NCUPS 2012 - Video Results

Congratulations to BSoUP Member Jo Horrocks who won first and second place in the Video Snapshot category in the NCUPS 2011 competition with Moray Ballet and Mischievous Seal respectively.

First Place Video Snapshot: Jo Horrocks - Moray Ballet
from NCUPS on Vimeo.

Second Place Video Snapshot: Jo Horrocks - Mischievous Seal
from NCUPS on Vimeo

Creatures of the Lembeh Strait from Howard Hall on Vimeo.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 Beta

Adobe has released a beta version of its Photoshop Creative Suite (CS) 6 on Adobe Labs. The new version features a redesigned user interface, a redesigned crop tool, new Patch and Move tools with Content-Aware options, Camera RAW version 7, a Blur Gallery (Tilt-Shift, Iris and Field Blur) and video editing in CS 6 is no longer limited to the extended version.

Photoshop CS6 beta is a free download, but a log in is required using an Adobe log in. There is a full list and specifications of the beta available as a pdf download too.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 Beta

BBC cameraman Mike Pitts and producer Ingrid Kvale

Meet the Croc Crew

An exciting TV diving duo is a late addition to the line-up of speakers at the London International Dive Show (LIDS 2012), at ExCeL this weekend

In 'Swimming With Crocodiles', millions of BBC viewers recently discovered that it's possible to dive even with mighty Nile crocodiles, if you choose the right time, dive the plan and have nerves of steel.

Now LIDS provides the chance to meet the man who went in close to get those amazing shots – BBC cameraman Mike Pitts – along with producer Ingrid Kvale, who co-ordinated this amazing operation. For Mike it all became a little too amazing at one point – catch the full background story.

Mike and Ingrid are kindly filling a slot on the LIDS speaker programme at 12.45 on Saturday 31 March vacated by Fred Buyle, another image-maker who loves challenging wildlife encounters.

A complete line of speaker presentations may be viewed at http://www.diveshows.co.uk/speaker-presentations.phtml.

Directions to ExCel

Website of the Week - Josef Litt

Josef Litt is a keen underwater photographer. He took his first underwater photograph in 2007. His portfolio includes photographs from many diving locations around the world.

Josef is proud member of the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP)."I aim to create fantastic underwater photographs. Stunning fine art, unique, pixel-perfect. Simply Miracles Photographed!"Josef's project 'Help the Seas!' enables local marine protection projects to reach funds from private contributors. The sea conservation projects receive visibility and on-line fundraising capability (see http://HelpTheSeas.org)Josef's underwater photographs were used in the Coral Reef Alliance's Calendars (see http://coral.org/calendar)Another three of his photographs were taken were published by BSoUP in the book "BSoUP - Images taken with compact cameras" (see http://www.photobox.co.uk/) N. B. Internet Explorer 9 users please use Tools / Compatibility view to preview the photobook.

Josef Litt

© Sean Arrowsmith

NCUPS 2012 -Stills Results

The winners of the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society's annual 2011 SEA International Underwater Photo & Video Competition have been announced.

Congratulations to BSoUP member Sean Arrowsmith who got an honourable mention in the Creative category.

The overall winner was Eduardo Acevedo from the Canary Islands.

Full details at http://sea.ncups.org/

Theme Portfolio Results

Congratulations to Keith Lyall who was the winner of this year's Theme Portfolio competition. On the theme 'Seals', Keith's images were taken at Lundy using a Nikon D300, Tokina FE lens and dual Inon strobes.

Congratulations also to Tony Baskeyfield who came second with his portfolio of dolphins. Although Tony scored fewer points overall, he amassed 8 first places as opposed to Keith's 5.

Third place went to Trevor Rees for his portfolio of swans taken in Llandudno, North Wales with a Nikon D90 and Nikkor 10.5 lens. Fourth place went to Martyn Guess for his portfolio enitled 'Its a crabs world'. Fifth place went to Georgette Douwma for her Portfolio 'Mangrove' taken in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Sixth place went to Dougie Souness for his dolphin portofolio taken in Curaçao.

