which are accessible by land and sea stretch for
75 miles. Many caverns are linked by a complex network of
underwater tunnels and caves from 15 metres down to 30 metres.
During
our first day (Wednesday) we were taken diving to Capo Caccia
by Marco, Busdraghi who runs a local dive centre and also
has a reputation as the best local expert and is much sought
after. He spoke good English and we were fortunate to secure
his services for the competition.
We
dived at Madonnas Cave, marked by a plaque of the Madonna
on the cliff wall directly above the cave entrance. At 15
metres the cave entrance is large and has an impressive range
of macro life but unfortunately not much else.
That
evening there was a meeting of the competitors and the jury
to announce the themes of the two categories and ensure that
everyone understood the rules. It was then that I discovered
that the Ambiance category had to include four shots with
a human element as follows I ) a close encounter with any
marine life subject 2) using light and shade to illustrate
the magic of the caves 3) marine life of the eel grass and
4) colour of gorgonian sea fans (coralligero). Moreover, the
Biology category had to include four shots of marine life
capturing food!
By
now not only was I feeling depressed and suicidal but confused,
to say the least. And I was not alone! The jury of five for
the Ambiance category and the jury of six for the Biology
category were apparently arguing amongst themselves as to
exactly what they were looking for! Moreover a appeared that
the gorgonian sea fan had to be a brilliant red species with
no white polyps which is found at 35 to 70 metres! As for
the Biology category requiring shots of marine life feeding,
I've known photographers spend a life time trying to obtain
this type of material and we had just two days!
As
soon as the meeting finished, the competition was deemed open
and the competitors could dive at any time, day or night from
then until 2.00 p.m. Saturday, with Friday morning as a rest
period.
Talking
with other competitors over dinner it was obvious that they
were not only confused but had interpreted the themes in different
ways. Most had decided to do their own thing and hope for
the best.
THE
COMPETITION BEGINS
On
Day I of the competition (Thursday) we headed out to Capo
Caccia in a very rough sea and heavy swell only to find most
of the competitors anchored up at Madonnas Cave. This cave
became the most dived site during the event as it was the
only site with real photographic potential. Despite sea sickness,
we managed four dives before returning to the hotel. After
a rest we dived again in the early evening and at night off
the shore in the eel grass with limited success.
Day
2 started with a compulsory half day rest (to desaturate).
Late in the morning our films from Day I were returned to
us. I had been experiencing flash gun misfires, so my results
came as no surprise and meant trying to repeat a few shots.
So at 3.00 p.m. we were off again to Madonnas Cave to try
to capture the action!
That
evening was our last chance at a night dive, so we needed
to make the most of it. Altogether we spent over two hours
in the water, only prevented from spending longer in the water
by every set of torch batteries we had going flat. I was surprised
to find just how much marine life there was amongst the eel
grass - octopus, cuttlefish, sea squirts, anemones and a variety
of fish. Actually trying to capture them on film whilst feeding
was quite another story! Have you ever witnessed how quickly
a cuttlefish attacks its prey-
LAST
CHANCE
On
the final day (Saturday) we only had until 2.00 p.m. to expose
any remaining film and we had to get it right! This time we
headed out to a completely different set of caves which, because
of poor sea conditions, had been until then undiveable. Our
boatman Marco informed us that the dive could only be undertaken
with an experienced guide like himself as one could easily
become lost and once inside there is no going back. This was
one of the best sites we dived. The cave had three entrances
which eventually join up deep inside the cliff. Looking up
from within one could see the sun beaming through the three
entrances! Deep inside the cave is a tunnel which worms its
way down to 30 metres and opens on the reef face further down
the coast.
Unfortunately
Sod's Law prevailed - right camera setup but wrong subject.
Also, as with any new site, we didn't know where to find more
suitable subjects.
On
our return to the hotel we handed in our remaining films and
after lunch spent the afternoon unwinding and waiting in hope
until our films were returned at 6.30 p.m.
On
Sunday morning each competitor, witnessed by an official,
had to submit his choice of slides for each theme. There was
much discussion among the photographers as to which shots
they should submit in order to fulfill the requirements of
the jury as rolls of glorious colour film were spread out
on the light boxes provided.
Stefano
Navarrini, who apparently knew the area well and had previously
won the competition four times, was tipped to win once again.
Whether or not he was successful would be revealed that evening
at the gala awards ceremony.
The setting for the ceremony was very impressive with lavishly
set tables surrounding the swimming pool, which was half under
cover. Across the pool was a stage and a live band. Each table
had enough wine to sink a ship. The menu was a mini colour
brochure and listed, wait for it, a ten course meal. Believe
me, money at these events is no object. Unfortunately it makes
our country appear to be living in the dark ages.
After
the exhausting dinner, the projection of slides and the presentation
of awards got under way. Each portfolio was projected in alphabetical
order and a member from each jury discussed the pictures.
As this was all in Italian I didn't understand what was said,
although our boatman Marco did his best to translate.
Any
slide which failed to meet the requirements of the jury was
marked down. At first I felt that I didn't have a chance.
However, the standard was not particularly high with regards
to quality. Unless someone had managed to catch the action
I might do well. I had failed in the latter but felt I had
a good quality portfolio. In fact the last laugh was on me,
as during the projection of my slide of an extreme close up
of a brilliant red sea squirt, "feeding" as I thought,
it turned out that I had photographed its anus and not its
mouth!
Following
the projection of all the slides the winners were announced.
Franco Banfi (Switzerland) won the Biology category with a
good overall portfolio including an impressive shot of the
8-12 inches high anemone, Cerianthus lloydi, which
had captured a shrimp with its long brown tentacles. Settimo
Cipriano (Italy) won the Ambiance category. This was, I have
to say, a surprise. One of his shots was of a sea horse photographed
in an alien habitat. Moreover, his shot of Poseidonia was
of his model, no evidence of marine life only mirrors and
fancy coloured lights which I had been led to believe was
not the type of shot the jury were looking for.
The
winner was Sebastian Bauer (Germany), a justly deserved winner
with an overall good portfolio. He had photographed a shoal
of barracuda, a very rare encounter in these parts. In the
caves he had used only the natural shafts of light streaming
through the cave entrance to illuminate his model (nice touch).
He won the $1,000 prize, although this would not have been
enough to replace the diving gear he lost when his car was
broken into on the day of his arrival.
Algheromare
91 was a professionally organized event and no expense was
spared on the presentation ceremony. I felt it would have
been an advantage to know in advance full details of the categories
and themes, so that I could have swatted up on the biology
of the marine life occurring there before the event. Hiring
of boats and equipment could have been a problem. With a little
spending money and hire of boats etc the week for two of us
cost just over £250. Although not expensive, we hadn't
anticipated that competing in an international competition
would cost us anything. I have been told, however, that the
organizers hope to provide these next year.
Reproduced
from IN
FOCUS 43. January-February 1992 |
