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Basking Sharks in Cornwall A quick update
on the situation by Charles HoodThe water is unseasonably cold but the top
layer is warm so there is loads of plankton around, which has started to
bring the sharks in. We had a fantastic encounter on Saturday with a 4.5m
male, well over 2 hours! He was so intent on feeding that he was completely
oblivious to our presence and for some strange reason appeared to like
swimming around the RIB!
Other contacts are also reporting shark sightings as well. The forecast is
for plenty of sun so fingers crossed we will have larger numbers
immanently. Due to a cancellation I have spaces this Sunday and a few odd
days during the week in June are still available - see http://charleshood.com/calendar for details.
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Basking Sharks in Cornwall © Charles Hood
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Charles Erb
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Website of the Week - Charles Erb
Charles is a school Science teacher based in the middle
of England with a passion for UK diving and underwater photography. His
favourite locations are along the UK's South West coast, Western Scotland,
West Wales and the North East coast. His website exists to showcase some of
his favourite images and communicate some of the passion behind their
creation.
He is a member of Worcester Divers and
the British Society of Underwater Photographers, as well as a
sometime contributor to Dive Magazine. His
regular dive buddies are Trevor Rees
and Rob
Bailey.
Charles regularly give talks about UK diving, the
challenges and excitement of underwater photography and dispelling the myth
that there is little of beauty or interest to see beneath the waters around
UK waters.
To learn more about Charles and see some of his images
please visit www.undersea-images.com/
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The Seas Strangest Square Mile goes
viral
Filmed by John Boyle, Shark Bay Films,
The Seas Strangest Square Mile has gone viral.
Filmed in the Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Indonesia, which
is known to divers as the the planet's most intriguing and bizarre square
mile of ocean floor, the video features the extraordinary behaviour of some
of the bizarre inhabitants of this diverse habitat.
Watch the video here
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The Seas Strangest Square Mile
© John Boyle, Shark Bay Films
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International Biodiversity Day
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It's International Day for Biological
Diversity!
Water wonderful world
Today, 22nd May, is International Day for Biological Diversity, an annual
event aimed at increasing our understanding and awareness of the worlds
biodiversity. This years theme is 'Water and Biodiversity, coinciding with
the United Nations International Year of Water Co-operation 2013 and
highlighting the role and importance of water to biodiversity and vice
versa.
Water is our planets most precious natural resource,
providing us with food and energy, as well as supporting economies and
regulating our climate.
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Website of the Week - Martin
Edge
Each week we are highlighting a
BSoUP member's website.
Martin Edge's website is
this week's choice. An honorary life member of BSoUP,
Martin is one of the leading underwater photographers and educators in this
country. His book, The Underwater Photographer is in its fourth edition
and remains a reference in our field. Martin organises regular courses and
trips overseas.
Visit Martin's website at www.edgeunderwaterphotography.co.uk/
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, Pash Baker.
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Martin Edge |
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1st © Debbie Henshaw
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Focus On - Abstract - May 2013 -
Results
Congratulations to Debbie Henshaw who
was this month's winner of our Focus On Competition with an image of
colourful crinoids taken at Nuweiba, Red Sea (f/16 1/200 ISO 200).
Congratulations also Mark Drayton and
Warren Williams, who came second and third
respectively.
There were a total of 24 entries.
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How the top six scored:
Position |
Photographer |
Points |
Firsts |
1 |
Debbie Henshaw |
33 |
2 |
2 |
Mark
Drayton |
29 |
6 |
3 |
Warren Williams |
28 |
7 |
4 |
Joss
Woolf |
24 |
5 |
5 |
Mark
Atwell |
18 |
4 |
6 |
Kirsten Harris |
18 |
1 |
The top six may be viewed in the Gallery
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2nd © Mark Drayton
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3rd © Warren Williams
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BSoUP Members only may view all the
entries (enlarged images and with named photographers) in the
Slideshow Archive. You will be asked to login if you have not already
done so this session.
If you were not one of the top six and would like to know
how you scored, please contact Brian Pitkin.
Next month is the Focus On Competition
theme is Predation. The competition is open to BSoUP Members only. Please
read the Rules and
guidelines before entering via the Competition
Entry Form. Deadline is Sunday 9th June at one minute to midnight.
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Website of the Week - Earth in Focus
Earth in Focus champions the photography of Adam Seward,
Matt
Doggett, Richard
Shucksmith and George
Stoyle - a result of our shared interest for photography and the
natural world. We all met whilst studying at university and discovered our
shared interest in photographing the natural world.