There were a total of 23 entries.

Winner © Keith Lyall

2nd © Tony Baskeyfield

How the top six scored:-

The top six may be individually viewed larger in the Gallery by clicking on a photographer's name above.

BSoUP Members only may view all of the entries in the Competition slideshow, but you will be asked to login if you haven't already done so this session. You may choose to View either the Gallery or Sldieshow from the top left menu option View.

If you were not one of the top six and would like to know how your scored, please contact Brian Pitkin.

Next month's Focus On competition category is Two of something (any pair of underwater creatures), which is open to BSoUP Members only.

Each photographer may submit a single image The overall image must be no taller than 1050 pixels and no wider than 1400 pixels at 72 pixels/inch. Larger images will be rejected by the server.

3rd © Trevor Rees

Anima Mundi - issue 6

Anima Mundi - Latest issue

The latest issue of the FREE magazine Anima Mundi by Andrea and Antonella Ferrari is now available to download.

Issue 6 includes Colorful hummingbirds of Mindo, Ecuador; Stunning snakes of Costa Rica; Etosha elephants portfolio by Christopher Rimmer; Secret life of the amazing Frogfish.

To download you copy please visit www.animamundimag.com/

2020 Vision - Image of the Day

The Wow Factor

View a stunning new image from the 2020VISION image libary each and every day. Images are available as wallpaper downloads.

2020VISION is the most ambitious nature photography project ever staged in the UK. It aims to engage and enthuse a massive audience by using innovative visual media to convey the value of restoring our most important but often fragmented habitats - to show that healthy ecosystems are not just for wildlife, but are something fundamental to us all.

To view and download the image of the day please visit http://www.2020v.org/wow.asp

2020VISION - Image of the Day

John Liddiard

Website of the Week - John Liddiard

John is a freelance diving photographer and journalist. His work appears regularly in Diver Magazine and has appeared in all the other UK diving magazines and many more general magazines. He has also worked for many European diving magazines and a selection of diving magazines worldwide.

John lives in Bristol and learned to dive in 1978 with the University of Bristol BSAC branch whilst studying for a degree in Physics.

An interest in underwater photography developed to the point where he was effectively semi-professional. Encouraged by this, in 1998 he decided to pursue diving full time, concentrating on photography and writing, supported by instruction, creating diving web sites and anything else that put his diving experience to good use.

In March of 1999 John became an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS). His photography and web site have won a few awards, including highly commended in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his picture of a spawning starfish.

British Underwater Photography Championship (Splash-In) 2012.

The annual British Underwater Photography Championship (Splash-In) takes place on Saturday 14th July, 2012 at Mount Batten, Plymouth.

The competition will run on similar lines to last year's (see Results 2011 and Rules 2011), although a few changes will be made. The Grand Prize for the overall winner is a 7-day live-aboard holiday for two in the Maldives (exclusive of flights and taxes) courtesy of Maldives Scuba Tours. Other prizes and awards will be announced as they are confirmed.

Those attending who have not booked accommodation or a space on a boat should contact Martha Tressler who has some spaces available.

Dan Bolt - Overall Winner 2011

Colin Doeg

Next BSoUP Meeting

The next BSoUP meeting takes place on Wednesday, 21 March 2012at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at our usual venue the Holland Club, Imperial College, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD.  New and prospective new members will be welcomed from 7.30 p.m. See Welcome.

Colin Doeg: Useful Photographic Websites.  Colin will describe a number of websites which he finds interesting or useful, starting with our own website which he describes as a most amazing resource. Members may also wish to add their own sources of information to those mentioned by Colin. Colin is co-founder of BSoUP, former BSoUP Chairman (twice!) and continues to serve on the BSoUP committee.

Theme Portfolio Competition for the BSoUP Theme Portfolio Trophy - a portfolio of 6 images. The competition is now closed. BSoUP Members only may preview the Competition slideshow. You will be asked to login if you have not done so this session.

