News - August 2008

Gavin Parsons' website updated
St Abbs Splash-in 2008
Natural London photo competition
Canon announces new EOS 50D
Cover Shots - new web pages
More images from the Beijing Olympics
Website of the Week - Gareth Lock
International Focus On - August 2008
Beijing Olympics U/W shots
New Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
NCUPS Annual SEA International Competition
Splash-in in the Press
BSoUP Online Shop
Website of the Week - Len Deeley

BSoUP August Meeting
International Focus On
Website of the Week - Jeremy & Amanda Cuff
Wild Wonders of Europe
BSoUP Magazine - latest issue
International Reef Check Photo Contest
Website of the Week - Shannon Conway
Blue Crane Training DVDs
BUPG August Meeting
BSoUP Website Visitor Accesses Soar
Website of the Week - Mike Clark
St Abbs Splash-in
DIVER Photographer of the Year Competitiion

Gavin Parsons' new Home page

BSoUP Members who have made major updates to their websites are invited to contact Brian Pitkin with details.

St Abbs Splash-in 2008 - BSoUP members scoop the top prizes

August Bank Holiday Weekend saw St Abbs & Eyemouth Marine Reserve hosting its 23rd annual underwater photographic competition – the Splash-in, which was organised by National Trust for Scotland Ranger for the Reserve, Liza Cole. Things were a little tense running up to the competition, as the weather was lass than clement. Torrential rain in the middle of the week and grey tossing seas topped with white-caps being the order of the day on the Friday. However, Saturday morning dawned with blue skies and the sun glistening off a calm sea. Never the less, condition were still challenging for the 35 entrants as there was still a fair swell running and the rain had carried a lot of soil into the water so reducing its clarity.

Congratulations to BSoUP Member David Stephens who won the Marine Life Portrait category with an image of a velvet swimming crab and a dahlia anemone (above) just pipping Cathy Lewis’ close up shot of a prawn on a dahlia anemone to the post for first prize. Third prize went to Jason Gregory for a picture of a scorpion fish and 13 year old Robert Grieves was awarded the prize for best beginner.

Congratulations also to BSoUP Member Cathy Lewis who won the Reserve Atmospheric category with her shot of a diver looking at a sunstar on a reef (right). Richard Hall took second with an image of an oval window in a reef festooned with sealife, and Shane Wasik was awarded both third and best beginner for his moody shot of a swim through dive site called the letterbox.

Congratulations also to BSoUP member Mike Clark who won the the Most Humorous Shot category of an underwater gardener (left). BSoUP member Sam Bean came second with her “Fun Down Under” and Shane Wasik took third with “Starry Eyed”.

Ranger for the Reserve, Liza Cole said: “The Splash-in not only provides a fantastic opportunity to promote the work that has been going on in the VMR for over two decades, but also highlights the beauty of the underwater world to those who are not able to go and see it for themselves. Participants come to St Abbs from all over the country & the event is an enjoyable weekend for participants and locals alike.”

For further details visit http://www.marine-reserve.co.uk/

Natural London photo competition

Win a Nikon D300

Deadline: midnight Tuesday 2nd September 2008

Natural England, thelondonpaper and Nikon have joined forces to launch a photography competition which celebrates the Capital's wildlife and natural places.

Send a photo which best expresses your appreciation or understanding of London's greener and wildlife places. The image can be people, wildlife or places, special events or everyday occurrences, new landscapes or your own ideas for greening London, provided it illustrates one of the core themes of Wild, Active or Future London.

For full details and to enter visit http://naturallondon.thelondonpaper.com/

Nikon D300

Canon announces new EOS 50D

"The digital SLR that photography enthusiasts have been waiting for, Canon’s new EOS 50D offers incredible speed and resolution at a unique price point.

