News - November 2009

Please send items for the News to Brian Pitkin

Ross Gudgeon's Calendar 2010

Australian BSoUP Member Ross Gudgeon, winner of Underwater Excellence, has produced a Calendar for next year. The calendar features underwater images from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia taken by Ross and his wife Mary. Each month one of the images (right) is shown enlarged.

Last year Ross made just enough to buy two beers and is hoping for a 50% increase in sales this year so he can buy three.

The calendar costs £15.18 and is now available from Redbubble

Coverage of the Epson Red Sea Competition

Coverage of the Epson Red Sea Competition held in Eilat includes videos at YouTube plus daily reports from Canadian competitor Keri Wilk at DivePhotoGuide and Israeli competitor Sharon Rainis at DigiDeep.

Do you recognise any BSoUP members?

For the full results please visit http://www.eilatredsea.com/

East Midlands Underwater Photographers - Next Meeting

Tuesday, December 1st 2009

The next meeting of EMUP takes place at the usual venue - Nemo's Bar, Stoney Cove.

Main Event: Print evening

Competition: Open Prints

For further details about EMUP please visit www.emup.org.uk/

BSoUP Magazine 'in focus' back issue downloads

BSoUP members only may now download an Adobe pdf file of back issues 78 - 91 (Spring 2004 - Spring 2009) of the BSoUP's magazine ' in focus'.

To download, first login and then select 'Download 'in focus''. The download page opens in a new window.

Select the issue you want to download - contents are listed for each issue - and click on the cover image. We suggest that you view single pages at a time. If you want to save the download, click on 'File save' from the browser main menu.

There are also quick links if you just want to browse each issue.

Behind the scenes at Visions 2009

Visions is the underwater photography event of the year in the UK and included an international competition as well as presentations from world renowned underwater photographers. Finishing with a one-one teach in on the final afternoon with experts on-hand to help delegates improve their techniques. The weekend was in aid of the Shark Trust to raise money and awareness for this important and relevant charity. An exhibition of the finalists of each category from the underwater photography competition, photos from the guest speakers and trade stands were open to the general public.

BSoUP member Alex Mustard has posted a behind the scenes report about Visions 2009 at wetpixel.com/

wetpixel.com

Bite-Back Calendar 2010

Month by month, legendary photographers including Jeff Rotman, Doug Perrine, Alex Mustard, David Doubilet, Brian Skerry, Amos Nachoum and Michael Aw have combined breathtaking images with thought-provoking commentary on the status of the oceans to make this high quality A4 calendar an essential for scuba divers.

For further details please visit www.bite-back.com

Northern Underwater Photography Group - Next Meeting

Tonight. Monday 23rd November 2009.

Somewhat late in the day I have just learnt that there is a meeting of the Northern Underwater Photography Group this evening, The meeting takes place at Orca Divers, 557 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8AN at 19.30. Map

NUPG was created in 2000 to enable underwater photographers in the north of the UK to share their experiences and ideas. Film or digital camera users are equally welcome.

For further details please visit their website at www.nupg.org.uk/

Website of the Week - Tony Baskeyfield

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP Member's website. This week's choice is 'Plus Two Designs Ltd' the website of Tony Baskefield.

As the owner and Creative Director of this graphic design and photographic studio, Tony focuses on the need to be ‘creative’ every day.  But he also spends a lot of time applying that focus to things in the underwater world – a diver for over 35 years and an underwater photographer for 10 of those years, BSAC's Travel Club Photographic Correspondent, winner of SUBIOS twice as well as many other awards, Tony takes his camera underwater in places from the Seychelles to East Anglia.

Beginners Portfolio Competition for the DIVER Trophy - Results

Congratulations to Daniel Norwood who won the Beginners Portfolio Competition for the DIVER Trophy with images of a seahorse, turtle, frog fish, whaleshark, female ribbon eel and a giant barracuda. All except the ribbon eel and the whaleshark were taken in Bali. The ribbon eel was taken in Sipadan, Indonesia and the whaleshark at Ningaloo reef, Australia

Congratulations also to Joss Woolf who came second and Paul Macdonald who came third.