Mark Webster: A Different View - new ways to approach familiar subjects, dives sites, habitats to create interesting images and maintain the passion. As underwater photographers we often dive the same sites and locations repetitively which is normally an advantage when seeking to perfect a shot. However, sometimes you may feel you have covered all the subjects and need a new location. Marks talk will encourage us to take some alternate views of familiar subjects and think of a different approach to habitats and species which will help maintain the enthusiasm and passion between or even during the big trips to new or familiar locations.

Mark first used a camera when working as a commercial diver in the North Sea and was quickly bitten by the bug which is now a passion, if not an obsession! Mark is the author of or contributor to a number of books including The Art and Technique of Underwater Photography, Lonely Planet Diving and Snorkelling and most recently Beneath Cornish Seas. He has enjoyed some success on the competition circuit and has represented the UK at the CMAS World Championships on four occasions winning silver and bronze medals. Mark has also been leading underwater photography workshops since 1992 in the Red Sea, Caribbean and Far East.

Mark Webster

LIDS 2012 Speaker Presentations

Alex Mustard speaking at LIDS

Saturday 31st March & Sunday 1st April, 2012 at 11.15 a.m. ExCel, London Docklands

Become the Champ – How to Win Underwater Photography Contests.

BSoUP Member Alex Mustard, a well-known name in underwater photography, has developed his own distinctive and creative style. At the last NEC Dive Show he won the BSoUP/DIVER Print Competition, adding to a long record of contest successes, including the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and World Festival of Underwater Photography competitions. These days he judges more competitions than he enters, so has a unique insight into the images that win acclaim – a code all photographers long to crack.

A complete line of speaker presentations may be viewed at http://www.diveshows.co.uk/speaker-presentations.phtml.

Directions to ExCel

Dive the World magazine

The publishers of the Dyk magazines in Scandinavia have announced the publication of a magazine called "Dive the World". The aim is for it to be image rich and story focused. Issue one was released in January, and issue two, due in April will feature a portfolio from Ethan Daniels and the second in a series of Nature Notes articles by Alex Mustard. Also featured in the publication are friends of Wetpixel Stephen Wong and Takako Uno as well as photographers Magnus Lundgren and Marcus Roth.

Dive the World is available quarterly by subscription.

Dive the World magazine

Adam Hanlon, wetpixel

April cover shots

April cover shots

Cover shots by BSoUP members Trevor Rees (in SCUBA's April issue - far left) and by Martin Davies (in Sport Diver's April issue - left) have been posted to the Covers page on this website. Trevor has also published an article on Scottish sea lochs in April's SCUBA magazine.

The two April covers join Trevor Rees' March cover in SCUBA and Arun 'Izzy' Madisetti's cover earlier in the year in Experience Dominica. See Cover shots

If you are a BSoUP Member, please remember we welcome your cover shots and underwater photography news - mail to Brian Pitkin

Fifty Fathoms - New UW-Photo magazine

The first magazine that actually is two magazines: in the portrait mode (vertical format like a print magazine) the new mag introduces the photographer and his work - this will be of interest for all editors and art directors.

In the landscape mode (horizontal like a computer screen) the magazine explains techniques and equipment and is of interest for all other photographers to improve their own abilities. Needless to say that all important data are hot wired to the internet so you`ll have an endless source of information in your hands.

Best of all. The magazine will use full resolution on the new iPad3 - ready for Retina :)

Get your copy for the iPad, see how it works and submit your work to be published worldwide! A new generation of magazines available as of now!

See http://www.facebook.com/ for further details.

Fifty Fathoms - New UW-Photo magazine

Linda Pitkin's 2020VISION Charr Blog

Linda Pitkin's 2020VISION Charr Blog

BSoUP Member Linda Pitkin's latest blog, on Arctic Charr, has been posted on the 2020VISION website at http://blog.2020v.org/

Linda is one of the 20 photographers involved in the 2020VISION project which seeks to engage and enthuse a massive audience by using innovative visual media to convey the value of restoring our most important but often fragmented habitats - to show that healthy ecosystems are not just for wildlife, but are something fundamental to us all. Linda is the only female photographer in the team. She and Alex Mustard are the only underwater photographers.

