This year's event took place on Saturday 4th July at the Mount Batten Centre and the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth. All underwater photographers were invited to participate 'On the Day' to compete for the trophies, some fantastic prizes and personal awards. A total of 52 underwater photographers participated in the 'On the Day' competition.

The presentation of entries, the judging and announcement of the winners took place in the National Marine Aquarium, following a BBQ.

Unfortunately following the awards, one of the announced winning images, contrary to the Rules, was discovered to have been substantially cropped and has been disqualified. As a consequence some of the placings have been changed. We now have the difficult task of recovering some of the prizes and trophies and redistributing them.

Close-up

Image taken of an area A4 size or less

Anemone by Rick Ayrton
Winner

Sport Diver Trophy and an Olympus Mju Tough 8000 digital camera donated by Olympus UK AND a year's family membership of the National Aquarium.

Lobster by Jim Garland
Runner-up

‘The Underwater Photographer’ by Martin Edge, donated by the publisher Focal Press, or ‘Dive: The Ultimate Guide’ by Monty Halls, donated by the publisher Ultimate Sports.

Wide-angle

Image taken of an area greater than A4 size

Anemones on wreck by Neil Skilling
Winner

Alan James Digital Image Trophy and an Olympus Mju Tough 8000 digital camera donated by Olympus UK AND a year's family membership of the National Marine Aquarium.

Diver silhouette by Richard Gannon
Runner-up

‘The Underwater Photographer’ by Martin Edge, donated by the publisher Focal Press, or ‘Dive: The Ultimate Guide’ by Monty Halls, donated by the publisher Ultimate Sports.ublisher Dorling Kindersley.

Animal portraits

Image in which a fish or other marine animal is the main focus

Jellyfish by Jim Garland
Winner

BSoUP Trophy and an Olympus Mju Tough 8000 digital camera donated by Olympus UK AND a year's family membership of the National Marine Aquarium.

John Dorey by Len Deeley
Runner-up

‘The Underwater Photographer’ by Martin Edge, donated by the publisher Focal Press, or ‘Dive: The Ultimate Guide’ by Monty Halls, donated by the publisher Ultimate Sports.

Humourous

Any form of image manipulation including composite images

Best Beginner

A beginner is defined as someone who has not come first, second or third in a national or international competition, such as BSoUP's Open and Beginners Portfolio Competitions, BSoUP or St Abbs splash-ins, Image, BUIF, U/W Photographer of the Year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Marine Conservation Society etc.

The best image by a beginner in each category - close-up, animal portrait and wide-angle - was projected and the audience invited to vote for their favourite.

The winner in each category received a copy of ‘The Underwater Photographer’ by Martin Edge, donated by the publisher Focal Press, or ‘Dive: The Ultimate Guide’ by Monty Halls, donated by the publisher Ultimate Sports.

The overall Best Beginner received the 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.