We use our professional and scientific knowledge to tell
insightful and captivating stories, generating a unique blend of science
and creative vision.
Earth in Focus images have excelled in a number of
international photographic competitions and appeared in books, magazines
and newspapers around the world. Our images are used to promote the
valuable work of national and international conservation organisations.
Any of our images are available as high resolution
digital files for commercial, corporate or editorial use and can be
purchased through our Stock
Library. High quality prints are available in a variety of media.
Please contact us if you have particular requirements that you cannot find
on the site.
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Earth in Focus
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Olympus PEN EP-5 mirrorless camera |
New Olympus PEN mirrorless camera
Olympus has announced the release of a new flagship model
in their PEN mirrorless range. The EP-5 features Advanced 5-Axis Image
Stabilization, high-speed response FAST AF and 1/8000s maximum shutter
speed. Controls can be accessed via a new 2x2 Dial Control with a control
lever which may help accessing functions in a housing and the VF-4
viewfinder is now detachable. The PEN EP-5 will be available from May at a
retail price of $999.99 in the U.S.A.
More by Adam Hanlon at wetpixel
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Pacific North-West Diver - Latest
issue
Featured photographers and videographers are: Robert Roy
from Vancouver, BC shares his images and techniques; Scott Stevenson based
in Victoria, BC writes about Race Rocks; Russ Ricketts, a Wenatchee
resident, describes river snorkeling. Rockfish Divers, located on Brentwood
Bay outside of Victoria, BC, is our featured operator.
The Technical Corner contains information about camera
sensors: how to tell if they are dirty, and how to clean them in the
field.
Also in this issue: Archives: The 1935 San Pedro High
Suicide Club; Marine Life Sanctuaries Society award from the Vancouver
Natural History Society; Draft Giant Pacific Octopus harvesting rules;
Making a Pole Cam, Part 2.
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Pacific North-West Diver. Cover Image: Robert
Roy
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Travel opportunities in 2013: Monterey Bay & Pt
Lobos: May; Six Gill Shark Week at Barkley Sound: August; Adams River
Sockeye Salmon: October; La Paz Whale Sharks, Sea Lion, & Critters:
October; Grey Whale Moms & Babies: Bahia Magdalena: 2014
To donload you FREE copy please visit: http://pnwups.com/images/pnw_diver_2013-05.pdf
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Paul Morgan
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BSoUP Meeting - May
The next BSoUP meeting takes place on Wednesday, 15 May
2013 at 7.30 for 8.00 p.m. at our new venue, in Room G.01 in the Royal
School of Mines, Imperial College, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD
[Directions]. New and prospective new members will be welcomed
from 7.30 p.m. See Welcome.
One issue with our new venue is a lack of any local
source for liquid refreshment, so we suggest you bring something for the
break, some bottled water or something more substantial.
Paul Morgan: Developing a workflow
system. In this third instalment of our technical talk series Paul
will provide guidance on developing a workflow system for
yourself, from planning your trip to getting back safely with all
your fabulous pictures. The emphasis will be an overall workflow
rather than detailed steps with software. Getting and
keeping great pictures!
Paul is a former BSoUP Committee
member and current member of the in focus magazine production team,
a keen underwater photographer, silver jeweller, magician, camper van
addict and also retired with five grandchildren.
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Focus On ï - Abstract: The competition is
now closed. There were a total of 24 entries. BSoUP Members only may view
all the entries on the in the Competition Slideshow. You will be prompted to log in if you
have not already done so this session.
Alex Tattersall: Creating Memorable
Images. With the proliferation of underwater images in the digital
age, it is becoming more and more challenging to create images which have
that wow-factor. This talk will draw on numerous images in an attempt to
draw together categories that take photos a step beyond the norm. The hope
is that you can reflect upon these during your own photographic endeavours
to help your images 'stand out from the crowd.
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Focus On - Abstract - May
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Alex Tattersall / Underwater Visions
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Alex learned to dive in Venezuela in 2000 although didn't
really fall in love with the sea until going to Egypt in 2002. He became a
Dive Master in Byron Bay Australia in 2003 and worked in Queensland and
Western Australia guiding dives. He first picked up an underwater camera in
2006, an Olympus mju300 and was immediately hooked. He spent a year in
Taiwan in 2007 and began helping a local underwater photography retailer as
a means to practice Mandarin Chinese and to get discounted toys.
