Search - Site index

News - August 2006

Please send items for the News to Brian Pitkin

BSoUP International Focus On results
BSoUP August Meeting
British Underwater Image Festival
Scylla Shots U/W Photographic competition
Belgrade International Film Festival

BA announce new baggage allowances
BSoUP Forum
NELOS UW Photo, Film & Video Festival
BSoUP's International Focus On Competition

BSoUP International Focus On Results

48 entries were received for the second edition of the International Focus On competition, which was judged by 70 society members at the 16th August meeting.

The results were :

More information here.

BSoUP August Meeting

Wednesday 16th August 2006 at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. in The Holland Club, Imperial College, South Kensington, London SW7.

PETER LADELL - International Shootouts

Peter is a veteran of both international and UK competitions alike and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer to anyone interested in taking part in one of these exciting and challenging competitions.

Even if you are not planning to take part yourself the subject is still a wonderful insight into these unique events. Peter is a long standing BSoUP committee member, projectionist, film developer, housing builder, jeweller... you name it really.

COMPETITION - INTERNATIONAL FOCUS ON

No theme is being imposed on the participants this year, although the photograph must have been taken underwater. Please note that Aquarium and pool shots are not eligible. Entries must be in by Tuesday midnight August 15. Entry form.

GAVIN PARSONS - Sharks

Gavin Parsons picked up his first camera at the age of 11 and he hasn't really put one down since. He has travelled across the world on assignment for various magazines and his favourites include Cuba, Sudan, Djibouti, the Bahamas, South Africa and Egypt. Passionate about marine wildlife, Gavin has been diving since 1991.

He is an award winning wildlife photographer and his work has appeared in magazines around the world. He is perhaps best known for his articles in the UK based Diver magazine and as the editor of Sport Diver magazine which he left in 1999. Gavin dives both in the UK and around the world and

is almost never without his camera. He is also heavily involved with the internationally renowned marine animal rescue organisation British Divers Marine Life Rescue. He is the charity's London Area Coordinator and one of its Marine Mammal Medic Course instructors.

With this rich background and list of achievements, Gavin will present a fascinating insight into the lives of sharks, a subject for which he has a great affection and holds a great depth of knowledge on.

gill mcdonald

British Underwater Image Festival 2007

Following the success of last year's event, images are now being accepted for the British Underwater Image Festival (BUIF) organised by DIVE Magazine, which is being held on the 16-18 March 2007 at the Birmingham NEC as part of the Go Diving! show which is part of The Outdoors Show.

The competition is aimed at all abilities, from professional television documentary makers to first-time photographers. Thousands of pounds worth of prizes are on offer to the winners.

Categories include Prints - Open, Digital Compact Camera images and Portofolio - and Video - Professional, Liveaboard and Amateur.

The best 50 prints from the Open Category, ten from the Portfolio Category and ten from the Digital Compact Category will be displayed on the walls outside the DIVE theatre, while six finalists in the film categories will be shown throughout the show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Full details about the BUIF can be found on DIVE magazine's website. A full set of rules is available and entry forms can be downloaded from the site

Scylla Shots Underwater Photographic Competition

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth has launched a photographic competition to find the best underwater images of the wreck of the Scylla taken since the vessel was purposely sunk off Plymouth in March 2004. The Scylla Shots Underwater Photography Competition will run throughout the summer and is open to all underwater photographers. There are two A4 print categories - Close-uo and Wide-angle. Full details.

Closing date 21 August 2006

10th International Underwater Film Festival in Belgrade

The 10th International Underwater Film Festival in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro takes place from 8th to 11th December next. The organisers invite all underwater film makers to present their film or films.

Films for the contest must be 2005 or 2006. productions, with at least 30% underwater shots in BETA SP, DV Cam or MiniDV (PAL). Deadline for registration (for contest participants) is 15th November.

Competition admission is free. Full details at www.kpa.co.yu/

BA announce new baggage allowances

According to Tony Backhurst Scuba's latest newsletter - from the 1st of October BA will be changing baggage allowances. Each person will be able to check in one piece of baggage up to 23kg and not exceeding 158cms or 62ins. Hand Luggage will need to confirm to size parameters but not weight restriction. In addition one piece of sporting equipment baggage weighing up to 23kgs and not exceeding 158cms or 62in will be carried FREE.

Apparently this will apply to all BA routes from Gatwick to Sharm and Hurghada. But please check with BA before travelling.

BSoUP Forum

JP Trenque, BSoUP's Publicity Officer and the smartest diver at this year's Splash In [see Splash In people], has created a Forum for BSoUP Members to exchange their views. Forum categories currently include the following topics:

And you can start a new topic!

NELOS UW Photo, Film & Video Festival

The 18th bi-annual NELOS UW Photo, Film & Video Festival is scheduled to take place during the week end of December 2-3rd just south of Antwerp in Belgium.

Speakers include Alex Mustard, Christoph Gerigk, Linda Pitkin, Peter Scoones and many more special guests.

Contest rules (pdf). Subscription form (pdf). Closing date 27 October

For further information visit http://www.nelosfilmfestival.be/

BSoUP's International Focus On Competition

BSoUP invites entries for its second, annual International Focus On Competition.

No theme is being imposed on the participants this year, although the photograph must have been taken underwater. Please note that Aquarium and pool shots are not eligible.

Your image should be saved as a JPG file no bigger than 1024 pixels wide x 768 pixels high with a file size no greater than 500KB and submitted via the Competitions entry form. You can send your images several times, but only your latest entry will be kept.

The deadline for entering your image is Tuesday 15th August 2006 at 23:59:59 hours.

Images will be judged at the BSoUP meeting on Wednesday 16th August and the winner will receive the International Focus On Competition trophy. As last year, a selection of the best images will be posted on this website.