News
Announcing the Winner of Scubaverse.com’s Photo of the Year 2017
Winner Chosen by our panel of experts:
Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse.com’s Underwater Photography Editors
Mario Vitalini, underwater photo pro and resident photo-pro for Scuba Travel
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This year, Scubaverse.com’s underwater photography editors Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown are joined by UK-based tour operator Scuba Travel’s resident underwater photo pro Mario Vitalini to choose a winner of our Photo of the Year award. Nick, Caroline and Mario had a tough job on their hands to pick an overall champion for 2017; the winners of the monthly contest provided 12 fantastic images to select from, including marine life big and small, wrecks, images using advanced photo techniques, and examples of animal behaviour. But after much deliberation, and in reverse order….
3rd Place
October’s winner: Snack by ifj. Lőrincz Ferenc
PHOTOLINK: https://www.scubaverse.com/contestants/snack/
Judges Comments
Nick
Every photographer has shots of turtles, but this one gives an entirely new perspective to a much-loved sea creature. The shot has the subject isolated so that it really stands out, yet it is still shown in its environment and eating its usual food. I also love the cloud of sand beneath it, giving the whole image a sense of motion.
Caroline
This shot really stands out from the crowd because it is shot at the eye level of this gorgeous turtle. I love the greenery hanging out of it’s mouth and the puff of sand giving motion to the scene. Lovely blue background too. Well done.
Mario
I’ve shot these beasties many a time, and getting a picture in such a low angle while the animal is feeding without having sand particles all over the place is always a challenge. The only thing I would like to see is a tiny bit of additional space on the left to get a better-balanced image.
2nd Place
January’s winner: Striped Catfish by Jack McKee
PHOTOLINK: https://www.scubaverse.com/contestants/striped-catfish/
Judges Comments
Nick
This group of striped catfish stand out beautifully against the black background and the lighting on their faces is just about perfect. It is almost as if they are all vying to be the centre of attention.
Caroline
The lighting is wonderful in this shot. The whiskers jump out and I love all the eyes looking at the camera. It is a shot you can keep coming back to and enjoy a little more each time.
Mario
Great composition and very sharp image. Love the detail of the mouth on the top fish, however the shot was slightly let down by the barb of the first catfish crossing the eye of the third one.
1st Place
September’s winner: Little Octopus by Chun Zhou
PHOTOLINK: https://www.scubaverse.com/contestants/little-octopus-blackwater/
Judges Comments
Nick
This image is truly stunning and I wish that it was mine! The lighting is superb and captures the translucence of this immature octopus beautifully. It is a great “black-water” image and was a unanimous choice as first place from all three judges.
Caroline
This is a wonderful shot, of a subject I have not encountered before. This larval, see-through octopus is incredible and the lighting is perfect. Engaging eye contact. Striking black background. Wonderful!
Mario
A great striking shot beautifully lit. I love the transparency and the little isotope next to the tentacle ads a behavioural touch to the image.
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Congratulations from all of the Scubaverse team to our winner and runners-up. Thank you to everyone that entered in 2017. We hope to see plenty more of your images in 2018!
Chun will receive a wonderful prize of Mares diving equipment, as well as a voucher from Scuba Travel (full details of the prize can be found here).
For your chance to win the 2018 title, you simple need to enter your images each month here:
www.scubaverse.com/current-contest-photo
Good Luck!
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Scubaverse.com would like to say a big thank you to Photo of the Year’s sponsors, Mares and Scuba Travel.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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