|
BSoUP's
Splash-in Competition 1987
by
Brian Pitkin
Reproduced
from in focus 22
(June 1987) |
|
Some
of the participants in the BSoUP Splash-in 1987 at Fort Bovisand,
Plymouth, Devon. [Photo: Paul Langley] |
Warren
Williams (centre) being congratulated by Brian Pitkin (left)
and Brian Greaves, AGFA/Gevaert (UK) on winning the 'On the
Day' category. [Photo Peter Rowlands] |
| The
British Society of Underwater Photographers held its annual
Splash-In at Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre, Plymouth on Saturday,
30th May. The event was generously sponsored by AGFA for the
second year running. The
competition comprises three classes Black and WhIie Prints
and Colour Prints taken anywhere in the world and a unique
'On the Day' clear. where competitors were Issued with a roll
of film in the morning and had until 4.30 p.a. to expose it
in Plymouth waters before returning it for processing and
subsequent projection and judging. |
|
A
black and white print of Warren Williams'' winning colour
slide 'On the Day' of weed in a rock pool. |
A
black and white print of Ron Williamson's colour slide of
a plumose anemone which came third on the day. |
|
This
year the number of prints entered was down on last year's
entry with only 19 black and white and 46 colour, compared
to 16 and 78 respectively in 1986
Nevertheless
the standard was as high if not higher than last year with
some excellent entries. Perhaps those who did not enter are
saving themselves for Brighton '87?
All
of the prints were put on display throughout the day In the
room adjacent to Reception. Volunteers manned the display
and encouraged all visitors to the exhibition to vote for
their favourite three black white and colour prints In order
of preference. |
|
Peter
Rowlands receives his silver medal from Brian Greaves, AGFA/Gevaert
(UK). |
A
black and white print of Peter Rowlands' colour slide of
a diver watching a starfish spawn which came second 'On the
Day' |
|
A
total of 48 competitors each collected a roll of AGFA film
at the start of the day to participate in the 'On the Day'
class. Again the number of entries was down on last year when
a record 77 took part. The poor weather conditions prevailing
my have contributed to this but a number of hardy regulars
failed to appear. Each of those competing had a choice of
straight underwater photographs and/or contrived shots. The
majority opted to expend their efforts on Plymouth's abundant
marine life, although a few took props along to contrive a
novelty or humorous shot. The underwater visibility was generally
poor everywhere and the competitors had a very difficult task
to take anything other than macro and close-up shots, although
some evidently did find slightly better conditions and made
the most of them to take diver shots and scenery.
By
4.30 p.m. all but a few of the exposed rolls had been returned
for processing and. whilst everybody_else relaxed, the dark
room team went into action. This year they had the capability
to process up to 124 rolls in four processes using stainless
steel spirals and dip tanks. The most difficult task was to
load the spirals in darkness and get then into the tanks.
The operation ran very smoothly and within three hours all
of the films were processed. dried and ready to be returned
to their respective owners. At Just after 8.00 p.m. the films
were handed back to those who bad returned from dinner. A
few late arrivals meant that projection of the best two from
each photographer had to be delayed until 9.30 p.m.
The
audience waited patiently until projection began. Each slide
was projected twice and the audience invited to vote for their
favourite three slides in order of preference and for the
best contrived shot. Following this everybody_retired to the
bar to await the results and presentation of trophies and
prizes. |
|
Martin
Edge receiving the Ocean Optics Trophy from Brian Greaves,
AGFA (UK). [Photo Peter Rowlands] |
Martin
Edge's Jellyfish which won second place in the Black and
White prints category |
|
Mr
Brian Greaves, Sales Manager of AGFA/Gevaert kindly made presentations
to the winners. Results were announced in reverse order starting
with Black and White Prints, Colour Prints and the 'On the
Day' class.
Third
place for a Bronze Medal in the Black and White Print class
was MARK WEBSTER for his photograph of a turtle. Second and
winner of a Silver Medal was PETER ROWLANDS for a shot of
a wreck.
The
winner of the Ocean Optics Trophy and a Gold Medal was MARTIN
EDGE (centre left page 10) for a photograph of a Jellyfish. |
|
Peter
Rowlands wreck shot which won second place in the Black and
White Prints category |
Mark
Webster's turtle which won third place in the Black and
White Prints category. |
|
Third
place and a Bronze Medal in the Colour Print class went to
MIKE WONG for his study of a shoal of butterfly angels. Second
place and a silver medal went to PETER HEWITT for his shot
of shrimps.
The
winner of the Greenaway Marine Trophy and a Gold Medal for
his print of a fish and diver in a cave entrance was KEVIN
CULLIMORE.
The
Best Contrived shot 'On the Day' was a silhouette of an airship
by TONY ROOD, which won him the Aquamatic Trophy and a Gold
Medal. |
|
Kevin
Cullimore receives the Greenaway Marine Trophy for the Best
Colour Print from Brian Greaves, AGFA/Gevaert (UK). [Photo
Peter Rowlands] |
Kevin Cullimore's winning shot of a grouper
with diver in cave in the Colour Prints category |
|
Third
place 'On the Day' and a Bronze Medal went to RON WILLIAMSON
for a close-up of a plumose anemone.
Second
place and a Silver Medal went to PETER ROWLANDS for his study
of a diver watching a spawning starfish.
The
winner of the BSoUP Trophy and a Gold Medal was WARREN WILLIAMS
for his photograph of rock pool weeds. |
|
Peter
Hewitt's shrimp which came second in the Colour Prints category. |
Mike
Wong's butterfly fish which cam third in the Colour Prints
category. |
|
Following
the presentation of awards BRIAN PITKIN, the Chairman and
organiser of the event. thanked BRIAN GREAVES and all those
who had helped out on the day, particularly the dark room
team comprising PETER ROWLANDS, MIKE MALONEY, PAUL LANGLEY,
VIV PEARSON and GEORGE RISTICH, those who manned the stand
- MIKE and JAN MALONEY. MARTIN and SYLVIE EDGE, BRIAN
HUMPHRIES, MIKE WONG. BRYAN STARK, those who counted votes
- JAN MALONEY, VIV PEARSON and BRYAN STARK, and MIKE WONG
for transport. The Society is extremely grateful to AGFA/Gevaert
for so generously sponsoring the event and to JIM GILL and
ALAN BAX and all the staff at Fort Bovisand for making us
so welcome and ensuring our visit was so enjoyable.
BSoUP
SPLASH-IN WINNERS |