To find out more about 2020VISION please visit http://www.2020v.org/

BSoUP Photobook - Images taken in British waters

The latest BSoUP photobook - Images taken in British waters is now available online at www.photobox.co.uk/.

We invited BSoUP members to submit images taken in British waters for a photobook to promote the society, particularly at events like dive shows. We are delighted that quite a few members responded (see below). The book, compiled by Alison Mayor, is now available to order online and you may preview the contents (password LIDS2012)

Comprising 58 pages the book retails at £56.99 plus postage. However until 18th March there is a buy one get one free offer for hard cover books over 40 pages (code HCBOOKS241), so we suggest you split the cost of two copies with another underwater photographer.

BSoUP Photobook
Images taken in British waters

BSoUP extends its sincere thanks to Trevor Rees, Arthur Kingdon, Caroline Bateman, Dave Peake, Len Deeley, Neil Hollingworth, Martin Davies, Clive Allcorn, Alex Mustard, Dougie Souness, Mark Webster, Nick Blake, Dan Bolt, Joss Woolf, Ken Sullivan, Cathy De Lara, Gerry Casey, Nick Watson, Keith Lyal, Heather Morris, Steve Jones, Tony Neal, Robert Bailey, Mark Thomas, Tony Baskeyfield, Kevin Cullimore, Brian Pitkin, Peter Tatton, Alison Mayor and Maragaret Ashton who submitted images and to Alison Mayor for compiling the book.

N. B. Unfortunately the preview doesn't show if you use Internet Explorer 9. If you have this version, once you have clicked on the URL (http://www.photobox.co.uk/) use the IE 9 Tools / Compatability View to enable you to log in to the photobook [or use Internet Explorer 8 or earlier or another browser like Safari (http://www.apple.com/safari/download/) or Google Chrome (http://www.google.co.uk/chrome)]. Log in with the password LIDS2012. The discount code to purchase two copies for the price of one is HCBOOKS241. A box for this code is located on the order form.

PhotoZone Presentations at LIDS 2012

PhotoZone Presentations at LIDS 2012

The following underwater photography talks will take place in the PhotoZone area of the main hall at the London International Dive Show (LIDS) at ExCel, London Docklands on both Saturday, 31st March and Sunday 1st April.

10.00 – 10.45 a.m. Which Underwater Camera? – Mark Koekemoer, Ocean Optics

11.00 – 11.45 a.m. Top ten underwater photyography tips – Martin Davies, BSoUP

12.00 – 12.45 p.m. But that's not real! – Saeed Rashid

1.00 – 1.45 p.m. Hot new toys – Alex Tattersall, Underwater Visions

2.00 – 2.45 p.m. Video cameras are dead, long live video... – Paul 'Duxy' Duxfield, Ocean Leisure Cameras

3.00 – 3.45 p.m. Diving skills for underwater photographers – Black Rock Diving

For further details please visit www.diveshows.co.uk/

Website of the Week - Cathy Lewis

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, her wetsuit didn’t fit, and there was nothing to see. Cathy thought she was mad. Luckily a beginner’s course in Port Douglas, Australia during a year’s travelling, changed her mind. She joined Clifton Sub Aqua Club when she returned and have never looked back.
"Photography seemed a natural progression, to add another element to my diving". Cathy loved seeing the images other photographers had taken and wanted to show non-diving friends some of the spectacular life and scenery beneath the sea. Having no photography experience Cathy had to master the unforgiving Nikonos 5 camera from scratch - a challenge for a non-techy person.

