Rebirth
of the Blue Dolphin of Malta
International Underwater Photographic Competition
by
Linda Dunk
The
10th Blue Dolphin of Malta International Underwater Photographic
Competition was successfully held again between 12th - 17th
November 2002, after a break of several years.
The
event was organised by the Federation of Underwater Activities
of Malta (F.U.A.M.), in collaboration with Malta Tourism Authority,
the official carrier Air Malta and the Malta Maritime Authority.
Competitors and their models, judges and journalists from
various countries, met to respectively share and exchange,
the pleasures and knowledge of capturing the beauty and wonders
of the Mediterranean Sea. Furthermore a Disposable Camera
competition was included for the first time to attract more
divers to this speciality and encourage them to discover the
joys of underwater photography. The dates for the 11th edition
2003 have been announced and are between the 11th and 16th
November 2003.
This
year's competition was based at the Corinthia Jerma Palace
Hotel, Marsascala. Each competitor competed over two days
(six hours), to present a set of three slides. The slides
included one macro or close up (all subjects except fish),
one fish (macro or close up) and one wide-angle (ambient with
fill-in flash).
The
first session of the competition took place on Wednesday 13th
November at Cirkewwa. It is one of the best shore dive sites
in Malta because of the wreck Rozi (depth 36m) and the clear
blue waters. The second session of the competition took place
on Thursday 14th November at the small bay below Fort St.
Elmo, Valletta. This site is best known for the HMS Maori
wreck at a depth of 18m. Soon after, the disposable camera
competition was held at the same dive site. The competitors
had to present all the film and were judged on the best overall
film.
Journalists
and competitors from various countries attended the event.
Linda Dunk (UK), Vincenzo Di Martino (Italy) and Lionel Pozzoli
(France) made up the adjudicating panel for both competitions.
A
whole program of presentations was organized during the competition
which included slide shows by Mr A Borg (Marine Biologist)
titled “Shallow water marine life of the Maltese Islands and
by Linda Dunk titled “The Agony and Ecstasy: An introduction
to underwater photography”.
The
audiovisual slide shows which were presented at the Maritime
Museum, Birgu were by Simon Theuma (Malta Photographer) titled
“Malta”, Vincenzo Di Martino titled “Nel Mare di Cola Pesce”
and “Pianeta Blu”, and Lionel Pozzoli titled “Large to Small
Marine Life”.
The
results of the 10th Blue Dolphin 2002 were as follows
Winner
best set of slides: Michael Spiteri (Malta) and assistant Tania Mallia (Malta)
Prize:
Euro 1000 cash + Apex diving regulator (donated by St. Andrews
Dive Cove)
Best
Competition Slide: Heike Daniele Merz (Germany) and assistant Thomas Zurawski
(Germany)
Prize:
Aqualung diving regulator (donated by M & A Ltd)
Winner
disposable camera competition: Anna Bassily (Atlam Sub Aqua Club)
Prize:
Two diving torches (donated by Dive Systems Diving School)
and Tigullio Dive Wear (donated by Salpa Ltd)
For
further information please visit www.fuam.org or contact FUAM
on fuam@digigate.net or tel. 00356 99424275 or fax 00356 21244622
BLUE
DOLPHIN OF MALTA - ARTICLES ON PAST EVENTS
1989 by Debbie Perrin
1990 by David Chandler
1993 by Greg Cassar |