After returning to the UK to finish his PhD in Chinese culture, to
justify his repeated dive trips to his wife, he set up Underwater Visions,
now UK distributor for Nauticam, Fisheye, iTorch, Cameq, Stix products.
Alongside this, he also leads photography trips for Oonasdivers and
Divequest, both keen supporters of BSoUP.
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Adobe creates a furore over its Creative Cloud
plans
The Adobe MAX address on Monday focused on Adobes roadmap
for the future regarding ownership of software. Their traditional
distribution of software via bought versions has been abandoned and
replaced almost entirely with a subscription based model. In addition, the
Creative Suite labeling has been dropped, with the suffix CC (for Creative
Cloud) being added to the software product. Hence the next version of the
Creative Suite would have been known as CS7, but will now simply be
CC.
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Adobe Creative Cloud Furore on wetpixel
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As Creative Cloud versions will automatically update each
release for as long as the owner is subscribed, the number label has become
defunct, with the CS6 variant being the last. Subscriptions to the full
Creative Cloud will be $50/month assuming a years commitment, although
there are incentives and deals available for those joining for the first
time.
In conjunction with the above, Adobe plans to release a
series of updates to the apps within the Creative Cloud. These will be
available from June. For video editing, Premiere Pro CC, After Effects CC
and Speed Grade CC all receive additional or
updated features. Photoshop CC will add 10 new or updated features including Camera
Shake Reduction, a revised Smart Sharpen filter, Intelligent upsampling
and version 8 of Camera Raw. More by Adam Hanlon at wetpixel
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Six Ways to Keep your Digital Images from Becoming
Orphan Works
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Six Ways to Keep your Digital Images from
Becoming Orphan Works
By David
Riecks May 07, 2013
"Orphan Works" are a legitimate problem for many
galleries, libraries, archives and museums that have acquired various works
over the years, as without knowing who created each artwork, its hard to
know whether copyright is still in effect. However, since the UK has
recently passed the Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Act by royal assent,
this pushes the issue to the forefront, since it includes a method by which
Orphan Works can be exploited.
Over on the PhotoMetadata blog, I list six ways you can prevent
your images from being considered as "Orphan
Works" (a work for which the copyright owner can not be identified or
contacted). While written for a photographer audience, these guideline are
general enough to be of value for anyone to find of use (including image
collection and DAM managers).
For the full details, see the Six Ways to Keep your Digital Images from Becoming Orphan
Works post on the PhotoMetada blog.
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Website of the Week - Len Deeley
Len has been involved in photography, underwater
photography, and Audio Visual productions since the early 1980's. He
regularly gives presentations of his photos and audio visuals as well as
organising photographic trips and workshops.
In February 2000, after 29 successful years with an
American bank, Len took redundancy, which has given him the opportunity to
concentrate on his photography and diving. He regularly organises diving
trips for underwater photographers to locations worldwide, such as Red Sea,
Indonesia, French Polynesia, Galapagos, Cocos Islands, South Africa,
Mozambique, Philippines, Cuba, etc.
By building up successes with entries in various British
Photographic Exhibitions affiliated to the BPE Crown Awards scheme Len
achieved the BPE1 award certificate in March 2007, BPE2 in April 2007 and
BPE3 in May 2008.
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Len Deeley
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In 2009 Len was commissioned with a dive friend Karen
Gargani to produce a book. The book, called Ultimate Diving Adventures, was
released in UK in October 2009 with world wide publication thereafter.
In March 2011 Len was awarded AFIAP distinction with the
Federation Internationale Del'Art Photographique.
To learn more about Len and see some of his images please
visit http://www.imagine-photography.co.uk/index.html
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Northern Underwater Photography Group |
NUPG - Next Meeting
Monday, 13th May, 2013
The next meeting of the Northern Underwater Photographers
takes place on Monday 13th May at the Gurkha Grill, West Didsbury,
Manchester (map).
AGM
Competition Anything Goes. Anything taken anyway in the
world and you can use software to manipulate the image as much as your
imagination allows.
Image clinic bring along a few images to show and
discus.
For further details about NUPG please visit www.nupg.org.uk
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BUPG - Next Meeting
Tuesday 14th May, 2013
The Meeting (start time 2000hrs) will be at
our normal venue - The Casson Centre, Rodway Road, Patchway, BS34 5DQ
(map).
