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BSoUP's Splash-in Competition 1995

by Brian Pitkin

Reproduced from in focus 55 (September 1995)

BSoUP's annual Splash-in this year was held one month later than usual on 7 July in an attempt to avoid the poor conditions that have prevailed in recent years. The move proved to be a good one, as the weather was excellent and visibility, although not as good as that experienced at Plymouth four weeks earlier, was reasonable.

The event was sponsored this year by the Plymouth Development Corporation who generously provided film and processing chemicals. A total of 44 members and non-members participated in the "On the Day" and "Humour" categories, collecting a numbered roll of 36 exposure Fuji Velvia or Provia film from the reception area at Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre for exposure in Plymouth waters before tea time. BRIAN and LINDA PITKIN, JAN MALONEY and FLEUR FILLINGHAM registered participants, collected entry fees and issued film.

Each competitor was asked to expose the first frame by taking their own picture or one of the harbour at Bovisand. This done they were free to take the remaining 35 frames underwater of subject they chose. Some photographers took advantage of the Bovisand shuttle, others went off in small groups either by RIB or inflatable or on chartered boats to dive further afield, whilst those without transport shore dived. Several dived out at Eddystone where visibility was a little better than inshore.

By 4.30 only 41 of the 44 films had been returned, at least one having been lost in an unfortunate camera flood! The unenviable task of processing the films began in earnest under the direction of DAVID NARDINI who was assisted by CHARLES HOOD, LES KEMP and MIKE MALONEY. The Society has its own 25 litre deep tanks and sufficient stainless steel spirals to process three lots of 36 films. The three bath PhotoSpeed E6 chemicals had been mixed late the previous evening by BRIAN PITKIN and had been left overnight to warm up gradually to 38'C ready for the day. Once the first 36 films had been wound onto spirals processing started, whilst the remaining films were loaded ready for processing. Three hours later all films had been processed and were hung up to dry.

The BSoUP display stand, transported to the Fort by DEREK BIGINTON was erected on Friday evening. Prints submitted for the "British" and "Open" categories were put on display at tea time on the Saturday by JAN MALONEY and FLEUR FILLINGHAM. Members, their guests and other visitors to the Fort were then invited to vote for their favourites. The impressive display included a total of 70 photographs, mostly at the maximum allowable size of 10" x 8", taken prior to the event.
As the weather was so good the barbecue planned for 6.30 p.m. did not have to be cancelled as had happened on previous occasions. A very good spread was provided by Fort Bovisand, assisted by our FLEUR FILLINGHAM, on the roof of the centre adjacent to the bar! This proved popular, nearly sixty participants and their guests participating whilst the films dried.

By 8.30 p.m. the films were dry and sleeved ready for return to the photographers, who were then given an hour to select their best two serious photographs and one humorous shot for judging. A total of 85 slides were each projected twice and the audience present invited to vote, a task made more difficult by the high standard achieved in the better conditions experienced.

Third place in the "Humour" category went to KEN SULLIVAN for his "Man eating shark". Second place went to GREG CASSAR for a shot of a diver watering an artificial plant. The winner of the "Humour" category was MARTIN PARKER for his shot of a diver looking for a socket to plug in her "Buhlman Trimix Computer". Martin was awarded the Aquamatic Trophy.

Third place "On the Day" went to PETER LADELL for his macro photograph of a mate cuckoo wrasse. Peter, who lives in Luton, took his third place shot with a Pentax LX with a 50 mm macro lens in a housing. Peter also came second with a wide-angle shot of a male cuckoo wrasse among kelp. This shot was also taken with a Pentax LX, but with a 17 mm wide-angle lens. Both shots were taken at Eddystone lighthouse. The winner "On the Day" was DAVID NARDINI with a wide-angle shot of an anchored inflatable with his buddy holding a torch just about to descend. David was awarded the BSoUP Trophy for the winning shot, taken with a Nikon F801 with a full frame fish-eye lens in a housing fitted with a Warren Williams wideangle dome port.

In the British Prints category, third place went to ALAN JAMES for his sea] portrait. Second place went to WYN ROBERTS for his close-up of an angler fish. The winner of the British category was MARK WEBSTER for his wide-angle photograph of a lump sucker swimming over kelp. Mark was awarded the Ocean Optics Trophy.

The rules allow "Brifish Prints" to also compete in the Open category. This year third place in the "Open Prints" category went to WYN ROBERTS for his angler fish. Second place went to KEN SULLIVAN for his close-up of a sweet lips with a cleaner fish in its open mouth. The winner was MARK WEBSTER with his lump sucker. Mark was awarded the Greenaway Marine Trophy. Suzanne Webster accepted the Trophies on Mark's behalf.

The event was a great success and thanks are due to all those who made it possible - Plymouth Development Corporation for providing film and chemicals, Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre and their staff for facilities and assistance, BSoU`P members Greg Cassar, Fleur Fillinghain, Charlie Hood, Les Kemp, Jan and Mike Maloney, David Nardini and Brian and Linda Pitkin for help on the day, and to Derek Biginton for transporting the BSoUP display stand to and from Fort Bovisand.