Cathy Lewis

It took some help from experts Alan James, Gordon James and Martin Edge to achieve anything Cathy was relatively happy with. She progressed on to an SLR Nikon F90X film camera and now uses a Nikon D200 digital SLR in a Sea and Sea housing. For lighting, Cathy uses twin YS110 Sea and Sea strobes. Favourite lenses include the Nikon 60mm macro and 10.5mm fisheye, and occasionally the 20mm portrait lens.
Cathy is a member of the Bristol Underwater Photography Group (BUPG) and the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP). She enjoys learning from other members’ expertise and sharing her photographic experiences with them. For Cathy, taking a camera underwater is like treasure hunting, looking for a scene or subject to get that perfect shot. She's still looking - and enjoying every minute of it.

Pacific Northwest Diver

Pacific Northwest Diver - Latest issue

The latest issue of the FREE Pacific Northwest Diver is now available for download.

This issues featured photographer is Mary Bess Johnson. Mary Bess is a Mukilteo based photographer who not only takes stunning marine images, she also uses a modified Nikon D200 to take under water infrared photos, like this months tunicate cover shot (below) she calls Nova Blossom.

Anacortes based Lu-Jacs Quest is Marchs featured operator, with photos by Marc Chamberlain, Phil Jensen, and Janna Nichols. We highlight the work of Lee Newman in Vancouver, BC, Mary Springhorn and Tracy Petersen with Anacortes Diving, and Berni Landau in the Portland area.

The Technical Corner discusses the Saga fiber optic strobe ring for photographers/videographers use in macro and super-macro photography.

To downlaod your copy please visit http://pnwups.com/

X-Ray Magazine - Latest issue

The latest issue of the FREE x-Ray Magazine is now available to download.

Issue 47 includes special coverage of the Red Sea including Brothers Islands with Christopher Bartlett, a journey from Cairo to El Quseir with Barb Roy, and Elphinstone with JP Bresser; Interview with Archim Schlöffel; Communing with cuttlefish with Seanna Cronin; Kimbe Bay’s Zero Wreck with Don Silcock; Bell Island wrecks with Robert Osborne; Peter Symes and David Hall on hooded nudibranchs; Giant manta rays of Ecuador with Mark Harding; Diving Timor Leste with Don Silcock; How to photograph sharks with Andy Murch; Michael Menduno interviews the late PADI co-founder, John Cronin; Muck diving photography with Lawson Wood; Michel Braunstein takes us to a unique dive site in the Dead Sea. Plus news and discoveries, equipment and training news, books and media, underwater photo and video equipment, turtle news, shark tales, whale tales and much more...

Download your copy from www.xray-mag.com/

X-Ray #47

Deep Indonesia 2012

Results of DEEP Indonesia 2012 announced

The results of the second part of the "super bowl" of underwater photography, DEEP Indonesia 2012, have been announced. The contest had over 1200 entries competing in 7 categories for over $40,000 worth of prizes. Best of Show, went to Dale Sanders for his wide-angle scenic shot of anemones under the sea ice at Baffin Island, in Arctic Canada, as did the diver category. Other category winners were BSoUP Member Alex Tattersall in the animal behavior category, Stefano Proakis in the animal portrait, Marcus Commodore for the compact category, Carlos Villoch in the environment and conservation and Maria Rivarola won the category for Indonesian residents.

Full contest results are available on the UnderwaterCompetition.com website.

Adobe Lightroom 4 now available

Adobe has announced the release and availability of the latest version of its photo editing software, Lightroom 4. The beta version has been around since the end of January, and it would seem that the release version is very similar. Included in the new version is native video support, with the ability to trim and extract frames from footage. Perhaps more critically, the develop module has been substantially revised, with new processing technology, superior shadow and highlight processing and integrated soft proofing for printing.

Lightroom 4 is available for Mac and Windows now at (£103.88) $149 for the full version or (£59.09 ($79) for an upgrade. Free shipping until 31st March.

Further details at http://success.adobe.com/

Epson Red Sea Photographer of the Year

Between the months of January and May, the Epson Red Sea 2012 Online Competition will take place. Each month during the competition, amateur and professional photographers from all over the world are invited to submit a portfolio of 3 digital photos. By the end of each month, 3 photographers will be announced as the winners of that particular month, chosen both by the public and by an international panel of 5 judges.