An outstanding 15.1 Megapixel resolution allows giant prints and cropping without compromise. This is matched by shooting at 6.3 frames per second in bursts of up to 90 shots. See every wing beat of a bird in flight. Freeze a mid-air leap, or a split-second facial expression. With the EOS 50D, it’s possible to capture those instants that slower cameras can miss."

For further details visit www.canon.co.uk

Cover Shots - new web pages

Pages which include cover shots by BSoUP Members have been added to this website. These currently include only covers from DIVE and DIVER magazines published between 2006 and 2008, but will be extended to cover earlier year's and, with your help, other magazines.

If you are a BSoUP Member and have one or more of your images published on the front cover of any other magazine than DIVE and DIVER, then please send a jpg image of the cover 300 pixels wide. Please name the file:- FirstName_Surname_Magazine_Month_Year.jpg and attach it to an e-mail to Brian Pitkin

It is hoped that the new Cover Shots pages will increase both your's and BSoUP's profile.

Cover Shots web page

More images from the Beijing Olympics

Every time when Michael Phelps, Stephanie Rice or Britta Steffen went medal hunting in the National Aquatics Center (nicknamed the "Water Cube") at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, Wolfgang Rattay of the Reuters news agency was there with his EOS 1Ds Mark III.

His Canon camera and the Wireless File Transmitter WFTE-2 are safe in a unique underwater housing, especially designed for the Olympics.

To read more and view some of Wolfgang's images visit www.digifish.nl

Website of the Week - Gareth Lock

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP member's website.

'Images of Life Photography' the website of Gareth Lock is this week's choice. Based in Hampshire Gareth is a new BSoUP member specializing in monochrome work using a Fuji S2 Pro digital SLR.

If you are a BSoUP member and your website is not included on the BSoUP member's websites page, please send the URL of your site to the BSoUP Membership Secretary, Mike Russell.

Gareth Lock's Home Page

International Focus On - August 2008

Congratulations to Claude Ruff whose image of a Spiny Pufferfish came first in this year's International Focus On competition. Claude's image was taken in the Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Indonesia [f16 @ 1/100th]. He wasn't present at the meeting so his Trophy will be forwarded to him.

3rd - Anthony Holley

The top six and how they scored:

There was a disappointing total of only 26 entries. The top six can be viewed in the Gallery.

BSoUP members only may view all the entries in projected order in the Competition slideshow.

Beijing Olympics U/W shots

'Sports Illustrated' photographer Heinz Kluetmeier and his assistant, Jeff Kavanaugh, landed the signature sequence of the Olympics: Michael Phelps beating Serbia's Milorad Cavic to the touchpad in the 100m butterfly - taken underwater.

In an interview with 'Sports Illustrated', Kluetmeier explains how he got the underwater shot and the difference between Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps as photography subjects.

To read the interview and see the images visit the Sports Illustrated website

Sports Illustrated

New Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

On 1 October, National Maritime Museum Cornwall opens a beautiful and revealing new photographic exhibition, created by students on the BA (Hons) Marine and Natural History Photography course at University College Falmouth.

The new exhibition called ‘Our footprint Below’ celebrates the riches of Falmouth’s marine environment. This exhibition gives a flavour of what lies beneath the pontoons and frapping halyards of Falmouth’s waterline.

For further details visit www.nmmc.co.uk/index.php

NCUPS Annual SEA International Competition

Deadline: 10 Ocotober, 2008

The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society has announced its annual SEA International Competition and Bob Comer Award of Excellence. The Bob Commer award consists of a beautiful handcrafted glass trophy and a $500 (USD) prize, awarded to the SEA Best of Show in addition to a selected prize from the prize list! All media; digital still, print and video, are eligible. The competition is open to amateur photographers and videographers from around the world. All media; digital still, print and video, are eligible, but this year 35mm slide film has been excluded.

The SEA 2008 underwater photographic competition will issue awards for the best work in categories including Macro, Wide Angle, Underwater California and Marine Conservation; a traditional Print category; Preative categories in print and digital, and a Video category.