How the top six scored

There were a total of 28 portfolios entered.

The top six may be viewed enlarged in the Gallery by clicking on a photographer's name in the list above. For further information about the winner visit Beginners Portfolio 2009.

BSoUP Members only may view all of the entries in projected order in an Adobe Web Gallery. You will be asked to login if you haven't already done so this session.

If you entered and didn't make the top six, but would like to know how you did then please contact Brian Pitkin.

Photographers, photojournalists and BSOUP members Jeremy and Amanda Cuff have published a pair of 2010 Calendars titled “Diving Dreams” and “Sensational Socorros”.

Jeremy said, “The Diving Dreams 2010 Calendar features a variety of images, mostly from our dive travels over the last three years, and includes destinations such as Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Egypt.”

“The Sensational Socorros 2010 Calendar features a collection of images from Mexico’s remote Socorro Islands, with all images captured during an excellent week aboard the Solmar V liveaboard.”

Both of the 2010 Calendars can be obtained from Jeremy & Amanda at a cost of £7.25 each including postage.

For further information, please visit Jeremy & Amanda’s website at www.ja-universe.com

Next BSoUP meeting

The next BSoUP meeting takes place on Wednesday, 18th November at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at our usual venue the Holland Club, Imperial College, S. Kensington, London. Directions.

Main Event: 'Oceans' by Michael Pitts.

Michael specialises in filming underwater and is regarded as one of Britain's leading underwater cameramen. But he is equally happy shooting on the surface or from the air. He has been awarded an Emmy for photography on two BBC landmark series: David Attenborough's 'Private Life of Plants' and 'Blue Planet'.

Michael has over 20 years experience of making wildlife and science documentaries for the BBC and Independent Companies. He works on all formats including Super 35/16mm, HD and Digital Beta. Currently, he is shooting on two new BBC/Discovery Channel series, 'Oceans' and 'Life'.

Annual Event: Beginners Portfolio Competition for the DIVER Trophy. Entry form and Rules.

Main Event: 'Making Blue Movies' by Michael Pitts

Epson Red Sea Competition

Robert Bailey Nominated for the Best Portfolio

Congratulations to BSoUP Member Robert Bailey, UK & Ireland Underwater Photographer of the Year, who was nominated as one of the five best portfolios at the recent Epson Red Sea Competition Shoot out, held in Eilat, Israel, in two categories - Best Portfolio and Fish of the Year.

Robert and his wife/buddy/model Paula were sponsored by the Epson Red Sea Competition, BSoUP, Posiedon and AP Valves.

To view Roberts nominated Best Portfolio please see the Gallery.

David Henshaw Winner for the Best Colour Print

Congratulations also to BSoUP Member David Henshaw from Spain who won the Best Colour Print Category with an image of an eel.

David won a US$2,000 cheque in memory of Shayke Vilkansky.

The competition attracted entries from all over the world and were displayed throughout the week of the competition at the Isrotel Yam Suf hotel at Coral Beach, Eilat.

For a full list of winners and images please visit www.eilatredsea.com

Scorpionfish Underwater Photo and Video

Website of the Week - Pash Baker & Gareth Millson

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP Member's website. This week's choice is Scorpion Underwater Photo and Video, the website of Pash Baker and Gareth Millson.

Their photographs and video are from a variety of locations including the Red Sea, Maldives, Australia, Manado and closer to home from Stoney Cove to Cornwall.

Gareth has been diving for seven years and started taking photos with a Canon S45 compact in 2003. Currently he uses a Canon 5D MKII in a Subal housing with Inon Z240 Strobes. Pash has been diving since 1996 and is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. She uses a Sony PD150DVCAM and Amphibico housing.

For further information about Pash and Gareth please visit their website at www.scorpionfish.co.uk

World Festival of Underwater Pictures - Results

The results of the 36th World Festival of Underwater Pictures held in Marseilles have been published at DIVERNET.

Congratulations to BSoUP Member Debi Henshaw who won the Sophie DE WILDE PRIZE for the best feminine photographer (1,000 Euro).

