BSoUP's Splash-in Competition 1993
What a corker!
by Brian Pitkin
Reproduced from in focus 48 (June 1993)
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This year's winner of the BSoUP Trophy and a
gold medal for the best photograph taken 'On the Day' was none other
than BSoUP's Chairman, BRIAN PITKIN. His shot of a male corkwing
wrasse in breeding colours beat more than eighty other slides taken
in Plymouth waters on Saturday 12 June at the British Society of
Underwater Photographers' annual Splash-in. Despite the north
westerly gales sweeping across the Sound on the day of the
competition, the event, sponsored by AGFA (UK) Ltd and held at Fort
Bovisand Underwater Centre, attracted a total of fifty-three
underwater photographers.
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Male corkwing wrasse by Brian Pitkin, winner 'On the
Day'
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Brian Greaves, AGFA (UK) Ltd presenting Brian itkin
with the BSoUP Trophy.
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Brian's winning shot was taken in the harbour,
literally within half an hour of the close of the competition, using
a Pentax LX camera with a 55mm macro lens at 1/60th at f11-16 in a
Hugyfot housing with a Sunpak Marine 32 flashgun on half power with a
one-stop diffuser. "The corkwing wrasse was building and guarding its
nest on a weed covered rock in about 3 metres of water. It approached
the camera lens repeatedly in an attempt to drive me away", said
Brian, "and I took the opportunity to take a dozen shots at a variety
of different angles before time dictated I hurry ashore to hand in my
film for processing." Brian has been taking photographs for many
years but until last year when he won the Macro category at the Isle
of Man Splash-in has only had very limited success in competitions.
He did however shoot most of the underwater photographs for Reg
Vallintine's recent book "Learn to Scuba Dive in a Weekend",
published by Dorling Kindersley.
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Alan James, second 'On the Day', receiving his
silver medal.
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Andy Hirst, third 'On the Day'
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Runner-up 'On the Day' was ALAN JAMES for his
macro-photo of a Jewel Anemone. Third place went to ANDREW HIRST for
his portrait of a Pipe Fish. Alan and Andrew were presented with
silver and bronze medals respectively by AGFA (UK) Ltd's Product
Sales Manager, Mr Brian Greaves.
The winner of the Aquamatic Trophy and a gold medal
for the most humourous shot taken 'On the Day' went to MARTIN PARKER
for a shot of his buddy with "fish and chips".
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Les Kemp, winner in the Open Prints category
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Les' winning shot in the Open Prints category of a
diver in cave
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In addition to the 'On the Day' category,
underwater photoaphers were invited to submit up to three British and
three Overseas prints taken prior to the event. A total of
eighty-five prints were entered and displayed during the evening for
members and their guests to choose their favourite three. The overall
winner of the prints category was LES KEMP for his photograph of a
diver with a torch in the mouth of a cave. Les was presented with the
Greenaway Marine Trophy and a gold medal.
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Seal by Charlie Hood, runner-up in the Open Prints
category and winner in the British Prints category.
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Charlie Hood receives his silver medal.
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The runner-up was CHARLES
HOOD for his photograph of a seal taken in the Farne Islands. Charles
was presented with a silver medal and his shot also won the Ocean
Optics Trophy for the best British print. Third place overall went to
MARTIN EDGE for his portrait of a Tom Pot Blenny. Martin was presented
with a bronze medal and his shot also won him a silver medal for the
second best British print. Third place in the British prints category
went to DAVE PEAKE for his squat lobster on a fan coral. |

Dave Peake receives his award for coming third in
the British Prints category
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Diver with anemone by Martin Edge, which came fourth
'On the Day'
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Tompot blenny by Martin Edge. The original print
came third in the Open Prints category and second in the British
Prints category
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Martin Edge
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The Society is grateful to
AGFA (UK) Ltd for generously sponsoring the event by providing film and
chemicals and a watch and two fun cameras for the raffle, to their
Product Sales Manager, Mr Brian Greaves for presenting the awards; to
ScubaPro who donated a mask for the raffle; to Peter Rowlands, Debbie
Perrin, Peter Ladell and Peter Funnell for processing the film so
efficiently; to John Langford and Jon Field for collating the results
and organising the raffle; and to the management and staff at Fort
Bovisand Underwater Centre for making us so welcome. |

Peter Rowlands in the dark room hanging processed
film to dry
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RESULTS |
ON THE DAY
SLIDES |
Position |
Points |
Photographer |
Subject |
|
|
|
|
1 |
74 |
Brian Pitkin |
Corkwing wrasse |
2 |
25 |
Alan James |
Jewel anemone |
3 |
24 |
Andrew Hirst |
Pipe fish |
HUMOROUS
SLIDES |
Position |
Points |
Photographer |
Subject |
|
|
|
|
1 |
25 |
Martin Parker |
Fish and chips |
2 |
18 |
Greg Cassar |
|
3 |
7 |
Jan Maloney |
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PRINTS |
|
|
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British |
|
|
|
1 |
46 |
Les Kemp |
Diver in cave |
2 |
21 |
Howard Bunyan |
Manta ray |
3 |
21 |
Benny Sutton |
Wreck |
Open |
|
|
|
1 |
38 |
Charles Hood |
Seal portrait |
2 |
33 |
Martin Edge |
Tom pot blenny |
3 |
20 |
Dave Peake |
Squat lobster on coral |
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