For further details and to enter visit www.ncups.org/sea.html

Bob Comer Award of Excellence

Splash-in in the Press

The September issues of DIVE magazine and DIVER magazine each carry an item on this year's British Splash-in Championship organised by BSoUP in association with the National Marine Aquarium and held in Plymouth on Saturday 12 July. These were based in part on the Press Release reproduced below:-

Helen Wehner chosen as best British underwater photographer

Bristol-based underwater photographer Helen Wehner,  a 48-year old G.P. won  the 2008 British Splash-In Championship, an annual underwater photography competition held in Plymouth waters on Saturday 12 July. Organised by the British Society of Underwater Photographers, this annual event has been running for over 30 years and is now organised in association with the National Marine Aquarium.

Forty-nine competitors from all around Britain gathered at the Mount Batten Centre, hoping that the recent bad weather would not affect the underwater visibility too much. They were greeted with sunshine and light showers, although the conditions underwater were challenging. Over a hundred and thirty images were ultimately submitted by the photographers. They were projected at the National Marine Aquarium for the audience to select their favourite shots in each of the four categories.

Cathy Lewis, 47, from Bristol who works as a magazine editor at Future Publishing, won the close-up category. Charles Erb, 41, a science teacher, living in Stourbridge, West Midlands, won the wide-angle category and Helen Wehner won the Animal Portrait category.

Wehner was also chosen by a panel of judges as the overall best British underwater photographer for her portrait of a colourful scorpionfish, winning a liveaboard trip to the Red Sea, courtesy of Tony Backhurst Scuba Travel. Steve Lawes, 39, a self employed Consultant Engineer living near Keighley in West Yorkshire was voted the best Beginner and John Souness from Cornwall won the Humorous category.

This year’s panel of judges consisted of last year’s winner Alan James, Paul Cox, Director of Science and Learning at the National Marine Aquarium,  Neil Hope, Deputy Picture Editor at the Western Morning News and Emma Wright from Oonasdivers.

Said JP Trenque, Chairman of BSoUP: “Far from deterring competitors, the recent weather and sea conditions were an excellent drive for creativity. Photographers really made the most of what was available in Plymouth waters on the day and captured some stunning images".

In addition to the on the day splash-in competition, a total of 139 prints in four categories were submitted prior to the event. The winner of the British & Irish category was Robert Cuss, founder and organiser of the East Midlands Photographers with an image of a pike in reeds. Winner of the Advanced British & Irish category was Trevor Rees with an image of a diver reflection in a dome port. Winner of the Overseas Prints category was Julia Forrest and winner of the Advanced Overseas category was Neil Rosewarn. Trophies and prizes were presented to all winners and runners-up.

DIVER article on the Splash-in 2008

BSoUP Online Shop

If you buy goods on line then why not try the new BSoUP Online Shops? UK : France : Germany :USA

You can now purchase underwater photographic and scuba diving equipment, books and DVD's online via amazon and earn a small commission for BSoUP.

The main categories include Books - Dive Guides, Photography, Scuba Diving and Underwater Life and Equipment - Photographic and Scuba Diving

The BSoUP Online Shops also include the facility to search and browse amazon within each of the major categories and included sub-categories.

Website of the Week - Len Deeley

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP member's website.

'Imagine Photography' the website of Len Deeley is this week's choice. Len is a long standing member of BSoUP and founder of Photosub Underwater Club.

If you are a BSoUP member and your website is not included on the BSoUP member's websites page, please send the URL of your site to the BSoUP Membership Secretary, Mike Russell.

Subsequently your website will be added to the list. All we ask is that you provide a link on your website to http://www.bsoup.org

Len Deeley's Home page

BSoUP August Meeting

The next BSoUP meeting takes place on Wednesday, 20th August 2008 at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at our usual venue the Holland Club, Imperial College, S. Kensington, London. Directions.