The winning images have not been posted yet , but Debi's winning image of a squid can be seen at http://www.digitaldiving.co.uk.

NCUPS Results

NCUPS and the Sea International Underwater Underwater Photo Competition have announced this year's results.

Congratulations to BSoUP Member Ross Gudgeon who received three Honorable Mentions and BSoUP Member Debi Henshaw who received one Honorable Mention.

A complete list of winners is available at www.ncups.org/sea.html and the winning images will be published shortly.

A Conversation with Martin Edge

Wetpixel’s Alex Mustard continues his new series of interview based articles on the techniques of underwater photography with A Conversation with Martin Edge. The 4th Edition of Martin’s book 'The Underwater Photographer' is due to be released in early November 2009.

This interview discusses Martin’s formative years and how these have made him so successful as a teacher of underwater photography. It also covers the new Edition and some of the innovations that Martin is currently working on with his personal photography.

To read the interview please visit wetpixel.com

Beginners Portfolio Competition for the DIVER Trophy

Deadline: 17th November

Entries are invited for BSoUP's annual Beginners Portfolio Competition for the DIVER Trophy.

BSoUP's Annual Beginners Portfolio Competion is is open to members & non-members alike, provided that they have not come first, second or third in a national or international competition, such as BSoUP's Open and Beginners Portfolio Competitions, BSoUP or St Abbs Splash-Ins, Image, U/W Photographer of the Year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Marine Conservation Society etc.

Each photographer must submit a portfolio of six images . Digital portfolios may be submitted using the Competitons Entry form by 10pm the previous day

All portfolios will be judged by the audience present at the meeting.

The winner will receive the DIVER Trophy and a cheque for £100 donated by DIVER Magazine, who reserve the right to publish the winning portfolio images.

For further information please visit Beginners Portfolio

East Midlands Underwater Photographers - Next Meeting

Tuesday 3rd November

The next meeting of EMUP takes place at the usual venue - Nemo's Bar, Stoney Cove.

Main Event: Loch Carron, Loch Duich and River Orchy by Trevor Rees, Charles Erb, Rob Bailey & Rob Cuss

Competition: Diagonals

For further details about EMUP please visit www.emup.org.uk/

Bristol Underwater Photography Group - Next meeting

Tuesday 10th November

The Meeting (start time 20.00hrs) will be at their normal venue - The Casson Centre, Rodway Road, Patchway, BS34 5DQ (map).

Monthly Competition - Subject open (now closed for entries)
British Portfolio Review and Portfolio Tutorial - Arthur Kingdon & Trevor Rees
Presentation Introduction to Lightroom - Jim Drake
Foto Forum - TBA

For further details about BUPG please visit www.bupg.co.uk/

Website of the Week - Robert Bailey

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP Member's website. This week's choice is Robert Bailey.

After much frustration with a sketch pad at the age of ten Robert picked up a camera, and accompanied his big sister to a nearby stable. While she attended her horse, he took pictures of the countryside. When the film came back ( in those days you had to wait ) he had a realization he could express himself using a camera.

Robert is captivated by all things in nature. He enjoys reportage style as well. He says, 'flirting with my subjects without being intrusive', is something he likes to try to do.

UwP - Latest issue

The latest issue of the FREE downloadable UwP Magazine is now available for download.

UwP is edited by former BSoUP Chairman and current member Peter Rowlands and includes articles by BSoUP members and others.

Issue 51 includes News, Travel & Events, New Products, Competitions, Locations, Marine life, and Parting shots.

To download your free copy, please visit www.uwpmag.com/

Cover image: Jim Garland

BSoUP Magazine 'in focus' - Latest issue

The latest issue of the Society's Magazine 'in focus' is now available. Due to the postal strikes member's copies have been distributed at the Dive Show and at Photosub. Those uncollected will be in the post shortly.

The latest issue is edited by Gavin Parsons and Gill McDonald.

'in focus' Autumn 2009 includes an Editorial, 'Splash-in review' by JP Trenque, 'A tribute to Mike Calder' by JP Trenque, 'Shooting in the Socorros' by Jeremy Cuff, Competition Results, Focus on Winners, 'Underwater Excellence, not just another competition' by Alex Mustard, Monthly meeting reports by Malcolm Nobbs, Splash-in results, Directions, BSoUP Officers 2009, 'Belugas in the wild' by Gavin Parsons.

