Some of the 49 participants |
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The
Judges |

Alan James, Chairman of the Judges |
Alan James, an award-winning
photographer, has often scooped the top prizes at British Splash-In
Championships. During an emotional farewell speech at BSoUP a few
months ago, Alan told the audience that he and his wife Heather were
now stepping back from underwater photography and scuba-diving,
although they will still plan to do the odd dive. This year's
competitors will therefore be privileged to have Alan on the panel of
judges for what could be one of his last public appearances with
BSoUP.
Alan chaired both the 'On the Day' and 'Prints'
panel of judges.
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Paul Cox is Head of Science and
Learning at the National Marine Aquarium. He came into Marine
Biology as a career through overseas SCUBA experiences and, having
moved to Plymouth to study, discovered the wonders of diving in the
South West.
Paul has been working for the Aquarium for the past
5 years and, during that time, has met and worked with many
underwater and terrestrial photographers.
He bought his first digital SLR before a trip to
the Arctic four years ago and has been trying to use it ever
since. It has not yet made it underwater!
Paul was of member of both the 'On the Day' and
'Prints' panel of judges.
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Paul Cox, National Aquarium |

Emma Wright, Oonasdivers |
Emma Wright is a Director and Head
of Marketing at Oonasdivers. One of her responsibilities is the
organisation of overseas photo workshops. A diver for ten years, Emma
has been known to take a compact camera underwater, although she
prefers to enjoy the photographic successes of others! Oonasdivers
are generously sponsoring this year's Prints competition for the
first time by donating a one week diving holiday in the Red Sea. for
the overall winner of the Prints competition.
The Prints competiton is now closed and the entries
are on display at the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon until
midnight Saturday 12 July 2008.
Emma was a member of the 'Prints' panel of
judges.
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Neil Hope is Deputy Picture Editor
of the Western Morning News, Plymouth, and a regular
contributer to diving publications.
Since qualifying in 1989 in the North-East of England, Neil has lived
and dived extensively throughout the UK eventually settling in
Torpoint, Cornwall some five years ago.
Well aware of the challenging conditions which the underwater
photographer often faces along our shores he is looking forward to
see.
Neil was a member of the 'On the Day' panel of
judges.
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Neil Hope, Western Morning News
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The Award
Winners |

Cathy Lewis. Winner of the Close-up category
BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Cathy with the Sport Diver
Trophy and an Olympus Mju 1030 digital camera donated by Olympus UK.
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Helen Wehner. Winner of the Animal Portrait category
BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Helen with the BSoUP
Trophy and an Olympus Mju 1030 digital camera donated by Olympus UK.
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Charles Erb. Winner of the Wide-angle category
BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Charles with the Alan
James Digital Image Trophy and an Olympus Mju 1030 digital camera
donated by Olympus UK.
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Steve Lawes, Best Beginner, with Maria Munn
Mari Munn, Ocean Visions, presents Steve Lawes with Ocean Visions
Trophy and either a canvas print of one of their images
or a free place on a one day course run by Maria
Munn of Ocean Visions.
A copy of 'Reefs Revealed'' by Alex Mustard, donated by the
publisher Constable and Robinson
or 'REEF'' by Scubazoo, donated by the publisher
Dorling
Kindersley.
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John Souness. Winner of the Humor category
BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents John with the AP Valves
Trophy and Buddy stab jacket, donated by AP Valves
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Helen Wehner, Splash-in Overall Winner
BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Helen with the grand prize
of a one week liveaboard trip to the Red Sea kindly donated by
Tony Backhurst
Scuba and a copy of 'Wyland: Visions of the Sea', donated by the
National Marine Aquarium
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Robert Cuss. Winner British and Irish Prints
BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Rob with the Ocean Optics
Trophy, a £250 voucher to spend at Ocean Optics Ltd,
and a year's family membership to the National Marine
Aquarium in Plymouth.
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Trevor Rees. Winner Advanced British and Irish Prints
BSoUP President, Brian Pitkin, presents Trevor with the Alan James
Photography Print Trophy, an Olympus SP-570 UZ camera from Olympus UK, and a
year's family membership to the National Marine
Aquarium in Plymouth.
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