Photo Techniques - Snoots by Peter Ladell

Peter Ladell is a long standing BSoUP Committee Member who makes and customises housings and accessories for digital SLR cameras.

Peter has competed in CMAS Underwater Championship 2002 and numerous BSoUP Splash-ins and other events and won the British Portfolio Competition in 1999.

Peter's website is in production.

International Focus on Competition: See below.

Photo Techniques - Photography & Exhibitions

Emma Critchley, who specialises in underwater photography will be talking about photography and exhibitions. All of the images she will show will have been part of an exhibition and Emma will explain how the exhibitions came about

Emma's work has been published in Hotshoe, AN and Image Magazine as well as the British Journal of Photography.  She has exhibited in The National Portrait Gallery, The Stroud House Gallery and other venues and also had her own solo show in Farringdon, London.

For more details about Emma and to view some of her images, visit her website at www.emmacritchley.co.uk

Emma Critchley

International Focus On Underwater Photographic Competition

Deadline: Tuesday 19th August at 10.00 p.m. BST.

Entries are invited from all photographers in the BSoUP 4th International Focus On Underwater Photographic Competition. Whether you are a BSoUP Member or not you may submit a single underwater image online to compete. Images should be submitted as a JPG file no bigger than 1400 pixels wide x 1050 pixels high and with a file size no greater than 1MB. Image manipulation is allowed, but bear in mind that this is an underwater photography competition, not a Photoshop creativity competition. Images entered must not have come first, second or third in a national or international competition. There are no prizes, but the winner will receive the International Focus On Trophy.

To view the winning images from previous competitions visit www.bsoup.org/Focus_on/

For full details and to enter this year's competition visit www.bsoup.org/competitions/index.php

Website of the Week - Jeremy & Amanda Cuff

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP member's website.

'JA Universe' the website of Jeremy & Amanda Cuff is this week's choice.

If you are a BSoUP member and your website is not included on the BSoUP member's websites page, please send the URL of your site to the BSoUP Membership Secretary, Mike Russell.

Subsequently your website will be added to the list. All we ask is that you provide a link on your website to http://www.bsoup.org

Jeremy & Amanda Cuff's Home page

Wild Wonders of Europe

BSoUP Member Linda Pitkin is this week's featured photographer in the Wild Wonders of Europe project.

Wild Wonders of Europe is about revealing the amazing natural treasures of our continent to the 700 Million Europeans and the World through the emotional power of great photography.

Wild Wonders of Europe is about the joy of wildness. About what is still out there and what we are risking to lose. Why it matters to us. And why we need to protect it.

Wild Wonders of Europe is a unique media initiative. Featuring 50 of Europe's best nature photographers. Supported by a team of dedicated partners. An almost epic Quest, which started in May 2008. Visit http://www.wild-wonders.com/ for further details

BSoUP Magazine - latest issue.

Another issue of the BSoUP's Magazine 'in focus' is winging its way to all members. Issue 90 for Summer 2008 comprises 48 pages packed with articles, reports and images and is edited by Gill McDonald and produced by Anthony Holley.

In this issue Alex Mustard gives his thought-provoking views on image manipulation, Gavin Parsons launches a new column called 'In the field', this time covering Mozambique and Whale Sharks. Maria Munn describes how to take creative shots with a compact camera and Martin Edge reviews the Nikon D300 and Subal ND30 housing.

Monthly meetings reports by Malcolm Nobbs are provided for November 2007 through April 2008

To get your copy why not join BSoUP now? There is no better way to learn without getting wet.

Cover: Leafy Seadragon by Shannon Conway

International “What do reefs mean to you?” Photo Contest.

Deadline 31 August 2008

How would you like to win a five-day liveaboard trip in the Maldives?

In celebration of the International Year of the Reef 2008, Reef Check presents the International “What do reefs mean to you?” Photo Contest.

