BSoUP's Splash-in Competition
1988
by Brian Pitkin
Reproduced from in focus 29 (September 1988) The idea
of BSoUP's Splash-In is to bring together as many members and other
underwater photographers as possible for a weekend of fun where they
can compete, converse and collaborate in a relaxed informal
atmosphere. In addition to black and white and colour print
categories, the competition features an 'On the Day' category, where
participants are issued with a roll of 35 mm film in the morning
which they must expose in Plymouth waters before tea. The exposed
films are processed during tea and returned with two slide mounts per
film to their respective underwater photographers. During the evening
the two selected slides per participant are projected and the
audience present invited to vote for their favourite three in order
of preference. The slides may be either contrived, novelty, humourous
type shots or standard creative shots of marine life, scenery, divers
etc.
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BSoUP 21st Anniversary cake by Les Kemp. The
original colour slide was the winner in the Contrived / Humorous
category and won the Aquamatic Trophy and Gold Medal.
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Being the Society's 21st Anniversary, this
year's Splash-In was planned to be extra special and in the event
that is just what it turned out to be. Several members have stated
that it was the most well organised Splash-In they had ever
attended.
The event was staged on Saturday 4th June at
the usual venue, Fort Bovisand in Plymouth. For the third year
running the Splash-in was sponsored by AGFA, who generously supplied
all the film and processing chemicals.
For the first time ever a programme was
printed and circulated prior to the event and this undoubtedly helped
the day run as smoothly as it did, although it was a considerable
commitment as nobody_had any idea in advance how many participants
would take part and consequently how many rolls of film would require
processing..
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First thing in the morning, sixty-five eager
competitors jostled good naturedly in the reception area at the Fort
for their rolls of Agfachrome 50 ASA or 200 ASA film, Once in their
hands the film was spirited away to be loaded furtively into a camera
ready for the first dive of the day.
The 96 submitted black and white and colour
prints were put on display in the reception area, and a dazzling
sight they made. Volunteers manned the stand throughout the day and
everyone viewing the prints was encouraged to vote for their
favourites.
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Flat worm by Peter Rowlands, the winning slide 'On
the Day'
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Jellyfish, by Kevin Cullimore, which came
third in the Black and White Prints category
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As I prepared my film the sea conditions were
less than ideal and the sun peered infrequently through the clouds.
Nevertheless I had decided that Shag Rock was where I wanted to be
and set off with three companions to dive. When we reached the Rock
the swell was up to three metres, no chance of a decent picture. So
we headed round the Mewstone, seeking shelter in its lee. And as luck
would have it, conditions were very good. The Mewstone had taken the
bite out the sea and amazingly the visibility inshore was quite
exceptional. We anchored in 10 metres, the bottom clearly visible
below us, Last minute check on equipment and over the side. Great!
The gullies were alive with marine 11fe and although there was a
slight occasional swell things couldn't have been much better. An
hour and half later I was back at the Fort with, I hoped (in common
with all the other competitors), some winning shots.
By 4.30 p.m. the processing chemicals had
been brought up to temperature and the dark room team had already
started loading spirals. A task that was to take quite a time with 62
films returned for processing. But by 6,30 p.m, all the films had
been processed and were hanging up to dry, prior to
sleeving.
A cold buffet had been arranged for the
evening and thanks to Rhoda Gill and her helpers a splendid meal was
enjoyed by 120 members and their guests. Particularly memorable were
the delicious sweets and a magnificent anniversary cake, ceremonially
cut by founder members Peter Scoones and Colin Doeg.
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Divers in cave entrance by David George, which
tied for first place in the Black and White Prints
category.
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Underwater photographer viewed through a
section of pipe by Warren Williams, which tied for first place in the
Black and White Prints category.
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After everyone had eaten, the processed films
were returned to their expectant owners to be squinted at through
lenses, peered at in viewers or projected in the privacy of someone's
room, in order to select the best two for submission. Simultaneously
volunteers began counting the votes for the prints in preparation for
the awards ceremony. Finally, at the appointed time, projection
began. The Splash-In slide show was on, and over 140 people crowded
into the room to enjoy it and vote for the best slides. Within half
an hour of the end of the slide-show all votes had been counted and
the presentations began.
Mr Brian Greaves of Agfa presented the
trophies, medals and prizes to the winners. There was a tie for first
place in the Black and White Prints class between DAVID GEORGE with
his print of divers outside a cave and WARREN WILLIAMS with his print
of a diver seen through a large diameter pipe. Both won Gold Medals
and five rolls of Agfachrome film. They will have to share the Ocean
Optics Trophy, six months each. Third place went to KEVIN CULLIMORE
for his print of a Jellyfish. Kevin was awarded a Bronze Medal and
two rolls of film.
The winner of the Colour Prints class was LINDA PITKIN for her print
of a sea-fan, Linda was awarded the Greenaway Marine Trophy, a Gold
Medal and six rolls of Agfachrome, Second place went to Mike Glover
for his print of a Conger Eel. Mike received a Silver Medal and four
rolls of film. Third place went to DAVID GEORGE, who won a Bronze
Medal and two rolls of film for his print of sweepers shoaling, over
the steps of a wreck in the Red Sea.
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The Best Contrived/Novelty/Humorous shot 'On
the Day' was taken by LES KEMP and it was a particularly appropriate
and well executed contrived shot showing a diver holding a BSoUP 21st
anniversary cake on a mirror, candles alight and reflected in the
diver's mask. Sparkle was added to the image by using a starburst
filter to great effect, particularly on the candles and mirror. Les
won the Aquamatic Trophy, a Gold Medal and six rolls of
film.
