December 2017 Photo Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS NICK & CAROLINE ROBERTSON-BROWN
WINNER: Cedar Pride wreck by Alex Levin
PHOTOLINK: http://www.scubaverse.com/contestants/cedar-pride-wreck/
When judging any underwater photography competition, the first thing we do is ask of each image: Is it in focus? The main subject has to be pin sharp. Is it exposed correctly?
We then look at lighting (photography is all about light) and composition. Backscatter, hot spots of light, messy backgrounds all might see your image lose out.
Then there are other considerations that might get you knocked out of the first round: Was the image taken underwater? After all it is an underwater photography competition! Were any animals distressed or harassed to get the image? Was any environmental damage done to get the shot?
Once we have whittled out the images that do not pass these criteria, it is time to get down to picking a winner. A shot that makes us both go wow – I wish I had taken that!
December 2017
So, the final competition of the year has come to a close. Soon it will be time to crown our overall 2017 underwater photography champion. But before then, we need to judge the December images. December saw fewer entries than normal – you were probably all out shopping and celebrating the festive season. However, we still had our work cut our to select a winner.
Our Favourites
Caroline
Got the Time? by Terry Ellis: I like this, as it gives the viewer the chance to see how small this ghost pipefish really is. Cute!
Portrait of an Eel by Katy Laveck Foster: Good portrait with both eyes in shot.
Close Enough? by Laura Tesler: Lovely portrait of a wolf eel.
Colours by Errico Gaetano: a nice abstract, macro shot of a colourful worm.
Nice Couple by Marc Eeckhaut: a smashing shot of a pair of shrimps on a colourful urchin.
“Observers” or “Small and even smaller” by Alex Levin: I like this shot of a bright crab in a dull sponge. Good composition, with the diagonal and depth of field.
Calps – stranger underwater creatures by Alex Levin: I like this, but would prefer if the divers were swimming towards the photographer, but still a cool shot.
Cedar Pride wreck by Alex Levin: Nice wreck shot, with a diver showing the scale of the ship wreck.
Freediving Champion by Sean Steininger: Lovely moment to experience and this image makes we want to be there too!
Great Red Hermit Crab by Paul Hewart: Nice macro close-up of this crab.
Nick
Got the Time? by Terry Ellis: Love the idea of this shot, but for me the pipefish needed more light or silhouetting to really work.
Whaleshark by Katy Laveck Foster: Really nice angle on this shot, but a bit too much negative space in the top half.
Portrait of an Eel by Katy Laveck Foster: Lovely close-up portrait with both eyes and nostrils in eyeline. Nice bokeh too.
Close Enough? by Laura Tesler: I like the subtle lighting on this wolf eel but perhaps the eye could have been brighter.
A study in Orange by Laura Tesler: This is a very orange image! I would have tried to get more light on the white of the nudibranch which would have made it pop out. Nice shot though.
A Minor God’s daughter by Errico Gaetano: I really love this “still-life” shot. The colours and contrast are wonderful.
Mr Blennius by Errico Gaetano: Lovely blenny shot. Super depth of field and nice eye contact. Possibly a bit too much negative space on the right.
Nemo by Marc Eeckhaut: Lovely behaviour shot of an anemonefish. I would have used a higher f-stop to get the fish’s face in focus too.
“Observers” or “Small and even smaller” by Alex Levin: Almost a super shot. Both critters needed to be in focus, but the colour contrast and depth of field are excellent.
Calps – stranger underwater creatures by Alex Levin: This is one of those shots you can get whilst hanging out on your 5m stop. Re-focus your eyes and look at all the small stuff drifting towards you. Nice shot!
Cedar Pride wreck by Alex Levin: Classic angle on this wreck shot. Just a hint of light on the stern brings out the colours too.
Men’s work is never done by Daryll Rivett: This is very nicely done. Side on shot of a sea dragon in its environment. It is well-lit and stands out against the background.
Transparency in Shrimp by Daryll Rivett: This is a super macro shot with the important pieces in focus and everything else in bokeh. Really like this shot.
Weedy Seadragon by Sean Steininger: This is a great example of shooting upwards to isolate your subject from the reef.
Large Scaled Scorpionfish by Paul Hewart: This really catches the eye with the red against the black background. Nice catchlight in the eye too.
Great Red Hermit Crab by Paul Hewart: This is a great close-up shot. The crab is framed by the anemone on his shell. The black background ensures the subject pops out. Love the eyes.
After much deliberations between our two judges….
There were lots of good shots this month and it was hard to find that outstanding image that leapt out as a winner. Here are the results:
Winner: Cedar Pride wreck by Alex Levin
Runner-Up: Great Red Hermit Crab by Paul Hewart
Congratulations to the those that were placed – some really nice images here, and well done to all those that entered. We cannot wait to see what 2018 will hold.
[hr style=”single”]Scubaverse.com’s January 2018 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.