If you would like to receive printed copies of in focus, as and when it is published, then why not join BSoUP.

Fish of the Year of Epson Red Sea Competition

Deadline 4th November 2009

Vote for  the FISH!

While other competitions around the world are busy with announcing the annual beauty queen, the leading racing car or the most popular pop star, Epson Red Sea 2009 is proud to introduce the Fish of the Year .

5 fish-nominees are introduced through the video clips featured, along with professional credentials delivered by 5 marine biologists PhD, each promoting a different fish-nominee.

During the 3 days of the Epson Red Sea 2009   competition, the fish that was elected as the Fish of the Year will serve as a “case study” for all photographers participating in the “Winning & Donating” category, representing different websites and magazines from all over the world. The winner will be the one who submits the most creative, original, professional and diverse portfolio of the Fish of the Year .

To vote for the Fish of the Year please visit http://eilatredsea.com/

Visions in the Sea '09

November 6th - 8th 2009 - Manchester

Visions in the Sea 2009 is the underwater photography event of the year: a festival of underwater photography hosted in Manchester. It will include an international competition as well as presentations from world renowned underwater photographers and a "Teach In" at our 5m pool with experts available to delegates who want to improve their techniques. The weekend is in aid of the Shark Trust to raise money and awareness throughout the weekend for this important and relevant charity.

An exhibition of the finalists of each category from the underwater photography competition, photos from the guest speakers and trade stands will be open to the general public free of charge.

Further details: www.visionsinthesea.com

North Sea Film Festival

6th - 8th November, 2009

The third edition of the North Sea Film Festival is definitely on! The one and only Dutch underwater filmfestival had to change its dates and will now take place from November 6 till 8 at Studio/K in Amsterdam.

Last day of registration and last day to send your film(s) is September 18

For further details please visit www.northseafilmfestival.com/home/

Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year competition

The Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year competition is the UK's most prestigious annual travel photography contest.

Launched in 1996, the Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year competition is the UK's most prestigious annual travel photography award, open to amateur and professional photographers. The awards attract over 6,000 entries yearly, and are judged by a world-class panel of professional photographers and travel experts.

The closing date for entries for the 2009 competition is 28 November 2009.

Further details please visit www.wanderlust.co.uk/photocomp

Festisub Underwater Photography Contest

Deadline: November 30th 2009

Festisub.ch (Switzerland) is now inviting entries for its 2009 photo contest - for amateurs and professionals alike.

A selection of the prize winners and other work voted by the Jury will be displayed at the 2010 Neuchâtel Underwater Film Festival.

For this new event, the Festisub Committee has sought to bring to light the photographer’s ensemble of skills involved and the expertise in handling photo equipment; by organizing an unparalleled competition in which each participant will have to present individual work by selecting the three best photos (1 macro picture + 1 wide angle picture + 1 'personal choice' picture).

The contest is free of charge. The postal deadline is November 30, 2009. Various prizes in cash Totaling SFr. 2,000. For complete Contest Regulations and Registration (F, D and GB): please consult www.festisub.ch/competition or see Festisub.pdf

Website of the Week - Cathy Lewis

Each week we are highlighting a BSoUP member's website. This week's choice is the website of Cathy Lewis.

Cathy Lewis lives in Bristol, south west England, with husband Chris who is also a keen diver and an accomplished underwater videographer. She works as the editor of a crafts magazine at Future Publishing in Bath.

Cathy was introduced to diving in 1984 by her adventure-loving friend Tina, who took her to Wast Water in the Lake District on a freezing cold November day.

'The hail was horizontal, my wetsuit didn’t fit, and there was nothing to see. I thought she was mad. Luckily a beginner’s course in Port Douglas, Australia during a year’s travelling, changed my mind. I joined Clifton Sub Aqua Club once I returned and have never looked back'.

To learn more about Cathy and see some of her images please visit www.cathylewisphotography.com/

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