The top three photographers for February were:

First: Dennis Vandermeersch from Belgium with 38.62% of the votes

Second: Boaz Meiri from USA Boaz with 12.91% of the votes

Third: Henrik Gram Rasmussen from Denmark with 9.62% of the votes.

The March competition is now open. Further details at http://www.eilatredsea.com/?CategoryID=363

Website of the Week - Arthur Kingdon

My interest in photography began many years ago when I was around fourteen. My father was an accomplished amateur photographer with his own darkroom and I remember being fascinated as the monochrome images would slowly appear in the developing tray.

I soon purchased a secondhand Nikonos 11, for what was about two week's wages at the time, and set off to capture fantastic images of the underwater world. Well, it did not work out quite as I expected; the 35mm lens was not very wide, it was tricky to focus, and those expensive flashbulbs! Six rolls of fairly mediocre images later, I was diving Kimmeridge Bay (UK south coast) when a member of our shore party managed to accidentally damage my camera beyond repair. Unable to afford a replacement and being somewhat unimpressed with my results, my underwater photography career came to an end - or so I thought.

I continued diving with my 'wreckie' buddies for the next thirty years but was becoming increasingly bored and doing less diving. I started organising expeditions to Newfoundland in the Ninetees and that inspired me to take up underwater photography again. I purchased another Nikonos in 1999, a strobe and a 20mm lens followed and my results were sufficiently encouraging. A Nikon F4 in an Aquatica housing replaced the Nikonos and the results improved again. However, the bug really bit in 2004 with the move to digital (a Nikon D100) and I have not looked back. I am keen to dive anywhere, anytime and now do far more diving than I used to do. Currently, I use a Nikon D200 in an Aquatica housing with twin Inon Z240 strobes. I use a variety of lenses, mainly Nikon but I have just added a Tokina 10-17mm fisheye. I also enjoy using a housed Canon A540 compact on occasion.

My work has been published in a variety of magazines and I have enjoyed a fair amount of success in photographic competitions. I currently organise the programme and act as webmaster for the Bristol Underwater Photography Group as well as being a member of the British Society of Underwater Photographers I am always keen to help any of the less experienced underwater photographers and I enjoy receiving emails on any aspects of what has become my passion - feel free to get in touch via my website www.aakup.com/index.htm.

Canon release EOS 5D Mark III

On the 25th anniversary of its world-renowned EOS System, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce its latest model, the new EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR Camera. Positioned between the extremely popular EOS 5D Mark II and Canon's top-of-the-line professional EOS-1D X model, the EOS 5D Mark III delivers superb image quality, thanks to a new 22.3-megapixel full-frame Canon CMOS sensor, a high-performance DIGIC 5+ Imaging Processor, a 61-point High Density Reticular Autofocus (AF) System and six frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting speed.

Building upon the trailblazing success of the EOS 5D Mark II, the EOS 5D Mark III also incorporates enhanced video features for professionals in the fields of cinematography, television production and documentary filmmaking, including better noise reduction, longer recording times and a built-in headphone jack for audio monitoring.

The EOS 5D Mark III is Canon's answer to hundreds of thousands of advanced amateurs and emerging professionals looking for a compact, high-quality camera system to help them achieve their artistic vision, whether it be through still or video imagery. The EOS 5D Mark III introduction coincides with Canon's 25th anniversary celebration of the EOS camera system. Canon's award-winning EOS system first debuted in March of 1987 with the introduction of the EOS 650 SLR camera and three EF lenses. See also review by DPR

Super macro image of a tiny Blenny
taken using a reversed lens combo
© Alex Mustard

Time for a major philosophy change?

Wetpixel Associate Editor and BSoUP Committee Member Alex Mustard has provoked a fascinating and lively debate in the wetpixel forums by asking:

The issue: with changes in camera technology, should we still strive for the finished image in camera, or not?"

He relates it to the advent of the Lytro camera (see below) which allows for focus adjustments post-capture, and the imminent arrival of the Nikon D800 and Canon 5DMk III, both of which have massive resolution and will promote the use of extensive cropping. Does the concept of getting the image right at the moment of capture still have merit or not? Please join the discussion and add your thoughts.