The winner 'On the Day' was PETER ROWLANDS,
who won the BSoUP Trophy, a Gold Medal and six rolls of Agfachrome
for his double exposure of a flat worm with just a twinkle of
sunlight overhead, Second place went to LINDA PITKIN, who won a
Silver Medal and four rolls of film for her balanced light shot of
kelp against the sunlit surface where a boat lying peacefully at
anchor is silhouetted. Third place went to RON WILLIAMSON, who won a
Bronze Medal and two rolls of film for his picture of an
anemone.
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Conger eel, by Mike Glover,
which came second in the Colour Prints category.
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Sweepers on wreck, by David George, which took
third place in the Colour Prints category.
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To celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the
Society, Greenaway Marine staged a lively and colourful grand
fireworks display at the end of the harbour wall. The finale was a
goodwill message which read "Greenaway Marine wishes BSoUP a Happy
21st". If you were there and photographed it, a E25 prize is being
offered by Greenaway Marine for the best picture. Closing date is
30th June, 1988. Send your entries to Greenaway Marine, Post Office
Lane, Broad Hinton, Wilts.
It is a pleasure to record here the Society's
thanks to Peter Rowlands, Peter Scoones, Paul Clark and Viv Pearson
for processing all of the film; to David George for transport and
projection; to Jenny George, Jan Lenart, Liz Wood, Debbie Perrin and
Paul Clark for counting votes; Jan and Mike Maloney, Alice and Helen
Wood, Roma Glover, Linda Reid, Alison Terry, Sylvie Edge, Jenny and
Keith Compton-Bishop and many others who helped out during the day;
and to Steve Greenaway and his sons for the amazing pyrotechnics. Our
thanks also to Alan Bax and Jim Gill and all the staff at the Fort
for the use of facilities; to Rhoda Gill for organising the very
enjoyable buffet; and last but by no means least to Brian Greaves and
AGFA for their generosity and continued support. |
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BSoUP's Splash-in Competition Winners |
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Digital (overall and category winners) |
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2014 |
Overall Winner - Cathy Lewis |
Mankind in the Sea - Terry Griffiths |
Marine Life - Cathy Lewis |
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Best Compact - Colin Whyte |
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2013 |
Overall Winner - Dan Bolt |
Mankind in the Sea - Dan Bolt |
Marine Life - Alex Tatttersall |
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Best Compact - Paula Bailey |
Reflections - Dan Bolt |
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2012 |
Overall Winner - Tim Priest |
Mankind in the Sea - Charles Erb |
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Best Compact - Paula Bailey |
Crustacea - Rob White |
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2011 |
Overall Winner - Dan Bolt |
Mankind in the Sea - Derek Haslam |
Abstract - Rob Cuss |
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Marine Life - Dan Bolt |
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Best Compact - Colin Yule |
Compact - Mankind in the Sea - Martin Rishton |
Compact - Abstract - Mark Brooke |
2010 |
Overall Winner - Charles Erb |
Close-up - Julie Kaye |
Animal Portraits - Cathy Lewis |
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Wide-angle - Martin Davies |
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2009 |
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Close-up - Rick Ayrton |
Animal Portraits - Jim Garland |
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Wide-angle - Neil
Skilling |
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2008 |
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Close-up - Cathy Lewis |
Animal Portraits - Helen Wehner |
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Wide-angle - Charles Erb |
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2007 |
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Wide-angle - Arthur Kingdon |
Fish - Alan James |
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Close-up - Alan James |
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Film & Digital (overall & category winners) |
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2006 |
Overall Winner - Dave Peake |
Film Wide-angle - Martin Davies |
Film Close-up - Jan Maloney |
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Digital Wide-angle - Trevor Rees |
Digital Close-up - Alan James |
2005 |
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Film Wide-angle - Martin Davies |
Film Close-up - Jean Manson |
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Digital Wide-angle - Charles Erb |
Digital Close-up - Charles Erb |
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Film (category winners) |
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2004 |
Macro - Cathy Lewis |
Wide-angle - Dave Peake |
Fish -
Peter Ladell |
2003 |
Macro - David Stevens |
Wide-angle - Dave Peake |
Fish -
Peter Hewitt |
2002 |
Macro - Ken Sullivan |
Wide-angle - Len Deeley |
Fish -
Bill Hewitt |
2001 |
Macro - Tom Cowan |
Wide-angle - Guy Middleton |
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Film (overall winners, no categories) |
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2000 Ken Sullivan |
1991 Kevin Cullimore |
1982 Peter Salmon |
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1999 Derek Haslam |
1990 Kevin Cullimore |
1981 Warren Williams |
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1998 Pat Morrisey |
1989 Paul Clark |
1980 David McBride |
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1997 Peter Tatton |
1988 Peter Rowlands |
1979 Warren Williams |
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1996 Linda Pitkin |
1987 Warren Williams |
1978 Dave Nance |
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1995 Dave Nardini |
1986 Peter Scoones |
1977 Geoff Harwood |
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1994 Dave Peake |
1985 Kevin Cullimore |
1976 |
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1993 Brian Pitkin |
1984 Les Kemp |
1975 |
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1992 John Souness |
1983 Peter Hewitt |
1974 Warren Williams |
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