Competition - 'Abstract'.
How to Be an Underwater Photo Instructor -
Paul Colley
Presentation - Sea Urchins - Trevor
Rees
Foto Forum - Predation - Arthur
Kingdon
For further details about BUPG please visit
www.bupg.co.uk/
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Bristol Undrewater Photography Group |
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The Royal Photographic Society Print
Competition
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RPS Print Competition
Deadline: Friday, 17th May 2013
The Royal Photographic Society (RPS)
invites professional, student and amateur photographers worldwide to submit
their work for the RPS International 156. This year, the
RPS is delighted to announce that for the first time in its history,
digital entries may be submitted alongside print
entries.
The Royal Photographic Society's annual International
Print Exhibition is the longest standing exhibition of its kind in the
world. During its long history of over 150 years, it has gained a
reputation for showcasing a wide range of genres and styles of photography.
Entry is open to everyone (whether an RPS member or not). Entrants can
submit up to 4 images online or as prints, into one of two groups: Over 30s
and Under 30s.
For further details and to apply online, visit: www.rps-international.org
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UwP - Latest Issue
The latest issue of the FREE UwP magazine is now
available to download.
Issue 72 includes Editorial, News, Travel and Events, New
Products, Product Reviews, Techniques, Marine Biology, Locations and
Parting Shots.
To download your copy please visit http://www.uwpmag.com/
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UwP 72 : Cover Image: Atilla Kaszo
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World Shoot Out - Underwater Grand Prix
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World Shoot Out - Underwater Grand
Prix
First Prize $3,000
Participating in Images of the
World categories doesn't necessarily mean you have to get wet
again!
Select your best and most impressive underwater images
and video clips, taken anytime and anywhere in the world, and submit them
to any of the following four Images of the
World categories.
Best Wrecks of the World
Sharks
Video Clip
Children
Full details at https://www.worldshootout.org
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Shark Trust Photography Competition
Deadline: 28th August
The Shark Trust is delighted to announce the launch of
Sharks in Focus 2013 - the photography competition that aims to change
attitudes about sharks through imagery.
The Trust has spent over 15 years raising public
awareness about the issues facing sharks and challenging the common Jaws
stereotype. After the huge success of previous competitions the Shark Trust
will be launching their third shark photography competition, in association
with Diver Magazine, on the 1st May.
Judging the images will be three renowned experts in the
field of underwater photography - Alex Mustard, whose
distinctive style has gained international recognition, Michael
Aw, a multi-award winning nature photographer, and Andy
Murch, a freelance photojournalist specialising in sharks and
rays. Supporters will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite
image via Facebook to champion the publics choice.
To find out more, or to enter the competition, visit
www.sharktrust.org/.
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Shark Trust Photography Competition
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ScubaFest 2013 |
ScubaFest - Splash-in
Saturday 4th May, 2013
The popular Splash-in underwater photography competition
will take place on Saturday 4th May at this year's ScubaFest. Entry is free
and open to all
There will be some great prizes on offer with sponsorship
from Suunto, BSAC and Oonas Divers.
The registration desk will be open between 6pm and 10pm
on the Friday evening in the Pentewan Sands Holiday Park clubhouse. Please
bring your camera and memory card with you as you will need to take a
photograph at registration.
Please bring your images for the competition back to the
registration desk on Saturday between 15.30 and 17.30. The prize giving
presentation will be held at 19.00 in the clubhouse and will be compered by
our competition judge, Charles Hood.
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Beneath the Waves Film Festival
The Poly, Falmouth
Thursday, 6th June 2013
Competition Deadline: 14th May
The Festival Beneath the Waves Film
Festival is a US-based international film festival in its fourth
consecutive year, showcasing the talent of marine film-makers worldwide,
highlighting conservation issues across the globe. Selected films will
shown at mini-festivals all over the world, and for the first time in the
UK The Poly, Falmouth is hosting it's own mini-festival.
The competition we invite submissions
of both short films and still images which highlight local conservation
issues. Underwater footage is not required but imagery must focus on
ocean/marine/aquatic themes or issues, and must be your own original work.
A research and/or conservation angle is encouraged but not essential. We
welcome films and stills with all types of messages and subject matter, but
we also want to highlight ocean success stories!