Lytro now shipping the worlds first light field camera

Last year, Lytro launched planned to build an amazing new kind of camera. Since then, the Lytro team has worked hard to bring this technology to life and manufacture the world’s first light field camera for consumers. Lytro has now started shipping the Lytro camera to its first customers and are putting the future of light field photography in your hands.

Whilst housings and underwater equipment for the camera are not yet commercially available, it is apparent that the technology is going to change the way pictures are taken.

This is just the beginning. It starts today with living pictures that you can interactively refocus post-capture to explore the picture and make your own visual discoveries. In addition, later this year we’ll introduce software updates that unlock additional features, including 3D viewing, of your existing light field shots.

Further details: http://blog.lytro.com/. See also DPR review

Lytro

Neil Lucas

Neil Lucas to speak in Ripon

Saturday 10th March at 2pm

Neil Lucas will be giving a talk and show at Ripon Leisure Centre, Harrogate on Saturday 10th March at 2pm.

Neil was a producer with the BBC's Natural History Unit for over 20 years. In that time he worked on many of Sir David Attenborough's series plus the BBC series Life. If you saw the speeded-up film of plants growing, you saw Neil's work, and so to was the Life program on the Huboldt squid.

Neil is now a freelance film director and photographer specialising in the most demanding and difficult work. He has fascinating stories to tell of the films and series he worked on, the animals and events, and how he got some of the most amazing film and pictures (see Neil's website)

Tickets are £10 each and are selling quickly. To get yours please email riponphotosoc@yahoo.co.uk, call 0843 523 5530 or 07815 815116.

Ripon Leisure Centre may be found at http://g.co/maps/z93ze

Masters of Underwater Photography

Call to Artists - Deadline: March 4, 2012.

Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) invites underwater photography artists to submit their work for review for the upcoming exhibition Liquid Capture: Masters of Underwater Photography on view at OMA April 28 through June 17, 2012 with an Exhibition Reception and Panel Discussion on May 5 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Organized by renowned photographer Lee Peterson, this exhibition will present the best underwater photographic art from around the world. There will be five categories for the photography contest: Ocean Environment Underwater, Macro, Diver, Ocean Environment Above Water and Marine Mammals. An optional category is Submersion, a creative look at diving. Prizes are being continually added. All selected photographs will be published in the exhibition catalogue being created by Digital One and artists will receive an exhibition certificate from Oceanside Museum of Art.

To submit your work visit the Enter page here.

Masters of Underwater Photography

East Midlands Underwater Photographers (EMUP)

EMUP - Next Meeting

Tuesday 6th March 2012

The next meeting of the East Midlands Underwater Photographers (EMUP) takes place on Tuesday 6th March downstairs in Nemo's Bar, at Stoney Cove (map) at 7:30 sharp. All pub facilities will be open so refreshments will be on hand

An evening with Maria Munn
Multi award-winning underwater photographer and award-winning author, Maria Munn is the first person in the world to design tailor-made, underwater photography courses for all makes of compact cameras.  
Competition: Underwater Excellence (3 shots)

Submit three images to demonstrate excellence (up to you how to interpret that). There doesn't need to be a theme, but looking at the BSoUP competition variety tends to help.

Visit http://www.emup.org.uk/ for further details.

9th Annual San Francisco Ocean Festival

7-11 March , 2012

The 9th Annual San Francisco Ocean Film Festival is soliciiting films to be screeened over a five day period to thousands of ocean and film lovers who will be headed to San Francisco for this annual event. Filmmakers from around the world have come to know SFOFF as the premier ocean film festival.

Featuring over 50 critically acclaimed independent films, chosen from over 150 submissions, the films offer a rare and unique opportunity to learn about the vital importance of the world's ocean and participate in panel discussions, filmmaker Q & A sessions and special screenings unique to our film festival.