The contest officially opened on July 1 and you can submit your photos through August 31 in several categories to win some fantastic prizes generously donated by Manthiri Liveaboard Diving, Oceanic, Promate, Body Glove and CWIC. Grand prizes include a five-day liveaboard on the Manthiri in the Maldives, an Oceanic GEO Personal Dive Computer/Wristwatch, and a Promate Mini Pressure with Depth Gauge Console.

Further details: http://www.reefcheck.org/

Website of the Week - Shannon Conway

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP member's website.

Shannon Conway's website is this week's choice.

If you are a BSoUP member and your website is not included on the BSoUP member's websites page, please send the URL of your site to the BSoUP Membership Secretary, Mike Russell.

Subsequently your website will be added to the list. All we ask is that you provide a link on your website to http://www.bsoup.org

Shannon Conway's Home page

Blue Crane Training DVDs

Do you struggle reading digital camera instruction mauals? Blue Crane Digital produce training DVDs for Nikon D300, Nikon D200, Nikon D80, Nikon D50, Nikon D70, Nikon D40/40X, Nikon D60, Canon 5D, Canon 20D, Canon D30D, Canon D40D, Canon Powershot and Rebel cameras as well as a number of field guides. All cost just £19.99 and may save you days of frustration.

Some of these DVDs may purchased from Amazon via this site (and earn a small commission for BSoUP) - see Training DVDs or from http://www.thedarkroom.co.uk/index.php

Bristol Underwater Photography Group

BPUG Monthly Meeting - 12th August

The August meeting of BUPG takes place at the usual venue - The Casson Centre, Rodway Road, Patchway, BS34 5DQ (map)  The Photo Forum theme is 'Abstract' and this will be led by Arthur Kingdon.

The monthly competition theme is 'Reflections'.  Send your digital files to Arthur Kingdon (akdiver48@hotmail.com).

It's also time for the Annual General Meeting. Come along and have your say as to how the Group is running.

Bristol Underwater Photography Group

BSoUP's Home page with monthly website visitor accesses in thousands for September 2007 - August 2008 inset

BBClone 0.4.8 © The BBClone team

BSoUP Website Visitor Accesses Soar

The number of visitors to the BSouP website soared this month to a new all time high with a total of 19,253 accesses - almost double the number for August 2007.

N.B. Only Menu pages are incuded in the above.

Website of the Week - Mike Clark

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP member's website.

'www.underwater-photos.co.uk', the website of Mike Clark is this week's choice.

If you are a BSoUP member and your website is not included on the BSoUP member's websites page, please send the URL of your site to the BSoUP Membership Secretary, Mike Russell.

Subsequently your website will be added to the list. All we ask is that you provide a link on your website to http://www.bsoup.org

Mike Clark's Home page

St Abbs Splash-in

Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August 2008

Underwater photographers are invited to join this year's Splash-in, held at the St Abbs and Eyemouth voluntary marine reserve. For the first time, the competition is going completely digital, though it will retain the usual categories: marine life portrait, atmospheric and humour.

Held on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August, judging will be carried out by the audience at a slideshow on the Sunday night. Any divers interested in taking part should check the voluntary marine reserve website at www.marine-reserve.co.uk.

DIVER Photographer of the Year Competition

DIVER magazine is looking for a "Photographer of the Year" who will represent the magazine and the UK and Ireland at this year's SanDisk Red Sea International Underwater Photography Competition in Eilat, Israel from 10-15 November.

Both amateur and professional underwater photographers are invited to enter online heats at Divernet.com, with the chance of winning a free trip to Eilat and entry to the annual competition, known for the high value of its prizes. Similar national competitions are taking place all around the world, with their winners also feeding into the Eilat competition.

You can submit up to three digital or scanned underwater photos to Divernet per month, starting from 1 May and running through to the end of August. The May and June winners have been posted on divernet.com.

The winning photographer will be flown to Israel to participate in the SanDisk Shoot-out and in a special Media category. Full details.

SanDisk Red Sea World of Underwater Images