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Beneath the Waves Festival |
The winning film will be shown alongside international
films, presented by Canon photographer Fergus Kennedy. Winning images will
be exhibited in The Poly Gallery for one week prior to the festival. If you
are a diver, photographer, scientist, conservationist, or just passionate
about the ocean then this is for you if you have a good story which needs
to be told, we want to hear from you!.
PRIZES £200 for the winning documentary / £50
for the winning photograph
Further information: beneaththewavesfalmouth@gmail.com
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2020 VISION Street Gallery Exhibition |
2020 VISION Street Gallery
Exhibition
Throughout May
On Wednesday 1 May, the 2020VISION outdoor street gallery
opens at More London, situated between London Bridge and Tower Bridge on
the south bank of the Thames. The free exhibition, in partnership with
Friends of the Earth and their new inspirational project Picture
the Earth, will remain in place until the end of the month. Go
on, grab one of those over-priced cappuccinos and enjoy some if the most
inspiring photography of the UK's wildlife and natural landscapes!
Further details about 2020VISION
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HP Red Sea Online Competition 2013
Your FREE RIDE to the Eilat Red Sea
Shoot-Out in Eilat!
General InformationPhotographer of the
Month
Between the months of January and May, the Eilat Red
Sea 2013 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 a panel of five international judges. Photographer of the
Year An online competition among all the monthly winners (15
photographers) will then begin on June 1st, 2013. Online voters and a panel
of 5 internatioal judges will eventually select one of the competitors as
the Photographer of the Year.
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HP Red Sea Online Competition |
Prize Flights, accommodation and
diving expenses will all be covered for the Photographer of the Year, in
order to enable this winner to participate at the Eilat Red Sea 2013
shoot-out in Eilat. The 9th annual Eilat Red Sea competition will be held
on October 20-26, 2013, in Eilat. Innovative categories and some very
worthy prizes are planned for this year, making it very much worthwhile to
be elected as the Photographer of the Year.
For further information please visit www.eilatredsea.com/
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2020VISION Roadshow at the RGS |
2020VISION Roadshow
Royal Geographical Society, London
SW7
Friday 17th May, 2013
Some of the UK's top nature photographers, Andy
Rouse, Alex Mustard, Mark Hamblin and Peter
Cairns, will gather in London on 17 May to present an evening of
spell-binding imagery and personal anecdotes from 2020VISION, the most
ambitious nature photography project ever staged in the UK. Taking place at
the stunning Royal Geographical Society in Kensington, THE VISION theatre
show, part of the 2020VISION Roadshow, will provide a fascinating insight
into the ethos behind the project, reveal inspiring stories from throughout
the country where our natural ecosystems are being repaired and
re-connected, and showcase some of the very best wildlife and landscapes
the UK has to offer.
Tickets £12.00. Further details at http://www.2020v.org/
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The British Wildlife Photography
Awards
Deadline 4th May, 2012
The British Wildlife Photography Awards recognise the
talents of photographers practising in Britain, whilst at the same time
highlight the great wealth and diversity of Britain's natural history.
Now in its fifth year, this highly acclaimed and
prestigious competition has captivated the nation with outstanding and
beautiful imagery. It is a celebration of British wildlife as well as a
showcase for photographers.
The competition is open to professional photographers,
amateurs, young and old, and any nationality. Everyone is eligible. All
images must have been taken in the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
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British Wildlife Photography Awards
2013 |
In addition to still photography there is a great
opportunity to capture wildlife in action and win an amazing
prize. Wildlife in HD Video sponsored by Sky+HD.
Young photographers aged 18 and under may enter
the Young People's Awards - up to 4 images FREE.
With a prize fund of £20,000, and £5,000 cash for the overall
winner, winners and commended entrants will have their work showcased in
a national touring exhibition and'stunning
book.
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British Underwater Photography Championship
2013
Image: Charles Erb Runner-up in the Mankind
in the Sea Category, 2012 |
British Underwater Underwater
Championship
Mount Batten Centre, Plymouth, Saturday 6th
July
Win a one-week liveaboard holiday to the Maldives
(excl. flights) for two people courtesy of Maldives Scuba Tours
The 2013 British Underwater Photography Championships,
organised by the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP), will
take place on Saturday 6th July at Mount Batten, Plymouth, Devon. All
underwater photographers are invited to participate, whether they are
members of BSoUP or not.
BSoUP are delighted to announce that the judges for the
best overall image are Underwater Photojournalists Charles Hood and
Jane Morgan.
Further details at Splash/2013/intro.php
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