For full details please visit www.oceanfilmfest.org/

Northern Underwater Photography Group

NUPG - Next Meeting

Monday 12th March

The next meeting of the Northern Underwater Photography Group (NUPG) is on Monday 12th March at the Gurkha Grill in West Didsbury (map).

The talk will be by Nick and Caroline on their recent road trip in Florida, the competition theme is "animal behaviour" and there will be a new feature: Ken's photoshop Corner.

Please send in an image you would like to improve and Ken will talk through the photoshop technique. It should be a good one - we hope to see you there.

March is hotting up (well maybe not in the weather sense) - The NUPG Winter Splash-in will be on the 17th March in North Wales. Find a buddy and get in and take some photos on this one day and you can enter the competition.

Further details at www.nupg.org.uk/

LIDS 2012

Saturday 31st March 2012 and Sunday 1st April 2012

Get your spring diving season off to the very best start with a visit to the London International Dive Show (LIDS 2012) at ExCeL in London. With more than 200 exhibiting companies, a top line-up of diving speakers, free seminars, two diving pools and a host of in-show features, you're guaranteed a great day out.

In addition to new-look in-hall features, LIDS 2012 will have expanded dive-travel and underwater photo areas and more comprehensive support than ever before from PADI and BSAC. Both agencies will be running dedicated dive presentations throughout the weekend, and BSAC will be featuring the Branch Pods and special university dive-club area that proved so popular at the recent NEC Birmingham Dive Show.

For further details please visit LIDS 2012.

LIDS 2012 - Photozone

All this - plus the chance to discuss equipment, techniques and concerns one to one with the experts, to enjoy examples of fine photography from BSoUP's Print Competition in the Photo Gallery, and to check out the many cameras, housings and accessories for sale.

Taking place over the weekend of 31 March/1 April at London's ExCeL, LIDS 2012 will feature a huge range of diving equipment and accessories, as well as dive-travel opportunities in the UK and overseas.

Dive training advice will also be plentiful at the show, particularly in the PADI Village and in the expanded British Sub Aqua Club area, where the club will be supported by special 'pods' dedicated to a range of its branches in London and the south-east.

And there will be top diving speakers including Monty Halls, Paul Rose, deep-wreck diver Mark Dixon and Titanic expert Rory Golden, plus attractions like the 3D Free-Dive Simulator, the Try Dive Pool and the Technical Pool.

Tickets for LIDS 2012 booked in advance cost just £8.50 a head instead of £11.50 on the door. And there are group-booking offers for six or more people that work out even cheaper at just £7.50 a head - a 35% saving. Children under 14 go free.

For more information please visit www.diveshows.co.uk/visitors.phtml

Tristan Jones

Website of the Week - Tristan Jones

Tristan is a PADI Dive Master and has had a life long passion for all things underwater. Being a photographer, there was a natural progression to underwater photography.

Apart from wrecks, reefscapes and fish, Tristan has also undertaken work for clients wanting to showcase their underwater equipment

Tristan is working on building a comprehsnisve photographic database of British Marine life, although this side project will take many years to complete.

To see some of Tristan's images please visit www.tristanjonesphotography.com/

British Wildlife Photography Awards
Image: Seahorse by Alex Tattersall

Martin Edge

BSoUP - Martin Edge Award

If you have never attended a course on underwater photography with Martin Edge, he is offering one lucky BSoUP Member a single FREE place on a one day course near Bournemouth. BSoUP will pay £60 for the use of the hotel and pool and Martin will provide his services at no cost to you. You will be expected to pay your travel expenses and accommodation.

To qualify please send a brief statement about your current camera system (camera, housing, lenses, flashes), tell us about your underwater photography background and experience, send us six of your best images and tell us why you think you would benefit from this one-off special offer.

The lucky  BSoUP Member who makes the best case will be notified in due course.

Please e-mail your statement and images to info@bsoup.org by 27 March, 2012

Although Martin specialises in courses for dSLR cameras he is willing to offer the course to four thirds and compact camera users as well.

Blue Ocean Film Festival 2012